Extreme Athletes Research Articles

The Embodied Experiences of Injured Ultra-Runners: A Body-Mapping Study

AbstractThe sport of Ultra-running has seen exponential growth over the past ten years. These athletes attempt to push beyond unknown human limits by running for many hours at a time, often multiple times a week across mountains and trails. While research has begun to consider how injury impacts these athletes from an objective medical perspective, much less is known about their subjective embodied experiences. In particular, the discourses they resist and submit to when they are suddenly unable to run. This study describes the use of body-mapping and narrative interviewing as two forms of research inquiry merged together to explore the embodied experiences of eight ultra-runners who had recently experienced an injury. Plot lines were woven through the visual and textual material resulting in three master plots and eight sub plots. Stories of Body Self-transformation, Machina Carnis or the body-as-machine and senescence or the ageing body were layered by emplacing images and text onto life sized body maps creating vibrant art works. These art works were analysed alongside detailed narratives of endurance, strength, determination and loss. Through the art works participants were able to make visible the invisible, with the injury experience providing a window into former ways of being and current experiences of liminality and fear. This study provides insight into the shifting subjectivities of these extreme athletes brought about by pain and injury, and highlights the importance of using power leveling and emancipatory arts based research methods in accessing subjective experience.

Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on strength of lower and upper extremities in athletes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Coaches and athletes are increasingly interested in understanding athletes' serum vitamin D levels, their impact on strength, physical performance, and athletic outcomes. Previous meta-analyses were reported with limited sample size and no significant overall effect was found. Hence, it is crucial to conduct a thorough and up-to-date systematic examination and meta-analysis to elucidate the potential advantages of supplementing with vitamin D3 in enhancing muscle strength for athletes. We performed a thorough investigation, spanning three databases (PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library), seeking randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in all languages. These trials delved into the influence of vitamin D3 supplementation on the changes of pre- and post-intervention muscle strength in healthy athletes. Our systematic examination and meta-analysis took into account serum 25(OH)D levels exceeding 30 ng/mL as a marker of adequacy. Ten RCTs, comprising 354 athletes (185 in the vitamin D3 group and 169 in the placebo group), fulfilled the inclusion criteria. During the study, 36 athletes were lost to follow-up, leaving 318 athletes (166 in the vitamin D3 group and 152 in the placebo group) with documented complete results. In comparison with the placebo group, there is a significant increase between the changes of pre- and post-intervention serum 25(OH)D levels among athletes following a period of vitamin D3 supplementation (MD 14.76, 95% CI: 8.74 to 20.77, p < 0.0001). Overall effect of four strength measurements including handgrip, one repetition maximum Bench Press (1-RM BP), vertical jump, and quadriceps contraction was not significantly improved (SMD 0.18, 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.37, p = 0.08), but there was a significant increase in quadriceps contraction (SMD 0.57, 95% CI: 0.04 to 1.11, p = 0.04). This updated meta-analysis indicates the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation for enhancing muscle strength in athletes when analyzing its quantitatively synthesized effects. With limited available studies for the quantitative synthesis, it cannot warrant significant overall enhancements in muscle strength when athletes attain adequate serum 25(OH)D levels through supplementation.

Geographical space and cinema images of the white Arctic on a white screen (Part II)

The second part of the article is devoted to the consideration of two genres of Arctic fi lms — animal (faunal) and adventure. The basis for their implementation on the screen was Russian America, Alaska — the cinematic state of Hollywood, Chukotka and the Far North of Russia. The Arctic with its boundless snow-ice expanses and mythological obscurity forced its conquerors to seek and rely on a faithful friend — a dog — Siberian husky, husky, Alaskan malamute. As the polar explorer Robert Peary wrote, «life here is dog’s, but the work is worthy of a real person». Almost all the scripts of animal science fi lms are, borrowed from the literary works of the classics of the North — Jack London and James Curwood. Dogs and animals of the North have become full-fl edged actors of these fi lms. One of the pillars of the Arctic fi lms is adventures, including man’s struggle with the harsh nature of the Arctic, the formation of a new life for the indigenous peoples of the North, the search for missing expeditions and individuals — hunters, pilots, extreme athletes.

Vertical jump performance and the relationship with sprint speed at 20 m and 50 m in professional soccer players.

