bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The current status of the Canadian home fitness test.
Authors: Shephard R. J.
Published: December 2008

The current status of the Canadian Home Fitness Test is reviewed. This simple procedure was originally conceived for the mass testing of fitness levels and for home use as a motivational tool in exercise programmes. The test is carried out on a double 8 inch step (such as a domestic staircase) at an age and sex-specific rhythm set by a long-playing record. Fitness is assessed from a combination of test-duration and the radial or carotid pulse count immediately following exercise. Use of the procedure by upwards of 500,000 Canadians is reviewed in relaltion to its safety, validity and practicality. To date, there have been no serious complications. In home use, there is inevitably limited precision, although with practice subjects can learn to count their pulse rate and step in time to the music; further, the test seems well received, achieving its prime objective of stimulating an interest in physical activity and endurance fitness. When the procedure is carried out by a paramedical worker, with e.c.g. recording of the exercise heart rate, it provides at least as good an estimate of maximum oxygen intake as other sub-maximal procedure; the main area of current controversy is interpretation of abnormal stress e.c.g. records, and it is suggested this problem could be resolved by the appropriate training and certification of interested family physicans and paramedical workers.
An intensive Alpine climbing expedition and its influence on some anthropometric measurements.
Authors: Baker S. J.
Published: December 2008

The effects of an intensive 4 week Alpine climbing expedition on percentage body fat, absolute body fat and lean body mass was investigated in 14 adult male students. Anthropometric measures were taken on two occasions during the training period prior to the expedition, twice during the expedition and finally eight weeks after the expedition had returned home. There was a 3% reduction in percentage body fat between the first testing occasion and the fourth taken towards the end of the expedition. Over the same interval there was a mean reduction of 2.6 kg in absolute body fat and a reduction in lean body mass of 2.47 kg. All three criterion mean values on the final testing session returned to or exceeded those taken on session one.
Degenerative joint disease in weight-lifters. Fact or fiction?
Authors: Fitzgerald B. , McLatchie G. R.
Published: December 2008

A clinical and radiological study of upper and lower limb joints was carried out on 25 experienced weight-lifters to identify the extent of degenerative joint disease (Osteoarthrosis) produced by this sport. Although significant degenerative changes were found in five lifters (20%). This figure is not greater than that found in the general population within the age group studied. There were more degenerative changes found in Olympic style weight-lifters (30.7%) than in power lifters (8.3%). The significance of these figures is discussed. The upper limb joints were almost completely free of degenerative changes.
The effect of pure aerobic training on aerobic and anaerobic capacity.
Authors: Keren G. , Epstein Y.
Published: December 2008

Twenty men (Group I) and twenty-seven men (group II) took part in a 3-week training course. The training was aerobic and consisted of marching and hiking. The intensity of the training regimen in Group II was greater than for Group I. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) increased significantly in both groups, more in Group II than in Group I, though no significant change was found in anaerobic capacity. It can be concluded that aerobic training cannot induce improvement in anaerobic capacity.
Half a million hours of rugby football. The injuries.
Authors: Sparks J. P.
Published: December 2008

In 30 seasons at Rugby School half a million hours of Rugby football have led to 9,885 injuries, an incidence of 197.7 injuries per 10.000 player hours. This incidence is compared with those from other school games, and with those of other series of Rugby football injuries. The injuries are compared regionally with those of other series, and the more important are listed.
Medical aspects of sports injuries.
Authors: Adams I. D.
Published: December 2008

The aims of medicine in sport--treatment and prevention of injury of high-performance athletes, rehabilitation--and its beneficial effects are considered. The types of sporting injuries are described. Collision and contact sports tend to be characterised by injuries caused by direct or indirect trauma, while athletic injuries tend to result from a variety of factors that, instead of producing excellence as intended, produce injury. The physiological changes in a top-class sportsman may also be characteristic of disease, making diagnosis of injury difficult. The importance of the sportsman's mental attitude is stressed.
The treatment of sports injuries by local injection.
Authors: Bentley S.
Published: December 2008

Local injections of corticosteroids are frequently employed in the management of soft-tissue injuries. Side effects and contraindications of this treatment are discussed with reference to relevant literature. Indications for steroid therapy are described.
Common injuries among Nigerian games players
Authors: Mathur D. N. , Salokun S. O. , Uyanga D. P.
Published: December 2008

The study investigated the common types and sites of injuries which were sustained by male soccer, basketball and field hockey players during a period of 8 weeks of intensive training and competition. In all, 170 soccer players, 127 basketball players and 212 hockey players drawn from various clubs in Nigeria formed the subjects of the study, a total of 509 patients.

Questionnaires on the prospective injury experience were handed over to the club members. A total of 630, 308 and 641 injuries were recorded in soccer, basketball and hockey respectively. In soccer the common injuries were sprains and strains (45.6%), bruises and cuts (27.0%) and concussion (15.2%). The lower limb had the highest number of injuries (49.1%).

