bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MATERNAL EDUCATION AND CHILD ATTAINMENT IN JAMAICA: TESTING THE BARGAINING POWER HYPOTHESIS†
Authors: Handa Sudhanshu
Published: July 2010

In a bargaining model of household decision‐making, any variable reflecting the outside opportunities of household members will influence household demand patterns. Mother's education has been found to be an important determinant of children's education and health outcomes. This paper argues that within a bargaining framework, mother's education may influence children's health and education by shifting bargaining power within the household. An empirical strategy is developed and applied to data on teenage grade attainment and school enrolment in Jamaica. The results support the bargaining power hypothesis, and imply a broader role for mother's education than has previously been considered.
PRIMARY EDUCATION AS AN INPUT INTO POST‐PRIMARY EDUCATION: A NEGLECTED BENEFIT†
Authors: Appleton Simon , Hoddinott John , Knight John
Published: July 2010

In some developing countries private rates of return to primary education have fallen to low levels. An explanation is provided as to why this fall need not reduce the demand for primary education. Primary schooling is a necessary input into post‐primary. In an educational system that is demand‐constrained at the primary and supply‐constrained at the post‐primary level, the ‘prospect’ of post‐primary schooling raises the primary return above the rate as conventionally measured. An application of the model to two countries — Côte d'Ivoire and Uganda — doubles the primary rate of return in each case.
BANKING SECTOR POLICIES AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL
Authors: Demetriades Panicos O. , Luintel Kul B.
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the interactions between banking sector policies, financial development and economic growth in Nepal employing recently developed time series techniques. Policies such as interest rate controls, directed credit programmes, reserve and liquidity requirements are identified and measured. A summary measure of repressive policies is constructed by the method of principal components. This measure is found to have a statistically significant influence deepening, independently of the real interest rate. We argue that our findings are consistent with the hypothesis of market failure.

Exogeneity tests suggest that financial deepening and economic growth are jointly determined. Thus, policies which affect financial deepening may also have an influence on economic growth.
Structural VAR Estimation with Exogeneity Restrictions
Authors: Dias Francisco C. , Machado José A. F. , Pinheiro Maximiano R.
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Exogenous variables arise quite naturally in macroeconomic models of small open economies. In these models overidentification is also a common feature. In the presence of exogeneity restrictions and overidentification the usual two‐steps approach to the estimation of structural VAR's is not equivalent to Maximum Likelihood (ML). We propose a simple modification of that usual approach which produces ML estimators.
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE STATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES? JOBCENTRE USE AND JOB MATCHING IN BRITAIN
Authors: Gregg Paul , Wadsworth Jonathan
Published: July 2010

Abstract

State sponsored employment agencies are an important source of job matching in Britain. This study tracks Jobcentre use in Britain over the previous decade and the effectiveness of Jobcentre use in securing entry into employment for those who utilise its services. Amongst the unemployed, use of Jobcentres is highly counter‐cyclical. This can be attributed principally to the changing composition of the stock over the economic cycle. In good times, there are relatively more short duration, voluntary quits in the stock, who tend to rely on Jobcentres least. Jobcentres are found to have a significant positive effect on the job entry rates of its clients. The greatest beneficial impact is amongst those, the low skilled and the long term unemployed with the lowest exit rates from unemployment.
THE ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC POLICY
Authors: Banerjee Anindya , Hendry David F. , Mizon Grayham E.
Published: July 2010

The application of econometric analysis to the process of economic policy formulation is considered. A framework is provided by the theory of reduction, specifically reductions where key information losses would invalidate policy. Consequently, model evaluation; the role of econometric models; forecasting; exogeneity; causality; constancy and invariance; unobservables; seasonality; and data integrability are considered, together with specific policy issues where econometrics can clarify the problems.
COMMON SEASONAL FEATURES: GLOBAL UNEMPLOYMENT
Authors: Engle Robert F. , Hylleberg Svend
Published: July 2010

Seasonal patterns in economic time series are generally examined from a univariate point of view. Using extensions of the unit root literature, important classes of seasonal processes are deterministic, stationary stochastic or mean reverting, and unit root stochastic. Time series tests have been developed for each of these.

This paper examines seasonality in a multivariate context. Systems of economic variables can have trends, cycles and unit roots as well as the various types of seasonality. Restrictions such as cointegration and common cycles are here applied also to examine multivariate seasonal behaviour of economic variables. If each of a collection of series has a certain type of seasonality but a linear combination of these series can be found without seasonality, then the seasonal is said to be ‘common’. New tests are developed to determine if seasonal characteristics are common to a set of time series. These tests can be employed in the presence of various other time series structures.

