High school sports injuries. A longitudinal study at Punahou School: 1988 to 1996.

We conducted an 8-year, prospective, longitudinal study of athletic injuries occurring to students in grades 7 to 12 at a private school in Honolulu. All injuries were evaluated by the same personnel. A total of 14,318 athletes participated in 32 sports; multisport athletes were counted once per sport. Every time an athlete sought medical help it was considered a reportable injury. The five injury classifications were 1) minor, no time lost; 2) mild, 1 to 7 days lost; 3) moderate, 8 to 21 days lost; 4) severe, 22 or more days lost; and 5) catastrophic, permanent disability or death. Athletes reported 11,184 injuries, with 3965 (35%) day-lost injuries (a minimum of 1 day lost from activity). Football resulted in the highest injury rate for male athletes. Soccer resulted in the highest injury rate for female athletes. With the football and wrestling data removed, there was no significant difference between the rate of injury for boys (0.58 injuries per athlete and 0.21 day-lost injuries per athlete) and girls (0.64 injuries per athlete and 0.21 day-lost injuries per athlete).

Sports medicine. 3. Lower extremity injuries.

This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in sports-related injuries of the lower extremity. It is part of the chapter on sports medicine in the Self-Directed Medical Knowledge Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article contains sections on injuries of the hip and thigh, knee and leg, and ankle and foot. The most common injuries are primarily addressed, while less common injuries are more briefly discussed. New advances that are covered in this section include closed kinetic chain strengthening exercises and recent advances in rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Sports medicine. 4. Spine and head injuries.

This self-directed learning module highlights important aspects of athletic spine and head injuries. It is part of the chapter on sports medicine in the Self-Directed Medical Knowledge Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article covers the presentation, pathomechanics, and classification of common and important cervical and lumbar injuries. Sports participation criteria for children with spine deformities are discussed. In addition, a description of the degrees of concussion, the general guidelines for return to play after a sports-related head injury, and postconcussion sequelae are reviewed.

Sports medicine. 5. The physiatrist as team physician.

This self-directed learning module highlights important aspects of the evaluation and care of the injured athlete by a team physician. It is part of the chapter on sports medicine in the Self-Directed Medical Knowledge Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article covers the components of a preparticipation examination, the on-field evaluation of head, spine, and limb injuries, and return-to-play criteria after specific injuries. Sports medicine for the physically challenged athlete, medicolegal considerations for the team physician, and anabolic steroids are also reviewed.

Effects of ciguatoxin and maitotoxin on the isolated guinea pig atria.

The effects of ciguatoxin (CT) and maitotoxin (MT) were studied on the isolated atria of the guinea pig. Application of CT evoked a prolonged positive inotropic effect on the electrically-driven atria and both inotropic and chronotropic effects on the spontaneously-beating right atria. The response to MT in contrast was biphasic. At low concentration (10(-8) Gm per ml) MT enhanced the atrial contractility, while at higher concentrations (5 x 10(-8) Gm per ml) it depressed the atria and frequently to a standstill. The results indicate that CT and MT have a direct action on the contractile mechanism of the heart and their effects are readily distinguishable.