In basketball common injuries were sprains and strains (41.5%), bruises and cuts (26.7%) and swelling and blisters (22.1%). The most common site of injury was the upper limb which sustained 45.8% of the injuries.

The common injuries in hockey were bruises and cuts (50.8%), swelling and blisters (21.5%) and sprains and strains (20.2%). The lower limb sustained the highest number of injuries (57.5%).
A simple device for measuring anaerobic power
Authors: Kansal D. K. , Verma S. K. , Sidhu L. S.
Published: December 2008

Having no funds to purchase sophisticated equipment to measure human anaerobic power, a simple cheaply made device was constructed based on the principle of the method introduced by Margaria et al (1966). This improvised apparatus consists of two contact pads each having a make and break provision of an electrical circuit with the help of leaf springs and can be used to measure human vertical velocity and anaerobic power. Details of the device are described and illustrated, and the results presented from a test of anaerobic power on 92 men and women athletes at national level in different sports. These results have been compared with the corresponding results available in the literature.
Trampoline training injuries--one hundred and ninety-five cases.
Authors: Hammer A. , Schwartzbach A. L. , Paulev P. E.
Published: December 2008

In 198 people 201 trampoline injuries are analysed. All except three adults were re-examined, following an observation period of one to four years. School children (145) represented the major part of the 195 persons re-examined. Handling the large trampoline injured 21 of the 145 school children and six children at clubs. Injuries of a permanent nature were found in 49 of the 195 who were re-examined. The biomechanics and physiology of trampoline jumping is evaluated. Mismatch of a multitude of sensory impulses (visual, tactile, others) with impulses from the vestibular apparatus converging towards the orientation centres of the brain, may result in disorientation and then in the inadequate motor reactions actually seen at the time of the trampoline accidents. A G-induced split second loss of consciousness is another possible explanation of the trampoline accident. More secure procedures than trampolining as a school-sport and recreational activity are recommended.
Effect of tourniquet ischaemia on muscle energy metabolism in meniscectomy patients.
Authors: Pääkkönen M. , Alhava E. M. , Hänninen O.
Published: December 2008

The enzyme levels of muscle energy metabolism were studied in eight male meniscectomy patients before and 10 minutes after release of the tourniquet and on the third post-operative day. The average tourniquet time was 65.1 min. The muscle samples were taken from the vastus lateralis muscles; the healthy side served as the control. The greatest enzyme changes 10 min after release of the tourniquet were the falls in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities, (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.025 respectively). On the 3rd day phosphofructokinase (FFK) and malate dehydrokinase (MDH) activities were also lowered in the tourniquet limb, but the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was not changed significantly. In the control extremity only SDH showed a lowered value on the 3rd post-operative day (p less than 0.05), perhaps due to hypokinesia in hospital. The results indicate that even one-hour tourniquet ischaemia causes an enzyme release from muscle and for at least three days after the tourniquet enzyme activities in muscle are lowered, perhaps because of the combined effect of the tourniquet ischaemia and hypokinesia after the operation.
Exertion injuries in female athletes.
Authors: Orava S. , Hulkko A. , Jormakka E.
Published: December 2008

Because sports injuries in men form most of the available statistics, the reportage of injuries in female athletes is sparse. We describe exertion injuries and disorders in 281 women athletes, all of which hampered athletic training or performances. Sixty per cent of the injuries occurred to girls ages between 12-19 years, and about forty-eight per cent were track and field athletes. The most common sites of injury were the ankle, foot, heel and leg. Osteochondritic disorders were the most typical injuries in the series, and the chronic medical tibial syndrome was the injury that needed surgical treatment most frequently. Overuse injuries seem to differ very little from each other in the events included in this survey.
Pre- and post-adolescents' physiological response to exercise.
Authors: Bale P.
Published: December 2008

The physiological performance of a group of boys and girls aged eleven to twelve years was examined and nineteen of these children were retested again at aged sixteen years. The findings of this investigation support the findings of other similar studies that, when VO2 max is used as a determinant of cardiovascular performance, the performance of children increases with age, and in boys particularly, this increase in associated with an increase in body weight. After puberty boys have a greater oxygen consumption and thus a greater physiological performance than girls, mainly as a result of an improved cardiorespiratory efficiency and a greater muscle to weight ratio. The improvement in their physiological performance by those girls particularly interested in sport, however, also suggests that this factor is most influential to performance during growth at adolescence.
Stress fractures of the distal radius in adolescent gymnasts
Authors: Read M. T. F.
Published: December 2008

Adolescent girl gymnasts sustained stress fractures of the distal end of the radius in the wrist on which a rotational vault was performed. The history and clinical progress were typical of stress fractures.
Conservative treatment of injury to the fibular ligaments of the ankle.
Authors: Cetti R.
Published: December 2008

Fifty-one patients with fibular ligamentous injury of the ankle are presented. The treatment consisted of complete non-weight-bearing of the affected foot by use of elbow crutches for three weeks. All patients were seen at follow-up eighteen months after the accident. The results are discussed in the light of previous literature on conservative and operative treatment of lateral ligament injuries.
Changes in the cervical spine in Association Football players
Authors: Sortland O. , Tysvaer A. T. , Storli O. V.
Published: December 2008

