Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Athletic Status on the Passive Properties of the Muscle-Tendon Unit and Traditional Performance Measures in Division I Female Soccer Players and Nonathlete Controls

Abstract Palmer, TB, Thompson, BJ, Hawkey, MJ, Conchola, EC, Adams, BM, Akehi, K, Thiele, RM, and Smith, DB. The influence of athletic status on the passive properties of the muscle-tendon unit and traditional performance measures in division I female soccer players and nonathlete controls. J Strength Cond Res 28(7): 2026–2034, 2014—The purpose of this study was to determine if passive muscle-tendon properties of the posterior muscles of the hip and thigh and lower-body muscle power could discriminate between athletic status in division I female soccer athletes and nonathlete controls. Ten athletes (mean ± SE, age = 18.70 ± 0.34 years; mass = 64.61 ± 2.16 kg; height = 165.99 ± 1.46 cm; thigh muscle cross-sectional area = 94.08 ± 2.58 cm2) and 11 nonathletes (mean ± SE, age = 19.64 ± 0.51 years; mass = 62.81 ± 2.60 kg; height = 162.44 ± 2.20 cm; thigh muscle cross-sectional area = 86.33 ± 2.81 cm2) performed 2 instrumented straight-leg raise (iSLR) assessments using an isokinetic dynamometer programmed in passive mode to move the foot toward the head at 5°·s−1. During each iSLR, passive stiffness was calculated from the slopes of the initial (phase 1) and final (phase 2) portions of the angle-torque curve, and maximum range of motion (ROM) was determined as the point of discomfort but not pain, as indicated by the participant. Lower-body power characteristics were assessed through a countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) test. The results indicated that phase 1 and 2 slopes, CMJ height, and peak power (Pmax) were significantly higher (p = 0.004–0.036) for the athletes compared with the nonathletes; however, maximum ROM was not different (p = 0.601) between groups. Significant relationships were also observed between phase 1 and 2 slopes, and CMJ height and Pmax (r = 0.483–0.827; p ⩽ 0.001–0.027). These findings suggest that in addition to traditional power characteristics, passive stiffness may also be a sensitive and effective measure for discriminating athletes from nonathletes. Coaches and practitioners may use these findings when designing training programs aimed at increasing musculotendinous stiffness of the posterior hip and thigh muscles and to help identify athletes with high overall athletic potential.
Impact of internal standard addition on dried blood spot analysis in bioanalytical method development.

BACKGROUND Addition of internal standards to dried blood spot (DBS) specimens can be complicated. Therefore, we studied the feasibility of different internal standard addition procedures. Nevirapine and its stable-isotope analogue were used as model compounds and concentrations in DBS specimen were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry using selected reaction monitoring. RESULTS The addition procedure of the stable isotope-labeled internal standard had significant impact on observed nevirapine concentrations. Relative recovery rates depending on the internal standard addition procedure ranged between 11.4 and 107.9%. Experiments with different punch sizes (5 and 7 mm diameter) showed no significant influence on observed nevirapine concentrations. CONCLUSION Application of internal standard prior to blood spotting provided good nevirapine recoveries and this procedure is well suited for applying DBS in infectious diseases, especially in HIV-infection treatment.
Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Perceptual Responses to a Thermogenic Nutritional Supplement at Rest, During Exercise, and Recovery in Men

