The use of blood lactate concentration as an indicator of temperament and its impact on growth rate and tenderness of steaks from Simmental × Angus steers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of blood lactate concentration as an objective measure of beef cattle temperament and determine if the temperament of steers affected growth rate and tenderness of beef steaks. Angus×Simmental steers (n=154) were evaluated for blood lactate (BL), exit velocity (EV) and chute score (CS), and humanely harvested. Carcass characteristics were assessed and loin samples were obtained for tenderness evaluation. All measures of the temperament were significantly correlated to each other (r=0.14-0.47; P≤0.04). Steaks from steers in the medium BL classification were significantly more tender than steaks from steers from the high BL classification. The steers with faster EV tended to result in steaks with higher shear force values (P=0.07). The steers classified as fast growing resulted in steaks with lower shear force values (P=0.02) compared to steaks from steers classified as slow growing. Results suggest that the temperament contributes to variations in growth rate, blood lactate, and tenderness.

Coping skills of olympic developmental soccer athletes.

Athletes at Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) camps experience unusually high levels of expectations and inherent mental and physical challenges within such a short span of time. With the increasing emphasis on talent development, there has been consensus by the ODP staff to more clearly define present levels of coping skills, in order to enhance athletic prediction, maximize training efforts, identify the predisposition to injury, and focus on areas pertinent to successful performance. This study examined athletic and pain coping skills of U. S. ODP soccer athletes not previously investigated. Following written informed consent, 70 males completed the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory and the Sports Inventory for Pain. Data were analyzed by competitive level (U-14, U-15), and skill position (goalkeeper/defense, midfield/foward). MANOVA indicated a significant main effect across competitive level (Wilks' Lambda F(12,57) = 2.27; p = 0.02; n-beta = 0.915) but no significant effect by skill position (Wilks' Lambda F(12,57) = 0.931; p = 0.523; n-beta = 0.457). Post hoc analyses indicated that U-15 athletes scored significantly higher in concentration (p = 0.01) and body awareness (p = 0.03), but lower in avoidance (p = 0.01) than U-14 competitors. In conclusion, older, more experienced athletes revealed more positive athletic and pain coping skills than younger, less experienced athletes, although athletes in skill positions requiring spontaneous decision-making skills and split-second adjustment in a constantly changing sport environment (forwards, midfielders) did not exhibit more positive athletic and pain coping skills than those positions requiring reaction and protection (defenders, goalkeepers).

Fast pitch softball injuries.

The popularity of fast pitch softball in the US and throughout the world is well documented. Along with this popularity, there has been a concomitant increase in the number of injuries. Nearly 52% of cases qualify as major disabling injuries requiring 3 weeks or more of treatment and 2% require surgery. Interestingly, 75% of injuries occur during away games and approximately 31% of traumas occur during nonpositional and conditioning drills. Injuries range from contusions and tendinitis to ligamentous disorders and fractures. Although head and neck traumas account for 4 to 12% of cases, upper extremity traumas account for 23 to 47% of all injuries and up to 19% of cases involve the knee. Approximately 34 to 42% of injuries occur when the athlete collides with another individual or object. Other factors involved include the quality of playing surface, athlete's age and experience level, and the excessive physical demands associated with the sport. Nearly 24% of injuries involve base running and are due to poor judgement, sliding technique, current stationary base design, unorthodox joint and extremity position during ground impact and catching of cleats. The increasing prevalence of overtraining syndrome among athletes has been attributed to an unclear definition of an optimal training zone, poor communication between player and coach, and the limited ability of bone and connective tissue to quickly respond to match the demands of the sport. This has led routinely to arm, shoulder and lumbar instability, chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and time loss injuries in 45% of pitching staff during a single season. Specific attention to a safer playing environment, coaching and player education, and sport-specific training and conditioning would reduce the risk, rate and severity of fast pitch traumas. Padding of walls, backstops, rails and dugout areas, as well as minimising use of indoor facilities, is suggested to decrease the number of collision injuries. Coaches should be cognisant of overtraining, vary day-to-day training routines to decrease repetitive musculoskeletal stress, focus on motor skills with equal emphasis on speed and efficiency of movement, and use drills that reinforce sport-specific, decision making processes to minimise mental mistakes. Conditioning programs that emphasise a combination of power, acceleration, flexibility, technical skill, functional capacity and injury prevention are recommended. Due to the limited body of knowledge presently available on this sport, a greater focus on injury surveillance would provide a clearer picture of injury causation and effective management procedures, leading toward safer participation and successful player development.

