bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The pattern of injury in fatal pedal cycle accidents and the possible benefits of cycle helmets.
Authors: Kennedy A
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To establish the number of fatal pedal cycle accidents occurring in the Sheffield and Barnsley area, UK, and to investigate the possible benefits of helmet wearing by cyclists. DESIGN: All medicolegal investigations into fatal road traffic accidents in the areas of Sheffield and Barnsley (total population 757,300) were reviewed to identify cases in which pedal cyclists had died. The necropsy reports of the cases were compared with those of an equal number of controls (pedestrians and motor vehicle occupants) which were matched by sex, age and year of death. RESULTS: 28 deaths occurred in the last 15 years giving a mortality of 0.25/100,000 per annum, which is lower than the rate for the UK as a whole (0.43/100,000), but in five cases the accidents which eventually led to death occurred outside the area under study. These deaths represented 3.3% of road traffic deaths between 1979 and 1993. Over 80% of both cases and controls had severe head injuries, but the controls had suffered more fatal injuries to other parts of the body. None of the cyclists had worn helmets and, in order to assess the maximum possible benefit of helmet wearing, it was assumed that a helmet would have saved all those who only had head injuries. It was found that helmets might have saved 14 lives in 15 years. A similar calculation based on the controls suggests that if all pedestrians and vehicle occupants had worn helmets, 175 lives might have been saved in the same period. CONCLUSIONS: There is no justification for compelling cyclists to wear helmets without taking steps to improve the safety of all road users.
Postural corrections after standardised perturbations of single limb stance: effect of training and orthotic devices in patients with ankle instability.
Authors: Pintsaar A , Brynhildsen J , Tropp H
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: Soccer players with functional instability of the ankle joint have shown impairment of postural control in single limb stance. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of stance perturbation. METHODS: A standardised method for the study of postural corrections after perturbation (Equitest) was used. Female soccer players with and without functional instability were examined. RESULTS: The subjects showed a relative change from ankle to hip synergy at medially directed translations of the support surface. This impairment was restored after eight weeks of ankle disk training. The effect of a shoe and brace did not exceed the effect of the shoe alone. CONCLUSIONS: Functional instability seems to be related to impaired ability to retain equilibrium in single limb stance by means of ankle corrections. A positive effect of ankle disk training leading to functional restoration was confirmed.
Isokinetic strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings and functional ability of anterior cruciate deficient knees in recreational athletes.
Authors: Li R C , Maffulli N , Hsu Y C , Chan K M
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that increasing the hamstrings and quadriceps (H:Q) isokinetic strength ratio will, in the short term, improve the functional ability of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knee. METHODS: The isokinetic muscular characteristics at a speed of 60 degrees s-1 and 180 degrees s-1 of 46 recreational athletes with an arthroscopically confirmed ACL tear were determined using the Cybex II+ isokinetic dynamometer. The variables tested included peak torque, endurance ratio, total work output, and explosive power. Functional ability was scored with the Cincinnati rating system, measuring the severity of pain and swelling, the degree of giving way, and the overall ability to walk, run, ascent and descent stairs, jump and twist. RESULTS: Among all muscular characteristics, the H:Q ratio at 180 degrees s-1 at 30 degrees of knee flexion was shown to have the highest correlation to the functional score (r = 0.6249, P < 0.001). All variables involving hamstring strength were shown to be significantly correlated to the functional ability score (P < 0.01), while none of the variables involving quadriceps strength showed significant correlation with the functional ability of the injured knee. CONCLUSIONS: The H:Q ratio is strongly correlated to the functional ability of ACL deficient knees in Chinese recreational athletes. It could be used as an additional measure to guide in the decision making process in the management of ACL deficient knees.
Unusual patellar tendon injury in an adolescent runner with generalised ligamentous laxity.
Authors: Karnezis I A , Morrison P J
Published: December 2008

A case is reported of an acute traction injury of the patellar tendon in a boy of 14 with joint hypermobility. Such injuries are unusual but early diagnosis and surgical repair lead to a good long term outcome. In adolescents participating in sports, the awareness of the possibility of a rare knee extensor mechanism injury is essential for a successful outcome.
A systematic review of physical activity promotion strategies.
Authors: Hillsdon M , Thorogood M
Published: December 2008