Abstract Bergstrom, HC, Housh, TJ, Traylor, DA, Lewis, Jr RW, Cochrane, KC, Jenkins, NDM, Schmidt, RJ, Johnson, GO, Housh, DJ, and Cramer, JT. Metabolic, cardiovascular, and perceptual responses to a thermogenic nutritional supplement at rest, during exercise, and recovery in men. J Strength Cond Res 28(8): 2154–2163, 2014—Twenty-one men (mean ± SD; age = 23.5 ± 2.6 years, BMI = 26.0 ± 2.4 kg·m−2) completed this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study to examine acute responses to a thermogenic nutritional supplement. Each testing session included: (a) 30 minutes resting, followed by placebo or thermogenic nutritional supplementation, (b) 50 minutes postsupplementation resting, (c) 60 minutes walking, and (d) 50 minutes postexercise recovery. Gas exchange variables and heart rate (HR) were recorded during each phase. Blood pressure was recorded during all phases except exercise. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded only during exercise. There were no significant differences for any of the measures between the supplement and placebo during the initial resting or postsupplementation phases. During exercise, energy expenditure (EE) (placebo = 18.98–19.06 kJ·min−1 and supplement = 19.44–19.82 kJ·min−1) and V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (placebo = 11.27–11.35 ml·kg−1·min−1; supplement = 11.64–11.82 ml·kg−1·min−1) were greater for the supplement than placebo. There were no differences in respiratory exchange ratio (RER), HR, or RPE between the supplement and placebo during exercise. Postexercise, only V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (placebo = 3.53–3.63 ml·kg−1·min−1; supplement = 3.71–3.84 ml·kg−1·min−1) was greater for the supplement than placebo, but there were no differences in EE, RER, HR, or blood pressure. These findings suggested that the specific blend of ingredients in the thermogenic nutritional supplement, when combined with exercise, increased the metabolic rate with minimal changes in cardiovascular function and no effect on RPE.
Evaluation of an easy to read parent-held information and record booklet of child health

SUMMARY. An evaluation of the Nottingham parent-held record and information booklet is presented. The book was well used by the majority of parents with 80 per cent of the parents having read all the booklet by the time their babies were three months old. 70 per cent of the parents had retained the booklet when their children had reached the age of one year
The Relationship Between Propulsive Force in Tethered Swimming and 200-m Front Crawl Performance

Abstract Santos, KB, Bento, PCB, Pereira, G, and Rodacki, ALF. The relationship between propulsive force in tethered swimming and 200-m front crawl performance. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2500–2507, 2016—The aims of this study were to determine whether propulsive force (peak force, mean force, impulse, and rate of force development) and stroke rate change during 2 minutes of front crawl tethered swimming and to correlate them with the stroke rate and swimming velocity in 200-m front crawl swimming. Twenty-one swimmers (21.6 ± 4.8 years, 1.78 ± 0.06 m, 71.7 ± 8.1 kg), with 200-m front crawl swimming performance equivalent to 78% of the world record (140.4 ± 10.1 seconds), were assessed during 2 minutes of maximal front crawl tethered swimming (propulsive forces and stroke rate) and 200-m front crawl swimming (stroke rate and clean velocity). Propulsive forces decreased between the beginning and the middle instants (∼20%; p ⩽ 0.05) but remained stable between the middle and the end instants (∼6%; p > 0.05). The peak force was positively correlated with the clean velocity in the 200-m front crawl swimming (mean r = 0.61; p < 0.02). The stroke rates of the tethered swimming and 200-m front crawl swimming were positively correlated (r = 45; p⩽ 0.01) at the middle instant. Therefore, the propulsive force and stroke rate changed throughout the 2 minutes of tethered swimming, and the peak force is the best propulsive force variable tested that correlated with 200-m front crawl swimming performance.
PREDICTORS OF CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA SCREENING BEHAVIORS AMONG HIGH-RISK YOUNG WOMEN

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing among sexually active young women is essential in preventing and controlling the STD epidemic. STD testing is critical because infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are primarily asymptomatic in women. If women do not routinely test for STDs, this can facilitate the spread of these diseases and lead to serious sequelae. The research presented explores socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health-related factors that may be associated with young women's STD testing behaviors. The Health Belief Model (HBM) provides the theoretical framework for explaining the relationships that exist between background factors, HBM perceptions of STDs and STD testing, and the total number of STD tests completed during the two-year study. The population studied for this research is a sample of 14 -29 year old women, approximately 80% of whom are African-American. Univariate regression analysis between background factors and the outcome indicated that age, race, education, having symptoms of an STD at baseline, current antibiotic use, and having condom problems were associated with an increasing number of STD tests completed. A similar analysis between HBM perception variables and the outcome showed that only perceived severity was significant. A multivariate stepwise linear regression model of significant background and perception factors revealed that having symptoms at baseline, current antibiotic use, and having condom problems were significant to an increasing number of total STD tests completed. These findings demonstrate that an assessment of behaviors and current health status of young women can be helpful in understanding utilization of STD services. The results also suggest that the HBM may not be sufficient in characterizing STD testing behaviors, however, improved measures of these constructs can better assess trends in the data. The public health significance of this study is that it provides theoretical and empirical attention to factors associated with STD testing behaviors, an area of research that has received limited consideration.
Influence of Variable Resistance Loading on Subsequent Free Weight Maximal Back Squat Performance