Background: Jumping and sprinting are essential skills for several sports, especially for soccer, since they allow to determine neuromuscular function and maximum power of the lower extremities in athletes. This study aimed to establish the relationship between vertical jump performance and sprint speed at 20 m and 50 m in professional soccer players. Methods: This study took place from June 2020 to November 2021 with participants from the U20 category of the Colombian professional team Fortaleza CEIF, and the U18 category of the Brazilian professional team Boston City. The vertical jump was assessed with the countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and rebound jump (RJ) variants using the WheelerJump jump sensor while the sprint was measured using the Winlaborat horizontal encoder. Results: 200 participants from the selected teams were included in this study. Almost perfect correlations (p &lt; 0,05 – r: 0.97) and excellent coefficients of determination (R2: 0.95 – 0.93) were observed between the reactive force index with the mean height of the different jump protocols and the 50-meter sprint speed, indicating that the higher the altitude and/or the higher the reactive force index, the higher the 50-meter sprint speed. The same behavior was found with the 20-meter race, but the correlation levels (p &lt;0,05, r: 0.63-0.62) and the determination coefficients were lower (0.40). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that, in professional soccer players, long sprint performance like 50 m is strongly correlated and could be accuracy explained by the average height reached in SJ, CMJ, and RJ and by the ability to perform repeated jumps using short contact times, thus increasing the ground reaction forces, which translates into a similar behavior during successive contacts of the player's feet against the ground during the race.

Artificial hypobiosis as a method of acute altitude illness negative impact reduction

Introduction. Critical stage of acute mountain (altitude) sickness, manifesting by loss of consciousness, convulsions, apnea and high risk of death, develops at altitudes above 8 km. Acute oxygen starvation of the central nervous system while significant hypobaric hypoxia is the main mechanism of critical stage of acute mountain sickness. Alpinists and professional guides, extreme athletes are the main risk group. It is proposed to reduce the level of metabolism (artificial hypobiosis induction) to prevent the negative impact of acute hypobaric hypoxia on central nervous system. The study aims to assess the efficiency of the metabolic rate reduction for the organism negative impact prevention while acute hypobaric hypoxia. Materials and methods. Study had 2 stages. The 1st - definition of the possibility of using artificial hypobiosis model. The 2nd - the model efficiency definition. Syrian hamsters 90-110 g weight were used in the study. 5 groups, 8 animals in each. Animals of two experimental groups (1 - on the 1st stage and 1 - is on the 2nd) had intramuscular injections of 1 g/kg Methyldopa (CAS Number 555-30-6). Animals control groups (1 - on the 1st stage and 2 - is on the 2nd) had 0,9% NaCl. Indirect calorimetry was performed on the 1st stage. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide elimination speed were measured in each animal group twice: before intramuscular injection and 3 hours after. Critical stage of acute mountain (altitude) sickness was performed on the 2nd stage. In 3 hours after intramuscular injection animals of each group had been placed in hypobaric chamber. 30 kPa underpressure for control group #1 animals and 20 kPa for control group #2 and experimental group animals, speed - 1,25 kPa/s. To avoid CO2 accumulation continuous chamber air flow was made. Continuous visual observation carried out. Consciousness, posture maintenance time, convulsive seizures, agonal breathing, and apnea were registered. Results. 1st stage. Experimental group animals’ mean base oxygen consumption speed was 4,04±0,3 ml/100 g/min, and 2,70±0,11 ml/100 g/min (p&lt;0,01) after intramuscular injection., carbon dioxide elimination speed was 3,17±0,27 ml/100 g/min and 2,26±0,09 ml/100 g/min (p&lt;0,01) respectively. Control group animals’ mean base oxygen consumption speed was 3,80±0,43 ml/100 g/min, and 3,88±0,37 ml/100 g/min after intramuscular injection, carbon dioxide elimination speed was 2,95±0,31 ml/100 g/min and 2,92±0,2 ml/100 g/min, respectively. 2nd stage. 20 kPa control group: since start of exposure the average animal posture maintenance time was 3±2 s, the first convulsion time - 20±3 s, the second convulsion - 56±5 s, agonal breath start - 52±9 s, apnea - 114±26 s. Consciousness absence in all animal was observed. Experimental group: none of the parameters is to register were observed. All animals had consciousness, actively restored their position, while chamber was tilted. The exposure lasted for 20 minutes. 30 kPa control group: 1 animal of 8 had convulsions on 56 s of 20-minute exposure. None of the parameters is to register were observed in other animals. All animals had consciousness, actively restored their position, while chamber was tilted. Conclusions. The effectiveness of lowering the metabolic rate for the prevention of loss of consciousness and the development of generalized convulsions in acute hypobaric hypoxia has been experimentally proven; in a state of artificial hypobiosis, the time of safe stay in a hypoxic environment increases by more than 20 times. Ethics. The study was carried out in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The Clinical Study Protocol was reviewed at a meeting of the local Ethics Committee FSBSI IRIOH.

