Reliability of Computerized Neurocognitive Tests for Concussion Assessment: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective:   Although widely used, computerized neurocognitive tests (CNTs) have been criticized because of low reliability and poor sensitivity. A systematic review was published summarizing the reliability of Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) scores; however, this was limited to a single CNT. Expansion of the previous review to include additional CNTs and a meta-analysis is needed.

Injury Rates in Age-Only Versus Age-and-Weight Playing Standard Conditions in American Youth Football.

Background: American youth football leagues are typically structured using either age-only (AO) or age-and-weight (AW) playing standard conditions. These playing standard conditions group players by age in the former condition and by a combination of age and weight in the latter condition. However, no study has systematically compared injury risk between these 2 playing standards.

The minimum number of days required to establish reliable physical activity estimates in children aged 2-15 years.

The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum number of days needed to assess reliable estimates of step-count data for children based on age and gender. A total of 428 developing children (at least 30 boys and 30 girls in seven two-year intervals from 2-3 years to 14-15 years of age) wore a StepWatch accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Following data screening, the 422 children's data were finally analyzed by age and sex groups using the Generalizability theory.

Objective functional assessment after a head injury using movement and activity in physical space scores: a case report.

Objective: To describe the potential benefit of using a global positioning system (GPS) and accelerometry as an objective functional-activity measure after concussion by creating Movement and Activity in Physical Space (MAPS) scores.

Background: A 21-year-old female soccer player suffered a blow to the back of the head from an opponent's shoulder during an away match. No athletic trainer was present.

Development of a core-stability model: a delphi approach.

Context: Despite widespread acceptance, there is currently no consensus on the definition, components, and the specific techniques most appropriate to measure and quantify core stability.

Objective: To develop a comprehensive core-stability model addressing its definition, components, and assessment techniques.

Design: Delphi technique.

Development and validation of a movement and activity in physical space score as a functional outcome measure.

Objective: To develop and validate a functional measure, the Movement and Activity in Physical Space (MAPS) score, that encompasses both physical activity and environmental interaction.

Design: Observational matched-pair cohort with 2-month follow-up.

Setting: General community under free-living conditions.

Effects of exercise training on dendritic morphology in the cardiorespiratory and locomotor centers of the mature rat brain.

It has been shown that dendritic branching in neural cardiorespiratory and locomotor centers can be attenuated with exercise training (ET) initiated immediately after weaning. The purpose of this study was to determine whether neuroplastic changes occur within cardiorespiratory and locomotor centers due to ET after maturation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (21 days old, n=28) were individually housed in standard cages.

Measuring practice capacity for change: a tool for guiding quality improvement in primary care settings.

Purpose: Capacity for change, or the ability and willingness to undertake change, is an organizational characteristic with potential to foster quality management in health care. We report on the development and psychometric properties of a quantitative measure of capacity for change for use in primary care settings.

Methods: Following review of previous conceptual and empirical studies, we generated 117 items that assessed organizational structure, climate, and culture.

How many days was that? We're still not sure, but we're asking the question better!

Unreliable measures limit the ability to detect relationships with other variables. Day-to-day variability in measurement is a source of unreliability. Studies vary substantially in numbers of days needed to reliably assess physical activity.

Issues in outcomes research: an overview of randomization techniques for clinical trials.

Objective: To review and describe randomization techniques used in clinical trials, including simple, block, stratified, and covariate adaptive techniques.

Background: Clinical trials are required to establish treatment efficacy of many athletic training procedures. In the past, we have relied on evidence of questionable scientific merit to aid the determination of treatment choices.

Development of the mental, emotional, and bodily toughness inventory in collegiate athletes and nonathletes.

Context: The assessment of an individual's mental toughness would assist clinicians in enhancing an individual's performance, improving compliance with the rehabilitation program, and improving the individual treatment program. However, no sound measure of mental toughness exists.

Objective: To develop a new measure of mental toughness, the Mental, Emotional, and Bodily Toughness Inventory (MeBTough).

Salicylate-based analgesic balm attenuates pressor responses from skeletal muscle.

Purpose: Analgesic balms (AB) are widely used in sports medicine. We previously have examined effects of various counterirritant-based AB on pressor responses evoked by muscular contraction (MC), mediated by group III and IV muscle afferents known to produce exercise and nociceptive responses. Our purpose was to examine trolamine salicylate-based analgesic balm (TS) effects.

Generalizability of Stabilogram Diffusion Analysis of center of pressure measures.

Quiet standing balance and postural control are often assessed by drawing information from center of pressure (COP) data collected with a force platform. Efforts to better understand the underlying processes involved in postural control have lead to methods that examine the dynamic or stochastic characteristics of the COP. One method that has recently gained popularity is Stabilogram Diffusion Analysis (SDA).

Generalizability of center of pressure measures of quiet standing.

Center of pressure (COP) measures are commonly used as indicators of balance and postural control. At present, there are no universally accepted standards in research investigating fluctuations in the COP with regard to the number of trials or the length of a given trial. The purpose of this study was to use the tools of Generalizability Theory (G-Theory) to investigate the reliability of COP measures of quiet standing and to establish an optimal measurement protocol.

Effects of a menthol-based analgesic balm on pressor responses evoked from muscle afferents in cats.

Objective: To evaluate changes in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) as indicators of changes in pressor response for muscle afferents after topical application of menthol (MEN)-based analgesic balm.

Animals: 11 decerebrate cats.

Procedure: Pressor responses were reflexively evoked by static contraction of hind limb muscles, which are caused by group III and IV afferents.

Capsaicin-based analgesic balm decreases pressor responses evoked by muscle afferents.

Unlabelled: Capsaicin-based analgesic balm decreases pressor responses evoked by muscle afferents. Physically active individuals use countless analgesic balm (AB) products with various active ingredients daily. Despite this, few studies have investigated the mechanism of action and efficacy of AB.

Effects of topical analgesics on the pressor response evoked by muscle afferents.

Purpose: Pressor responses are reflexly evoked by the activation of groups III and IV muscle afferents, which are also known to mediate nociceptive responses. In this experiment, the effects of analgesic balm (AB) application on these responses were investigated without the interference of other types of anesthesia or effects from the higher brain.

Methods: Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and end-tidal CO(2) were monitored in midcollicularly decerebrated cats.