Forty-three former players for the National Football Team of Norway were examined clinically and radiologically for degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Compared with men of the same age groups the onset of degeneration was 10-20 years earlier and the frequency of degeneration was significantly higher. Degenerative changes were not especially high in “headers”, but this group had a higher frequency of subjective complaints and clinical findings such as reduced cervical movements.
Naproxen sodium and paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene in sports injuries - a multicentre comparative study.
Authors: Simmons R. L. , Owen S. , Abbott C. J. , Bouchier-Hayes T. A. , Hunt H. A.
Published: December 2008

This paper follows up a previous paper reported in this journal. This study was a single-blind parallel comparison of naproxen sodium ("Synflex") and a paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene combination ("Distalgesic"). It was carried out in 184 patients suffering from soft-tissue disorders recruited from four centres. More patients were considered cured and the pain score was significantly lower after seven days' treatment in the naproxen sodium ("NS") group. For those patients who received 14 days' treatment the total symptom score was significantly lower in the naproxen sodium group at the end of treatment. Two patients in the NS treatment group withdrew from the study due to lack of efficacy. Fewer side-effects were reported in the NS group. Of the eight patients stopping treatment due to side-effects, two were in the naproxen sodium group and six in the paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene ("control") group. The results suggest that a better clinical response to treatment and fewer side-effects may be obtained with naproxen sodium than with paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene in the treatment of soft-tissue injuries.
A comparison of heart rate responses in racquet games.
Authors: Docherty D.
Published: December 2008

The present study investigated the heart rate response to playing tennis with special reference to the skill levels and ages of the participants. Data obtained in a similar manner during earlier studies of badminton and squash players were compared with that obtained during tennis. The number of rallies, mean rally time and actual playing time in 30 minutes of play was also compared for the different skill levels and sports. Results showed that playing tennis raised the players' heart rates to 68-70% of their predicted maximum heart rate (PMHR). Playing squash and badminton could raise heart rates to 80-85% of the players' PMHR which was significantly higher than the values obtained for tennis. The actual skill level of the participants within their chosen sport did not have a significant effect in predicting the physical demands of squash or tennis but was important in predicting the heart rate response of badminton players. The more skillful the badminton player the greater the cardiac response as a result of game play. Analysis of time spent in actual play revealed that tennis players were involved in play for only five of the thirty minutes of game play, compared to 15 and 10 min respectively for squash and badminton. Skill level within each sport was only a significant factor in predicting length of play for squash players in which the medium and highly skilled groups played significantly longer than those of a lower level of skill.
An aetiological study on spondylolysis from a biomechanical aspect.
Authors: Ichikawa N. , Ohara Y. , Morishita T. , Taniguichi Y. , Koshikawa A. , Matsukura N.
Published: December 2008

The authors report clinical studies on lumbar disorders (clinical symptoms, X-ray findings) in athletes in various sports. The sport items were divided into three groups according to the main dynamic load applied to the lumbar region. As a result, over 60% of the athletes suffered from "lumbago", and among them spondylolysis reached the high rate of 27%. Arising from these clinical observations, we performed biomechanical laboratory analyses on human cadaver material, axial compression and rotational bending. Our results suggest that the incidence of spondylolysis depends upon the extent and direction of the loads.
The effectiveness of a training programme upon maximum aerobic power.
Authors: Juxiang Q. , Shuyun W. , Shaojung L. , Zhe L.
Published: December 2008

Forty-two trained and untrained young Chinese subjects of both sexes were employed for this study. Maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold were measured with the Beckman Metabolic Measurement Cart (MMC) during incremental work test. Skinfold thickness was measured using a skinfold caliper. Body density was calculated with skinfold thickness according to the formula of Suzuki et al (1975). % fat was calculated with the equation given by Brozek et al (1963). % fat of trained subjects was significantly lower than untrained subjects in both sexes. Maximal aerobic power of trained subjects was greater than untrained subjects in both sexes. VO2 at "AT" in trained subjects was greater than untrained subjects in both sexes. Anaerobic threshold might be a valid and useful physiological index for evaluation of physical fitness in various subjects.
The effects of smoking on the health and sleep of sportswomen.
Authors: Bale P. , White M.
Published: December 2008

This survey studied the health and sleeping patterns of 92 physical education and sports science students highly involved in sport. A strong correlation was found between smoking and various complaints of ill health as well as between smoking and sleep duration and quality of sleep. The results suggest that there is a strong relationship between the constituents of tobacco smoke and poor sleeping habits.
Maximal aerobic power measurement in runners and swimmers.
Authors: Corry I. , Powers N.
Published: December 2008

