Elucidating differences in concussion subtype symptomatology in sports-related versus non-sports-related concussions: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Postconcussive symptom questionnaires (PCSQs) are often used in concussion patient assessment, yet there is a lack of knowledge as to whether symptom subtype prevalence is dependent on the mechanism of injury (MOI). These subtypes can be defined as cognitive, atlanto-occipital/cervical spine, autonomic, balance, low energy/fatigue/sleep, emotional changes, eyes, and somatic. Using an institutional PCSQ that quantitatively addressed these subtypes, this retrospective study aimed to provide insight into differences in subtype symptomatology between sports-related (SR) and non-sports-related (NSR) injuries.

Physiological Monitoring Detected Changes During Women's Soccer Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

A growing number of studies utilizing wearable technologies are examining the influence of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) on intense training, recovery, and injury risk. Exercise biometric (EB) data were collected on collegiate, female soccer players during a preseason camp. One player sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Body Composition Changes over Multiple Academic Years in Female Collegiate Soccer Players.

Body composition plays a key role in overall health and sports performance and its assessment is an important part of many athletic programs. The purpose of this study was to describe longitudinal changes in body composition for collegiate female soccer players in order to provide data to inform future training and nutrition interventions for this population. A linear mixed-model (LMM) approach was used to analyze four years of pre- and post-season body composition data, including total mass, fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass, and body fat percentage (%BF) for 49 athletes.

Test and Evaluation of Heart Rate Derived Core Temperature Algorithms for Use in NCAA Division I Football Athletes.

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of utilizing heart rate to derive an estimate of core body temperature in American Football athletes. This was evaluated by combining commercially available Zephyr Bioharness devices, which includes an embedded estimated core temperature (ECT) algorithm, and an ingestible radio frequency core temperature pill during the highest heat injury risk timepoint of the season, summer training camp. Results showed a concordance of 0.

American Football Players in Preseason Training at Risk of Acute Kidney Injury Without Signs of Rhabdomyolysis.

Objective: This study was designed to identify changes in blood biomarkers that would indicate excessive muscle breakdown during the initial 10 days of preseason training in collegiate American football players and subsequently increase their risk of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Preseason, heat acclimatization period.

Colored Glasses to Mitigate Photophobia Symptoms Posttraumatic Brain Injury.

Context:   After a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), patients often suffer from light sensitivity, or photophobia, which contributes to decreased quality of life post-mTBI. Whereas sunglasses may provide some relief from photophobia, they are not practical indoors or in low light. A light-mitigation strategy can be easily used indoors as needed to optimize the relief.

Lack of eye discipline during headers in high school girls soccer: A possible mechanism for increased concussion rates.

The sport of soccer is the fastest growing and most popular sport worldwide. With this growth and popularity, attention needs to be given to this athletic population. Sports related concussions is a topic that has gained attention both in the media and by governmental organizations, with growing initiatives in diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

Analysis of Central and Peripheral Vision Reaction Times in Patients With Postconcussion Visual Dysfunction.

Objective: To determine whether central and peripheral vision reaction times (PVRTs) are prolonged in patients with visual dysfunction after sustaining a concussion.

Design: Comparison of Dynavision D2 central and PVRTs in patients with postconcussion visual dysfunction were compared with control data from a normative patient database. Concussion patients without visual dysfunction were not included in this study.

MRI Evidence of Neuropathic Changes in Former College Football Players.

Objective: To examine effects of participating in collegiate football on neural health several years after retirement. We hypothesized that relative cortical thinning and loss of white matter integrity would be observed in former players.

Design: Former NCAA Division I football players were compared with demographically similar track-and-field athletes with regard to cortical thickness and white matter integrity.

A Novel Mass-Spring-Damper Model Analysis to Identify Landing Deficits in Athletes Returning to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Schneider, DK, Gokeler, A, Otten, E, Ford, KR, Hewett, TE, Divine, JG, Colosimo, AJ, Heidt, RS, and Myer, GD. A Novel mass-spring-damper model analysis to identify landing deficits in athletes returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2590-2598, 2017-A mass-spring-damper (MSD) model may serve as an extension of biomechanical data from 3-dimensional motion analysis and epidemiological data which helps to delineate populations at risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

Can a transient exertion-related carotid (TERC) murmur heard during a symptom-limited exercise test be used as a means for managing sports concussion?

We hypothesize that a transient exertion-related carotid (TERC) murmur flow murmur similar in nature to a "bruit" heard best at the carotid artery during exercise in healthy individuals can be used as a means for assessing post-concussion injury exertion tolerance. Typically there are no arterial sounds heard at the carotid artery in healthy individuals. Bruit, heard at rest, is an indicator of cardiovascular disease.

Vision training methods for sports concussion mitigation and management.

