Adherence to Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and Healthy Eating Indices are associated with lower risk of disability among Puerto Rican adults from the longitudinal Boston Puerto Rican Health Study.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that poor dietary quality is an important risk factor for disability. However, few studies have compared adherence to dietary patterns with disability and none among Puerto Rican adults.

Objectives: This study was designed to examine relationships between 3 dietary patterns-including Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean dietary score (MeDS), and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010-and ∼6-y incidence of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability and to assess potential mediation by handgrip strength.

Changes in Dynamic Balance Ability Among Firefighter Recruits: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Cornell, DJ, Gnacinski, SL, and Ebersole, KT. Changes in dynamic balance ability among firefighter recruits: A longitudinal cohort study. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 734-741, 2024-It has been suggested that enhanced balance ability may mitigate the high musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) rate among firefighters, but the longitudinal changes in dynamic balance ability within this tactical athlete population have yet to be characterized.

Validity of a Smartphone Application in Calculating Measures of Heart Rate Variability.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the concurrent validity of the Elite HRV smartphone application when calculating heart rate variability (HRV) metrics in reference to an independent software criterion. A total of 5 minutes of R−R interval and natural log of root mean square of the successive differences (lnRMSSD) resting HRV data were simultaneously collected using two Polar H10 heart rate monitors (HRMs) in both the seated and supine positions from 22 participants (14 males, 8 females). One H10 HRM was paired with a Polar V800 watch and one with the Elite HRV application.

The Influence of Age and Dynamic Balance on Functional Movement Among Active-Duty Police Officers.

Context: Although occupational injuries for police officers cannot be prevented, factors that contribute to musculoskeletal injury risk could be better identified to inform preventative interventions. Previous research has supported screening tools such as the functional movement screen (FMS) and Y-Balance Test (YBT) as possible indicators of musculoskeletal injury risk. The purposes of this study are to (1) examine the relationships between age, dynamic balance, and functional movement in police officers and (2) determine how much variance in functional movement is predicted by age and dynamic balance.

Functional Movement Quality of Firefighter Recruits: Longitudinal Changes from the Academy to Active-Duty Status.

Approximately half of the injuries experienced by firefighters consist of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs). Functional movement quality may be associated with MSKI risk within this tactical athlete population. Previous research indicates that measures of body composition change among firefighter recruits progressing from academy training through active-duty service, but similar changes in functional movement quality have yet to be examined.

Relationships between balance and physical fitness variables in firefighter recruits.

Background: Research has suggested that balance ability contributes to musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) rates in firefighters. Though the Y-Balance Test (YBT) can predict injury, it is unclear what physical measures inform YBT performance in firefighters. Thus, there is a lack of knowledge regarding best practice for improving balance in firefighters.

Patterns of change in cardiovascular risk assessments and ankle brachial index among Puerto Rican adults.

Background: Puerto Rican adults have higher odds of peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared with Mexican Americans. Limited studies have examined relationships between clinical risk assessment scores and ABI measures in this population.

Methods: Using 2004-2015 data from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS) (n = 370-583), cross-sectional, 5-y change, and patterns of change in Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and allostatic load (AL) with ankle brachial index (ABI) at 5-y follow-up were assessed among Puerto Rican adults (45-75 y).

Influence of Body Composition on Post-Exercise Parasympathetic Reactivation of Firefighter Recruits.

Firefighters have a sustained risk for experiencing a sudden cardiac event after completing a fire call. Heart rate recovery (HRR) can be utilized to characterize autonomic nervous system (ANS) recovery and has been linked to cardiac events. Research suggests that body composition influences post-exercise HRR responses in non-firefighter populations.

Influence of a Training Academy on the Parasympathetic Nervous System Reactivation of Firefighter Recruits-An Observational Cohort Study.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading type of line-of-duty death among firefighters. An inability to restore parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) control after activity is associated with SCD. Post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR) provides unique insight into reactivation of the PSNS.

INFLUENCE OF AN ACUTE BOUT OF SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE ON KNEE EXTENSION FORCE OUTPUT AND ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ACTIVATION OF THE QUADRICEPS.

Background: In contrast to static stretching (SS), previous research has demonstrated increases in flexibility after an acute bout of self-myofascial release (SMR) without any subsequent decreases in force output. Previous research has utilized measures of surface electromyography (sEMG) and mechanomyography (MMG) to examine the influence of SS on the electrical and mechanical processes of muscle activation, respectively. However, there is a lack of research examining the potential changes in electro-mechanical muscle activation post-SMR.

Contribution of the Autonomic Nervous System to Recovery in Firefighters.

Context: Sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) have accounted for nearly half of the line-of-duty deaths among US firefighters over the past 10 years. In 2018, 33% of all SCDs occurred after the end of a fire service call. Researchers have suggested that an imbalance in autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation of heart rate postcall may interfere with recovery in firefighters.

A systematic review of penetrating extracranial vertebral artery injuries.

Background: Penetrating vertebral artery injuries (VAIs) are rare. Because of their rarity, complex anatomy, and difficult surgical exposures, few surgeons and trauma centers have developed significant experience with their management. The objectives of this study were to review their incidence, clinical presentation, radiologic identification, management, complications, and outcomes and to provide a review of anatomic exposures and surgical techniques for their management.

INTRA-RATER TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY AND RESPONSE STABILITY OF THE FUSIONETICS™ MOVEMENT EFFICIENCY TEST.

