bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Envelopment Analysis and Cross-Efficiency Evaluation in the Management of Sports Teams: The Assessment of Game Performance of Players in the Spanish Handball League
Authors: Gutiérrez Óscar , Ruiz José L.
Published: August 2016

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and cross-efficiency evaluation are shown as support tools for sports team management in the context of a study of assessment of the individual game performance of handball players of the Spanish premier league. A sample of 66 players that play as backs in their teams is evaluated from the perspective of their offensive game. DEA yields a measure of the overall performance of the game of the players, and allows to identifying relative strengths and weaknesses by means of a benchmarking analysis. The cross-efficiency evaluation has provided a peer-appraisal of the players with the different patterns of game that the 10 players rated as efficient have used in the DEA assessments, and has made it possible to derive a full ranking of players.
Major League Baseball Salaries: The impacts of Arbitration and Free Agency
Authors: Hadley Lawrence , Gustafson Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

Earnings equations are estimated for major league baseball hitters and pitchers using salary data for the 1989 season. The results indicate that final-offer salary arbitration and long-term contracts have a large positive impact on salaries. The impact of free-agency eligibility is also positive, but smaller man arbitration eligibility. This implies that some players have used the arbitration process to extract above-market salaries. Therefore it is concluded that it would be in the interest of the owners to replace arbitration with earlier eligibility for free agency.
Priorities of Financial Investments in Mass Sport in Korea
Authors: Lim Burn-Jang , Rho Hee-Duk , Kim Tong-Jin , Chung Ung-Kun , Kang Sinbok , Park Jin-Kyung
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the financial investments factors in promoting mass sport in Korea and to determine their relative importance and investment priorities. This information would be a guideline for sports administrators' decision making in establishing investment policy. The Delphi technique (Dalkey, 1976) using 30 experts in mass sport administration and the Analytic Hierarchy Process method (Saaty, 1983) were used in this study. Six investment factors with 21 subfactors were derived. The top investment priority was given to the Sports Facilities factor, followed by the factors of Publicity, Leaders, Administrative Support, Voluntary Sports Clubs, and Programs. Investment priorities of subfactors in each factor were also discussed.
The Effectiveness of Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program from 1980 to 1989
Authors: Orders Shari Ann , Chelladurai Packianathan
Published: August 2016

In order to determine the effectiveness of Sport Canada's (a unit of the Government of Canada) Athlete Assistance Program (AAP), the performance histories (standardized scores) of 371 AAP-funded swimmers (n = 183) and track-and-field athletes (« = 188) of both genders carded from September 1980 to November 1990 were analyzed. Because of the differences in the absolute performances of males and females, and the differences in standardizing the performances in the two sports, data of the males and females in each sport were analyzed separately. The results showed that carded athletes in each of the four groups improved their performances significantly following the awarding of carding status. Also, swimmers improved more consistently than the track-and-field athletes. For swimmers, younger athletes improved more than the older athletes, while the opposite was true with the track-and-field athletes. Based on these results, related funding policy issues were discussed.
If We’re Not Serving Practitioners, Then We're Not Serving Sport Management
Authors: Weese W. James
Published: August 2016

Many people have suggested that management theorists have become overly theoretical and frequently neglect to provide practitioners with the meaningful implications of their research findings. Acclaimed management scientist Henry Mintzberg expressed the same concerns for the leadership field of study. The North American Society for Sport Management could learn from the history and experiences of the management science/leadership fields and provide both academics and practitioners with research that both advances the field and impacts the profession.
Sources of Competitive Stress in Young Female Athletes
Authors: Scanlan Tara K. , Passer MichaeI W.
Published: August 2016

This field study examined the intrapersonal and situational factors related to the stress experienced by 10- to 12-year-old girls participating in competitive youth soccer. Factors potentially related to competitive stress were assessed at preseason, midseason, pregame, and postgame periods. Competitive stress, measured by the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory for Children, was assessed 30 min. prior to and immediately following a competitive game. Results indicated that higher pregame stress was related to high competitive trait anxiety and basal state anxiety as well as low self-esteem and team performance expectancies. The situational factor of game outcome (win, tie, loss) was the predominant variable associated with stress exhibited after the game, with losers evidencing the highest and winners the lowest postgame stress. The most important intrapersonal factor related to postgame stress was the amount of fun experienced during the game. The findings were quite similar to previous field research with young male soccer players, indicating that both sexes seem to share common sources of stress.
About Smocks and Jocks
Authors: Martens Rainer
Published: August 2016

The dissatisfaction with the existing scientific paradigm of social psychology, and its adoption in sport psychology, is discussed. Although many metapsychological issues are raised, attention focuses on the inadequacies of laboratory experimental research. As a partial solution in the development of a new paradigm, it is suggested that sport psychologists trade their smocks for “jocks,” turning their efforts to multivariate, long-term field research.
Behavioral and Situational Factors Affecting Concentration and Skill Performance
Authors: Silva John M.
Published: August 2016