The analysis is applied to OECD data on unemployment for the period 1975.1 to 1993.4, and it is found that four diverse countries (Australia, Canada, Japan and USA) not only have common trends in their unemployment, but also have common deterministic seasonal features and a common cycle/stochastic seasonal feature. Such a collection of characteristics were not found in other groups of OECD countries.
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE GERMAN BUNDESBANK AFTER 1983
Authors: Juselius Katarina
Published: July 2010

A cointegrated VAR model describing a small macroeconomic system consisting of money, income, prices, and interest rates is estimated on split sample data before and after 1983. The monetary mechanisms are found to be significantly different. Before 1983 the money supply is controllable and expansion or contraction of money supply has the expected effect on prices, income, and interest rates. After 1983 the conventional mechanisms no longer seem to work. The empirical analysis points to the crucial role of the bond rate in the system, particularly for the more recent period.
Cointegration Testing in Panels with Common Factors*
Authors: Gengenbach Christian , Palm Franz C. , Urbain Jean‐Pierre
Published: July 2010

Panel unit‐root and no‐cointegration tests that rely on cross‐sectional independence of the panel unit experience severe size distortions when this assumption is violated, as has, for example, been shown by Banerjee, Marcellino and Osbat [Econometrics Journal (2004), Vol. 7, pp. 322–340; Empirical Economics (2005), Vol. 30, pp. 77–91] via Monte Carlo simulations. Several studies have recently addressed this issue for panel unit‐root tests using a common factor structure to model the cross‐sectional dependence, but not much work has been done yet for panel no‐cointegration tests. This paper proposes a model for panel no‐cointegration using an unobserved common factor structure, following the study by Bai and Ng [Econometrica (2004), Vol. 72, pp. 1127–1177] for panel unit roots. We distinguish two important cases: (i) the case when the non‐stationarity in the data is driven by a reduced number of common stochastic trends, and (ii) the case where we have common and idiosyncratic stochastic trends present in the data. We discuss the homogeneity restrictions on the cointegrating vectors resulting from the presence of common factor cointegration. Furthermore, we study the asymptotic behaviour of some existing residual‐based panel no‐cointegration tests, as suggested by Kao [Journal of Econometrics (1999), Vol. 90, pp. 1–44] and Pedroni [Econometric Theory (2004a), Vol. 20, pp. 597–625]. Under the data‐generating processes (DGP) used, the test statistics are no longer asymptotically normal, and convergence occurs at rate T rather than as for independent panels. We then examine the possibilities of testing for various forms of no‐cointegration by extracting the common factors and individual components from the observed data directly and then testing for no‐cointegration using residual‐based panel tests applied to the defactored data.
Threshold Effects in Cointegrating Relationships*
Authors: Gonzalo Jesús , Pitarakis Jean‐Yves
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we introduce threshold‐type nonlinearities within a single‐equation cointegrating regression model and propose a testing procedure for testing the null hypothesis of linear cointegration vs. cointegration with threshold effects. Our framework allows the modelling of long‐run equilibrium relationships that may change according to the magnitude of a threshold variable assumed to be stationary and ergodic, and thus constitutes an attempt to deal econometrically with the potential presence of multiple equilibria. The framework is flexible enough to accommodate regressor endogeneity and serial correlation.
Explaining US–UK Interest Rate Differentials: A Reassessment of the Uncovered Interest Rate Parity in a Bayesian Framework*
Authors: Carriero Andrea
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we test the uncovered interest rate parity (UIRP), allowing for transitory deviations from it. These deviations may arise from variations in risk premia, errors in expectations and linearization errors, and are modelled as a zero‐mean noise around the restrictions implied by the UIRP on a vector autoregression (VAR) in the interest rate differential and the spot exchange rate. Importantly, this approach includes the traditional one as a special case, which is derived by simply setting the noise to zero. When the noise is set to zero the UIRP is rejected, but if we allow for some degree of noise the UIRP is strongly supported by the data. Thus the UIRP relation does not hold exactly, but on average, with a stationary risk premium as opposed to a constant one. This result implies that analysing the effects of policy experiments under the null of the UIRP may be both safe and useful.
Further Evidence on the Statistical Properties of Real GNP*
Authors: Mayoral Laura
Published: July 2010

The well‐known lack of power of unit‐root tests has often been attributed to the short length of macroeconomic variables and also to data‐generating processes (DGPs) departing from the I(1)–I(0) models. This paper shows that by using long spans of annual real gross national product (GNP) and GNP per capita (133 years), high power can be achieved, leading to the rejection of both the unit‐root and the trend‐stationary hypothesis. More flexible representations are then considered, namely, processes containing structural breaks (SB) and fractional orders of integration (FI). Economic justification for the presence of these features in GNP is provided. It is shown that both FI and SB formulations are in general preferred to the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) [I(1) or I(0)] formulations. As a novelty in this literature, new techniques are applied to discriminate between FI and SB. It turns out that the FI specification is preferred, implying that GNP and GNP per capita are non‐stationary, highly persistent but mean‐reverting series. Finally, it is shown that the results are robust when breaks in the deterministic component are allowed for in the FI model. Some macroeconomic implications of these findings are also discussed.
Temperature‐Compensated LiMgPO4: A New Glass‐Free Low‐Temperature Cofired Ceramic
Authors: Thomas Dhanesh , Sebastian Mailadil T.
Published: July 2010