Abstract Mina, MA, Blazevich, AJ, Giakas, G, and Kay, AD. Influence of variable resistance loading on subsequent free weight maximal back squat performance. J Strength Cond Res 28(10): 2988–2995, 2014—The purpose of the study was to determine the potentiating effects of variable resistance (VR) exercise during a warm-up on subsequent free-weight resistance (FWR) maximal squat performance. In the first session, 16 recreationally active men (age = 26.0 ± 7.8 years; height = 1.7 ± 0.2 m; mass = 82.6 ± 12.7 kg) were familiarized with the experimental protocols and tested for 1 repetition maximum (1RM) squat lift. The subjects then visited the laboratory on 2 further occasions under either control or experimental conditions. During these conditions, 2 sets of 3 repetitions of either FWR (control) or VR (experimental) squat lifts at 85% of 1RM were performed; during the experimental condition, 35% of the load was generated from band tension. After a 5-minute rest, 1RM, 3D knee joint kinematics, and vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and semitendinosus electromyogram (EMG) signals were recorded simultaneously. No subject increased 1RM after FWR, however, 13 of 16 (81%) subjects increased 1RM after VR (mean = 7.7%; p < 0.01). Lower peak and mean eccentric (16–19%; p ⩽ 0.05) and concentric (12–21%; p ⩽ 0.05) knee angular velocities were observed during the 1RM following VR when compared with FWR, however, no differences in knee flexion angle (1.8°; p > 0.05) or EMG amplitudes (mean = 5.9%; p > 0.05) occurred. Preconditioning using VR significantly increased 1RM without detectable changes in knee extensor muscle activity or knee flexion angle, although eccentric and concentric velocities were reduced. Thus, VR seems to potentiate the neuromuscular system to enhance subsequent maximal lifting performance. Athletes could thus use VR during warm-up routines to maximize squat performance.
Clinico-pathologic profile of women with palpable breast lumps in Chitwan Medical College, Nepal

Background: Spectrum of female breast diseases is manifold and includes various non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions. This study focused on the clinico-pathological profile of several breast diseases, including fibrocystic change, fibroadenoma and breast carcinoma. Methods: This cross sectional analytic observational study included Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology cases of female breast diseases diagnosed over three years from 2011 to 2014 in Chitwan Medical College Teaching hospital in Central Nepal. Univariate analysis was carried out to find out age group-wise proportion of the diseases in relation to five cytologic categories and various cytomorphologic diagnoses. Independent samples t-test was used to find out the significance of difference between mean age of benign and malignant breast diseases. Results: The proportion of benign, suspicious for malignancy and malignant breast diseases was 90.4 %, 0.8% and 8.8 % respectively. The mean age of patients at diagnosis for benign diseases and malignant disease was 31.7± 10.4 years and 49.2 ± 12.0 years respectively. t-test showed difference in mean age between benign and malignant diseases to be statistically significant (t=8.79, p= <0.001). Fibrocystic change and fibroadenoma were the most common breast disease overall and the most common neoplasm respectively. 58.1 %, 25.9 % and 6.5 % of all carcinoma cases in this study were found below 50, below 40 and below 30 years of age respectively. Conclusions: Fibrocystic change and fibroadenoma are most common disease of breast and most common neoplasm of breast respectively. Breast cancer occurs in younger women in Nepal in comparison to women in developed countries. Therefore, breast cancer prevention programs in Nepal should target young women also.
Practice Implications of What Couples Tell Us About Type 2 Diabetes Management