The data presented in this study indicate that self-reported concentration levels of volunteer undergraduate students (N = 122) are affected by the type of behavior exhibited by a performer (i.e., hostile aggression or proactive assertion) and by the nature of the social environmental setting (i.e., sport or nonsport competition). Also demonstrated was a relationship between self-report levels of concentration and subject performance in both a nonsport and sport setting. Concentration was negatively affected by aroused, angry behavior and by a social environmental setting of considerable complexity and stress. Subject performance was superior in situations where concentration levels were elevated. The results suggest that concentration is an influential factor in skilled performance and is sensitive to variations in overt behavior and social environmental settings. Future research should focus on additional factors that tend to disrupt the state of concentration as well as factors that may enhance it.
Sex Differences and Parental Influence in Sport Involvement of Children
Authors: Lewko John H. , Ewing Martha E.
Published: August 2016

Children (N = 370), ages 9 to 11 years, responded to a fixed-alternative questionnaire which examined the influences of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers on the sport involvement of males and females. The following predictions were tested: (a) at similar levels of involvement (high or low), males would be discriminated from females by significant others; (b) value toward sport would discriminate between high- and low-involved males and females; (c) for high levels of involvement, fathers would be the most discriminating variable for both males and females. Within-sex discriminant analyses revealed fathers as predominant socializing agents for high-involved males, while all agents discriminated between high/low females. Between-sex discriminant analyses revealed significant differences only for high-involved males and females. Results were discussed in terms of early parental socialization practices and the support/encouragement necessary to increase sport involvement, particularly for females.
Expected Task Duration and Perceived Effort: An Attributional Analysis
Authors: Rejeski Walter J. , Ribisl Paul M.
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of anticipated task duration on ratings of perceived exertion during treadmill running. Male subjects.(N = 15) completed two separate runs on a motor-driven treadmill at 85% V02 max. During one trial, subjects ran for a period of 20 minutes, while for a second trial, subjects were led to believe that they would be running for 30 minutes. In each case, the trials were terminated at the 20-minute mark. Ratings of perceived exertion, heart rates, respiratory rates, and ventilatory minute volumes were collected across each trial. Results supported the supposition that the anticipation of continued performance mediated ratings of effort expenditure. This effect was obtained only during moderate work levels and was in contrast to research examining mental fatigue.
Challenge and Type a Behavior among Intercollegiate Football Players
Authors: Carver Charles S. , DeGregorio Eileen , Gillis Rod
Published: August 2016

The Type A behavior pattern is associated with increased risk of heart disease among men in middle adulthood. There is reason to believe, however, that specific elements of Pattern A (e.g., competitive achievement striving, aggressiveness, suppression of attention to fatigue) are useful in other contexts, for example, athletic competition. In this study, Type A and Type B college football players were evaluated by the team's head coach and assistant coaches, before the season and at midseason. Among As and Bs who had been injured by midseason (but not As and Bs overall), As achieved superior scores on ratings of having exerted themselves to their limits, both during practices and during games. These findings, from a field setting, conceptually replicated previous laboratory findings.
Attentional Style Variations and Athletic Ability: The Advantages of a Sports-specific Test
Authors: Van Schoyck Stephen R. , Grasha Anthony F.
Published: August 2016

Cognitive attentional processes in tennis players of varying skill levels were investigated. A tennis-specific version of Nideffer's Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (T-TAIS) was constructed using a rationale approach to test construction and compared with the parent TAIS. Tennis players (N=90) judged to be either beginning, intermediate, or advanced sewed as subjects. The T-TAIS had higher test-retest and internal consistency reliability coefficients, indicating it was a more accurate indicator of attentional style than the TAIS. Correlational and factor analysis data from the T-TAIS partially supported Nideffer's attentional dimension of bandwidth (narrow to broad attention) but did not support the direction dimension (internal to external). Instead, bandwidth was viewed as multidimensional, consisting of a scanning and focusing component. The T-TAIS showed a much more consistent relationship to tennis ability than the TAIS. This was particularly evident in the increments in the scanning factor subscale scores as a function of increases in tennis skill. T-TAIS subscale scores also were better predictors of match play than TAIS subscales. Results were consistent with current theories of attentional mechanisms and knowledge of skills required to play tennis. Data also indicated that sports-specific measures of attention are more precise estimates of attentional processes than is a general assessment instrument.
Intraindividual Pregame State Anxiety and Basketball Performance: A Re-examination of the Inverted-U Curve
Authors: Sonstroem Robert J. , Bernardo Pasquale
Published: August 2016