The feasibility of LiMgPO4 (LMP) ceramic for low‐temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) application was investigated. The ceramic was prepared by the conventional solid‐state ceramic method. The ceramic sintered at 950°C showed a relative permittivity (ɛr) of 6.6 and high quality factor (Qu×f) of 79 100 GHz with a τf of −55 ppm/°C. The relatively large negative τf value was lowered by preparing LMP–TiO2 composite. The composite with 0.12 volume fraction TiO2 showed good microwave dielectric properties: ɛr=10, Qu×f=26 900 GHz, and τf=+1.2 ppm/°C. LMP–TiO2 composite did not react with the commonly used electrode material silver.
Preparation of Beta‐Tricalcium Phosphate Powder Substituted with Na/Mg Ions by Polymerized Complex Method
Authors: Matsumoto Naoyuki , Yoshida Katsumi , Hashimoto Kazuaki , Toda Yoshitomo
Published: July 2010

Beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) powder doped with metal (Na+ or Mg2+) ions was prepared using a novel polymerized complex method that involves a reaction between metal ions and an organophosphorus chelating agent [(2‐phosphonobutane‐1.2.4‐tricarboxylic acid (PBTA)]. The precursors were uniformly gelled by the chelation and dehydration condensation of the carboxyl groups and phosphonic acid groups in PBTA, and metal (Ca2+, Na+, and Mg2+) ions. When precursors with/without Na+ ions were used, the β‐TCP phase crystallized through the α‐TCP phase, whereas when precursors containing Mg2+ ions were used, it crystallized directly. The crystallization temperature of the β‐TCP phase from the precursors decreased with the addition of Na+ and Mg2+ ions. The lattice constants of each sample after heating the precursors at 1000°C were almost the same as those of β‐TCP powder doped with metal ions via a solid‐state reaction. The synthesized samples also had a stoichiometric composition. Heating the precursors above 550°C resulted in a unique chain structure, which remained unchanged even after the addition of Na+ and Mg2+ ions. However, at the same heating temperature, the particle size of the samples increased with the addition of Na+ ions, but decreased with the addition of Mg2+ ions.
A field study of potential ecological costs of resistance by ‘stem ducking’ in tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima
Authors: Wise Michael J. , Cole Julia A. , Carr David E.
Published: July 2010

The maintenance of genetic variation for resistance in a plant population that experiences herbivory suggests that resistance entails costs as well as benefits. Ecological costs – which result from indirect effects that a resistance trait has on other members of the host plant’s community – constitute a potentially widespread but relatively understudied constraint on the evolution of resistance. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ecological costs may act to constrain the evolution of the recently identified ‘stem‐ducking’ resistance trait in Solidago altissima L. (Asteraceae). Previous studies have shown that, although ducking is effective against some harmful apex‐attacking insects, ducking genets are consistently in the minority in S. altissima populations. Potential ecological costs of ducking include increased susceptibility to non‐target herbivores and reduction of attack by the third trophic level (i.e., natural enemies of herbivores). In a field study involving more than 2 100 stems, erect stems of S. altissima were galled about 50% more often than ducking stems by the rosette galler Rhopalomyia solidaginis (Loew) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). The two other common stem herbivores in this study – the stem‐boring moths (Lepidoptera) Dichomeris inserrata (Walsingham) (Gelechiidae) and Oidaematophorus kellicottii (Fish) (Pterophoridae) – were equally abundant on ducking and erect‐stemmed plants, suggesting a lack of ecological cost of ducking in terms of susceptibility to other herbivores. Rhopalomyia solidaginis eggs were parasitized by the wasp Platygaster variabilis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae) at the same rate whether the eggs were laid on ducking or erect stems, suggesting a lack of ecological costs to ducking in terms of reduced attraction of the third trophic level. This study confirmed that ducking is an effective resistance against apex gallers but did not support the hypothesis that ecological costs keep ducking stems in the minority.
The effects of immobilization on the quality of Achilles tendon in rats
Authors: Karpakka J. , Palokangas H. , Kovanen V. , Takala T.
Published: July 2010

Immobilization of an Achilles tendon in a shortened position for 1 and 3 weeks did not change pyridinoline and mature collagen concentrations. Although a significant decrease in the biosynthesis of collagen was observed simultaneously in the soleus muscle of the same hindlimb, these results suggest that the stability of collagen provided by the nonreducible cross‐link, pyridinoline, is not altered during this type of immobilization. The significance of stable cross‐links for the known decrease in tensile strength during immobilization remains open.
Health, job stress and psychological defense in physically active and inactive subjects
Authors: Grønningsaeter H. , Christensen C. C. , Larsen S. , Ursin H.
Published: July 2010

The relationships between levels of physical activity and self‐reports of health complaints, job stress and psychological defense were investigated in a broad screening on clerical workers in an insurance company (n= 171). The workers were divided into 4 groups, based on self‐reports of self‐administered leisure physical activity or sports. The highly physically active group (n= 43) had 3 or more sessions of at least 45 min regular physical exercise per week. The moderately active group (n= 31) had 1–2 sessions, the seldom active group (n= 31) less than 1 session per week and the totally inactive group (n= 66). The moderately active subjects reported significantly lower levels of subjective health complaints, including anxiety and depression, and higher job satisfaction than the seldom active and inactive subjects. There did not seem to be any additional benefits related to subjectively reported health or job stress in the group having 3 or more exercise sessions per week. The activity groups also differed with regard to psychological defense mechanisms. The highly active group showed more compensation than less active groups, and the inactive had more projection than the other groups. Projection was related to subjective health complaints.
Aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities of elite middle‐distance runners after two weeks of training at moderate altitude
Authors: Svedenhag J. , Saltin B. , Johansson C. , Kaijser L.
Published: July 2010