We have reviewed randomised controlled trials of physical activity promotion to provide recent and reliable information on the effectiveness of physical activity promotion. Computerised databases and references of references were searched. Experts were contacted and asked for information about existing work. Studies assessed were randomised controlled trials of healthy, free living, adult subjects, where exercise behaviour was the dependent variable. Eleven trials were identified. No United Kingdom based studies were found. Interventions that encourage walking and do not require attendance at a facility are most likely to lead to sustainable increases in overall physical activity. Brisk walking has the greatest potential for increasing overall activity levels of a sedentary population and meeting current public health recommendations. The small number of trials limits the strength of any conclusions and highlights the need for more research.
Associations between health behaviours and health related fitness.
Authors: Shephard R J , Bouchard C
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To examine relations between health behaviours and health related fitness. METHODS: Subjects were a convenience sample of 350 healthy adults (172 men, 178 women). Covariance analysis adjusted data for significant influences of age and socioeconomic status. Obesity was assessed by anthropometry and body density. Cardiovascular fitness was assessed and various metabolic measurements were made. Questionnaires on physical activity and health related behaviours were completed. RESULTS: Cigarette abstinence was associated with a small abdominal circumference (men) and a low trunk/extremity skinfold ratio (women). Obesity indices (body mass index, total skinfolds, percent fat, and abdominal circumference) were negatively associated with perceived fitness. Leisure activity and exercise frequency were also negatively linked to some obesity indices. Blood glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were favourably influenced by perceived activity, exercise frequency, and perceived fitness, but not by exercise intensity. Abstinence from coffee was associated with a low cholesterol/HDL ratio (men only). Principal component, discriminant, and multiple logistic regression analyses showed only weak clustering of habitual physical activity with other positive health behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Although multiphasic health promotion programmes are economical, favourable interactions between individual programme elements seem likely to be quite limited.
Paediatric sports injuries in Hong Kong: a seven year survey.
Authors: Maffulli N , Bundoc R C , Chan K M , Cheng J C
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the epidemiological characteristics of sports injuries in children in Hong Kong. METHODS: Retrospective review of all cases seen in the Sports Injury Clinic of the Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, in the period May 1984 to December 1990. The variables studied were age at presentation, gender, side of the body injured, anatomical location of the injury, type and severity of injury, sport played, level (school, recreational, amateur and professional) and frequency of sports participation, length in years of sports practice, and initial management of the injury. RESULTS: Of the 2293 patients seen, 238 were youngsters (54% boys) 16 years old or younger. Ball games accounted for the greatest number of injuries, with 37 children taking part in basketball, 28 in soccer, 12 in volleyball, and 31 children taking part in a variety of other ball games. Of the remaining children, the single largest group was practising track and field, with sprinting and middle distance running accounting for 42 injuries, and 28 children were injured while cycling. Most of the injuries (85%) were classified as non-serious, but 15% of children presented with a total of 21 fractures, two joint dislocations, five concussions, and seven torn knee ligaments. CONCLUSIONS: Children sports participation in Hong Kong, although not at high level and not as widespread as in the West, accounts for significant morbidity. These injuries should be carefully monitored to ascertain whether they result in any detrimental long term effects.
The responses of an able bodied person to wheelchair training: a case study.
Authors: Lakomy H K , Williams T
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To examine the responses of a previously untrained, able bodied male to a 10 month training programme in a wheelchair. METHODS: Physiological indices and performance times were measured over the 10 month period during periods of general conditioning, specific conditioning, and competition. RESULTS: Although both peak oxygen uptake and maximum heart rate increased it was found that the main contribution to improvements in performance was from increased pushing economy. The value of peak oxygen uptake for the subject was within the normal range for paraplegics; however, maximum ventilation exceeded the levels normally achieved by paraplegics. At the conclusion of the study the subject successfully completed a wheelchair marathon in a time of 2 h 9 min at an average speed of 5.17 m s1. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible for an able bodied person with no previous experience in a wheelchair to successfully compete in a wheelchair marathon with only 10 months training. The main contribution to the improvement in performance was from increased pushing economy.
A new approach to the assessment of anaerobic metabolism: measurement of lactate in saliva.
Authors: Segura R , Javierre C , Ventura J L , Lizarraga M A , Campos B , Garrido E
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that saliva lactate concentrations may reflect those present in blood and that saliva lactate can be used as a very convenient and useful variable in the study of anaerobic metabolism. METHODS: Parallel determinations were made of lactate in saliva and in capillary blood samples, obtained at 3 min intervals from nine individuals during the performance of a maximum graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer against increasing workloads (from 25 up to a maximum of 300 W). Lactate determinations were done by means of an electroenzymatic method using 25 microliters samples in both types of fluids. RESULTS: For each situation, the concentration of lactate in saliva was shown to be about 15% of that in plasma but it followed the same pattern of evolution during the exercise test. A good correlation (r = 0.81) between blood and saliva lactate concentrations was found. The precision of the method was very good, with a coefficient of variation ranging (n = 10) between 2.2% for samples with very low lactate concentrations and 0.7% for sample with moderate lactate concentrations. Lactate appeared to be very stable in saliva over a period of 40 days after collection, when kept at 4 degrees C. The values obtained after this period were virtually identical to those shown in fresh samples. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of lactate in saliva can be used as an alternative to determination in blood, overcoming most of the drawbacks of the procedures being used at present, since the collection of the samples required no special expertise.
Effect of passive stretching and jogging on the series elastic muscle stiffness and range of motion of the ankle joint
Authors: McNair Peter J , Stanley Stephen N
Published: December 2008

Objective

To determine the effect of stretching and jogging on the series elastic muscle stiffness of the plantar flexors and on the range of dorsiflexion at the ankle joint.