An extension of the inverted-U curve hypothesis was tested by defining low, moderate, and high arousal levels as an athlete's lowest, median, and highest pregame state anxiety values across three games of a basketball tournament. Basketball performance was measured by a game statistics composite (PERF) and by total points (TP) in each game. Subjects were 30 female university varsity basketball starters from six teams. They were trichotomized on competitive trait anxiety (A-trait), and a 3 × 3 ANOVA with repeated measures on A-state categories was employed. Significant A-state effects (p < .01) were found for both dependent variables: composite game performance (PERF) and total points (TP). Although A-trait predicted absolute A-state levels extremely well (p < .001), it failed to achieve a significant relationship with performance. When intrasubject T-scores for PERF and TP were regressed separately on intrasubject A-state T-scores, the relationship of variables was seen to consist essentially of a quadratic function which explained 18.4% and 16.9% of within-subject variance for PERF and TP, respectively. High A-state scores were associated with poorest performances in all three trait groups, but plotting performance T-scores across A-state categories indicated this effect to be particularly pronounced in high competitive trait-anxiety subjects.
The Influence of Socializing Agents on Female Collegiate Volleyball Players
Authors: Weiss Maureen R. , Knoppers Annelies
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to replicate and extend the earlier findings of Greendorfer (1977) by examining the role of significant others on the socialization of female volleyball players, and (b) to clarify the use of various statistical methodologies in sport socialization research. Players (N = 95) competing in the 1979 Big Ten volleyball championships responded to a sport socialization questionnaire designed to assess the degree of influence of socializing agents on active sport involvement. Descriptive statistics revealed that female volleyball players were surrounded by significant others who strongly supported and encouraged their participation throughout their life cycle. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, of the significant others who supported participation, parents, peers, and physical education teachers/coaches collectively had a significant influence on sport involvement only during the participant's childhood. Brothers were significant agents of sport socialization during the player's childhood and college years; no other agents reached significance for any of the life cycle stages. The discrepant results between the two analyses of this study, and previous socialization studies, were attributed to homogeneity of the sample and the statistical methods used. Recommendations are made about the use of statistical and methodological procedures in future socialization research.
Three Scales to Measure Competition-Related Motives in Sport
Authors: Willis Joe D.
Published: August 2016

Sport-specific motive scales were developed for power, achievement, and fear-of failure. Pilot testing resulted in 80 Likert-type items for the three scales, which were administered to 764 males and 253 females. Subjects were junior high to college level athletes representing 17 sports and 22 schools or colleges. Item analysis further reduced the number of items to 40. Alpha reliabilities for the three scales ranged from .76 to .78, whereas test-retest reliabilities after 8 weeks were .69 to .75. Evidence of content, criterion-related, and construct validity was presented. All scales were found to be relatively free of social desirability bias. It was concluded that the use of the scales was justified when confined to the study of groups and for research purposes only.
Perception in Volleyball: The Effects of Competitive Stress
Authors: Starkes Janet L. , Allard Fran
Published: August 2016

Volleyball players and nonplayers were compared for speed and accuracy of performance in a task involving detection of the presence of a volleyball in rapidly presented slides of a volleyball situation. Slides depicted both game and nongame situations, and subjects performed the task in both noncompetitive and competitive conditions. For all subjects, game information was perceived more quickly and accurately than nongame information. In competition all subjects showed decreased perceptual accuracy and no change in criterion, supporting the Easterbrook (1959) notion of perceptual narrowing with stress. Very large accompanying increases in response speed, however, suggested that competition may induce adoption of a particular speed-accuracy trade-off. Cognitive flexibility in the adoption of particular speed-accuracy trade-offs is discussed with reference to volleyball.
A Replication of the Path Analysis of the Causal Elements in Bandura's Theory of Self-efficacy and the Influence of Autonomic Perception
Authors: Feltz Deborah L. , Mugno Denise A.
Published: August 2016

The present investigation was designed to replicate and extend the Feltz (1982) study of the causal elements in Bandura's (1977) theory of self-efficacy. Path analysis techniques were employed to investigate the predictions based on Bandura's model of self-efficacy, along with the additional influence of autonomic perception on the approach/avoidance behavior of female college students (N = 80) attempting a modified-back dive. The Bandura model predicted a reciprocal relationship between self-efficacy and back-diving performance, and between self-efficacy and physiological arousal (heart rate). It was also predicted that autonomic perception was a better predictor of self-efficacy than was physiological arousal, but not better than previous back-diving performance. Additionally, self-efficacy was hypothesized to be the mediator of past performance accomplishments, physiological arousal, and autonomic perception on back-diving performance. Bandura's model was tested against a “full” model that included performance, autonomic perception, and actual physiological arousal, along with self-efficacy as direct causal influences of back-diving performance. Results provided greater support for the full model. Although one's self-efficacy was the major predictor of performance on Trial 1, subjects' heart rates also significantly predicted performance on Trial 1. After Trial 1, back-diving performance on a previous trial was the major predictor of performance on the next trial. Furthermore, one's perception of autonomic arousal was a significant influence on self-efficacy but not on performance. Previous back-diving performance, however, was a better predictor of self-efficacy than autonomic perception. No reciprocal relationship was found between self-efficacy and physiological arousal. Moreover, the full model explained more performance variance than did the Bandura model.
Causal Attribution Theory and the Female Athlete: What Conclusions Can We Draw?
Authors: Blucker Judy A. , Hershberger Eve
Published: August 2016