Physical, hematological, and exercise response of collegiate female equestrian athletes.

BACKGROUND: Physiological testing is extensively used to assess current physical status, target strength/deficiencies, and determine predisposition to injury in athletes. No studies exist regarding these issues on equestrian athletes. The purpose of this study was to quantify the physical, hematological, and exercise response of female equestrian athletes in order to provided greater insight into the health fitness of this unique competitor, and to compare results to other better studied sport athletes. METHODS: Following written informed consent, physiological assessments were performed on 24 collegiate female equestrian athletes (23.6+/-1.8 yrs; ht = 161.8+/-5.0 cm; wt = 64.9+/-9.3 kg) to quantify aerobic power (VO2max, VEmax, Timemax), anaerobic power (peak power, total work output, fatigue index), body composition (%BF, LBM), muscular strength (curl-ups, reverse sit-ups, pushups, handgrip strength), blood chemistries, and coronary risk profile. RESULTS: Data indicated that mean (+/-SD) LBM (49.0+/-4.5 kg) and BMI (24.8+/-1.7 wt/ht2) fell within reported athletic norms for females. Percent body fat (24.5+/-6.0%), however, was above average. Mean VO2max (33.9+/-4.5 ml/kg/min), treadmill time (10:06+/-:36 min:sec), and VEmax (90.3+/-16.0 l/min) were lower than predicted values. Observed peak power (5.3+/-0.9 w/kg), total work output (315.9+/-48.1 j/kg), fatigue index (66.9+/-7.9%), and handgrip strength (27.8+/-6.6 kg) were also lower than established norms for young females. Mean curl-up, reverse sit-up, and pushup responses (56.5+/-15.8, 36.6+/-13.2, 32.1+/-10.6, reps/min, respectively) were considered average to above average for this age group. Mean resting blood chemistry values were within normal ranges. When analyzing the blood pressure, body composition, and serum lipid data, results indicate an average to low risk for coronary heart disease in this population. Wide variation in lipid profiles in this group as compared to athletes in other sports is a concern. CONCLUSIONS: Although working with equine poses a constant danger, the lack of adequate physical conditioning of the equestrian may be a contributing factor in the growing number of injuries. When compared to female athletes in other sports, exercise performance was found to be lower. Equestrian athletes need to supplement conventional sport activity with traditional aerobic and anaerobic training regimens.

Oral creatine supplementation and upper extremity anaerobic response in females.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of creatine monohydrate (CrH2O) on upper extremity anaerobic response in strength-trained females involved in overhand sports. Two movements were utilized in this evaluation: elbow flexion (EF) and shoulder internal rotation (IR). Subjects were pair-matched and assigned to receive placebo (n = 13) or 25 g CrH2O (n = 11) for 7 days. Pre- and post-treatment measurements included peak concentric and eccentric isokinetic torque, isotonic 1RM, and fatigue (FAT) during EF; isotonic 1RM, FAT, and peak velocity during IR; and body weight. MANOVAs revealed significant interaction between treatment and trial for EF (p <.05) but not for IR or weight. Univariate analysis indicated a significantly greater change in EFFAT following CrH2O than following placebo. Thus, CrH2O did not influence peak EF or IR strength, IR work to fatigue, or IR velocity, but was associated with greater work capacity during fatiguing EF. These data suggest that CrH2O may enhance upper extremity work capacity, but this enhancement may not extend to the muscles primarily responsible for overhand sports performance.

Applying physiological principles and assessment techniques to swimming the English Channel. A case study.

BACKGROUND: This study presents the use of physiological principles and assessment techniques in addressing four objectives that can enhance a swimmer's likelihood of successfully swimming the English Channel. The four objective were: (1) to prescribe training intensities and determine ideal swimming pace; (2) to determine the amount of insulation needed, relative to heat produced, to diminish the likelihood of the swimmer suffering from hypothermia; (3) to calculate the caloric expenditure for the swim and the necessary glucose replacement required to prevent glycogen depletion; and (4) to determine the rate of acclimatization to cold water (15.56 C/60 F). METHODS: The subject participated in several pool swimming data collection sessions including a tethered swim incremental protocol to determine peak oxygen consumption and onset of lactate accumulation and several steady state swims to determine ideal swimming pace at 4.0 mM/L of lactate. Additionally, these swims provided information on oxygen consumption, which in combination with ultrasound assessment of subcutaneous fat was used to assess heat production and insulation capabilities. Finally, the subject participated in 18 cold water immersions to document acclimatization rate. RESULTS: The data demonstrated the high fitness level of this subject and indicated that at a stroke rate of 63 stokes/min, HR was 130 heats/min and lactate was 4 mM/L. At this swimming pace the swimmer would need to consume 470 kcal of glucose/hr. In addition, the energy produced at this swim pace was 13.25 kcal/min while the energy lost at the present subcutaneous fat quantity was 13.40 kcal/min, requiring a fat weight gain of 6,363.03 g (13.88 lbs) to resist heat loss. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, the data from the cold water immersions suggested that acclimatization occurred following two weeks of immersions. There results were provided to the swimmer and utilized in making decisions in preparation for the swim.