Methods

24 healthy subjects participated in this study. Each subject undertook all of the following protocols, in random order: (1) stretching protocol: five 30 s static stretches with 30 s rest between stretches; (2) aerobic jogging protocol: subjects ran on a treadmill for 10 min at 60% of their maximum age predicted heart rate; (3) combined protocol: subjects ran first and then stretched. A damped oscillation technique was used to measure the series elastic stiffness of the plantar flexors. Dorsiflexion of the ankle was assessed with a weights and pulley system that moved the ankle joint from a neutral position into dorsiflexion passively. Electromyography was used to monitor the activity of the plantar and dorsiflexors during these procedures. The statistical analysis of these data involved an analysis of covariance

Results

For decreasing series elastic muscle stiffness running was more effective than stretching (P<0.05). In contrast, the results for range of motion showed that the combination protocol and the stretching only protocol were more effective than the running only protocol (P < 0.05) for increasing dorsiflexion range of motion at the ankle.

Conclusions

Both jogging and static stretching exercises appear to be beneficial to individuals participating in sporting activities.
Incidence of injuries and other health problems in the Auckland Citibank marathon, 1993.
Authors: Satterthwaite P , Larmer P , Gardiner J , Norton R
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of injuries and other health problems sustained during participation in a marathon. METHODS: A cohort study was undertaken involving the 1993 Auckland Citibank marathon participants. Demographic data and information on injuries and other health problems sustained during, immediately after, and 7 d following the marathon were obtained from a pre-race questionnaire, the medical aid posts, and a post-race questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 1219 starters, 916 (75.1%) completed both questionnaires. Seventy five individuals (6.2%) sought assistance at the medical aid posts. During or immediately after the marathon, 283 systemic health problems were reported by 218 respondents (23.8%) and 2671 specific health problems were reported by 846 respondents (92.4%). In the 7 d following the marathon, 1905 specific health problems were reported by 723 respondents (79.2%). The majority of the specific health problems were blisters, stiffness, and pain, predominantly involving the lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Although a high proportion of participants experienced health problem during the race, very few of these problems were serious. Many of the entrants were still experiencing problems 7 d after the marathon.
Sport and delinquency: an examination of the deterrence hypothesis in a longitudinal study.
Authors: Begg D J , Langley J D , Moffitt T , Marshall S W
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether involvement in sporting activity in mid-adolescence would deter delinquent behaviour in late adolescence. METHODS: Members of a longitudinal cohort study were interviewed at ages 15 and 18 years and, among other topics, were asked questions relating to involvement in physical activity and delinquent behaviour. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relation between sports involvement and delinquency at age 15 years and delinquency at age 18. RESULTS: After controlling for delinquent behaviour and psychosocial factors at age 15, females with moderate or high levels of sporting activity, and males with high levels of sporting activity, were significantly more likely to be delinquent at age 18 years than those with low levels of sporting activity. No significant association was found between sporting activity and aggressive behaviour, team sport participation and delinquency, and team sport participation and aggressive behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not support the deterrence hypothesis and showed that high involvement in sporting activity, but not team sport, was associated with a subsequent increase in delinquent behaviour.
Outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning at Junior World Rowing Championships.
Authors: Anderson A C
Published: December 2008