Diabetes is a significant and growing chronic health problem in the United States. Substantial research has documented the consistently strong link between social relationships and health. With respect to diabetes, social relationships, and particularly marriage or cohabitation, have been shown to mediate lifestyle and medical surveillance behaviors, glycemic control, and other health outcomes. Further exploration of the marital or cohabiting relationship may be especially relevant to clinicians and educators because the self-care regimen often involves spouses or significant others. With this in mind, the purpose of this study was to listen to and draw conclusions from what couples tell us about managing daily life with type 2 diabetes. Analyses revealed four core themes: educate yourselves, talk about the disease, work together, and be your own advocate. This qualitative study provided a unique perspective on couples9 needs for care, which have important implications for the health community in acknowledging the spousal or cohabiting relationship in the management of diabetes.
Multidirectional Sprints and Small-Sided Games Training Effect on Agility and Change of Direction Abilities in Youth Soccer

Abstract Chaouachi, A, Chtara, M, Hammami, R, Chtara, H, Turki, O, and Castagna, C. Multidirectional sprints and small-sided games training effect on agility and change of direction abilities in youth soccer. J Strength Cond Res 28(11): 3126–3132, 2014—The aim of this study was to compare the training effects of a small-sided game (SSG) and multidirectional sprint intervention on agility and change of direction (COD) ability in young male soccer players. Thirty-six soccer players (age: 14.2 ± 0.9 years; height: 167.2 ± 5.7 cm; body mass: 54.1 ± 6.3 kg, body fat: 12.5 ± 2.2%) participated in a short-term (6 weeks) randomized parallel fully controlled training study, with pre-to-post measurements. Players were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups: training with preplanned COD drills (CODG, n = 12) or using SSGs (SSGG, n = 12) and to a control group (CONG, n = 12). Pre- and post-training players completed a test battery involving linear sprinting (15- and 30-m sprint), COD sprinting (COD: 15 m, ball: 15 m, 10-8-8-10 m, zigzag: 20 m), reactive agility test (RAT, RAT-ball), and vertical and horizontal jumping (countermovement jump and 5-jump, respectively). A significant (p ⩽ 0.05) group × time effect was detected for all variables in CODG and SSGG. Improvements in sprint, agility without ball, COD, and jumping performances, were higher in CODG than in the other groups. The SSGG improved significantly more (p ⩽ 0.05) than other groups in agility tests with the ball. The CONG showed significant improvements (p ⩽ 0.05) on linear sprinting over a distance longer than 10 m and in all the agility and COD tests used in this study. It is concluded that in young male soccer players, agility can be improved either using purpose-built SSG or preplanned COD sprints. However, the use of specifically designed SSG may provide superior results in match-relevant variables.
Intensive Resistance Exercise and Circadian Salivary Testosterone Concentrations Among Young Male Recreational Lifters

Abstract Shariat, A, Kargarfard, M, Danaee, M, and Bahri Mohd Tamrin, S. Intensive resistance exercise and circadian salivary testosterone concentrations among young male recreational lifters. J Strength Cond Res 29(1): 151–158, 2015—Strength and morphological adaptations to resistance exercise are mediated in part by anabolic hormones such as testosterone, yet the time course of variability in circadian hormone concentrations is not well characterized. This study, investigated how the circadian rhythm of salivary testosterone is altered by resistance exercise in young men. Twenty healthy young male recreational lifters (age, 18.0 ± 1.3 years) with 2 years of experience in weightlifting were recruited. A randomized controlled trial was conducted, and subjects were randomly assigned to either the resistance exercise group (n = 10), who completed a series of resistance exercise (3 times a week, in the afternoon, 6–7 repetitions, at 85% of 1 repetition maximum for 3 weeks), or a control group (n = 10), who did not exercise during the 3 weeks. Before and after the study, an unstimulated saliva sample (2 ml) was taken every 2 hours for a maximum of 16 hours during each day. A significant decrease was observed in the resistance exercise (44.2%, p = 0.001) and control group (46.1%, p = 0.001) for salivary testosterone at each time point compared with baseline (p = 0.001). There was also no significant difference between the exercise and resting conditions in both groups for salivary testosterone (p > 0.05), except a significantly higher increase by 38.4% vs. −0.02% (p = 0.001), at 1730 hours during exercise sessions in the resistance exercise group compared with the control group. Resistance exercise has no noteworthy effect on circadian secretion of salivary testosterone throughout the 16 waking hours. These results indicate that athletes can undertake resistance exercise in either the morning or afternoon with the knowledge that a similar testosterone response can be expected regardless of the time of day.
Monitoring Anthropometry and Fitness Using Maturity Groups Within Youth Rugby League

