The Impact of Race, Insurance, and Socioeconomic Factors on Pediatric Knee Injuries.

Disparities persist in pediatric sports medicine along the lines of race, ethnicity, insurance status, and other demographic factors. In the context of knee injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, meniscus tears, and tibial spine fractures, these inequalities affect evaluation, treatment, and outcomes. The long-term effects can be far-reaching, including sports and physical activity participation, comorbid chronic disease, and socio-emotional health.

Sex and Gender Differences in Pediatric Knee Injuries.

The participation of females in sports has increased significantly since the passage of Title IX. Sports participation may place young athletes at risk for knee injuries, including patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Differences in anatomy, hormone production, and neuromuscular patterns between female and male athletes can contribute to disparities in knee injury rates with female athletes more vulnerable to PFPS and ACL injury.

Athletic Identity in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Athletic identity (AI), the degree of personal connection to sport, is well-described in adult research; however, this social trait has been less studied in younger age groups. This systematic review describes epidemiological characteristics of AI in youth athletes. PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo were searched to identify AI studies involving quantitative athlete identity outcomes and cohorts 22 years and younger.

Movement variability in pre-teen and teenage athletes performing sports related tasks.

Background: Understanding movement variability is important to guide biomechanical assessment. Variability may change with age, and more repetitions of a movement need to be assessed when variability is high.

Research Question: This study quantified the trial-to-trial (within subject) variability of three tasks commonly assessed during sports biomechanical testing: vertical drop jump, heel touch (single leg squat from step), and single leg hop.

Assessing the effects of sleep on neurocognitive performance and injury rate in adolescent athletes using actigraphy.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adolescents (age 14-17 years) sleep 8 to 10 hours per night. Sleep loss is associated with cognitive dysfunction, decreased reaction time, and poorer athletic performance. This study evaluated the effects of sleep on sports injury rate and academic and cognitive performance.

Side Plank Pose Exercises for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients.

Background: Fishman et al. reported that side plank poses asymmetrically strengthened the convex side of the curve and decreased primary Cobb angle by 49% among compliant patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: AIS patients with curves of 10° to 45° were randomized into the front plank (control) or side plank group.

A Pilot Study on Resident and Pediatrician Knowledge and Confidence in the Diagnosis of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis.

. The purpose of this study was to identify deficiencies in pediatric residents' and pediatricians' knowledge and confidence in diagnosing slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). .

Improvements in landing biomechanics following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in adolescent athletes.

Motion analysis offers objective insight into biomechanics, rehabilitation progress and return to sport readiness. This study examined changes in three-dimensional movement patterns during drop jump landing between early and late stages of rehabilitation in adolescent athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Twenty-four athletes (58% female; mean age 15.

Hop Distance Symmetry Does Not Indicate Normal Landing Biomechanics in Adolescent Athletes With Recent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background Return-to-sport protocols after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) often include assessment of hop distance symmetry. However, it is unclear whether movement deficits are present, regardless of hop symmetry. Objectives To assess biomechanics and symmetry of adolescent athletes following ACLR during a single-leg hop for distance.

Biomechanical Modeling of Spine Flexibility and Its Relationship to Spinal Range of Motion and Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Objective: To examine the relationships between spine morphology, spine flexibility, and idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: Girls have a higher incidence of clinically significant scoliosis than boys, along with smaller vertebrae and greater flexibility.

Assessment of parental knowledge and attitudes toward pediatric sports-related concussions.

Background: Parents of young athletes play a major role in the identification and management of sports-related concussions. However, they are often unaware of the consequences of concussions and recommended management techniques.

Hypothesis: This study quantitatively assessed parental understanding of concussions to identify specific populations in need of additional education.