This paper describes an outbreak of Salmonella enteriditis occurring at the Junior World Rowing Championships at Poznan, Poland, in August 1995 which was to have a significant effect on the performance of several of the largest national teams.
Gym and tonic: a profile of 100 male steroid users.
Authors: Evans N A
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To identify unsupervised anabolic steroid regimens used by athletes. METHODS: 100 athletes attending four gymnasia were surveyed using an anonymous self administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Anabolic steroid doses ranged from 250 to 3200 mg per week and users combined different drugs to achieve these doses. Injectable and oral preparations were used in cycles lasting four to 12 weeks. Eighty six per cent of users admitted to the regular use of drugs other than steroids for various reasons, including additional anabolic effects, the minimisation of steroid related side effects, and withdrawal symptoms. Acne, striae, and gynaecomastia were the most commonly reported subjective side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple steroids are combined in megadoses and self administered in a cyclical fashion. Polypharmacy is practised by over 80% of steroid users. Skeletal muscle hypertrophy along with acne, striae, and gynaecomastia are frequent physical signs associated with steroid use.
Measurement of the quadriceps femoris muscle using magnetic resonance and ultrasound imaging.
Authors: Walton J M , Roberts N , Whitehouse G H
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES: To define a method for measurement of the cross sectional area and volume of the quadriceps femoris muscle using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in conjunction with stereology, and to compare the results of measurements obtained by the MRI method with those obtained by the conventional method of static B-mode ultrasound in order to evaluate whether MRI is a reliable alternative to ultrasound. METHODS: A preliminary MRI study was undertaken on a single female volunteer in order to optimise the scanning technique and sampling design for estimating the muscle volume using the Cavalieri method. Ten healthy volunteers participated in the method comparison study. Each volunteer underwent static B-mode ultrasonography, immediately followed by MRI. The cross sectional area of the quadriceps femoris was estimated at the junction of the proximal one third and distal two thirds of the thigh, and seven systematic sections of the thigh were obtained in order to estimate muscle volume by both modalities. RESULTS: Seven sections through the muscle are required to achieve a coefficient of error of 4-5%. There was no significant difference in the cross sectional area estimates or volume estimates when ultrasound and MRI were compared. CONCLUSION: Muscle cross sectional area and volume can be measured without bias by MRI in conjunction with stereological methods and the method is a reliable alternative to static B-mode ultrasound for this purpose.
Repetitive strain injury to the foot in elite women kendoka.
Authors: Nunn N R , Dyas J W , Dodd I P
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To account for the apparent high incidence of pain in the feet of elite women kendo players. METHODS: A clinical evaluation was done by a chiropractor, the women were interviewed about their kendo experience, and the conditions and frequency of training and ground reaction forces were measured on a Kistler force plate during the kendo attacking action. RESULTS: Four out the five women presented with plantar fasciitis. They had all practised for some time on wooden floors laid on concrete, for between two to four hours a week. They warmed up conscientiously but cool down was more cursory. The force plate results showed that they were hitting the floor with a mean force of four times body weight during a transient impact. CONCLUSIONS: High motivation for practice and training, hard floors, ignoring painful feet, and cursory postpractice cool down probably produced the condition. Postpractice icing and stretching were found to be most effective in the short term. In the longer term reducing the level of impact, either by training on sprung floors or changing the footwork, might reduce the incidence and intensity of the fasciitis.
Displaced stress fracture of the femoral neck in an active amenorrhoeic adolescent.
Authors: Haddad F S , Bann S , Hill R A , Jones D H
Published: December 2008

