ACUTE OUTCOMES OF MYOFASCIAL DECOMPRESSION (CUPPING THERAPY) COMPARED TO SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE ON HAMSTRING PATHOLOGY AFTER A SINGLE TREATMENT.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial decompression (MFD), or cupping, and self-myofascial release (SMR) are common techniques utilized to treat soft tissue injuries and increase flexibility. MFD is a negative pressure soft tissue treatment technique using suction to manipulate the skin and underlying soft tissues. One method of SMR is a foam roller, where a patient rolls his/her bodyweight over a dense foam cylinder in a self-massaging fashion to mobilize soft tissues for the body part treated. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the acute effects on hamstring flexibility and patient-rated outcome measures comparing two soft tissue treatments, 1) MFD, and 2) a moist heat pack with SMR using a foam roller in patients with diagnosed hamstring pathology. STUDY DESIGN: Pilot randomized controlled trial study. METHODS: Seventeen collegiate athletes [13 males (20.6+/- years; 184.9+/-cm; 90.8+/-kg) and 4 females (20.5+/-years; 167.1+/-cm; 62.7+/-kg)] with diagnosed hamstring pathology (mild strain and/or symptoms of tightness, pain, decreased strength, and decreased flexibility) were randomly assigned to receive MFD or SMR. The MFD group (n = 9) received three minutes of static treatment using six plastic-valve suction cups along the hamstrings followed by 20 repetitions of active movement with cups in place. SMR (n = 8) received 10 minutes of heat treatment over the hamstrings followed by 60 seconds of general mobilization over the entire hamstring area, and 90 seconds of targeted foam rolling on the area of most perceived tightness. Passive hamstring flexibility (ROM) and a patient-rated outcome measure [Perceived Functional Ability Questionnaire (PFAQ)] were assessed before and immediately after treatment. The Global Rating of Change measure (GROC) was administered post-intervention. RESULTS: Passive ROM and subjective PFAQ measures for overall flexibility and flexibility of the hamstrings were significantly different from pre- to post-intervention measurements regardless of the treatment received. A significant difference was found in favor of the MFD group for the GROC values. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that both treatments are beneficial in increasing hamstring length. Patients though felt an enhanced treatment effect using MFD over SMR for perceived benefits to hamstring flexibility. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

An abnormal bone lesion of the scapula in a collegiate basketball player: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To present the case of a bone lesion of the scapula in a collegiate basketball player. BACKGROUND: A 19-year-old National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I male basketball player presented with pain in the posterior region of the right shoulder. During practice, he was performing a layup when his arm was forced into hyperflexion by a defender. Evaluation revealed a bone lesion involving the scapular spine and base of the acromion. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Acromioclavicular joint sprain, subacromial bursitis, subscapular bursitis, humeral head contusion, acromial fracture. TREATMENT: The patient was treated for 2 months with therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation exercises. Because of persistent pain and the risk of a pathologic fracture, open surgical biopsy and bone grafting were then undertaken. UNIQUENESS: Most simple bone cysts affect the proximal humerus and femur, whereas our patient's lesion was in the acromial complex. CONCLUSIONS: Athletic trainers should be alert to the unusual possibility of bone cysts, which are usually identified incidentally when radiographs are obtained for other reasons. Most simple bone cysts are asymptomatic, but a pathologic fracture can occur with trauma.

The Effect of Energy Patches on Substrate Utilization in Collegiate Cross-Country Runners.