Skateboarding injuries.

Skateboarding has experienced intermittent periods of popularity since the 1960s. Along with this popularity, there have been concomitant increases in numerous types of injuries. Most documented cases occur in boys aged from 10 to 14 years, with injuries ranging from minor cuts and abrasions to multiple fractures and, in some cases, even death. Although head injuries account for approximately 3.5 to 9% of all skateboarding injuries, fractures of both upper and lower extremities account for 50% of all musculoskeletal trauma. Not surprising is the fact that 33% of those injured on skateboards are injured within the first week of skateboarding. Most individuals experience some form of trauma during the initial attempt at skateboarding. Because of the nature of skateboarding, encompassing both high speed and extreme manoeuvres, injuries often occur when the skateboarder collides with an immovable object, falls from the skateboard or is involved in vehicular traffic. Most injuries occur when the skateboard strikes an irregularity in the riding surface, projecting the skateboarder in the direction of travel. Despite traffic legislation, 65% of injured adolescent skateboarders sustain injuries on public roads, on footpaths, and in parking lots. Several organisations have recommended safety guidelines and restrictions based on age and common sense. Use of a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards should be required of all skateboarders, as well as some type of formal education. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 5 years of age should not be allowed to ride skateboards. At an early age, injuries occur due to several reasons. These include high centre of mass, immature skeletal development, an undeveloped neuromuscular system, and simply poor judgement. Skateboarding injuries are expected to rise with the increasing number of participants, high-tech equipment development and renewed advertising. Although limited preventative measures exist which will totally eradicate skateboarding trauma, some thought to actual restrictions may decrease the incidence and severity of injuries.

Exercise performance of lower-extremity amputees.

A comparison of the literature quantifying the energy expended during ambulation of healthy individuals and those with amputation of the lower extremity is difficult as study parameters and methods are inconsistent. However, the energy cost of ambulation is greater for amputees than for nonamputees. Ascending level of amputation appears to be associated with increasing metabolic demand. There appears to be a difference in energy cost of ambulation following different surgical procedures. The literature regarding energy cost of ambulating with different lower-extremity prostheses is equivocal, with the exception of the contoured adducted trochanteric-controlled alignment method (CAT-CAM) socket for above-knee amputees and the new energy-storing (Proteor) foot for traumatic below-knee amputees, which may decrease energy expenditure during ambulation. Therefore, it is reasonable to recommend that energy cost of ambulation be considered when deciding on the most efficacious surgical procedure, and metabolic efficiency of gait be considered when selecting prostheses most suitable for lower-extremity amputees. Though limited research is currently available, it appears that training or physical conditioning for the lower-extremity amputee, particularly with cardiopulmonary or vascular insufficiency, may decrease the metabolic cost of ambulation. More research is needed regarding the benefits of aerobic exercise and the safest, most effective exercise regimens for reducing metabolic costs of ambulation in lower-extremity amputees.

Rock climbing injuries.

Rock climbing has become increasingly popular in the past decade. However, the increased participation exposes a greater number of climbers to potential injury. The risks involved with climbing increase in proportion to the skill-level of the climber: the higher the skill-level, the more hours are required for training and on more difficult routes. The hands are used as tools for the ascent, with much of the climber's weight placed upon the fingers and also distributed through the wrist, elbow and shoulders. The combination of repetitive climbing and the excessive weight-bearing demands of the sport result in cumulative trauma to the upper limbs. Prevention should begin with educating climbers on the potential risk for injury. Although adequate rest between climbs and decreased training when pain is first encountered would aid in alleviating numerous problems, additional search directed towards improving training, treatment and rehabilitation programmes is warranted.

Os acromiale in a baseball catcher.