The effect of short‐term altitude training on sea‐level physiological characteristics in elite runners was investigated. Seven middle‐distance runners (6 men, 1 woman) belonging to the Swedish national team (mean age 23 years) spent 2 weeks of training at 2000 m above sea level in Kenya. Treadmill tests were performed before and 6 and 12 d after the altitude sojourn. Six other runners (4 men, 2 women) had a corresponding training sojourn at sea level in Portugal (control group). Ro of the runners (1 man, 1 woman) in the Kenya group were omitted from the study because of gastroenteritis. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max; pretravel: Kenya group 212 and control group 188 ml · kg−0.75 ‐ min−1), maximal treadmill time and oxygen cost of running were unchanged in both groups. The maximal oxygen deficit increased in all subjects after the Kenya sojourn (mean 19±6%). Heart rates during running at specified submaximal running velocities were lower post‐altitude (Kenya group), but tended to be higher after sea‐level training (control group). Maximal heart rate was unchanged in both groups. Perceived exertion (Borg) during submaximal running was lower post‐altitude. Submaximal and maximal blood lactate and plasma catecholamine concentrations were not altered in any of the groups. Post‐exhaustive plasma ammonia levels were decreased 12 d after altitude descent in the Kenya group. The results suggest an unchanged aerobic capacity in elite middle‐distance runners after short‐term training at moderate altitude. However, a change in the circulatory regulation during submaximal exercise was observed. Furthermore, anaerobic capacity improved but this bore no clear relation to lactate or ammonia metabolism.
Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever's disease) — a common cause of heel pain in young athletes
Authors: Kvist M. H. , Heinonem O. J.
Published: July 2010

The most common syndromes in young athletes are apophysitis, especially Osgood‐Schlatter and Sever's disease. According to a retrospective questionnaire of 67 patients with Sever's disease treated at the Sports Medical Research Unit in Turku, the main sports causing this syndrome were related to running. The pain appeared on average at the age of 12.2 years (boys 12.5 and girls 11.8) and was unilateral in 85% of the cases; 54% of the patients were boys. The pain was typically worst at the end of exercise and afterwards. On average, the patients were forced to stop training because of pain for 1.3 months (< 2 weeks in 55% of the patients) and the syndrome interfered with fully effective training for 2 months in 28% of the cases. After a 2‐month symptom‐free period, Sever's disease recurred in 28% of the cases. Later, 48% of the patients contracted also Osgood‐Schlatter disease. The diagnosis of Sever's disease is clinical and the treatment is symptomatic. Sever's disease is cured by the fusion of the epiphysis with the calcaneal bone.
Single‐leg postural equilibrium test
Authors: Chrintz H. , Falster O. , Roed J.
Published: July 2010

The ability to balance on one leg was tested in 29 patients with chronic posttraumatic functional instability of the ankle joint prior to operative exploration of the lateral ligaments of the ankle joint. The results were recorded in seconds and were compared with a control group without functional instability. Patients with ruptured calcaneofibular ligament had a significantly reduced test result compared with patients with uninjured calcaneofibular ligament. Isolated damage to the anterior talofibular ligament did not affect the test result. The patients had a significantly reduced test result on the affected leg, as compared with the unaffected leg and the control group. The single‐leg postural equilibrium test is a simple clinical test that is easily used in the objective evaluation of functional instability of the ankle. In chronic functional and mechanical instability, this test seems useful in differentiating between injured and uninjured calcaneofibular ligament.
Fractures in sports
Authors: Lohmann M. , Hölmich P.
Published: July 2010

This study reports the epidemiology of fractures a sports in Denmark. The ata are based on patients seen in casualty wards with a catchment area of 3% of the population in a 2‐year registration period. A total of 4572 fractures were registered among the 26,347 sport injuries seen. Fractures among soccer players were most frequent, but motorcycle sport had the highest fracture incidence. The upper extremities suffered 62% of all fractures. Nine percent of the patients had to be admitted to hospital. Seventy‐two percent of the patients needed further contact with the health system after the primary treatment in the casualty ward.
Blood flow in the menisci of anaesthetized dogs
Authors: Kramhøft M. , Bødtker S. , Sylvest A. , Stürup J.
Published: July 2010

The distribution of blood flow in the menisci was investigated in 23 anaesthetized mongrel dogs. The blood flow was determined by means of radioactive microspheres injected intracordially and reference samples were taken from the aorta at a constant rate of 2.5 ml/min. The menisci were dissected in separate parts and the gamma radiation of the specimens was counted in a scintillation counter to assess the blood flow. The rate of blood flow in the medial meniscus was 5.55 ml per 100 g per min in the peripheral part and 2.51 ml per 100 g per min in the inner part. The corresponding figures were 3.09 and 2.33 for the lateral meniscus. No significant differences between the anterior horn, the middle section and the posterior horn were demonstrated. In the medial meniscus the rate of blood flow was 9 times lower in the central part (0.30) than in the surface‐near part (2.78). In the lateral meniscus the rate of blood flow was 16 times lower in the central part (0.12) than in the surface‐near part (1.88).
Exercise and infection – interaction, risks and benefits
Authors: Friman G. , Ilbäck N.‐G.
Published: July 2010