Five cross-country runners and five competitive swimmers performed a pulling exercise with elastic shock cords and a treadmill run to exhaustion. The mean VO2 max related to lean body mass of the runners was significantly higher than the swimmers on the treadmill (p less than 0.05) while, on the pulling test, the mean VO2 max of the swimmers was significantly higher than the runners (p less 0.01). The maximum heart rates achieved pulling were 95% of the running maximum by runners and 96% by swimmers with no significant difference between them. Their mean oxygen pulse was almost the same for maximal running but the swimmers had a significantly higher oxygen pulse than the runners for maximal pulling (p less than 0.01). The swimmers could reach about 79% of their running VO2 max by pulling while the runners used 53% of their running VO2 max.
Osteochondroses in athletes.
Authors: Orava S. , Virtanen K.
Published: December 2008

Osteochondroses are disorders of primary and secondary growth centres, or lesions at the apophyseal or epiphyseal growth areas of bones. Although there are many types of osteochondroses, the history, clinical symptoms and findings as well as radiological findings are typical. Physical exercise is one of the factors that provokes symptoms. In a series of 185 osteochondroses in active young athletes, there were 18 different disorders. The commonest were Osgood-Schlatter's disease, Sever's disease, osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles, various other patellar osteochondroses and Scheuermann's disease. Most of the athletes were from individual events; track and field sports (53.5%), cross-country skiing (8.1%), gymnastics (3.2%) and power events (2.7%). Of the team sports soccer produced the most (20.0%). The treatment was conservative in 84.3% and operative in 15.7%. The duration of symptoms in these athletes persisted in about 43% for less than one year and in 57% for more. The late changes of osteodhondroses do not cause serious risks for a normal life, if the treatment is active and the follow-up efficient.
Orienteering injuries
Authors: Folan Jean M.
Published: December 2008

At the Irish National Orienteering Championships in 1981 a survey of the injuries occurring over the two days of competition was carried out. Of 285 individual competitors there was a percentage injury rate of 5.26%. The article discusses the injuries and aspects of safety in orienteering.
Dental injuries and the attitudes of Rugby players to mouth guards
Authors: Upson N.
Published: December 2008

A survey of dental and facial injuries of 100 rugby union players are recorded, and the attitudes of the players to the wearing of different types of mouthguards are examined.
Injuries to the lateral ligament of the ankle: assessment and treatment.
Authors: Hutson M. A. , Jackson J. P.
Published: December 2008

Initial assessment of severity of injury to the lateral ligament of the ankle is by clinical examination. If it is thought that there is a possibility of either lateral or anterior instability, patients are investigated radiologically by anterior and inversion stress films. If instability is demonstrated a peroneal tenogram is carried out to exclude damage to the calcaneo-fibular ligament. Treatment is by means of a cast brace if instability is present. The advantages of this are preservation of calf power and improved joint function. The early results are reported in relation to the improvement in stability and early return to sporting activity.
The effects of maternal exercise on developing rat fetuses.
Authors: Mottola M. , Bagnall K. M. , McFadden K. D.
Published: December 2008

Ten female Sprague-Dawley rats (45.3 days old, s.d. = 3.9) were acclimatised to running on a treadmill at 20 m/min on a 10 degrees incline for 1 hour per day. After mating, one rat from each of 5 pairs continued running on the treadmill at 15 m/min on a 10 degrees incline for 1 hour per day throughout gestation whilst the other rats followed normal laboratory routine. All the rats were weighed daily and at birth the number and weights of all fetuses were measured. In addition, a small piece of diaphragmatic muscle was taken from each of three fetuses from each litter and assessed both histologically and histochemically. The results showed that the maternal rats that did not continue exercising throughout pregnancy produced, on average, approximately 3 more fetuses per litter than the rats that exercised, although this difference was not significant. There was also no difference in mean fetal weight between the two groups and no difference could be demonstrated in the development of the diaphragm muscle.
Osteoarthrosis in runners with knee pain.
Authors: McDermott M. , Freyne P.
Published: December 2008

A clinical and radiological study of the knee joints of twenty middle and long distance runners, complaining of knee pain, was carried out. Osteoarthrosis of varying degree was found in six of the runners. A torn meniscus requiring surgery was found in one athlete, and another had considerable ligamentous laxity - both of these conditions predispose to the development of degenerative changes. Degenerative changes were significantly associated with the presence of genu varum (p less than 0.01) and history of severe injury (p less than 0.05). The number of years spent training was significantly greater in the affected group than in the unaffected group (p less than 0.05).
Factors affecting the prognosis of meniscectomy in soccer players.
Authors: Muckle D. S.
Published: December 2008

Meniscectomy is a frequent surgical procedure in young soccer players but the results are unpredictable. A long-term survey was carried out to assess certain fundamental features and to establish the predictive factors which affect the prognosis after meniscectomy.
Cyclist's palsy: clinical and electrodiagnostic findings.
Authors: Frontera W. R.
Published: December 2008

Electrodiagnostic findings in cyclist's palsy have rarely been reported. The purpose of this paper is to report a case and discuss clinical and electrodiagnostic findings. Possible aetiologies are presented and preventive measures emphasised.
Ischial stress fracture.
Authors: Mowat A. G. , Kay V. J.
Published: December 2008

