Allometric scaling for left ventricular mass and geometry in male and female athletes of mixed and endurance sports.

Background: The athlete's heart (AH) defines the phenotypical changes that occur in response to chronic exercise training. Echocardiographic assessment of the AH is used to calculate LV mass (LVM) and determine chamber geometry. This is, however, interpreted using standard linear (ratiometric) scaling to body surface area (BSA) whereas allometric scaling is now widely recommended.

The impact of image and performance enhancing drugs on atrial structure and function in resistance trained individuals.

Background: Image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) are commonly used in resistance trained (RT) individuals and negatively impact left ventricular (LV) structure and function. Few studies have investigated the impact of IPEDs on atrial structure and function with no previous studies investigating bi-atrial strain. Additionally, the impact of current use vs.

Three-Dimensional-Derived Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Structure and Function and Indices from the 12-Lead Electrocardiogram across the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Physically Active Females: An Exploratory Study.

: The impact of the menstrual phases on left ventricular (LV) structure and function using 3D echocardiography and resting electrocardiogram (ECG) in healthy, eumenorrheic, and physically active females has not been investigated. sixteen females (20 y ± 2) underwent 3D echocardiography and an ECG at three time points in the menstrual cycle phases (follicular, ovulation, luteal). LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDVi), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass allometrically indexed to height (LVMi), torsion, and global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain (GLS, GCS, and GRS) were evaluated.

Masters athlete screening study (MASS): incidence of cardiovascular disease and major adverse cardiac events and efficacy of screening over five years.

Background: The efficacy of cardiovascular screening in Masters athletes (MAs) (≥35 y), and whether screening decreases their risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) is unknown.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of yearly cardiovascular screening, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and MACE over five years.

Methods And Results: MAs (≥35 y) without previous history of CVD underwent yearly cardiovascular screening.

Effects of endurance exercise training on left ventricular structure in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: To determine the impact of endurance training (ET) interventions on left ventricular (LV) chamber size, wall thickness, and mass in healthy adults.

Methods And Results: Electronic databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane library, and EBM Reviews were searched up to 4 January 2022. Criteria for inclusion were healthy females and/or males (>18 years), ET intervention for ≥2 weeks, and studies reporting pre- and post-training LV structural parameters.

Automated external defibrillator and emergency action plan preparedness amongst masters athletes.

Objectives: Sudden cardiac arrest/death (SCA/D) is the leading medical cause of death in athletes. Masters athletes (≥35 years old) are increasing in numbers and are responsible for the vast majority of sport-related SCDs. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and emergency action plans (EAPs) have been shown to unequivocally reduce SCD, however, their prevalence in masters athletics remains unknown.

The 12-lead electrocardiogram of the elite female footballer as defined by different interpretation criteria across the competitive season.

Pre-participation screening (PPS), using a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), is recommended to identify athletes at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). ECG interpretation criteria have been developed to address the concern arising from high false-positives in athletes. There are limited ECG data in elite female footballers.

Do athletes play by different rules? Obstructive coronary artery disease in asymptomatic competitive Masters athletes: a case series.

Background: Both the age and number of endurance Masters athletes is increasing; this coincides with increasing cardiovascular risk. The vast majority of sports-related sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) occur among athletes >35 years of age. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of SCD amongst Masters athletes.

Masters Athlete Screening Study (MASS): Insights Into the Psychological Impact of Cardiovascular Preparticipation Screening.

Objective: To determine the psychological impact of a cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis identified during preparticipation screening (PPS) of masters athletes.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Masters athletes diagnosed with CVD through the Masters Athletes Screening Study.

Increasing Attendance at Scheduled Appointments for Group Classes at a Diabetes Education Center.

"Quality Improvement Success Stories" are published by the American Diabetes Association in collaboration with the American College of Physicians, Inc., and the National Diabetes Education Program. This series is intended to highlight best practices and strategies from programs and clinics that have successfully improved the quality of care for people with diabetes or related conditions.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk and preparticipation screening protocols in masters athletes: the Masters Athlete Screening Study (MASS): a cross-sectional study.

Background: Underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) is the primary cause of sudden cardiac death in masters athletes (>35 years). Preparticipation screening may detect cardiovascular disease; however, the optimal screening method is undefined in this population. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and the American Heart Association (AHA) Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire are often currently used; however, a more comprehensive risk assessment may be required.

Detecting Underlying Cardiovascular Disease in Young Competitive Athletes.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is frequently the first manifestation of underlying cardiovascular disease in young competitive athletes (YCAs), yet there are no Canadian guidelines for preparticipation screening in this population. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of potentially lethal cardiovascular disease in a sample of Canadian YCAs by comparing 2 screening strategies.

Methods: We prospectively screened 1419 YCAs in British Columbia, Canada (age 12-35 years).

Interruptions to breastfeeding Dyads in an DRP Unit.

Purpose: The critical period for establishing breastfeeding (BF) is during the first days after birth. However, some routine maternity unit care practices may be experienced as interruptions interfering with BF opportunities and satisfaction. Therefore, we wanted to describe the frequency and duration of interruptions; amount of time alone; number, length, success of, and satisfaction with BF sessions; and maternal perceptions of the influence of interruptions on BF experiences in an LDR unit on postpartum day 1 (PD1).

Simulation in nursing staff development: a concept analysis.

The authors analyze the concept of simulation as it pertains to nursing staff development. The goal is to define clinical simulation and its attributes as well as to explore the historical origins. Although literature on simulation abounds as it pertains to other disciplines, including medicine, little has been written on the nursing implications.

Critical thinking in nurse managers.

Formal education and support is needed for nurse managers to effectively function in their role in the current health care environment. Many nurse managers assume their positions based on expertise in a clinical role with little expertise in managerial and leadership skills. Operating as a manager and leader requires ongoing development of critical thinking skills and the inclination to use those skills.

Kangaroo care at birth for full term infants: a pilot study.

Purpose: To determine whether breastfeeding behaviors, skin temperature, and blood glucose values could be influenced through the use of kangaroo care at the time of birth in healthy full term infants.

Method: Descriptive study with nine full term neonates given kangaroo care beginning within 1 minute of birth and continuing until completion of the first breastfeeding by mothers who intended to breastfeed. Infant skin temperature was taken at 1 and 5 minutes after birth and every 15 minutes thereafter.

Interruptions to breastfeeding dyads on postpartum day 1 in a university hospital.

Objective: To describe interruptions (door openings and telephone calls) to breastfeeding dyads on postpartum day 1.

Design: A descriptive design of continuous observations of persons entering the mother's room plus record of phone calls from 8 a.m.

Ethnicity and service delivery.

This paper reports research representing part of a systematic effort to operationalize ethnic issues in service delivery. An attitude scale was developed and applied to a national sample of child welfare workers and to minority workers in innovative ethnic settings. Significant differences were found related to sample, age, ethnicity, and agency type.