Causal attribution theory research has recently been applied to the female athlete. Early causal attribution research was influenced by Horner's (1968) original hypothesis about a fear of success personality trait that women generally possess. The purpose of this paper is to critique such research noting variables and issues which may have an impact on research and its interpretation when applied to the female athlete.
Gender Differences in Perceived Burnout of College Coaches
Authors: Caccese Thomas M. , Mayerberg Cathleen K.
Published: August 2016

A study was undertaken to assess the level of perceived burnout in college athletic coaches, and to determine whether male coaches differed from female coaches in level of burnout. Burnout was measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a self-report rating scale that provides three subscores: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. Subjects were NCAA and AIAW Division I college head coaches (138 male and 93 female coaches). The sexes differed on both the emotional exhaustion and the personal accomplishment subscales, in terms of both frequency of response and intensity of response. Female coaches reported significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion and significantly lower levels of personal accomplishment than male coaches. The largest gender difference on the frequency dimension was for the item, “ I feel frustrated by my job.” For the intensity dimension, the largest difference was for the item “I feel burned out from my work.” Possible explanations for the gender differences are presented.
The Effects of Indoor versus Outdoor Thermal Biofeedback Training in Cold-Weather Sports
Authors: Kappes Bruno M. , Chapman Scott J.
Published: August 2016

This field study examined the effects of indoor versus outdoor thermal biofeedback training on digital skin temperature for outdoor sports, and also tested the accuracy of estimating one's skin temperature in an outdoor environment. A sample of 25 university student volunteers (14 males and 11 females) were randomly distributed across three groups. Indoor subjects practiced exclusively indoors and outdoor subjects practiced exclusively outdoors, while control subjects did not receive any training. All pre-and posttests for all groups were conducted outdoors in an unhealed tent. Subjects were trained twice a week for 4 weeks, with twice-a-day respective indoor or outdoor home practice on nontraining days. Results indicated the post-peroid change scores of the outdoor trained group to be superior to indoor trained subjects and controls when all groups were asked to perform outdoors. Indoor subjects were only able to maintain their temperature outdoors, whereas control subjects continued to lose temperature as they did during the pretest. Interestingly, there was no significant overall temperature difference between groups, and all subjects overestimated their temperatures regardless of training. Learning to control extremity temperatures in cold environments may depend on environmental context.
Motivation in Sport: The Mediating Role of Perceived Ability
Authors: Roberts Glyn C. , Duda Joan L.
Published: August 2016

The major purpose of this study was to determine the importance of being able to assign ability to self in interpreting outcomes as success or failure in a sport context. The relationship between self-assessments of demonstrated ability and subjective perception of success and failure was investigated for both males and females. This study also entailed a preliminary examination of the variables that lead to perceptions of ability in sport among males and females. A field study was conducted with men and women racquetball players. Prior to a two-person racquetball game, subjects were given a questionnaire assessing their own and opponent's perceived ability, self-confidence, reasons for enrolling in racquetball class, and the importance placed on winning. Immediately after the contest a second questionnaire was administered which tapped perceived satisfaction in the game (subjective success and failure), perceptions of own and opponent's demonstrated ability, and the causal attributions of winners and losers. Regression analyses revealed that perception of demonstrated ability was significantly related to perceptions of success and failure for both men and women. Results indicated, however, that men and women used different information variables to determine whether ability had been displayed.
Social Psychological Aspects of Competition for Male Youth Sport Participants: IL Predictors of Performance Outcomes
Authors: Scanlan Tara K. , Lewthwaite Rebecca , Jackson Bruce L.
Published: August 2016

This field study investigated sport-related and psychological predictors of children's performance outcomes (win-loss) across two consecutive rounds of a competitive wrestling tournament. The 76 wrestlers studied were 9- to 14-year-old boys, and the sport-related variable examined involved their years of competitive wrestling experience. The psychological predictors investigated were the participants' prematch performance expectancies and their characteristic prematch cognitions including: (a) worries about failure and (b) concerns about the performance expectations and evaluative reactions of their parents and coach. The data for each round were separately analyzed by logistic regression analysis. The most influential and stable predictors of performance outcomes across both tournament rounds were competitive experience and prematch performance expectancies. In addition, characteristic failure cognitions significantly predicted win-loss in the first round of the tournament. In total, win-loss was successfully predicted in 78 and 80% of the cases for round 1 and 2, respectively, by these predictors.
The Application of Goal Setting to Sports
Authors: Locke Edwin A. , Latham Gary P.
Published: August 2016