A single report of a very unusual stress fracture in the ischium of a fourteen year old athlete. The mechanism and the more usual lesion of ischial apophysiolysis is discussed.
Blunt injury of the radial and ulnar arteries in volley ball players. A report of three cases of the antebrachial-palmar hammer syndrome.
Authors: Kostianen S. , Orava S.
Published: December 2008

Three cases of the antebrachial-palmar hammer syndrome are described in volley ball players. They all suffered from a decreased blood perfusion of their right hand and fingers due to the repeated ball and floor impacts during the volley ball training and playing. The vascular lesions of the radial and ulnar arteries were reversible. The patients recovered spontaneously during the rest from excessive physical activity by their hands. The vascular lesions of this kind are rare but seem to be typical to volley ball players.
Physical working capacity and mile run performance in adolescent boys.
Authors: Watkins J. , Ewing B. G.
Published: December 2008

The degree of generality between the endurance characteristics of the one mile run and PWC170 tests was examined with a group of fifteen year old boys who performed both tests once a week for three weeks. A significant improvement in performance of both tests was found between trials 1 and 2, which was sustained between trials 2 and 3. These results suggest that norm scales regarding performance in both tests should be based on the average of at least two trials following a practice trial. The results of the present study also suggest that when average scores are used, rather than single scores, the amount of generality between the endurance characteristics of the one mile run and PWC170 test is high enough to allow physical working capacity to be predicted fairly accurately from performance in the one mile run.
Podiatry and the sports physician--an evaluation of orthoses.
Authors: Sperryn P. N. , Restan L.
Published: December 2008

Fifty athletes with resistant symptoms, were jointly assessed by physician and podiatrist. Commonest symptoms were foot pains (38%), anterior knee pain (34%), ankle pains including chronic sprains (30%) and Achilles pain (16%). Simple clinical examinations were made for gait pattern, in which overpronation was specifically noted in 46%, posture, leg length and configuration, rearfoot and forefoot alignment. The commonest abnormalities were calcaneal inversion (varus) in 42%, forefoot malalignment (varus 24%, valgus 14%), tibial varus (12%) and leg length discrepancies (16%). Individually casted orthotic corrections were made using rigid (60%) or soft (32%) orthoses, both (6%) or a simple shoe-raise (2%). Results up to 3 1/2 years' follow-up show symptom relief in 56% and improvement in 8%. No change was reported in 14%, while 6% could not tolerate appliances and 16% were lost to follow-up. 54% were still using orthoses, 26% had abandoned them and 20% were lost to follow-up. Orthoses now cost up to pounds 90 stg. in UK. If only about two thirds of patients benefit from them and half continue their long term use, critical selection of cases is required in both clinical and economic grounds.
Athletes attending a sports injury clinic--a review.
Authors: Devereaux M. D. , Lachmann S. M.
Published: December 2008

In a prospective study over the two years 1981-1982, there were 1186 separate sporting injuries treated at a Sports Injury Clinic. Just over 75% of patients were aged between 16 and 25 years old, while 80% were male. Football, Rugby, Running, Squash and Rowing contributed over 70% of these injuries. The commonest injuries were to the lower limb and lumbar region. In 43% of knee injuries there was strain of the collateral ligaments, while another 26% had patello-femoral pain. Short distance running was associated with an increase in shin splints, tibial stress fractures and hamstring injuries. Long distance running was associated with an increase in ankle and foot injuries. Sports Injury Clinics can benefit the injured athlete and there appears to be a need for their development in major hospitals.
Physical fitness status of Egyptian children aged 9-18 years.
Authors: Elnashar A. M. , Mayhew J. L.
Published: December 2008

Male (n = 399) and female (n = 311) Egyptian school children, aged 9-18 yrs, had their fitness evaluated using the 6-item AAHPER test. Comparisons of the 50th percentiles of the AAHPER norms with the median scores for the Egyptian sample revealed that the latter were substantially below average fitness levels. Egyptian boys performed significantly better than girls on all comparable test items, even when the effects of age, height, and weight were held constant by covariance. Eight weeks of twice weekly intensified physical education instruction produced significant improvements in all test items for both sexes.
Attendances at a casualty department for sport related injuries.
Authors: Bedford P. J. , Macauley D. C.
Published: December 2008

In a prospective study over a period of 5 months (July-November, 1982), 506 patients were treated at a District General Hospital for a sports related injury. All the patients were seen initially in the Casualty Department and the majority of attendances (58%) were due to injuries caused by the two principal contact sports--Association and Rugby football. There were 294 patients (58%) aged 21 or less and 45 (9%) were aged 15. The study was intended to provide a summary that would quantify the local problem and assess both the efficacy of the existing system and the need for a specialist sports injury service.
Helmets and haematomas.
Authors: McInerney P. D.
Published: December 2008