Female athletes in endurance sports are at risk of osteoporosis which predisposes them to femoral neck stress fractures. These require early diagnosis and treatment to avoid catastrophic consequences.
Drug doping in senior Australian rules football: a survey for frequency.
Authors: Hardy K J , McNeil J J , Capes A G
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine by survey whether the frequency of use of performance enhancing drugs (drug doping) is significant in elite players of Australian Rules football, and to compare this frequency with that in other competitions. METHODS: Randomised unannounced prospective urine testing during the period 1990-95 of players from the Australian Football League out of competition, in competition matches, and in finals matches; testing was performed according to Olympic International Committee protocols and standards. The players' identities and clubs were unknown during testing. RESULTS: Of 900 random urine tests, no positive results were obtained for anabolic steroids, diuretics, caffeine, or peptide hormones. Five positive results (0.6%) were obtained-for pseudoephedrine in two instances, and for probenecid, methoxyphenamine, and dextropropoxyphene in one instance each. Each were inadvertent medical doping and declared before testing. CONCLUSIONS: Drug doping is not a problem in the Australian Football League. This is probably because no doping method is considered to be of value to Australian Rules football, because an educational programme is run by football authorities, and because random during season and out of season testing for drugs occurs.
Injury consequences from participation in professional rugby league: a preliminary investigation.
Authors: Meir R A , McDonald K N , Russell R
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if injuries sustained while playing professional rugby league have long term consequences for players after retirement from their playing careers. METHOD: Twenty eight retired players, who had competed in the professional Australian Rugby League competition, responded to a 23 item survey. Respondents were asked to recall all injuries that resulted in them being unable to play for five or more consecutive games. The survey asked players to provide information about age, playing weight, number of games played, position played, number and type of major injuries sustained during their career, and the effects of these injuries both during their career and after retirement. RESULTS: Within the limitations of this study's small sample, it is suggested that players with long term consequences of injury may experience a variety of detrimental effects into retirement, including job limitations, reduced income earning potential, and increased personal medical costs. CONCLUSION: Although research relating to the type and severity of injuries sustained while playing rugby league has been previously undertaken, investigation into the effect injuries sustained during a professional career have on players after retirement has been neglected. This preliminary investigation suggests that retired professional rugby league players may have at least one long term consequence of injuries sustained during their playing career.
Study of aeroball injuries.
Authors: Sinha A , McGlone R G , Montgomery K
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To present the risks of aeroball, a new sport played by either two or four players on a trampoline court surrounded by specially constructed fabric walls, and to propose ways to increase awareness and reduce the incidence of injury, in particular, ankle injury. METHOD: A study was carried out to document the nature of aeroball related incidents, between 1991 and 1995, at Lancaster University Sports Centre. Lace-up ankle supports were introduced in April 1992, and their effect on the incidence of ankle injury was recorded. RESULTS: The lower limb received most injuries (90%), followed by the upper limb (6%), then the face (3%) and cervical spine (1%). The most common category of injuries was sprains (83%), followed by fractures (8%), contusions (5%), and dislocations (4%). The most common site of injury was the ankle (73%). It is during doubles play that injury is most likely to occur. Since the introduction of ankle supports, there has been a gradual decline in the incidence of ankle injury, 31 in 1991 to nine in 1995. CONCLUSION: Aeroball has become a popular sport, but it is not without risks. Leaflets have been produced to promote the objectives, rules, and safety of the game. Trained full-time staff should be present to explain the nature of the game. The use of prophylactic ankle stabilisers in aeroball is strongly recommended.
Exercise and smoking habits among Swedish postmenopausal women.
Authors: Frisk J , Brynhildsen J , Ivarsson T , Persson P , Hammar M
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To assess exercise habits and their relation to smoking habits and social and medical factors in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with a questionnaire to all 1324 55-56 year old women in Linköping, Sweden. RESULTS: Response rate was 85%. About a third of the women took part in some kind of quite strenuous exercise for at least one hour a week. After a quarter worked out once a week; fewer did swimming and jogging. One in four women smoked. Women who used hormone replacement therapy, who were not smoking and who had a physically light occupation more often took part in strenuous sports. Women who had been treated for malignancies or with back problems exercised to the same extent as women in the general population. CONCLUSION: About a third of the post-menopausal women exercised on a regular basis, if exercise involved in getting to and from work was not counted. Since regular physical exercise has many health benefits, more women should be encouraged to take part in regular physical exercise. Factors probably associated with level of education and general awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle positively influenced the likelihood of these women to be physically active on a regular basis. A previous malignant disease or current back problems did not prevent women from taking part in exercise on a regular basis.
Energy expenditure and physiological responses during indoor rock climbing.
Authors: Mermier C M , Robergs R A , McMinn S M , Heyward V H
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES: To report the physiological responses of indoor rock climbing. METHODS: Fourteen experienced climbers (nine men, five women) performed three climbing trials on an indoor climbing wall. Subjects performed three trials of increasing difficulty: (a) an easy 90 degrees vertical wall, (b) a moderately difficult negatively angled wall (106 degrees), and (c) a difficult horizontal overhang (151 degrees). At least 15 minutes separated each trial. Expired air was collected in a Douglas bag after four minutes of climbing and heart rate (HR) was recorded continuously using a telemetry unit. Arterialised blood samples were obtained from a hyperaemised ear lobe at rest and one or two minutes after each trial for measurement of blood lactate. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between trials for HR, lactate, oxygen consumption (VO2), and energy expenditure, but not for respiratory exchange ratio. Analysis of the HR and VO2 responses indicated that rock climbing does not elicit the traditional linear HR-VO2 relationship characteristic of treadmill and cycle ergometry exercise. During the three trials, HR increased to 74-85% of predicted maximal values and energy expenditure was similar to that reported for running at a moderate pace (8-11 minutes per mile). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that indoor rock climbing is a good activity to increase cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular endurance. In addition, the traditional HR-VO2 relationship should not be used in the analysis of this sport, or for prescribing exercise intensity for climbing.
Acute compartment syndrome following non-contact football injury
Authors: Mohanna P-N , Haddad F S
Published: December 2008

Acute compartment syndrome in athletes, although rare, is a limb threatening condition which warrants emergency treatment. The case of a footballer with acute compartment syndrome of the left lower leg, without any preceding direct trauma to the calf, is reported. To our knowledge this is the only description of acute atraumatic compartment syndrome secondary to rupture of one of the heads of gastrocnemius.
Stress fracture of the scaphoid combined with the distal radial epiphysiolysis.
Authors: Inagaki H , Inoue G
Published: December 2008