There is emerging evidence supporting the use vision training, including light board training tools, as a concussion baseline and neuro-diagnostic tool and potentially as a supportive component to concussion prevention strategies. This paper is focused on providing detailed methods for select vision training tools and reporting normative data for comparison when vision training is a part of a sports management program. The overall program includes standard vision training methods including tachistoscope, Brock's string, and strobe glasses, as well as specialized light board training algorithms.

Sex-specific differences in the severity of symptoms and recovery rate following sports-related concussion in young athletes.

Introduction: While research on adult recovery from concussion indicates sex-specific symptoms and recovery rates, there is little existing data on younger patient populations.

Objective: To determine sex-specific differences in the severity of presenting symptoms and recovery rate between groups of young athletes who presented ≤ 7 or > 7 days after sports-related concussion.

Methods: This study was a retrospective review of athletes aged 9 to 17 years who were referred for evaluation of a sports-related concussion over a 24-month period.

Use of viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: an update.

Because of the rising numbers of patients affected by osteoarthritis (OA), management decisions on how to minimize pain and improve function in OA patients are important. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) knee injections have become a common treatment in the management of knee OA. In an editorial appearing in the 2007 National Knowledge Week on Osteoarthritis: National Health Service Evidence, four questions were asked about the clinical use of IAHA treatment for OA: 1) Who is the ideal candidate for HA viscosupplementation? 2) Do the mechanical and biological effects differ in importance in different stages of the disease? 3) What is the ideal dose in early- and late-stage OA? 4) Can the biological effect be delivered by means other than injection? These key issues are addressed.

Utilization of modified NFL combine testing to identify functional deficits in athletes following ACL reconstruction.

Study Design: Case control.

Objectives: To use modified NFL Combine testing methodology to test for functional deficits in athletes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction following return to sport.

Background: There is a need to develop objective, performance-based, on-field assessment methods designed to identify potential lower extremity performance deficits and related impairments in this population.

The incidence and potential pathomechanics of patellofemoral pain in female athletes.

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and incidence of patellofemoral pain (PFP) in young female athletes and prospectively evaluate measures of frontal plane knee loading during landing to determine their relationship to development of PFP. We hypothesized that increased dynamic knee abduction measured during preseason biomechanical testing would be increased in those who developed PFP relative to teammates who did not develop PFP.

Methods: Middle and high school female athletes (n=240) were evaluated by a physician for PFP and for landing biomechanics prior to their basketball season.

Longitudinal assessment of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors during maturation in a female athlete: a case report.

Objective: To present a unique case of a young pubertal female athlete who was prospectively monitored for previously identified anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk factors for 3 years before sustaining an ACL injury.

Background: In prospective studies, previous investigators have examined cross-sectional measures of anatomic, hormonal, and biomechanical risk factors for ACL injury in young female athletes. In this report, we offer a longitudinal example of measured risk factors as the participant matured.

The healing potential of stable juvenile osteochondritis dissecans knee lesions.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine if patient age, lesion size, lesion location, presenting knee symptoms, and sex predict the healing status after six months of a standard protocol of nonoperative treatment for stable juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.

Methods: Forty-two skeletally immature patients (forty-seven knees) who presented with a stable osteochondritis dissecans lesion were included in the present study. All patients were managed with temporary immobilization followed by knee bracing and activity restriction.

MRI appearance of chronic stress injury of the iliac crest apophysis in adolescent athletes.

Objective: The objective of our study was to describe the MRI appearance of chronic repetitive stress injury of the iliac crest apophysis in adolescent athletes.

Conclusion: Increased signal intensity on water-sensitive sequences and mild widening of the physis, often with adjacent bone marrow and muscle edema, are characteristic of chronic stress injury of the iliac apophysis in adolescent athletes who may present with hip, pelvic, or back pain.

Risk factors for exercise-associated hyponatremia in non-elite marathon runners.

Objective: Describe risk factors for lower post-race [Na+] and exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) (serum [Na+]<135 mmol/L) during marathon running.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Houston Marathon 2000-2004.

Predictors of sprint start speed: the effects of resistive ground-based vs. inclined treadmill training.

There is currently no consensus with regard to the most effective method to train for improved acceleration, or with regard to which kinematic variable provides the greatest opportunity for improvement in this important performance characteristic. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of resistive ground-based speed training and incline treadmill speed training on speed-related kinematic measures and sprint start speed. The hypothesis tested was that incline treadmill training would improve sprint start time, while the ground-based resistive training would not.

Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Due to the rising number of patients affected by osteoarthritis (OA), appropriate management decisions for minimizing pain and improving physical function for patients with OA are important. Hyaluronic acid (HA) knee injections have become a common tool for the management of OA of the knee, and the number of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of this treatment is growing. We performed a systematic review of the five published meta-analyses, which include single- or double-blinded randomized trials performed at one center or multiple centers (Level I evidence).