The acute effect of passively assisted trunk stretching on central arterial stiffness and blood pressure in middle-aged to older adults.

Purpose: We examined the effects of acute trunk stretching on central arterial stiffness and central and peripheral blood pressure in middle-aged to older adults.

Methods: Twenty-eight middle-aged to older adults (14M/14F, 72 ± 7 years, 28.5 ± 5.

Association Between Concussion and Lower Extremity Injuries in Collegiate Athletes.

Background: Concussions have been associated with elevated musculoskeletal injury risk; however, the influence of unreported and unrecognized concussions has not been investigated.

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between concussion and lower extremity musculoskeletal injury rates across a diverse array of sports among collegiate student-athletes at the conclusion of their athletic career. The hypothesis was that there will be a positive association between athletes who reported a history of concussions and higher rates of lower extremity injuries.

Scapular Upward-Rotation Deficits After Acute Fatigue in Tennis Players.

Context: Fatigue in overhead athletes reduces shoulder muscular contraction and proprioception. These deficits may lead to alterations in scapular upward rotation, which is associated with multiple chronic shoulder conditions prevalent in tennis players.

Objective: To identify the effect of a functional fatigue protocol on scapular upward rotation in collegiate male tennis players.

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletic trainers' concussion-management practice patterns.

Context: A cornerstone of the recent consensus statements on concussion is a multifaceted concussion-assessment program at baseline and postinjury and when tracking recovery. Earlier studies of athletic trainers' (ATs') practice patterns found limited use of multifaceted protocols; however, these authors typically grouped diverse athletic training settings together.

Objective: To (1) describe the concussion-management practice patterns of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ATs, (2) compare these practice patterns to earlier studies, and (3) objectively characterize the clinical examination.

Sideline Performance of the Balance Error Scoring System during a Live Sporting Event.

Objective: The purpose was to examine the influence of a live sporting sideline environment on balance error scoring system (BESS) performance.

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: The BESS was performed by all participants at 3 locations: (1) quiet laboratory, (2) football stadium sidelines, and (3) basketball arena sidelines.

Concussion reporting rates at the conclusion of an intercollegiate athletic career.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the current reported, unreported, and potentially unrecognized concussion rates among collegiate student-athletes who have completed their collegiate athletic career.

Design: Retrospective survey.

Setting: College and University athletic training rooms.

Balance error scoring system performance changes after a competitive athletic season.

Objective: To evaluate the change in Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) performance after an athletic season.

Design: A prospective longitudinal group study.

Setting: University biomechanics research laboratory.

Hope, optimism, and self-care among Better Breathers Support Group members with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of hope, optimism, and self-care of persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who attend community-based Better Breathers Support Group (BBSG) meetings. A convenience sample of 68 BBSG members from 14 groups in three southeastern states participated. The data were collected with a questionnaire set composed of a demographic form and three previously tested research instruments: the Herth Hope Index (HHI), the Alberto Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Self-care Behavior Inventory (COPDSC), and the Life Orientation Test--Revised (LOT-R).

An examination of Euro-American and African-American differences in social physique anxiety among college women.

Many studies have examined sex differences in social physique anxiety; however, few researchers have examined possible perceptual differences in such anxiety based on ethnicity. The present purpose was to examine social physique anxiety among college-age women of Euro-American and African-American descent. Participants (N = 91) from physical activity classes at a university located in the southeastern United States completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale.

Comparison of Cervical Spine Motion During Application Among 4 Rigid Immobilization Collars.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the cervical spine range of motion that occurred during application of 4 rigid cervical immobilization collars, the time of application, and the amount of active range of motion available after application. DESIGN AND SETTING: We evaluated the amount of cervical motion that occurred during application of 4 commonly used collars: NECLOC (NL), StifNeck (SN), StifNeck Select (SNS), and Rapid Form Vacuum Immobilizer (VI). Each clinician applied a properly sized collar to both a small- and medium-size model 3 times.