Studies of goal setting both in organizations and the laboratory have found that (a) specific, difficult goals lead to better performance than vague or easy goals; (b) short-term goals can facilitate the achievement of long-term goals; (c) goals affect performance by affecting effort, persistence, and direction of attention, and by motivating strategy development; (d) feedback regarding progress is necessary for goal setting to work; and (e) goals must be accepted if they are to affect performance. The implications of these findings for athletics are discussed. Ten hypotheses, based on previous research, are offered regarding the effects of goal setting in sports. In addition, suggestions are made regarding the following: setting goals for both practice and game situations; setting goals for different elements of athletic skill as well as for strength and stamina; using goals to increase self-confidence; using short-term goals to help attain long-term performance goals; improving performance by increasing task difficulty independently of goal difficulty; and obtaining goal acceptance and commitment in sports.
Reliability Estimates and Age and Gender Comparisons of Expectations of Success in Sex-Typed Activities
Authors: Sanguinetti Charlotte , Lee Amelia M. , Nelson Jack
Published: August 2016

The purposes of this study were to determine the stability of estimations of success in masculine, feminine, and gender-neutral motor tasks with subjects of three age groups, and to compare expectancies for success of boys and girls at each of the ages. A total of 90 subjects took part in the study, including 15 males and 15 females randomly selected from the three age groups (grades 1 & 2; grades 6 & 7; and adults). Three activities (football, ballet, and swimming) had been sex-typed in a previous study as masculine, feminine, and neutral, respectively. Subjects were asked to indicate how they would expect to perform on three occasions in all three tasks. Results indicated that all age groups can provide reliable expectations for their success in motor skill acquisition, although the younger children's estimates are slightly less reliable, especially on the first trial. Sex-typing of activities was found to definitely affect the performance estimations in all three age groups. Males' expectancies were higher on the male task and females' expectancies were higher on the female task. The younger children's overall estimates of success were higher than those of the older groups.
Motor versus Verbal Recall of Ballet Sequences by Young Expert Dancers
Authors: Starkes Janet L. , Deakin Janice M. , Lindley Susan , Crisp Freda
Published: August 2016

Two experiments investigated the role of motor performance, and the role of music in the retention and recall of ballet sequences by young expert dancers. Experiment 1 examined 11-year-old expert (N=8) and novice (N=8) dancers, to determine the influence of motor performance in the recall of ballet steps. Subjects were presented with two conditions, either structured choreographed or unstructured sequences. All sequences consisted of eight steps or elements. Subjects recalled both types of sequences motorically by simply performing the steps. Verbal recall was also assessed for structured sequences. Results from analyses of variance indicated main effects of skill, recall condition, and serial position across elements. Experts recalled more than novices, structured sequences were recalled better than nonstructured, and the last sequence element was recalled less. An interaction of Skill X Recall Condition x Serial Position revealed that although experts and novices performed the same on unstructured trials, their performances differed for motor versus verbal structured trials, particularly on the last elements. Experiment 2 examined only expert dancers (i¥=8) on structured sequences and determined whether the presence of music at time of recall aided retention. Correlated t tests revealed that with music, recall was maintained across all eight elements; without music, recall of the last element suffered.
Generality and Specificity of Attention Belated to Competitive Anxiety and Sport Performance
Authors: Albrecht Richard R , Feltz Deborah L.
Published: August 2016

The Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (TAIS) was developed as an objective measure by which an individual's attentional predisposition could be identified and used to predict performance on a variety of tasks. The present study had three purposes: (a) to construct a baseball/softball batting (B-TAIS) version of each TAIS attentional subscale, (b) to compare TAIS and B-TAIS reliability, and (c) to compare TAIS and B-TAIS validity. Both instruments were administered to 29 intercollegiate baseball and softball players. The B-TAIS demonstrated slightly higher test-restest reliability on five of the six attentional subscales and was higher than the TAIS in internal consistency on all subscales. Batting performance was positively related to all B-TAIS subscales assessing effective attentional deployment and negatively related to all subscales assessing ineffective attention. Significant positive correlations also existed between B-TAIS ineffective subscale scores and competitive trait anxiety. However, these relationships were not found with the general TAIS.
Exercise by Mail: A Mediated Behavior-Change Program for Aerobic Exercise
Authors: Owen Neville , Naccarella Lucio , Lee Christina , Haag Kevin
Published: August 2016