Muscle protein catabolism and circulatoxy deregulation are the major determinants of the loss of physical fitness during and after acute infectious diseases. The proneness to contract infections seems to be higher following intense and prolonged exercise due to temporary immunodeficiency. Conversely, exercise training up to a certain level may be associated with improved immune function. During ongoing infection, baroreceptor stimulating activity limits fitness deterioration, whereas strenuous exercise may be hazardous, especially if cardiotropic micro‐organisms are suspected or proven. After abatement of symptoms and fever, gradually increasing activity and training may generally be promptly resumed in most infections; myocarditis and mononucleosis, however, require individualized recommendations.
Follow‐up studies of group behavior therapy for obese Japanese patients
Authors: Sato Y. , Miyao M. , Watanabe T. , Shimaoka K. , Sakai E. , Kumazawa A. , Oshida Y.
Published: July 2010

Follow‐up results of 141 patients with simple obesity were compared with those of 147 obese subjects who did not take part in the group behavior therapy comprising comprehensive guidance for daily diet and physical exercise. The initial body weight of the therapy and the control groups was 83.6 ± 1.2 kg (body mass index: 29.7 ± 0.3 kg/m2) and 80.4 ± 0.8 kg (29.0 ± 0.2 kg/m2), respectively. After 6 months, a 4.7 ± 0.5 kg weight loss of the therapy group was significantly greater than only a 1.2 ± 0.4 kg weight loss of the control group. Paper questionnaires concerning the longterm results showed that pup behavior therapy is effective for at least 3–4 years in the case of obese Japanese patients. Therefore, group therapy sessions should be recommended at 3‐ to 4‐year intervals.
Physical activity as part of an intervention program for elderly persons in Göteborg
Authors: Frändin K. , Johannesson K. , Grimby G.
Published: July 2010

Intervention strategies have been described, and the effect of the intervention has been evaluated in three subsamples belonging to the third cohort of 70‐yeardd people who have been studied lontitudinally in Göteborg, Sweden. The subjects who had been exposed to intervention measures were more physically active at the age of 76 than the controls. They participated to a greater extent in gymnastics groups and walking pups and took part in more other physical activities. Women in the intervention group did not change over the years concerning knee extensor strength, whereas women in the control group became weaker. Both groups of men showed a decrease in knee extensor strength and all subjects showed a decrease in maximal walking speed.
Physically fit and active elderly people have a higher quality of life
Authors: Grimby G. , Grimby A. , Frändin K. , Wiklund I.
Published: July 2010

The relationship between habitual physical activity, self‐rated physical fitness and maximal walking speed and the health‐related quality of life according to the Nottingham Health profile (NHP) was studied in 233 men and 292 women 76 years of age. Subjects with higher physical activity reported fewer problems with energy, pain, emotions and physical mobility, and in men also less social isolation. Correlations between physical activity, fitness and walking speed and the NHP dimensions were usually stronger in men than in women. The reciprocal dependence between quality of life and a maintained level of physical activity and fitness may, thus, be especially evident in men.
Surgically repaired Achilles tendon ruptures with postoperative mobile ankle cast: a 12‐month follow‐up study with an isokinetic and a dynamic muscle function test
Authors: Moberg A. , Nordgren B. , Sölveborn S. A.
Published: July 2010

Seventeen patients (15 men and 2 women) with surgically repaired Achilles tendon ruptures had a mobile cast applied for 6 weeks after the operation that allowed free ankle joint motion. A 12‐month follow‐up study was performed, with measurements of isokinetic muscle torque in a modified Cybex II dynamometer and a dynamic heel‐raise test of muscle fatigue. A majority of the patients were weaker on the treated side in both the isokinetic and the heel‐raise tests. The isokinetic plantar flexion torque showed larger differences at an angular velocity of 12°/s than at 90°/s. Seven of the patients in the heel‐raise test showed considerable differences between the treated and untreated sides, but our analysis could not explain this with any Certainty.
Proteoglycan fragments in knee joint fluid after exercise
Authors: Roos H. , Dahlberg L. , Lohmander L. S.
Published: July 2010

The concentration of cartilage proteoglycan fragments in knee joint fluid was measured before and after one event of physical exercise in 33 healthy athletes. Nine athletes ran on a treadmill for 60 min, 16 ran on road for 80 min and 8 played one soccer game (90 min). Before exercise, the levels of proteoglycan fragments in the athlete joint fluid were lower than in a previously analyzed reference group. After exercise, the concentration of proteoglycan fragments increased in all of the 7 athletes that could be directly compared before and after exercise. This increased concentration of proteoglycan fragments in the joint fluid could be an effect of mechanical loading of the cartilage in combination with a possible high turn‐over rate of the cartilage matrix in the athletes.
Pathogenic weight‐control methods and self‐reported eating disorders in female elite athletes and controls
Authors: Sundgot‐Borgen J. , Larsen S.
Published: July 2010