It is well established that an increased capacity of skeletal muscle to oxidize fatty acids can spare glycogen and delay the onset of fatigue in mild- to moderate-intensity exercise. The purpose of the following study was to examine the effect of LifeWave® energy patches on non-protein substrate utilization in Division-1 cross-country runners. To determine the effect of the patches subjects were pretested to establish baselines and randomly assigned to an experimental (EX) or placebo (PL) group. Twenty-two trained male (n = 11; mean ± SD, age = 21.1 ± 2.6years, height = 179.6 ± 4.2cm, body mass = 71.4 ± 7.4kg, VO2max = 72.6 ± 7.1mL·kg-1·min-1) and female (n = 11; mean ± SD, age = 21.5 ± 2.4years, height = 166.7 ± 5.7cm, body mass = 53.7 ± 3.2kg, VO2max = 63.6 ± 6.9mL·kg-1·min-1) cross-country runners volunteered to participate in the study. Dependent variables included maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), maximum heart rate (HRmax), and time to exhaustion (TTE). Results indicated there were no significant differences between the EX and PL groups at posttesting for RPE, TTE, HRmax, or VO2max. RER was found to be significantly higher for the EX group compared to the PL group during stage 1 of the Bruce-protocol graded exercise test (p = 0.02). Based on the limited available research regarding LifeWave® energy patches effect on non-protein substrate utilization during aerobic exercise there appears to be no performance enhancing benefits.

The influence of ratio and allometric scaling procedures for normalizing upper body power output in division I collegiate football players.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the differences in upper body power output among lineman and nonlineman division I collegiate football players and to examine the influence of 2 normalization procedures: (a) simple ratio scaling and (b) standardized allometric scaling. Ten lineman (mean +/- SD: age = 19.3 +/- 1.6 years; height = 187.7 +/- 4.7 cm; mass = 127.7 +/- 13.3 kg) and 14 nonlineman (19.6 +/- 1.4 years; 181.8 +/- 5.2 cm; 92.3 +/- 10.6 kg) performed a multiple repetition bench press power test at 50% of their 1 repetition maximum. Peak power (PP) was determined from a Tendo weightlifting analyzer that was attached to the barbell. The PP values were then analyzed under 3 conditions that included: (a) no scaling (absolute values), (b) ratio scaling (PP body mass), and (c) allometric scaling (PP body mass). The results indicated that the larger lineman demonstrated greater absolute PP values (p = 0.02); however, ratio scaling favored the smaller nonlineman group (p = 0.04). There were no differences in PP values between positions after the standardized allometric scaling procedure (p = 0.60). These findings indicated that the standardized allometric scaling procedure may be a more effective method for normalizing PP values among elite division I collegiate football players.

headspace: National Youth Mental Health Foundation: making headway with rural young people and their mental health.

Mental health is the number one health issue affecting young people in Australia today, yet only one in four of these young people receive professional help. Approximately 14% of 12- to 17-year-olds and 27% of 18- to 25-year-olds experience mental health problems each year. However, many do not have ready access to treatment or are reluctant to seek that help. These issues might be exacerbated in the rural and remote regions of Australia where sociocultural barriers such as stigma, lack of anonymity and logistic difficulties including cost and availability of transport can hinder young people accessing mental health services. headspace: the National Youth Mental Health Foundation has been funded to address these issues. headspace will provide funding for the establishment of communities of youth services across Australia, provide national and local community awareness campaigns and plans, establish a centre of excellence that will identify and disseminate evidence-based practice in addressing youth mental health issues, and translate findings into education and training programs that are targeted at service providers to work with youth mental health. The communities of youth services will build the capacity of local communities to identify early, and provide effective responses to, young people aged 12-25 years with mental health and related substance use disorders. Specific approaches in rural, regional and remote areas will be developed as well as specific programs to involve young Indigenous people.

The effect of a competitive wrestling season on body weight, hydration, and muscular performance in collegiate wrestlers.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of a collegiate wrestling season on body weight, hydration, and muscular performance. Twelve Division I collegiate wrestlers (mean +/- SE; 20.75 +/- 0.41 year) volunteered to participate in testing sessions during midseason and 3 weeks following the season. Testing consisted of weigh-in, providing a urine sample for hydration analysis, and a measure of isometric leg extension peak torque. Weight significantly increased (p < 0.05) following the completion of the competitive season. No significant change in urine specific gravity (p > 0.05) was observed. Muscular performance was affected by the season as peak torque (PT) and PT-to-body weight ratio increased significantly (p < 0.05). Following the collegiate wrestling season, augmentation in body weight and muscular performance of the wrestlers occurs without alterations in hydration status. Further research is warranted on what type of strength training program would most effectively reduce the decrements in strength associated with weight loss and the strain of a competitive season.