Regular, vigorous physical activity (aerobic exercise) appears to have significant benefits in preventing disease, but exercise levels continue to be low in spite of the wide availability of intensive fitness programs. Self-instructional behavior-change packages can reach more people than face-to-face methods, and can address a range of problem behaviors. This study investigated the effectiveness of a self-instructional training program for aerobic exercise. Participants were allocated randomly to an exercise correspondence course involving several mailings of information (n=53), or to exactly the same program mailed in a single package (n=52). People who initially showed interest in the course but withdrew before it began (n=33), and participants in standard fitness classes (n=31), were used as comparison groups. All courses were 12-week aerobic programs of gradually increasing intensity. At the end of the program, participants in the single-package course were significantly more active than those in the multiple-mailing program, and were similar to those in the fitness class. At a 10-month follow-up, there were no significant differences among the reported physical activity levels of participants in the four different conditions. Despite the somewhat weak effects obtained in this investigation, programs that can be administered by mail can reach large numbers of people who may wish to change health-related behaviors.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Following Knee Arthroscopy: A Case Report with Electroneuromyographic Analysis
Authors: Tamburello Michael T.
Published: August 2016

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a debilitating and recalcitrant condition that has bewildered the medical community for decades. This article briefly reviews the pathophysiology of RSD and describes the clinical presentation and management of patients suffering from RSD. The case study describes the clinical and electrodiagnostic findings of a patient with RSD following arthroscopic surgery on the knee. The medical and physical interventions rendered in this case are described.
Patellar Tendonitis: Jumper's Knee
Authors: Pezzullo David J. , Irrgang James J. , Whitney Susan L.
Published: August 2016

Patellar tendonitis is a common pathology seen in athletes involved in activities requiring forceful eccentric muscle contractions or repeated flexion and extension of the knee. This article reviews the related anatomy, biomechanics, mechanism of injury, and diagnosis of patellar tendonitis. It also presents several treatment approaches and suggestions to help identify athletes at risk.
Knee Joint Proprioception Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Harter Rod A. , Osternig Louis R. , Singer Kenneth M.
Published: August 2016

This study evaluated knee joint position sense in the ACL-reconstructed and contralateral normal knees of 48 male and female subjects (M age 27.6 ± 6.9 yrs). Subjects were blindfolded and tested on their ability to actively reproduce five passively placed knee positions at 5° intervals between 35 and 15° of knee flexion. Mean algebraic target angle error and mean absolute error values were measured in degrees. The grand mean absolute error for the postsurgical knees at all positions was 5.4 ± 3.2°, compared with 5.2 ± 2.7° for the normal contralateral knees. There were no significant differences in knee joint position sense between the postsurgical and normal contralateral limbs at any of the five positions tested. Pivot shift, anterolateral rotatory instability, and Lachman test results were poorly correlated with knee joint position sense. The results suggest that if knee joint position sense was indeed disrupted by ACL injury and reconstructive surgery, related sensory mechanisms compensated for any proprioceptive loss prior to the minimum 2-yr postsurgical follow-up period employed in our study.
The Relationship between Personality Characteristics and Acute Pain Response in Postadolescent Males
Authors: Buxton Barton P. , Perrin David H.
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between personality characteristics, as measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) (form G), and an acute pain response in 107 postadolescent men. Subjects included 107 military school cadets. Each subject performed a cold pressor test (CPT) and was evaluated for pain threshold and pain tolerance times. Each was then evaluated for preference on eight personality characteristics: extraversion, introversion, sensing, intuition, thinking, feeling, judging, and perception. The personality characteristics were measured by the MBT1 (form G). Pearson product-moment correlations between the pain threshold and tolerance times and the eight personality characteristic scores were nonsignificant. The results indicated there was no relationship between the eight personality characteristics, as measured by the MBTI (form G), and pain threshold or pain tolerance, as measured by the CPT, The findings also indicated a low correlation between pain threshold and pain tolerance (r=.25).
Ultrasound Treatments in Degassed Water
Authors: Forrest George , Rosen Kurt
Published: August 2016

Ultrasound is a commonly used modality of deep heating. Two techniques of application have been recommended: a technique in which the applicator head is applied directly to the subject and an immersion technique, The purpose of this study was to determine whether ultrasound treatments using the immersion technique in degassed water are as effective as ultrasound treatments using the direct technique of application in raising the temperature of periarticular structures into the therapeutic range. The limbs of a pig were treated with the direct and immersion techniques of application. Temperatures of the skin surface and of the extensor tendons of the ankle were taken before and after both methods of application. Treatments with the applicator head in direct contact with the limb of the subject were the more effective form of heating.
Effect of Rear-Foot Orthotics on Postural Control in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Hertel Jay , Denegar Craig R. , Buckley W.E. , Sharkey Neil A. , Stokes Wayne L.
Published: August 2016

Objective:

To identify changes in sagittal- and frontal-plane center of pressure (COP) excursion length and velocity during single-leg stance under 6 orthotic conditions.

Design:

1 × 6 repeated-measures.

Setting:

University biomechanics laboratory.