To determine the use of pathogenic weight‐control methods and prevalence of self‐reported eating disorders (ED) among female elite athletes and non‐athletic controls, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and a self‐developed questionnaire were administered to the total population of Norwegian female elite athletes (n=603) and age‐ and home community‐matched controls (n=522). The response rate in both athletes and controls was 86%; 97% of the athletes and 90% of the controls had body mass index (BMI) values within or below the optimal level (20–25). Athletes had a significantly lower mean BMI 20.8 (95% confidence interval (CI), 20.7–20.9) than controls 21.5 (95% CI 21.3–21.7). A similar fraction of the athletes (31%) and controls (27%) were dieting. Most athletes dieted to enhance performance (73%); most controls dieted to improve appearance (83%). Significantly more athletes (11%) than controls (7%) used pathogenic weight‐control methods. Athletes competing in aesthetic and endurance sports were the leanest groups, and athletes competing in aesthetics, endurance‐ and weight‐dependent sports most frequently reported the use of the more severe pathogenic weight‐control methods. A similar fraction of athletes (22%) and controls (26%) were classified as being at risk of developing ED based on the subscale scores of the EDI. However, a higher fraction of athletes in aesthetics‐, endurance‐, and weight‐dependent sports than athletes in technical sports, ballgames, power sports and non‐athletic controls were classified as being at risk of developing ED. In contrast to previous reports, our results demonstrated that a number of athletes also competing in sports where the participants are considered less weight‐conscious were using pathogenic weight‐control methods (technical 10% and ballgames 8%). A similar percentage of athletes (12%) and controls (11%) actually reported having an ED.
Capillarity of elite cross‐country skiers: a lectin (Ulex europaeus I) marker
Authors: Parsons D. , McIntyre K. , Schulz W. , Stray‐Gundersen J.
Published: July 2010

Capillary morphometries in human skeletal muscle has been limited by technical problems in visualization. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for identifying capillary endothelium at the light level of resolution and to reassess the skeletal muscle capillarity in trained and untrained subjects. A lectin system of biotinylated Ulex europaeus I (UEA‐I), a vascular endothelial marker, provided a stain dense enough for direct computer‐aided image analysis. A morphometric comparison was made between Andersen's periodic acid‐Schiff and the UEA‐I capillary stains on tissue sections of human skeletal muscle. When identical fibers from adjacent sections were compared, the capillary density was 6% and cap fiber was 9% greater using die lectin method. Biopsies from 17 cross‐country skiers were compared with those of 8 age‐matched sedentary controls. The capillary density in the triceps muscle for the skiers was 536.1 ± 33.1 compared with 296 ± 17.7 for the controls. Longitudinal profiles that appear in skeletal muscle cross‐sections suggest a more isotropic (random orientation) configuration of the capillary bed than proposed by the Krogh model. There were 50.6% more longitudinal profiles in the trained samples. The UEA‐I lectin appears to be a valid and potentially useful marker for computerized image analysis of non‐pathological vascular endothelium, and tie differences in capillarity between trained and untrained individuals may be greater than previously reported.
A two‐kilometer walking test: effect of walking speed on the prediction of maximal oxygen uptake
Authors: Laukkanen R. M. T. , Oja P. , Pasanen M. E. , Vuori I. M.
Published: July 2010

A 2‐km walking test was developed previously to predict maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max) in field conditions. The prediction is based on the time required for the 2‐km fast walk, heart rate at the end of the walk, age and body mass index. This study examined the effects of the walking speed on the prediction of Vo2max in 111 moderately to highly active 35‐ to 55‐year‐old adults. The Vo2max was determined in an uphill walk‐run on a treadmill. Five 2‐km walking tests were conducted on a flat outdoor course. The first two were performed at the maximal speed and the remaining at submaximal speeds of 60%, 70% and 80% of the maximal heart rate. All tests underpre‐dicted the measured Vo2max. A walking speed corresponding to 80% of the maximal heart rate or more resulted in the most accurate prediction of maximal aerobic power.
Sport motivation among young adolescents in Finland, Norway and Sweden
Authors: Wold B. , Kannas L.
Published: July 2010

Within a health promotion perspective, nationwide surveys on health behaviour and lifestyle in 11‐ to 15‐year‐old schoolchildren were carried out in Finland, Norway and Sweden in 1985–1986. The surveys were part of an international World Health Organization study on health behaviour in school‐age children. The findings suggest that social, fun and health motives are perceived as the main motivations for sport participation. Competition and achievements were not rated as important reasons for liking sport, with older pupils seeming to attach more importance to sport being fun. Winning and achieving better skills in sport seem to decrease in importance as pupils grow older. The present findings imply that health promotion programmes aimed at increasing the level of physical activity among children would be more effective if physical activities and games were designed with pro‐social objectives in mind, emphasizing cooperation, fun and sharing.
Physical activity and performance in a random sample of adolescents attending school in Denmark
Authors: Andersen L. B. , Schelin B.
Published: July 2010

