Publications by authors named "Ackerman K"

Background: Haptics-enhanced virtual reality (VR-haptic) simulation in dental education has evolved considerably during the past decade, representing a promising resource of simulation-based training opportunities to support conventional practice. We aim to summarize current literature on the applications of VR-haptics in learning, practicing, and teaching dental education.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, focusing on research articles published between January 2010 and January 2024.

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Unlabelled: Up to 40% of elite athletes experience bone stress injuries (BSIs), with 20-30% facing reinjury. Early identification of runners at high risk of subsequent BSI could improve prevention strategies. However, the complex etiology and multifactorial risk factors of BSIs makes identifying predictive risk factors challenging.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-reported indicators of low energy availability (LEA-I) and race performance as well as medical incidents during the Boston Marathon.
  • A survey of 1,030 runners revealed a higher prevalence of LEA-I in females (42.5%) compared to males (17.6%), with athletes experiencing LEA-I performing worse in terms of race times and placement.
  • The findings indicated that runners with LEA-I had significantly increased risks of medical encounters during the race, underscoring the negative impacts of low energy availability on marathon performance and health.
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Purpose: To examine the relationship between menstrual cycle (MC) phase-dependent fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone and virtual cycling race performance, with a secondary aim of correlating perceived MC-related symptoms with performance.Methods: In a novel observational study design, thirty-seven female cyclists/triathletes not using any hormonal contraception completed one virtual cycling race [19.5 km time trial (TT)] per week across a one-month period (totaling four races).

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  • The study aimed to explore the link between low energy availability (EA) and health/performance issues in male athletes aged 15-30, focusing on conditions associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).
  • Male athletes were surveyed in a sports medicine clinic and classified into low EA and adequate EA groups based on their responses, with statistical analyses conducted to assess the impact of low EA.
  • Findings revealed that low EA correlates with negative health outcomes like psychological issues and cardiovascular dysfunction, and worsens athletic performance, highlighting the need for further research on REDs in young male athletes.
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The changing field of academic medicine presents unique challenges for physician-scientists, who intricately weave the complexities of research and patient care. These challenges have significantly lengthened the time needed for scientific discoveries to be applied in clinical practice. In response to these escalating demands, the training trajectory for physician-scientists has notably expanded over recent decades.

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Introduction: Few studies have assessed athletic identity levels in young patients. This study examined athletic identity in adolescents and explored associations between athletic identity, patterns of sport participation, and coping skills.

Methods: Patients aged 12 to 18 years who received sports medicine care completed a one-time, voluntary, anonymous survey.

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Purpose: To investigate the effects of acute diet and exercise manipulation on resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurement variability and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition estimates.

Methods: 10 male and 10 female endurance athletes (12 cyclists, 5 triathletes, 4 runners) of Tier 2 (n = 18) to Tier 3 (n = 2) calibre underwent five conditions using a Latin square counterbalance design. For 24 hours, athletes consumed a diet providing excessive energy availability (75 kcal‧kg fat free mass (FFM) -1 ) without exercise (GEA rest ), high energy availability (45 kcal‧kg FFM -1 ) without (HEA rest ) or with exercise (HEA ex ), or low-energy availability (15 kcal‧kg FFM -1 ) without (LEA rest ) or with exercise (LEA ex ).

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Objective: This cross-sectional retrospective and prospective study implemented the 2023 International Olympic Committee Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Clinical Assessment Tool version 2 (CAT2) to determine the current severity of REDs (primary outcome) and future risk of bone stress injuries (BSI, exploratory outcome) in elite athletes.

Methods: Female (n=143; 23.3±4.

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  • Injury and illness surveillance before the 2022 World Rowing Beach Sprints Finals (WRBSF) is crucial for ensuring proper medical support and developing prevention strategies.
  • A survey conducted among 59 of 152 athletes revealed that 38.9% experienced injuries in the month leading to the event, mainly affecting the forearm, lumbar spine, knee, ankle, and hand/fingers.
  • During the regatta, only two illnesses were reported, along with a hamstring strain and a concussion, indicating that the new running component may cause different injury patterns than traditional rowing.*
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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the temporal effects of ~1800 m altitude exposure and energy availability (EA) manipulation on resting metabolic rate (RMR).

Methods: Twenty elite female race walkers underwent a 3-wk training camp at an altitude of ~1800 m. During the first 2 wk, athletes consumed a high EA (HEA) diet of 45 kcal·kg fat-free mass (FFM) -1 ·d -1 .