Participants:

Fifteen healthy young adults without excessive forefoot, arch, or rear-foot malalignments.

Measurements:

Selected variables of COP length and velocity were calculated in both the frontal and sagittal planes during three 5-second trials of quiet unilateral stance.

Methods:

Postural control was assessed under 6 conditions: shoe only and 5 orthotics.

Results:

The medially posted orthotic caused the least frontal COP length and velocity, and the Cramer Sprained Ankle Orthotic® caused the greatest frontal-plane sway. No significant differences were found between the different orthotic conditions in sagittal-plane measures.

Conclusions:

Differently posted rear-foot orthotics had various effects on frontal-plane postural control in healthy participants. Further research is needed on pathological populations.
Effects of Ibuprofen and Vicoprofen® on Physical Performance after Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
Authors: VanHeest Jaci L. , Stoppani Jim , Scheett Tim P. , Collins Valerie , Roti Melissa , Anderson Jeffrey , Allen George J. , Hoffman Jay , Kraemer William J. , Maresh Carl M.
Published: August 2016

Objective:

To determine the effects of Vicoprofen® and ibuprofen on aerobic performance, agility, and pain after exercise-induced muscle damage.

Design:

Double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose clinical trial.

Setting:

Human-performance and sports-medicine laboratory.

Participants:

36 healthy men.

Methods and Measures:

Baseline testing was performed, 72 hours after which subjects performed eccentric exercise to induce muscle damage. They were evaluated for pain 24 hours postdamage and placed randomly into 3 groups: Vicoprofen (VIC), ibuprofen, or placebo (P). Postdamage testing was performed every day for 5 days. Subjects performed an economy run and a t-agility test to determine exercise performance.

Results:

The drugs had no significant effect on performance throughout the 5-day evaluation period. Pain was lower at days 4 and 5 in the VIC group than in P.

Conclusions:

It appears that Vicoprofen reduced pain after muscle damage, but the drug interventions did not enhance performance in aerobic and agility tasks.
Effects of a 3-Minute Standing Stretch on Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion
Authors: Pratt Kimberly , Bohannon Richard
Published: August 2016

Context:

Stretching exercise regimens are routinely prescribed to increase range of motion (ROM) and diminish injuries.

Objective:

To examine the effect of a 3-minute passive stretch on ankle-dorsiflexion ROM in a nonpathological population.

Setting:

University laboratory.

Design:

Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Participants:

24 apparently healthy volunteers.

Interventions:

Subjects stood with their heels suspended from the edge of a platform. The experimental subjects stretched for 3 minutes on 3 consecutive days.

Main Outcome Measures:

Passive ankle-dorsiflexion ROM.

Results:

Ankle-dorsiflexion ROM increased significantly (P < .0005) over the course of each day’s stretch. No significant gains in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM were realized over 3 days.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest the need for further research to determine the stretching frequency and duration that will result in lasting increases in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM
Traumatic Achilles Tendon Rupture in a Female College Basketball Player
Authors: Davlin Christina , Jenike Jody
Published: August 2016

Objective:

To present the case of a Division I female college basketball player with a complete Achilles tendon rupture.

Background:

A 19-year-old, female college basketball player ruptured her right Achilles tendon during preseason conditioning. She had no previous history of heel cord symptoms.

Treatment:

The athlete underwent open surgical repair of Achilles tendon. The athlete successfully progressed through a functional rehabilitation program focused on early mobilization and weight bearing. The rehabilitation program was continually modified to address deficiencies and to keep the athlete actively engaged. She was cleared for full, unrestricted activity 15 weeks and 3 days after surgery and returned to game participation in 16 weeks.

Conclusions:

This case provides evidence that early mobilization and weight bearing can be used while still protecting the repaired tendon.
Lower Extremity EMG in Male and Female College Soccer Players during Single-Leg Landing
Authors: Garrison J. Craig , Hart Joe M. , Palmieri Riann M. , Kerrigan D. Casey , Ingersoll Christopher D.
Published: August 2016

Context:

Gender differences in muscle activity during landing have been studied as a possible contributing factor to the greater incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in women.

Objective:

To compare root-mean-square (RMS) electromyography (EMG) of selected lower extremity muscles at initial contact (IC) and at peak knee internal-rotation (IR) moment in men and women during landing.

Design:

Preexperimental design static-group comparison.

Setting:

Motion-analysis laboratory.

Participants:

16 varsity college soccer players (8 men, 8 women).

Main Outcome Measures:

EMG activity of the gluteus medius, lateral hamstrings, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris during landing.

Results:

When RMS EMG of all muscles was considered simultaneously, no significant differences were detected between genders at IC or at peak knee IR moment.