Throwing injuries of the shoulder can result from an acute traumatic event or chronic overuse. Shoulder impingement has multiple etiologies; the most common being rotator cuff weakness/overuse and resultant glenohumeral instability. However, an uncommon cause of shoulder impingement syndrome is that of a nonfused os acromiale. There are three centers of ossification in the acromion which are usually completely fused by 18 yr of age. The most common site of nonunion is between the meso-acromion and meta-acromion. Os acromiale is reported at a rate of 14/1000 (1.4%) and is bilateral in approximately 62% of cases. The classic diagnosis is radiographically defined with both AP and axillary lateral views, and a contralateral comparison view may be helpful. Computerized axial tomography also aids in the diagnosis. Most os acromiale are asymptomatic. However, if recalcitrant impingement syndrome and/or rotator cuff tears are found in association with os acromiale, then surgical fusion or resection of the ossicle is recommended.

Allograft failure in cruciate ligament reconstruction. Follow-up evaluation of eighteen patients.

Previous authors have reported the efficacy of cruciate ligament allograft reconstruction of the knee suggesting that allograft strength is not significantly different than that of autografts. The purpose of this study was to elicit the cause of a higher-than-expected failure rate in cruciate ligament allograft reconstructions. After clinical diagnoses, 12 male and 6 female patients with cruciate ligament instability underwent intraarticular allograft reconstruction followed by an aggressive rehabilitation program. Deep-frozen, freeze-dried, ethylene oxide-sterilized, bone-patellar tendon-bone allografts were rehydrated, prestressed, and implanted by an open or arthroscopically assisted technique. Results revealed 6 of 18 failures. Knee instability, postoperative complications, and roentgenographic changes were evident. Evaluation of procurement technique showed that graft failure was significantly correlated with time to implantation. A significant difference in mean time from procurement and deep freezing to freeze-drying and sterilization between failed-versus-successful grafts was 265.5 +/- 61.9 versus 66.8 +/- 43.8 days, respectively. Total mean time of failed grafts from procurement to implantation was significantly greater (528.3 +/- 75.1 versus 207.3 +/- 53.1 days) than for successful grafts. All graft failures came from the same batch number. These findings indicate that cruciate ligament allograft reconstruction can be successful; however, longer shelf life negatively affects graft integrity.

Ulnar neuropathy of the elbow.

Ulnar nerve entrapment is the second most common compressive neuropathy in the upper extremity because of its anatomy and superficial location. Major aetiological factors in the development of ulnar neuropathy of the elbow are compression, inherent anatomical structures, or lesions within the cubital tunnel. Extrinsic nerve compression may be elicited by acute or recurrent trauma. Nerve mobility may be impeded by congenital deformities. Ulnar nerve dysfunction has been associated with metabolic conditions, certain occupations and athletes involved in repetitive overhead activities. Ulnar nerve injuries may result in both motor and sensory abnormalities. Common symptoms include point tenderness, digital numbness and hand weakness. Evaluation of suspected neuropathy includes physical inspection for muscle atrophy, bony or muscle hypertrophy, deformities, digital clawing and a radiographic examination. Clinical techniques include the elbow flexion test, strength testing of hand intrinsics, flexor carpi ulnaris and digitorum profundus, and Tinel's sign. Sensory testing and McGowan's grading system may confirm the diagnosis and prognosis. Treatment options range from conservative (i.e. rest, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ice and abstinence) to radical surgical intervention (i.e. decompression, medical epicondylectomy and anterior transposition). In the throwing sport athlete, nerve involvement typically occurs along with other medical elbow problems.

False negative bone scan in a female runner.

Stress fractures are more prevalent in today's fitness cognizant society. Stress fractures of the femoral neck are common and present with specific symptoms and findings. The diagnosis is based on clinical history, physical exam, radiography, bone scintigraphy, and computed tomography (C.T.) scans. The triple-phase bone scan is the most sensitive test for the diagnosis of stress fractures and is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of the occult stress fracture. This case presents a 42-yr-old female marathon runner who presented with hip pain and clinical symptoms indicating a stress fracture of the femoral neck. Initial radiographs and a triple-phase bone scan were negative. When symptoms persisted, a repeat x-ray revealed a femoral neck fracture of the superior surface. In spite of a false negative bone scan, clinical suspicion allowed appropriate treatment of this femoral neck stress fracture. Nondiagnosed stress fractures of the femoral neck may lead to severe disability, including avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Therefore, clinical index of suspicion is very important even if ancillary tests are nondiagnostic.

Delayed treatment of a malreduced distal femoral epiphyseal plate fracture.