Background: A new functional movement assessment, known as the Fusionetics- Movement Efficiency (ME) Test, has recently been introduced in the literature. Before the potential clinical utility of the ME Test can be examined, the reliability of this assessment must be established.

Purpose: To examine the intra-rater test-retest reliability of the Fusionetics- ME Test.

Immunotherapy Plus Cryotherapy: Potential Augmented Abscopal Effect for Advanced Cancers.

Since the 1920s the gold standard for treating cancer has been surgery, which is typically preceded or followed with chemotherapy and/or radiation, a process that perhaps contributes to the destruction of a patient's immune defense system. Cryosurgery ablation of a solid tumor is mechanistically similar to a vaccination where hundreds of unique antigens from a heterogeneous population of tumor cells derived from the invading cancer are released. However, releasing tumor-derived self-antigens into circulation may not be sufficient enough to overcome the checkpoint escape mechanisms some cancers have evolved to avoid immune responses.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in the Community Setting-Practice and Outcomes.

There has been an alarming rise in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma which continues to have poor survival rates primarily due to lack of effective chemotherapy and presentation at advanced stages. Over a dozen chemotherapeutic agents are FDA approved for esophageal cancer (EC), and a two or three-drug combination is typically prescribed as first-line therapy for the majority of EC patients, administered either pre or post-operatively with esophageal resection. We have noticed significant variability in adjuvant and neoadjuvant regimens used in the community setting.

Single versus combined immunoregulatory approach using PD-1 and CTLA-4 modulators in controlling sepsis.

Sepsis is a disease process characterized by an extreme inflammatory response followed by a period of severe immunosuppression. In recent years, there has been improved survival in the initial immune response during systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and compensatory anti-inflammatory response, yet is mostly unchanged with 18-30% mortality during the later stage of sepsis despite numerous Phase 3 clinical trials. Areas covered: This review article presents a critical evaluation of the most promising newer studies aimed at improving the immunosuppressive stage of sepsis.

Changes in Health and Fitness in Firefighter Recruits: An Observational Cohort Study.

Purpose: To observe longitudinal changes in health and fitness among firefighter recruits.

Methods: Body composition, aerobic capacity, muscular power, muscular strength, and muscular endurance measures were longitudinally collected among 27 male firefighter recruits (mean ± SD, age = 29.9 ± 4.

Penetrating Bihemispheric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Collective Review of Gunshot Wounds to the Head.

Background: Head injuries that cross midline structures of the brain are bihemispheric. Other terms have been used to describe such injuries, but bihemispheric is the most accurate and should be standard nomenclature. Bihemispheric head injuries are associated with greater mortality and morbidity than other penetrating traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Functional Movement Screen Factorial Validity and Measurement Invariance Across Sex Among Collegiate Student-Athletes.

Gnacinski, SL, Cornell, DJ, Meyer, BB, Arvinen-Barrow, M, and Earl-Boehm, JE. Functional Movement Screen factorial validity and measurement invariance across sex among collegiate student-athletes. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3388-3395, 2016-The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a screening tool used to evaluate functional movement quality and subsequent musculoskeletal injury risk.

Resting Heart Rate Variability Among Professional Baseball Starting Pitchers.

Cornell, DJ, Paxson, JL, Caplinger, RA, Seligman, JR, Davis, NA, and Ebersole, KT. Resting heart rate variability among professional baseball starting pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 575-581, 2017-The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in resting heart rate variability (HRV) across a 5-day pitching rotation schedule among professional baseball starting pitchers.

Influence of body mass index on movement efficiency among firefighter recruits.

Background: Previous research has demonstrated links between musculoskeletal injury risk and measures of obesity and movement efficiency among the firefighter population. However, the influence of obesity on movement efficiency among firefighter recruits remains uninvestigated.

Objective: To investigate the influence of obesity on movement efficiency measures among firefighter recruits.

Measures of health, fitness, and functional movement among firefighter recruits.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between various health and fitness measures and Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™) scores among 78 firefighter recruits.

Methods: Relationships between FMS™ scores and age, body mass index (BMI), sit and reach (S&R) distance, estimated maximal aerobic capacity (V˙), estimated one-repetition maximum squat (1RM-Squat), and plank endurance (%Plank) were examined.

Results: Total FMS™ scores were significantly correlated with BMI (r = -0.

In-Game Heart Rate Responses Among Professional Baseball Starting Pitchers.

Cornell, DJ, Paxson, JL, Caplinger, RA, Seligman, JR, Davis, NA, Flees, RJ, and Ebersole, KT. In-game heart rate responses among professional baseball starting pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 24-29, 2017-The purpose of the current study was to characterize the in-game heart rate (HR) responses of baseball pitching.

Firefighters' cardiovascular health and fitness: An observation of adaptations that occur during firefighter training academies.

Background: Firefighters' cardiovascular fitness remains a foremost concern among fire departments and organizations, yet very little research has been conducted to examine the cardiovascular fitness adaptations that occur during firefighter training academies.

Objective: To describe the cardiovascular adaptations observed among firefighter recruits during firefighter training academies using measures of estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and heart rate recovery (ΔHR).

Methods: Firefighter recruits (n = 41) enrolled in a 16-week firefighter training academy completed a 5-minute step test during the first, eighth, and sixteenth week of training.