This report discusses two cases referred on the same day to the Mersey Regional Neurosurgical Unit. Both patients bore positions of responsibility and each developed an extradural haematoma as a result of neglecting to wear the appropriate safety helmet for their respective sports. The two survived, without detectable morbidity, to learn the relevant lesson.
Maximum oxygen uptake utilising different treadmill protocols.
Authors: Davies B. , Daggett A. , Jakeman P. , Mulhall J.
Published: December 2008

The study compared five treadmill protocols (four utilising a motorised, and one a non-motorised, treadmill) on maximum oxygen uptake. The five male and five female subjects, all actively engaged in training, were assigned the tests in random order. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the five protocols for maximal oxygen uptake, maximum ventilation, maximum heart rate and blood lactate inflection point, relative to maximal oxygen uptake. Significant differences were observed between the 3' protocol with incline increments of 1.5% and all other protocols on time to exhaustion (p = less than 0.01) and maximum blood lactate levels (HLA, p = less than 0.05). The results indicate that the protocols used in this study did not significantly influence the maximum oxygen uptake attained.
Effect of temperature on handgrip holding time.
Authors: Barter T. J. , Freer P. C.
Published: December 2008

The effect of intramuscular temperature upon the holding time of 70% MVC handgrip contraction was studied in 12 college-age men. The intramuscular temperature was regulated by 30 minutes immersion of the forearm and hand in a waterbath at 18 degrees C, 35 degrees C, or 45 degrees C. Elevating intramuscular temperature significantly reduced the holding time duration, (25.7 +/- 6.2 vis 38.3 +/- 8.1, P less than 0.01), while reducing the temperature had no significant effect (37.5 +/- 9.4 vis 38.3 +/- 8.1, N.S.).
Biological characteristics of young swimmers, tennis players and non-competitors.
Authors: Bloomfield J. , Blanksby B. A. , Beard D. F. , Ackland T. R. , Elliott B. C.
Published: December 2008

One hundred and twelve finalists in the State Swimming Championships aged between seven and twelve years and 65 ranked tennis players of similar age were selected on the basis of their sporting performances. A third group comprised children of similar socio-economic status who only took part in casual sport. The tests which were used in the study were those considered to be important for successful athletic performance. A multifactorial analysis of variance and post-hoc t-tests were applied to the data to determine if any statistical differences were apparent between the three groups. The results demonstrated that no size, body shape, flexibility, strength or lung function differences were evident between the competitors and non-competitors, but that the swimmers and tennis players were superior to the non-competitors in cardiovascular endurance.
Hypermobility and injuries in a professional ballet company.
Authors: Klemp P. , Learmonth I. D.
Published: December 2008

A study was conducted on members of the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) professional ballet company to determine the prevalence of hypermobility and to document the injuries sustained over a ten year period. If forward flexion, which is acquired through training, is excluded as a parameter the difference in hypermobility between dancers and controls is not statistically significant. Considering the stresses imposed on the musculoskeletal system, the number of injuries was surprisingly low. Ligamentous injuries about the ankle and knee were both common and accounted for the major morbidity. There were minor differences in the nature and severity of injuries in the male and female dancers. Back injuries, fractures and osteoarthrosis were uncommon and shin splints was not recorded in any of the dancers.
Sports injuries survey on university students in Hong Kong.
Authors: Chan K. M. , Fu F. , Leung L.
Published: December 2008

A sports injuries survey was conducted among 1714 students of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The common sports involved in injuries were Soccer (26%), Basketball (18%), Cycling (11%), Track and field athletics (11%) and Swimming (10%). The lower limb usually took the brunt of the injuries (67%) followed by the upper limb (28%) and spinal injuries were relatively uncommon (3%). The majority of the injuries were mild to moderate and the commonest ones were abrasion (37%), contusion (21%), cramp (20%), sprains (9%), and strains (7%). Of the injuries 80% recovered in less than 10 days and 50% of them were self-treated. However, a significant group of more severe injuries was recorded: fracture, concussion and heat stroke which demanded special medical attention and longer period for recovery. The pattern of treatment was also unique in that traditional Chinese methods of treatment were sought more frequently than special orthopaedic advice. The preventive aspects of sports injuries was not well recognised with only 40% of the students regularly practising warm-up exercises, 18% stretching exercises and 4% using protective aids. More educational programmes and studies were indicated. The set up of a sports injury clinic is recommended with the utilisation of a sports injury reporting system.
Pre-Asiad '82 injuries in elite Indian athletes.
Authors: Ahuja A , Ghosh A K
Published: December 2008

Elite Indian athletes who were undergoing training at the NIS, Patiala for the preparation of IX Asian Games held in Delhi in 1982, suffered 317 injuries during the 14 months of training. Of the injuries 64 per cent were observed in males, while 36 per cent were observed in females. Most of the injuries seen were in the lower limbs (59.2 per cent) and when classified according to the tissues involved, most of the trauma was seen in ligaments (38 per cent). Female sprinters and male throwers contributed most injuries. On average, each athlete sustained three injuries during the total training period by which 50 days of training was lost in nursing various kinds of injuries. Preventive measures of lower limb injuries, vigorous treatment for athletes preparing for a competition and maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness during treatment is an important task of sports physicians and coaches.
Sports injuries in Saudi Arabia.
Authors: Sadat-Ali M , Sankaran-Kutty M
Published: December 2008