Fractures of the epiphyseal plate are considered rare when compared with the more prevalent injuries found in competitive sports, but the complications associated with this type of trauma are a major concern. The factors affecting the success or failure of healing include the severity of injury, patient age, and the type and expedience of treatment. This case study examines the clinical presentation and treatment of a 15-yr-old high school football player who sustained a displaced, distal femoral epiphyseal Salter II fracture. Primary treatment consisted of nonmanipulative, nonweight bearing knee immobilization. The treatment resulted in malunion, pain, decreased range of motion and physical deformity; therefore, the patient sought a second opinion. On physical exam, the displacement and rotational deformity of the fracture site were unacceptable. The fracture was treated 20 days post-injury via open reduction with internal fixation. On follow-up, the athlete demonstrated radiographic healing, normal physical exam, and no significant leg length discrepancy or deformity. The athlete successfully returned to full competitive sport activity.

Exercise performance of collegiate rodeo athletes.

In this study we examined the physical, hematologic, and exercise response of 20 male and 10 female athletes of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, Central Rocky Mountain Region. Male subjects were grouped by roughstock, steer wrestling, and roping events. Female athletes were grouped separately. Maximal aerobic capacity, pulmonary ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, energy expenditure, maximal heart rate, blood pressure, treadmill time, pre- and postexercise lactate, percent body fat, lean body mass, blood chemistry, serum lipids, and reaction/movement time were analyzed by event. No significant differences (P greater than 0.05) were found in any of these categories between male events. Mean resting blood chemistry parameters of rodeo athletes were within normal ranges. Steer wrestling athletes possessed greater body size and lean body mass than other groups. When analyzing body composition, blood pressure, and total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratios, results indicate average to low risk for coronary heart disease. When compared to other intermittent-activity sport athletes, college rodeo athletes appear to have similar aerobic capacities, but possess lower lean body mass and greater percent body fat.

Injuries in intercollegiate rodeo athletes.

Collegiate rodeo athletes (N = 156) in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region, were examined for injuries during a 7 month (10 rodeo) season from 1987 to 1988. Sixty-two athletes sustained a total of 138 acute injuries resulting from 3292 exposures. One hundred twenty-seven injuries (92% of total injuries) occurred in the roughstock and steer wrestling events, and 11 injuries (8%) occurred in the roping and female events. When calculating opportunity for injury, rodeo athletes face an 89% potential for injury per season. Ninety-one of the injuries incurred were upper body injuries; 47 were lower body injuries. A 6:1 exposure to injury ratio among roughstock events exemplifies the magnitude of injury potential in this sport, affecting 25% of roughstock competitors. Contusions, strains, and concussions comprised 42%, 16%, and 11% of the total injuries, respectively, whereas fractures and dislocations comprised only 5% of the total. Twenty-three percent of the injuries occurred during the completion of an athlete's ride, with 21% of injuries attributed to equipment mishaps. Frequency of injury by performance, relation of seasonal participation and exposure to injury, orthotic care, use of conditioning programs, medication history, and need for enhanced sports medicine education in this sport are discussed.

Managing Plica Syndrome of the Knee.

In brief Plica syndrome of the knee-a potentially disabling condition-is caused when plicae (bands or pleats of synovial tissue) are aggravated by overuse or trauma. Symptoms include popping, clicking, effusion, swelling, pain, and Interference with normal excursion. Analysis of questionnaires from 66 patients revealed that both surgical and nonsurgical management relieved the symptoms. Plica syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of knee problems.

Light- and electron-microscopic evaluation of renal tubular cell vacuolation induced by administration of nitrilotriacetate or sucrose.

Cytoplasmic vacuolation of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells was studied in rats following administration of nitrilotriacetate (NTA) or sucrose. Sucrose was administered at both a high dose (29.2 mmol/kg) and low dose (7.3 mmol/kg) by ip injection. Both levels of sucrose induced severe vacuolation of the renal proximal tubular epithelium, as observed by light microscopy. However, at the high dose, the vacuolation was widespread, affecting essentially all the proximal tubules, while at the low dose, the lesion was distributed in a multifocal pattern. Nitrilotriacetate administered by gavage at a level of 7.3 mmol/kg also induced severe cytoplasmic vacuolation in the renal proximal tubular epithelium. The distribution of this lesion was multifocal and indistinguishable from that caused by the 7.3-mmol/kg dose of sucrose. Electron-microscopic examination of vacuolated tubule cells demonstrated that, in both the NTA- and sucrose-treated animals, the lesion was due to changes in the endocytotic/lysosomal system. The nuclei, mitochondria, golgi and endoplasmic reticulum and the highly convoluted areas of the basal membrane appeared normal in both the vacuolated and non-vacuolated tubule cells of rats given either NTA or sucrose.