A stress fracture of the scaphoid combined with distal radial epiphysiolysis occurred in a 16 year old badminton player. Repeated shearing and torsional forces by excessive wrist movement from hitting a shuttle probably cause stress injuries in both the scaphoid and the distal radius.
Hazard of deceptive advertising of athletic footwear.
Authors: Robbins S , Waked E
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES: Athletic footwear are associated with frequent injury that are thought to result from repetitive impact. No scientific data suggest they protect well. Expensive athletic shoes are deceptively advertised to safeguard well through "cushioning impact", yet account for 123% greater injury frequency than the cheapest ones. This study tested the hypothesis that deceptive advertising creates a false sense of security with users of expensive athletic shoes, inducing attenuation of impact moderating behaviour, increased impact, and injury. METHODS: Fifteen young healthy male volunteers confronted four surfaces: a bare force moment platform, and three with this platform covered by identical shoe sole material made to appear different and advertised divergently. Advertising messages suggested superior impact absorption and protection (deceptive message), poor impact absorption and high injury risk (warning message), and unknown impact absorption and safety (neutral message). Ground reaction forces were recorded for 10 barefoot footfalls, according to a protocol requiring stepping forward from perch to a surface 4.5 cm below. RESULTS: Impact varied as a function of advertising message (p < 0.001). Deceptive message equalled neutral message in eliciting higher impact than the warning message and the bare platform. Differences grew with repetitions (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide a plausible mechanism explaining higher injury frequency in users of expensive athletic shoes. This is the first report to suggest: (1) deceptive advertising of protective devices may represent a public health hazard and may have to be eliminated presumably through regulation; (2) a tendency in humans to be less cautious when using new devices of unknown benefit because of overly positive attitudes associated with new technology and novel devices.
Physiological analysis to quantify training load in badminton.
Authors: Majumdar P , Khanna G L , Malik V , Sachdeva S , Arif M , Mandal M
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the training load of specific on court training regimens based on the magnitude of variation of heart rate-lactate response during specific training and to determine the magnitude of variation of biochemical parameters (urea, uric acid, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)) 12 hours after the specific training programme so as to assess training stress. METHODS: The study was conducted on six national male badminton players. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilation (VE), heart rate, and respiratory quotient were measured by a protocol of graded treadmill exercise. Twelve training sessions and 35 singles matches were analysed. Heart rate and blood lactate were monitored during technical training routines and match play. Fasting blood samples collected on two occasions--that is, during off season and 12 hours after specific training--were analysed for serum urea, uric acid, and CPK. RESULTS: Analysis of the on court training regimens showed lactate values of 8-10.5 mmol/l in different phases. The percentage of maximum heart rate ranged from 82% to 100%. Urea, uric acid, and CPK activity showed significant changes from (mean (SD)) 4.93 (0.75) mmol/l to 5.49 (0.84) mmol/l, 0.23 (0.04) to 0.33 (0.06) mmol/l, and 312 (211.8) to 363 (216.4) IU/l respectively. CONCLUSION: Maximum lactate reported in the literature ranges from 3-6 mmol/l. Comparatively high lactate values and high percentage of maximum heart rate found in on court training show a considerable stress on muscular and cardiovascular system. The training load needs appropriate monitoring to avoid over-training. Workouts that are too intensive may interfere with coordination, a factor that is important in sports requiring highly technical skill such as badminton.
Local complications of self administered anabolic steroid injections.
Authors: Evans N A
Published: December 2008

In addition to the pharmacological side effects of anabolic steroids, complications may also result from the injection technique used in self administration. Two cases are presented where anabolic steroid injections resulted in knee joint sepsis and radial nerve palsy.
Hyperfunctional affections of the stato-kinetic apparatus specific to sportsmen of high performance
Authors: Nicolae S.
Published: December 2008

The statistical analysis of the traumatic affections treated by the author during 1967 in the traumatic service of the Centre of Sports Medicine, Bucharest shows the fact that traumatic affections amount to 34.1% whereas hyperfunctional lesions to 22.9%.

The author does not agree with the denomination of “sportive microtraumatisms” given to these affections because of the aetio-pathogeny and the sportive specificity of this kind of lesions. Relying on clinical history and examination; on physiopathological and especially on biochemical and histological and histochemical date, he proposes the name of hyper-functional localized affections. Among the arguments put forward by the author the following are to be retained: parallelism between biochemical data (increase of syalic acid and generally of blood mucoproteins) and histochemical aspects of tissue mucopolysaccharides of lesions (proved by microscopic sections which underwent enzymatic extractions).

The author considers these affections to be expressions of some forms of overtraining, localized in the stato-kinetic apparatus, admitting as an aetio-pathogenic mechanism, the imbalance between biochemical stresses of the training effort “technopathy” and physiochemical dismetabolic and functional properties of the respective tissue, expressed by imbalance of tissue enzymes within the complex limits of the changes of overtraining.
Changes in Cardiac Responses of Sportsmen from hours of prolonged severe exercise
Authors: Brooke J. D. , Firth M.
Published: December 2008

Resting heart rates were obtained hours before and after severe physical exercise performed by racing cyclists on the Tour of the North (Ireland) 1971. With long duration of performance there was elevation of heart rates for up to seven hours post activity, when compared with morning values or with similarly timed post activity measures following short duration performance. Attention is directed to the possible implication of body heat retention or disturbed body water-electrolytes homeostasis. Also noted is the affect of the phenomenon upon the use of resting heart rates for fitness assessment.
Ingestion of a Glucose Syrup Drink during long distance canoeing
Authors: Green L. F. , Bagley R.
Published: December 2008

The use of a drink containing glucose syrup and mineral salts has been compared with a placebo in a group of eight long-distance canoeists under simulated race conditions. The findings suggest that maintenance of blood glucose above fasting level during severe exercise prevents both a deterioration of performance and prolonged post-exercise exhaustion. There was no evidence to suggest that the benefits were psychological in nature.
THE THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF SPORTS ACTIVITY IN NEUROTIC PATIENTS
Authors: Kranidiotis P. T.
Published: December 2008