Saudi Arabia has now a wealth of sporting facilities of which the youth of the country is making full use. A prospective study of sports related injuries was conducted during the twelve months of 1983. We present an analysis of 846 such injuries seen at the King Fahd University Hospital, Al Khobar. These injuries formed 8.36% of those who attended after an accident for emergency treatment, of which 63% were under 20 years. The majority was sustained during soccer games. The most frequent site of injury was the knee. We believe that specialised Sports Injury Clinics, initially based at the University Hospitals should be established here, to give guidance and education concerning avoidance of injuries, and for the treatment and follow-up of those injured and enable them to return to sports early.
Cervical disc herniation in a football player.
Authors: Tysvaer A T
Published: December 2008

A case of cervical disc herniation occurring in close association with playing football is reported. The handling of neck injuries in football players is outlined.
Australian Rules football: an anthropometric study of participants.
Authors: Burke L M , Read R S , Gollan R A
Published: December 2008

Anthropometric measurements and personal data were collected from 119 Australian Rules footballers from Victoria. A top level professional league team, a second level association team, and an A-grade amateur association team were observed, representing three levels of ability. The profile of physical features of these athletes at the beginning of the season is presented. A gradation of body size was observed between teams. The players in the top level team were slightly taller and heavier than those in the other teams. They had less body fat, as shown by lesser skinfold thicknesses, a smaller percentage body fat as determined by prediction equations, and a greater fat-free mass. The intermediate level team showed an intermediate level of body fat and the lower level team had the highest proportion of fat.
Outcome of sports injuries treated in a casualty department.
Authors: Sandelin J , Kiviluoto O , Santavirta S , Honkanen R
Published: December 2008

The present investigation analyses 2493 patients with a sports injury treated in a casualty department during a one-year period. Of the patients 73% were men, the age of the patients averaging 26 years and the mean follow-up time was 24 months. Soccer and indoor ball games caused 24% and 23% of the injuries respectively, these being followed by injuries in ice hockey in 14%. Track and field injuries scored low with 2% out of all injuries. Injuries to the lower extremity predominated. At follow-up, ligamentous injuries of the lower extremity were the major cause of discomfort. Further, in the group of patients with persistent discomfort 36% had suffered a fracture or a dislocation, 13% a contusion and 10% a wound. The mean period of sports incapacity after a sustained injury was 3 weeks. In track and field events the injury seldom disturbed training for more than one week, but in soccer, indoor ball games, skiing and skating the mean sports incapacity period varied between 6 and 3 weeks. Out of the total injured, 2% had to give up their sports activity completely. An injury of the lower extremity demanded on average 4 weeks' rest, an injury of the upper extremity and the trunk 2 weeks and injuries of the head and neck one week's rest. According to the present investigation sports injuries were in the majority of cases of a relatively benign nature and sick leave from work seldom exceeded 2 weeks.
Temazepam and the perceptual-motor performance of professional footballers.
Authors: Golby J , Hutson M A
Published: December 2008

The use of benzodiazepines to overcome the possible debilitating effects of travel on football performance is a recent phenomenon and indicative of current usage of such drugs. Contemporary psychological theory is critical of many of the measures used to monitor such drugs. This study has created a battery of tests which include some measures which are deemed more ecologically valid and, for purposes of comparison, some traditional indices. On a sample of First Division professional Association footballers temazepam (40 mg) was compared with placebo on these measures and testing occurred on the afternoon following night time medication. The findings suggest that on such a protocol, perceptual-motor performance is not impaired.
Orofacial injuries and mouthguards: a study of the 1984 Wallabies.
Authors: Chapman P J
Published: December 2008

As mouthguards provide protection of the teeth, jaws, adjacent soft tissues and also protect the brain against concussion following impacts to the mandible, the use of mouthguards in contact sports is strongly recommended. It is therefore essential to gauge regularly the use of mouthguards in the various contact sports at all levels of competition. Of the 30 members of the 1984 Australian Rugby Union Touring Team (the Wallabies), 80% wore mouthguards and of these, 75% believed that wearing mouthguards should be made compulsory for Rugby players. A comparison of these and other findings is made with previous studies in Rugby, and also with a similar study of the 1984 Great Britain Rugby League Touring Team.
Variable schedules of ibuprofen for ankle sprains.
Authors: McLatchie G R , Allister C , MacEwen C , Hamilton G , McGregor H , Colquhuon I , Pickvance N J
Published: December 2008