Physical activity, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, muscle endurance and flexibility were measured in 550 boys and 710 girls, 15–19 years of age, randomly selected among adolescents attending school in Denmark. A lower level of physical activity was expected with higher age, based on an earlier report from Sweden. Other types of physical activity than sports decreased with age, but no difference was found between age groups in sport activity, neither in hours per week or percentage of subjects participating in sports. Strength increased in both genders with increasing age and no difference was found in muscle endurance. In boys, aerobic working capacity increased with increasing age, but in relation to body weight, no difference was found between age groups. In girls, aerobic working capacity (1 · min−1) did not differ between age groups, but body weight was higher with higher age. Flexibility increased with age in boys, and did not differ between age groups in girls. Marked differences were found between subjects attending different types of school. High school (gymnasium) students participated more in leisure‐time sport and had higher physical performance than students from trade or vocational schools. Evaluating different levels of sport participation, i. e., 3 levels of competition, sport for health and no sport activity, no systematic difference in fitness was found between the groups of sport participants. A lower fitness level was found in the group of non‐sport participants. No difference was found between age groups in sport activity. The fitness level increased in boys with age and did not change in girls.
Maximal isometric muscle strength and anthropometry in 75‐year‐old men and women in three Nordic localities
Authors: Era P. , Rantanen T. , Avlund K. , Gause‐Nilsson I. , Heikkinen E. , Schroll M. , Steen B. , Suominen H.
Published: July 2010

Isometric maximal strength of hand grip, elbow flexion, knee extension, trunk extension and trunk flexion was studied in representative samples of 75‐year‐old residents of 3 Nordic localities: Glostrup in Denmark, Gothenburg in Sweden and Jyväskylä in Finland. The study forms a part of a wider comparative research project analyzing the functional capacity and health of 75‐year‐olds in these towns. The strength measurements were carried out using standardized techniques and identical dynamometers. The results showed that the strength values of the limb muscles were significantly lower among the 75‐year‐olds in Jyväskylä, both in absolute values and in relative units (N/kg body mass). For the trunk muscles, the women in Glostrup had significantly lower strength values than their counterparts from the two other localities, while among men there were no significant differences. The isometric strength values correlated strongly with the anthropometric characteristics, especially lean body mass. This was true for all the muscle groups studied. The results thus indicated considerable differences in muscular strength between the 75‐year‐olds in the 3 Nordic localities. These differences may partly be due to differences in basic anthropometric characteristics.
Physical conditioning in elderly people
Authors: Puggaard L. , Pedersen H. P. , Sandager E. , Klitgaard H.
Published: July 2010

Maximal isometric force, coordination, balance, reaction time, flexibility, maximal oxygen uptake, blood lipids and oral glucose tolerance were measured in 59 healthy untrained men and women, 60–82 years of age, before and after 5 months of 3 different kind of physical activities: gymnastics, swimming and senior dance. As a control group, 14 untrained men and women, 61–64 years of age, were recruited from a large study in Copenhagen. The results demonstrate significant improvements in neuromuscular function and blood lipids. In contrast, only minor changes were observed in glucose metabolism and maximal oxygen uptake. Five months of training, twice a week, seems therefore sufficient to induce marked changes in the neuromuscular function and blood lipids of elderly people, whereas the lack of significant changes in glucose metabolism and maximal oxygen uptake still need to be explained.
Physical activity and participation in sports of young people in Finland
Authors: Telama R. , Laakso L. , Yang X.
Published: July 2010

As a part of a larger research programme called Cardiovascular Risks in Young Finns, this longitudinal study is concerned with physical activity and participation in, and dropout from, sport among children and adolescents in Finland, the interrelationship between participation in sports and family and living environment and the impact of the physical activity experienced in childhood and adolescence on later interest in physical activity. The data were gathered in 1980 from 3596 boys and girls who were 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 years of age. The measurements were carried out in 1983, 1986 and 1989. The present study will be concerned with the 9‐year‐old and older subjects only. Physical activity was measured by means of a questionnaire. It is at its peak at the age of 12, after which it is reduced considerably, but the intensity and the strain are increased at the same time. Among young women (24 and 27 years of age), physical activity is more common than it is among men. Girls have stepped up their participation in organized sport during the past decade. Physical activity during youth is a significant but weak predictor of the physical activity that takes place 9 years later. The best predictors are the school grade for physical education and participation in organized sport. Children's physical activity correlates with the social status of the family and the parents' interest in physical activity as well as the environment in which the subjects live.
Epidemiology of injuries in gymnastics
Authors: Bak K. , Kalms S. B. , Olesen S. , Jargensen U.
Published: July 2010