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Low energy availability, particularly when problematic (i.e., prolonged and/or severe), has numerous negative consequences for health and sports performance as characterized in relative energy deficiency in sport.

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Objectives: To co-construct a sports medicine and exercise science research and translational agenda with Team USA elite female athletes serving as the experts on their health, performance and well-being.

Methods: 40 Team USA female athletes across sports disciplines participated in an online, anonymous, modified Delphi survey by ranking topics on a Likert scale (1='strongly disagree' and 5='strongly agree') and providing qualitative justification regarding whether they believed having more information and research on each topic would support their athletic performance, health and well-being. After each Delphi round, quantitative rankings of topics and qualitative justifications were analysed, informing revisions to the list of topics for review in the subsequent round.

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We examined performance across one menstrual cycle (MC) and 3 weeks of hormonal contraceptives (HC) use to identify whether known fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone/progestin are associated with functional performance changes. National Rugby League Indigenous Women's Academy athletes [n = 11 naturally menstruating (NM), n = 13 using HC] completed performance tests [countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), isometric mid-thigh pull, 20 m sprint, power pass and Stroop test] during three phases of a MC or three weeks of HC usage, confirmed through ovulation tests alongside serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations. MC phase or HC use did not influence jump height, peak force, sprint time, distance thrown or Stroop effect.

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  • Bone stress injury (BSI) is a prevalent overuse injury among active women, classified into high-risk (pelvis, sacrum, femoral neck) and low-risk (tibia, fibula, metatarsals) categories with various risk factors.
  • This study aimed to assess differences in bone mineral density (BMD) and load rates between premenopausal women with a history of high-risk BSI, low-risk BSI, and no BSI history, hypothesizing that high-risk patients would have poorer bone health.
  • Results indicated that women with high-risk BSI had significantly lower spine BMD compared to those with low-risk BSI, highlighting the impact of BSI on bone health in pre
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The cyclical changes in sex hormones across the menstrual cycle (MC) are associated with various biological changes that may alter resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition estimates. Hormonal contraceptive (HC) use must also be considered given their impact on endogenous sex hormone concentrations and synchronous exogenous profiles. The purpose of this study was to determine if RMR and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition estimates change across the MC and differ compared with HC users.

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Background: Overuse of sedation and anesthesia causes delays in gastrojejunostomy tube (GJ) exchanges, increased risk of complications, unnecessary use of resources, preventable hospital admissions, and an adverse impact on patient and family experience. Our hospital was over-utilizing sedation and anesthesia, and we aimed to decrease this use from 78% to 20% within two years.

Methods: An interdisciplinary quality improvement team comprehensively evaluated current processes for GJ tube exchanges through a retrospective chart review for baseline data with prospective time series analysis after improvement implementation.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of a novel research protocol for conducting research with highly trained female athletes, including characterizing menstrual cycle (MC) function, hormonal profiles and symptoms of the participating athletes.

Methods: Twenty-four Australian First Nation female Rugby League athletes completed this study, which involved 11 wk of cycle tracking, followed by attendance at a 5-wk training camp. Throughout the study, athletes completed a daily survey, reporting their MC function and any associated symptoms.

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The idiom ' has become the slogan for sport and exercise physiology-based research in female athletes. However, in most instances, it is challenging to address this gap of high-quality research in elite female athletes at a single study site due to challenges in recruiting enough participants with numerous menstrual cycle and contraceptive pill permutations. Accordingly, we have assembled an international multisite team to undertake an innovative project for female athletes, which investigates the effects of changes in endogenous and exogenous oestrogen and progesterone/progestins across the menstrual cycle and in response to second-generation combined monophasic contraceptive pill use, on aspects of exercise physiology and athletic performance.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study focuses on the female athlete triad (Triad) and relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs), which are issues related to the health and performance of female athletes caused by low energy availability.
  • - Researchers surveyed 275 female cross-country athletes to assess their knowledge and confidence regarding Triad and REDs, finding significant differences in educational impact scores based on factors like academic focus and previous education on these topics.
  • - The results indicate a correlation between higher peak career mileage and Triad diagnoses, emphasizing the need for better education and preventative measures for female athletes to address Triad and REDs effectively.
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Purpose: Over a 10-year time frame, this study aimed to evaluate diagnosis, treatment, and referral trends for adolescent runners seeking care for running-related injuries (RRIs) at a clinic that specializes in running medicine.

Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of 392 adolescent runners (2,326 encounters) who sought care for RRIs between the years 2011 and 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize clinical assessments, referrals, assistive devices, and medications prescribed or administered overall and by injury type.

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