In a study of 144 patients, with Grade 1 and 2 inversion injuries to the ankle sustained in sport, treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory was considerably superior to placebo with respect to joint tenderness, level of training and injury severity. No difference in efficacy could be determined between ibuprofen 2400 mg given in two or four equally divided daily doses. Ten patients withdrew from the study because of side effects, five from ibuprofen twice daily, three from ibuprofen four times daily and two from the placebo group. This study confirms the efficacy, flexibility and tolerability of high dose ibuprofen.
Variables predictive of performance in elite middle-distance runners.
Authors: Kenney W L , Hodgson J L
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible factors which may account for differences in performance times within a closely-matched group (in terms of performance) of elite distance runners. The runners were training for competition in the 1984 Olympic Games in either the 5000 m or the 3000 m steeplechase events. Each runner's best performance time (BPT) was obtained and a stepwise regression analysis was performed with the following independent variables: age, weight, % body fat, VO2 max, aerobic threshold (AerT), and anaerobic threshold (AnT). For the 5000 m-runners, a multiple correlation of age and AnT accounted for 77% of the variance (p less than 0.02); for the 3000 m steeplechase runners, body weight alone and body weight and AnT accounted for 94% (p less than .01) and 98% (p less than .05) of the variance, respectively. The results suggest that, among elite middle-distance runners, these parameters deserve attention as potential predictors of performance.
Age, height and weight of female Olympic finalists in running events.
Authors: Khosla T
Published: December 2008

Age, height, weight and body mass index (weight/height2) of women finalists from seven running events (100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 3000m and marathon) are analysed. The data on 174 runners are derived from four Olympics (Munich, Montreal, Moscow and Los Angeles). On average endurance runners (3000 m and marathon are 4.8 years older, 6 cm shorter and 5 kg lighter for their height than sprinters (200 m and 400 m). A consistent trend of decreasing body mass index with run was observed; adjusting for height the marathon runners were 7 kg lighter than 100 m sprinters.
Somatotypes of Nigerian athletes of several sports.
Authors: Mathur D N , Toriola A L , Igbokwe N U
Published: December 2008

Somatotype ratings and percentage body fat of 131 elite Nigerian male athletes, average 24.2 years of age, and belonging to badminton (n = 18), basketball (n = 30), field hockey (n = 24), handball (n = 16), judo (n = 18), and soccer (n = 25) teams were determined. Basketball, handball and soccer players were taller and heavier, and had low percent fat values as compared with the other athletic groups. Judokas and hockey players were endomesomorphs. Other sports groups were predominantly ectomesomorphs.
Physiotherapy and electromyography in muscle cramp.
Authors: Helin P
Published: December 2008

Four cases of muscle cramps, at a sports institute, are presented. Electric activity was increased in cramp due to overload. The influence of stretching, electro- and compression therapies on these increased Electromyographic (EMG) activities was studied. The registration was performed with an EMG-analyser combined with a recorder, using surface electrodes.
Pulmonary capacities of different groups of sportsmen in India.
Authors: Ghosh A K , Ahuja A , Khanna G L
Published: December 2008

Pulmonary functional capacities, vital capacity (VC) maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), forced expiratory volume in 1 second and FEV 1.0 (per cent VC) of 168 sportsmen belonging to different sports activities and of 10 sedentary individuals have been studied. It was observed that all these pulmonary functional capacities of different groups of sportsmen were higher than those of the sedentary group. The mean VC of the basketball, boxing, cricket, football, hockey and the table tennis groups, the mean MVV of all the groups except the athletic, badminton and football groups, and the mean FEV 1.0 of football, hockey, swimming and volleyball groups were significantly higher than those of the sedentary group. The mean values of all the three pulmonary functional capacities of only the hockey group were found to be significantly higher than those of the sedentary individuals. The available reported pulmonary capacity values, except FEV 1.0 of a few groups of sportsmen studied abroad, were higher than those of their counterparts studied here. These might be due to the ethnic variation as well as the variation in age, body size and level of physical fitness which influence the different pulmonary capacities.
Training responses of two age groups during treadmill walking.
Authors: Williams D H , Hamley E J
Published: December 2008

The purpose of the present study was to use a previously developed treadmill walking test to determine training-induced changes within and between two groups of untrained men during a six week training period. One group consisted of seven middle-aged (mean age, 41.3 yr), and the second group consisted of seven young adult (mean age, 19.9 yr), men. Heart rates following training were significantly lower at all work intensities for the middle-aged men (p less than 0.005) whilst for the young adults only the 12.5% and 15% (p less than 0.025) work levels were significantly lower. Blood lactic acid concentrations (p less than 0.005), Respiratory Exchange Ratios (p less than 0.05), Ventilatory Equivalents (p less than 0.005) and mean Two Mile times (p less than 0.005) were all significantly lower after training for the older age group but this was not so for the younger adult group. The oxygen cost of the walking test was lower for four of the workloads of the middle-aged, but only for the final workload (p less than 0.005) for the young adults, after training. The performance test did not disadvantage the middle-aged subjects yet the results demonstrated that the test provided a common means of reflecting the training state of the two groups whether the level of activity took place on the treadmill or on the track.