Five cases of neurotic patients being oriented to sports practice as an additional therapeutic measure are reported in brief. The working mechanisms of sublimation, overcompensation, sharing aggressive guilt within group, displacement, turning aggressive feelings toward one's self, and denial of win used in the canalization of inner needs through sports activity are discussed. The favourable influence of sports activity in the expression of various conflictual tendencies and on the overall neurotic symptomatology is stressed and the usefulness of the dynamic exploration in sports orientation of athletes is concluded.
POSTURAL TRAINING IN ATHLETES
Authors: Tucker W. E.
Published: December 2008

The prevention of athletic injuries and their recurrences should be an essential part of athletic training. In the comprehensive treatment of athletic injuries, treatment by a team of experts is essential. Each member should be so well trained in his particular branch, that the athlete should receive first-class treatment at every stage. There must be efficient first-aid treatment. After an exact diagnosis using all the available ancillary methods, the surgeon details his recommendations. Operation may be necessary. The nature of his injury is explained to the athlete, and it must be stressed to him that he can contribute greatly to his recovery by conscientious and regular self-treatment at home. The physiotherapist is called in to help almost immediately. In due course, the injured athlete is referred to the trainer with exact instructions.

Many athletic injuries occur and recur because the athlete has not been taught the essentials of body mechanics.

The individual, however, can decide whether the way he carries himself in the upright position is one of Active Alerted, Balanced Posture; or the opposite, an inactive unbalanced slumping one. Posture therefore in the upright position is entirely an individual attitude of mind.

A failure to appreciate the importance of correct posture allows a gravity strain on the lower fixed parts — and may predispose towards fibrosity, myalgia, joint strain progressing to arthritis, metatarsalgia, subluxation of the hip, prolonged intavertebral disc, abdominal herniae and cervical spondylosis.
Physiological adjustments to intensive interval treadmill training
Authors: Pyke F. S. , Elliott B. C. , Morton A. R. , Roberts A. D.
Published: December 2008

During a one month training period, eight active men, aged 23-35 years, completed sixteen 30 minute sessions of high intensity interval (5 second work bouts at 16.9 km/hr up 20-25% grade alternated with 10 second rest intervals) treadmill work. In this training period, V̇O2, V̇Eand blood lactate in a 10 minute run at 12.9 km/hr on a level treadmill were unchanged but heart rate during this work decreased by an average of 9 beats/min. During a 4 minute interval work effort at the training intensity, blood lactate accumulation decreased by 40.4%. In exhausting work, mean values of V̇O2, V̇Eand blood lactate increased by 6.2%, 8.2% and 31.6% respectively. Maximal heart rate decreased by an average of 4 beats/min. The average work production of the men in the training sessions improved by 64.5% from 28,160 kgm to 43,685 kgm. No significant improvements were observed in either a short sprint or a stair climbing test which assessed the ability to generate mechanical power from alactacid anaerobic sources. It was concluded that the training regime is an effective method of producing a high total work output in competitive athletes and results in improvements in aerobic power, glycolytic capacity and ability to tolerate the short duration interval work encountered in many games.
The peripheral retinal 'map'.
Authors: Williams D. H.
Published: December 2008

The condition of the periphery of the retinal field of the human eye is of considerable significance, it is suggested, to those participating in various sporting activities. Its boundaries shrink and expand depending upon the physiological conditions imposed both upon the eye and upon the organism as a whole. Consequently its message to the brain may be impaired under stress with resulting danger owing to delayed response.
AN XML BASED METHODOLOGY TO MODEL AND USE SCENARIOS IN THE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Authors: DELLA PENNA GIUSEPPE , LAURENZI ANNA RITA , OREFICE SERGIO , INTRIGILA BENEDETTO
Published: December 2008

In this paper we present SMDP (Scenario Model Development Process), an XML-based methodology for the description and manipulation of scenarios that are used to formalize and reuse software requirements. SMDP is an iterative and incremental process that supports scenario evolution during the requirements engineering process. The formalization of scenarios through the underlying XML-based language of SMDP makes them immediately available to further automatic manipulation (e.g., to automatically generate test cases) without the need for intermediate models, as it is usually done in semi-formal approaches. Thanks to the implementation of a software assistant environment for SMDP, the methodology is currently being experimented on a variety of case studies, in particular web applications.
ASSESSMENT OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN OSTEON LAMELLAE EXHIBITING VARIOUS DEGREES OF MINERALIZATION BY NANOINDENTATION
Authors: Bensamoun Sabine , Fan Zaifeng , Brice Ilharreborde , Rho Jae Young , Ho Ba Tho Marie-Christine
Published: December 2008