A prospective one‐year epidemiological study was carried out to determine the injury incidence and the injury mechanisms in different groups of gymnasts and to identify possible risk factors. A total of 115 gymnasts with a median age of 16 (8‐25) were followed through a whole season of median 48 weeks (ranges 40–51). The overall injury incidence was 85 per 100 gymnasts per season, ranging from 27 in subelite males to 157 in subelite females. This high incidence is partly explained by the use of a sensitive injury definition, the high exposure time, and the large proportion of highly competitive gymnasts in the population. Considering the exposure time, however, the incidence is lower than in most other sports, 1.6 per 1000 h of gymnastic activity. Subelite female gymnasts were more commonly injured than other artistic gymnasts, in particular in relation to balance beam exercises and inadequate spotting. Injuries were predominantly localized to the lower extremities (64%) for the whole population of gymnasts. A siwcantly large proportion of the male artistic gymnasts, nevertheless, sustained upper extremity injuries corresponding to their apparatus performance. Most injuries were of mild or moderate severity, the recovery time was, however, considerable (median 30 days, ranges 1–365), and the injuries sustained during competition had a median recovery period of 180 days (7‐270). Twenty‐two per cent of the injuries resulted in a recovery period of more than 6 months. Re‐evaluation of the criteria of the score system for dismount as well as an increased use of spotters during practice and high‐risk events are possible measures to prevent serious injuries.
The heritability of maximal aerobic power: a study of Norwegian twins
Authors: Sundet J. M. , Magnus P. , Tambs K.
Published: July 2010

The present study reports results on the effect of genes, individual and common environments on the variance of maximal aerobic power. Data on 436 identical and 622 fraternal male twin pairs in their late teens or early twenties were retrieved from the Norwegian Army Draft Board. Structural equation models were fitted to the mean squares within and between the twin pairs. The results indicate that more than half of the variance in maximum aerobic power is due to genotypic differences, whereas the rest is accounted for by individual (specific) environmental factors. The possibility of cohort and society differences in the heritability of maximal aerobic power is discussed.
Diagnostic evaluation of athletes with posttraumatic chronic shoulder pain
Authors: Suder P. A. , Hougaard K. , Frich L. H. , Rasmussan O. S. , Lundorf E.
Published: July 2010

We examined 20 consecutively admitted athletes suffering from chronic shoulder pain for more than 6 months following a single shoulder trauma without dislocation. All had pain during loading, especially during over‐the‐head activities with a clicking sensation, and symptoms of dead arm were also present. On examination, 8 patients had decreased range of motion and 14 patients had a positive apprehension test. Three had signs of impingement. Diagnostic evaluation with special X‐ray, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy identified IS lateral tears, 3 partial and 1 total rotator cuff lesions and 2 patients with synovitis of the rotator cuff with subacromial impingement. Three patients had tendinitis of the biceps tendon and 1 had a lesion of the greater tubercle. In conclusion, chronic shoulder pain after a single nondislocated shoulder trauma in athletes should be evaluated due to a possible intraarticular cause of the pain. MRI seems to be the most valuable noninvasive method of evaluating patients with chronic shoulder pain and should be performed before arthroscopy and operative procedures.
Incidence, nature and causes of floorball injuries
Authors: Löfgren O. , Andersson N. , Björnstig U. , Lorantzon R.
Published: July 2010

During 1990 and 1991, 9% of all sports injuries that required emergency care at the University Hospital of Umeå were caused by floorball. Seventy‐eight per cent of the injuries were minor (AIS 1) and 21% were moderate (AIS 2). Sprains of the ankle and knee joints were most frequent, constituting 30% and 11% of all injuries, respectively. Licensed players were affected in 14% of all floorball injuries, and 61% of these injuries occurred during a game. We found no difference in severity or type of injuries between licensed players and recreational players. Our data show that the number of floorball injuries is increasing and that the majority of these injuries are of minor severity.
Posterior detachment of the glenoid labrum in athletes with posttraumatic chronic shoulder pain
Authors: Suder P. A. , Hougaard K.
Published: July 2010

We examined 20 consecutively admitted athletes suffering from chronic shoulder pain for more than 6 months following a single shoulder trauma without dislocation. Two of them suffered from a posterior detachment of the glenoid labrum. Both had pain during loading, especially during over‐the‐head activities, with a clicking sensation. No previous dislocation of the involved dominant arm was recorded. Both were resistant to conservative treatment. On examination both patients had slightly decreased range of motion, a positive posterior apprehension sign and a negative impingement sign/test. One shoulder was clinically unstable. Special X‐ray identified one minor avulsion of the posterior margin of the glenoid cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a total posterior glenolabral detachment in both patients and also a bony avulsion of the glenoid posterior margin in one. Arthroscopy identified the posterior labral lesions and reinsertion of the detached labrum using the Mitek‐anchor system was performed. After 1 year, both were able to participate in shoulder‐demanding sports. In conclusion, posterior labral detachment might cause chronic shoulder pain after a single nondislocating shoulder trauma in athletes.
Distal rupture of the biceps femoris muscle
Authors: Jensen I. H. , Kramhøft M.
Published: July 2010

Total rupture of the femoral biceps muscle is a rare diagnosis, probably because it is disregarded. Few cases have been reported in the literature, and in all cases surgery has been performed. The 2 patients described both had a complete rupture of the femoral biceps tendon a few centimetres proximally to its insertion at caput fibulae. Both sustained the injury during a soccer game. One patient was treated conservatively and the other operated. The final results were similar, but the conservatively treated patient was fully restored after 2 to 3 weeks, whereas the operated patient took more than 3 months to obtain full function.