The female athlete.

Since the passage of Title IX in 1972, women's participation in physical activity and sports has increased significantly. A concurrent expansion in the body of knowledge regarding women and sports has occurred. Questions regarding menstrual dysfunction and exercise continue, while new questions about menstrual dysfunction and its effect on bone mineral density have arisen. Physical and physiological differences between men and women not only guide treatment, but help fuel policy decisions regarding competition between males and females. It is essential for the physical therapist to remain current on issues related to women and sports in order to better advise and treat the female athlete.

Ergogenic aids.

In the context of sport, an ergogenic aid can be broadly defined as a technique or substance used for the purpose of enhancing performance. Ergogenic aids have been classified as nutritional, pharmacologic, physiologic, or psychologic and range from use of accepted techniques such as carbohydrate loading to illegal and unsafe approaches such as anabolic-androgenic steroid use. The efficacy of many of these techniques is controversial, whereas the deleterious side effects are clear. The purpose of this article is to review the epidemiology, administration, efficacy, pharmacology, and side effects of commonly used ergogenic aids. Physical therapists should be able to recognize the signs of ergogenic aid abuse in individuals under their care, and they should be aware of the side effects of these aids. Moreover, the physical therapist can serve as a resource for those individuals seeking information on the risks and benefits of ergogenic aids.

Environmental conditions affecting the athlete.

The athlete is exposed to a number of environmental conditions that may affect performance and health. The sports physical therapist must be aware of the effects of these conditions on the performance and well-being of athletes under his/her care. Decisions about an individual's participation and decisions about the safety of holding an event are within the scope of practice of a sports physical therapist. Additionally, the athlete looks to the sports physical therapist for training guidelines for events in various environmental conditions. A literature search was performed to determine the relevant issues related to sports participation in hot and cold environments. The current body of knowledge in these areas is presented to guide sports physical therapists in training and advising athletes in their care. These areas include thermoregulation, heat, cold, fluid replacement, and clothing considerations.

Competency revalidation study: a description of advanced clinical practice in sports physical therapy.

The first board-certified sports clinical specialists (SCSs) obtained their specialty credentials in 1986. A history of the development process is provided. The Sports Specialty Council and American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties are responsible for maintaining currency in the examination. Therefore, a review of current practice standards was conducted in 1992. The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the methodology and results of the survey. Complete details are found in the document entitled "Description of Advanced Clinical Practice: Sports Physical Therapy" (DACP), which is available through the Sports Physical Therapy Section. A random sample of 2,000 members of the Sports Physical Therapy Section and all clinical specialists certified at the time (N = 49) were surveyed. A total of 507 members (25.3%) and 49 SCSs (100%) returned the questionnaire. The domain of knowledge required by the SCS was divided into nine different areas, with multiple competency statements in each area. Respondents rated each competency statement on three scales: importance, entry-level preparation, and frequency of use. A panel of content area experts then reviewed the results to develop the final competencies and examination blueprint. These competency statements will form the basis of the SCS examination and be implemented in 1995. Competency and examination revision is a constantly evolving process, and this document should serve as a guide for further revisions.

Impingement syndrome and its conservative management.

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common problem encountered in athletes and the general population. Etiology, pathology, and treatment differ throughout the literature. The purpose of this review is to examine the current literature with respect to the mechanism and conservative management of impingement syndrome. Focus is on anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, and conservative treatment. It is concluded that there is little experimental research evaluating the efficacy of conservative management techniques. It is recommended that further studies regarding the efficacy of conservative treatment be initiated. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;11(5):183-191.