Background: Cortical bone analysis has been investigated at the macroscopic level with mechanical tests and imaging techniques, but few studies have been done at the microscopic level (osteons). The purpose of this study is to measure the elastic modulus of thick lamellae of osteons exhibiting different degrees of mineralization. This study aims to provide clinicians with a better understanding of bone remodeling and help in assessing the different stages of bone healing. Methods: Six femoral human samples (5 mm × 5 mm × 5 mm) were cut transversally along the length of a human femur. Scanning electron micrographs were produced to reflect the composition of the microstructure. Three types of osteons were selected: white (high mineralization), gray (intermediate mineralization), and dark (low mineralization) osteons. Nanoindentation tests were performed on three locations of the thick lamella located in the middle of each osteon. The mechanical test induced three holdings and unloadings with a constant holding of 10 s. The maximal force was 2500 μN, which induced a maximal depth of about 400 nm. Results: Elastic modulus (E) and hardness (H) for the white (N = 61), gray (N = 17), and dark (N = 39) osteons were Ewhite= 21.30 GPa ± 3.00 GPa and Hwhite= 0.55 GPa ± 0.15 GPa, Egray= 19.27 GPa ± 1.78 GPa and Hgray= 0.41 GPa ± 0.09 GPa, and Edark= 12.95 GPa × 2.66 GPa and Hdark= 0.30 GPa ± 0.10 GPa, respectively. The variation of elastic properties within a lamella was approximately 2.6 GPa, depending on the level of mineralization. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the inhomogeneity of the lamella, suggesting that both the orientation of collagen fibers and the degree of mineralization may vary within the lamella. Our study shows a large range of elastic properties and hardness, reflecting different degrees of osteon mineralization.
A NEURAL NETWORK MODEL FOR ESTIMATION OF NET JOINT MOMENTS DURING NORMAL GAIT
Authors: Hahn Michael E. , O'Keefe Kathryn B.
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop a model to estimate lower extremity joint moments during level gait. A three-layer artificial neural network was developed to map diverse inputs (demographics, anthropometrics, electromyography, kinematics) onto sagittal plane resultant joint moments for a sample of healthy young adults. Overall model performance and prediction accuracy were acceptable for the hip, knee, and ankle, with coefficients of determination (r2) reaching 0.90 for the hip and knee and 0.95 for the ankle. Estimates in the case-specific validation produced r2 values of 0.95, 0.94, and 0.99 for the hip, knee, and ankle, respectively. Absolute errors of estimation for peak data were within the ranges published previously for other joint moment models. The results indicated that the model used in this study is accurate in estimating sagittal plane joint moments about the hip, knee, and ankle. Furthermore, the model retained accuracy with a reduced list of inputs (kinematics and demographics). Future development will include clinical samples to determine the adaptability of this model to the diverse conditions of musculoskeletal gait dysfunction common in the clinical setting.
BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS FOLLOWING A BURST FRACTURE
Authors: Ramchandani Suneil R. , Panjabi Manohar M. , Cripton Peter A. , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: December 2008

Thoracolumbar burst fracture is one of the most common and most studied injuries of the spine. Radiography and quantitative discomanometry have previously demonstrated that intervertebral discs adjacent to a burst fracture were disrupted; however, there have been conflicting data on the properties of the next-adjacent discs. Also, no data exists on the localization of injury within each disc. The objective of this study is to use an in vitro biomechanical design to examine the flexibility differences of intervertebral discs adjacent and next-adjacent to burst fracture vertebrae. Ten cadaveric thoracolumbar (T11–L3) spines with L1 burst fracture included adjacent (T12–L1, L1–L2) and next-adjacent (T11–T12, L2–L3) intervertebral discs. The bending flexibilities (μm/N) of each disc under 50 N of compression were determined at 25 points: the center point, along with the combinations of three radii (1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm) and eight angles. The overall flexibility of each disc and the presence of any regional differences were then evaluated. Across all radii, the T11μT12 disc was statistically less flexible than the other three discs (p < 0.01). The difference between the flexibilities of the average anterior region and the average posterior region was significant at many 2-cm and all 3-cm radii; this difference was greater in the T12–L1 disc than in any of the other three discs. Thus, the upper next-adjacent intervertebral disc (T11–T12) was not as susceptible to mechanical disruption as were the other three discs. The anterior region of each disc may also have a higher propensity for mechanical disruption than the posterior region, especially at larger radii.
A MODEL FOR CORNEAL SWELLING
Authors: KARALIS T. K.
Published: December 2008

A theoretical model for corneal swelling with respect to aqueous inflow, based on corneal dimensions and mechanical and chemical properties, is presented in this paper. The mechanical properties of the corneal stroma, with respect to aqueous inflow, are considered in the basis of swelling mechanics. Equations describing the time course of swelling are also given. With this formulation, we can explain how glaucoma may result if outflow facility decreases faster compared to aqueous inflow. The opposite situation, e.g. of hypotony, may also be considered.