Conclusion:

Male and female college soccer players display similar relative muscle activities of the lower extremity during landing. Gender landing-control parameters might vary depending on the technique used to analyze muscle activity.
An Electromyographic Analysis of the Cuff Link Rehabilitation Device
Authors: Tucker W. Steven , Armstrong Charles W. , Swartz Erik E. , Campbell Brian M. , Rankin James M.
Published: August 2016

Context:

Closed kinetic chain exercises are reported to provide a more functional rehabilitation outcome.

Objective:

To determine the amount of muscle activity in 4 shoulder muscles during exercise on the Cuff Link.

Design:

Repeated measures.

Setting:

Laboratory.

Subjects:

10 men and 10 women, age 18–50.

Intervention:

Subjects performed 3 sets of 5 revolutions on the Cuff Link in non-weight-bearing, partial-weight-bearing, and full-weight-bearing positions.

Main Outcome Measures:

Electromyography data were collected from the upper trapezius, anterior deltoid, serratus anterior, and pectoralis major and were expressed as percentage of maximal isometric contractions.

Results:

Significant differences were found across the weight-bearing conditions for all 4 muscles. Exercise on the Cuff Link required minimal to significant amounts of muscle recruitment.

Conclusions:

Muscle recruitment increases as weight bearing increases during use of the Cuff Link, suggesting an increase in dynamic stabilization of the glenohumeral joint.
Lower Leg Cold Immersion Does Not Impair Dynamic Stability in Healthy Women
Authors: Miniello Susan , Dover Geoffrey , Powers Michael , Tillman Mark , Wikstrom Erik
Published: August 2016

Context:

Previous studies have suggested that cryotherapy affects neuromuscu-lar function and therefore might impair dynamic stability. If cryotherapy affects dynamic stability, clinicians might alter their decisions regarding returning athletes to play immediately after treatment.

Objective:

To assess the effects of lower leg cold immersion on muscle activity and dynamic stability of the lower extremity.

Design:

Within-subject time-series design with 1 pretest and 2 posttests.

Setting:

A climate-controlled biomechanics laboratory.

Participants:

17 healthy women.

Interventions:

20-minute cold-water immersion.

Main Outcome Measures:

Preparatory and reactive electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus and time to stabilization after a jump landing.

Results:

Preparatory activity of the tibialis anterior increased after treatment, whereas preparatory and reactive peroneus longus activity decreased. Both returned to baseline after a 5-minute recovery. Time to stabilization did not change.

Conclusions:

Lower leg cold-immersion therapy does not impair dynamic stability in healthy women during a jump-landing task. Return to participation after a cryotherapy treatment is not contraindicated for healthy athletes.
The Effect of External Ankle Support on Vertical Ground-Reaction Force and Lower Body Kinematics
Authors: Hodgson Brad , Tis Laurie , Cobb Steven , Higbie Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

Objective:

To examine the effects of external ankle support on vertical ground-reaction forces (VGRF) and kinematic data.

Methods:

Subjects completed 2 braced and 2 nonbraced 0.61-m hanging drop landings onto a force platform. Kinematic data were collected with 8 digital-optical cameras sampling at 120 Hz.

Subjects:

12 Division I female volleyball players.

Statistical Analysis:

A repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (P < .05) was used to determine whether significant differences existed between test conditions for peak VGRF, loading rate, hip angle, knee angle, and ankle angle at right-foot contact for peak 1 and peak 2 of the VGRF curve over the first 100 milliseconds of the landing phase, as well as total hip range of motion (ROM), total knee ROM, and total ankle ROM for the entire landing phase.

Results:

There were significant increases in peak P1 and LR1 and a significant decrease in ankle-angle change at right-foot contact in braced trials compared with the nonbraced condition.
Hip-Abductor Muscle Performance in Participants after 45 Seconds of Resisted Sidestepping Using an Elastic Band
Authors: Youdas James W. , Loder Erica F. , Moldenhauer Jody L. , Paulsen Christine R. , Hollman John H.
Published: August 2016

Context:

Hip-abductor weakness is associated with many lower extremity injuries. A simple procedure to assess hip-abductor performance is necessary in patient populations.

Objective:

To describe the change in pelvic-on-femoral position of the stance limb before and after 45 seconds of resisted sidestepping.

Design:

Cross-sectional comparative.

Setting:

Laboratory.

Participants:

24 healthy women (24.6 ± 3.5 years) and 14 healthy men (24.5 ± 3.0 years).

Main Outcome Measures:

Pelvic-on-femoral position in degrees in single-leg stance before and after 45 seconds of resisted sidestepping.

Results:

The difference between the baseline and postexercise measurements for both men and women was significant (P< .05). The effect of the resisted-sidestepping exercise on the hip abductors was not statistically different between men and women.

Conclusions:

Forty-five seconds of resisted sidestepping using an elastic band produced a change in pelvic-on-femoral position in healthy adults. This test might be useful to detect impaired performance in hip abductors of patients with injury elsewhere in the musculoskeletal system.