Abstract Till, K and Jones, B. Monitoring anthropometry and fitness using maturity groups within youth rugby league. J Strength Cond Res 29(3): 730–736, 2015—The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anthropometry and fitness, and change in these characteristics over time, of youth rugby league players by using maturity status to determine annual categories instead of traditional chronological annual-age grouping. One hundred and twenty-one male rugby league players were assessed using anthropometric (i.e., height, sitting height, body mass, and sum of 4 skinfolds) and fitness (i.e., vertical jump, medicine ball chest throw, 10- and 20-m sprint, and multistage fitness test [MSFT]) measures over a 5-year period. Each player was classified into 1 of 6 maturity groups based on their maturity offset (years from peak height velocity, i.e., 1.5 YPHV). Multivariate analysis of variance analyses identified significant (p < 0.001) main effects for maturity group for cross-sectional characteristics and longitudinal change in performance over time. Analyses demonstrated that more mature groups had greater anthropometric and fitness characteristics, except for endurance performance (MSFT: −2.5 YPHV = 1,872 ± 18 m vs. 2.5 YPHV = 1,675 ± 275 m). For longitudinal changes in characteristics over time, a significant effect was only identified for height and sitting height (p ⩽ 0.05). These findings provide comparative data for anthropometric and fitness characteristics and change in performance over time in accordance with the maturity status within youth rugby league players. Classifying players into annual maturity groups may be an additional or alternative assessment method for evaluating anthropometry and fitness performance in adolescent populations. Furthermore, tracking performance changes over time, especially in relation to maturation, may reduce the limitations associated with chronological annual-age grouping.
Efficacy of Functional Movement Screening for Predicting Injuries in Coast Guard Cadets

Abstract Knapik, JJ, Cosio-Lima, LM, Reynolds, KL, and Shumway, RS. Efficacy of functional movement screening for predicting injuries in coast guard cadets. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 1157–1162, 2014—Functional movement screening (FMS) examines the ability of individuals to perform highly specific movements with the aim of identifying individuals who have functional limitations or asymmetries. It is assumed that individuals who can more effectively accomplish the required movements have a lower injury risk. This study determined the ability of FMS to predict injuries in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) cadets. Seven hundred seventy male and 275 female USCG freshman cadets were administered the 7 FMS tests before the physically intense 8-week Summer Warfare Annual Basic (SWAB) training. Physical training-related injuries were recorded during SWAB training. Cumulative injury incidence was calculated at various FMS cutpoint scores. The ability of the FMS total score to predict injuries was examined by calculating sensitivity and specificity. Determination of the FMS cutpoint that maximized specificity and sensitivity was determined from the Youden's index (sensitivity + specificity − 1). For men, FMS scores ⩽12 were associated with higher injury risk than scores >12; for women, FMS scores ⩽15 were associated with higher injury risk than scores >15. The Youden's Index indicated that the optimal FMS cutpoint was ⩽11 for men (22% sensitivity, 87% specificity) and ⩽14 for women (60% sensitivity, 61% specificity). Functional movement screening demonstrated moderate prognostic accuracy for determining injury risk among female Coast Guard cadets but relatively low accuracy among male cadets. Attempting to predict injury risk based on the FMS test seems to have some limited promise based on the present and past investigations.
Diet and breast cancer: a systematic review

Abstract Breast cancer occurs as a result between genes–diet interactions. Concerning diet, only alcohol is widely recognized for being most consistently associated with breast cancer risk. The purpose of this review is to report through a systematic way the current scientific evidence relating breast cancer and diet, through original-research studies published in English language during the last decade, assessing the consumption of specific foodstuffs/food-nutrients in relation to the disease. The available literature suggests that soy food intake seems to be inversely associated with the disease, while no association seems to be reported for dietary carbohydrates and dietary fiber intake. The consumption of dietary fat, is probably suggestive of an increase in breast cancer risk, while studies evaluating the role of fruit/vegetable, meat as well as dietary patterns and breast cancer risk, provide inconsistent results. Diet seems to be modestly associated with the disease, highlighting the need for more studies to be conducted.