Neuropsychological Factors and Practical Methods of Maintaining Mental Health in Special Conditions

The article is devoted to the theoretical and empirical study of athletes’ psychological health involved in extreme sports, the definition of psychological and social factors of its preservation problem. The essence and indicators of psychological health of a person have been clarified. The analysis of the study results made it possible to single out stable (the degree of awareness and positivity of the “I-concept”, the ability and desire for self-development, satisfaction with life) and variable (reflexivity, level of self-regulation, communication, locus of control) indicators for psychological health of extreme athletes. Based on the study in the content of the psychological health of athletes’ characteristics, its social and psychological factors were determined. The main psychological factors of maintaining psychological health include satisfaction with activities, internality, positive "I-concept", the ability of self-government, self-regulation, subjective well-being. The main social factors include extreme conditions of activity, high professional and family status, availability of social support. It has been proven that the presence of the maximum extreme experience leads to a significant decrease in all indicators of psychological health, causing severe maladjustment, emotional and personal problems. The main directions of improving the process of preserving psychological health of extreme sportsmen have been proposed. Allocation of the components of psychological health and determination of socio and psychological factors that determine its preservation, made it possible to form tasks for psychological prevention and correction: teaching positive self-attitude and acceptance of others; learning reflexive skills; the formation of the need for self-development.

Comparison of Hemodynamic Brain Responses Between Big Wave Surfers and Non-big Wave Surfers During Affective Image Presentation.

BackgroundBig wave surfers are extreme sports athletes who expose themselves to life-threatening risk when training and competing. Little is known about how and why extreme sports athletes choose to participate in their chosen sports. This exploratory study investigated potential neurophysiological and psychometric differences between big and non-big wave surfers.MethodsThirteen big wave surfers (BWS) and 10 non-big wave surfers (CON) viewed a series of images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) while undergoing brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The Fear Schedule Survey-III, Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking, Discrete Emotions Questionnaire, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were also completed.ResultsThe BWS group demonstrated higher blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal change in the insula, visual cortex, and periaqueductal gray, whereas the CON group displayed increased hypothalamus activation in response to high amplitude negative-valence (HAN) image presentation. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analyses found CON showed significant interactions between frontal and temporal cortical regions as well as between the hypothalamus and the insula, frontal, and temporal cortices during HAN image presentation that were not seen in BWS. No differences between groups were found in their responses to the questionnaires.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate significant differences in brain activation between BWS and CON in response to the presentation of HAN IAPS images, despite no significant differences in scores on psychometric questionnaires.

24 Hours on the Run-Does Boredom Matter for Ultra-Endurance Athletes' Crises?

Sport and exercise can be boring. In the general population, thinking of sports as boring has been linked to exercising less. However, less is known about the role of boredom in people who participate in ultra-endurance competitions: Do these athletes also associate their sports with boredom, and does boredom pose a self-regulatory challenge that predicts if they encounter a crisis during an ultra-endurance competition? Here, we investigate these questions with a sample of N = 113 (n = 34 female) competitors of a 24 h hour running competition, aged M = 37.6 ± 13.8 years. In this study, n = 23 very extreme athletes competed as single starters or in a relay team of 2, and n = 84 less extreme athletes competed in relay teams of 4 or 6. Before the run, athletes completed self-report measures on sport-specific trait boredom, as well as the degree to which they expected boredom, pain, effort, and willpower to constitute self-regulatory challenges they would have to cope with. After the run, athletes reported the degree to which they actually had to deal with these self-regulatory challenges and if they had faced an action crisis during the competition. Analyses revealed that very extreme athletes displayed a significantly lower sport-specific trait boredom than less extreme athletes (p = 0.024, ). With respect to self-regulatory challenges, willpower, pain, and effort were expected and reported at a much higher rate than boredom. However, only boredom was as a significant predictor of experiencing a crisis during the competition (odds ratio = 12.5, p = 0.02). Our results show that boredom also matters for highly active athletes. The fact that the experience of boredom—and not more prototypical competition-induced challenges, such as pain or effort—were linked to having an action crisis highlights the relevance of incorporating boredom into the preparation for a race and to the performance management during competition.

Positive Relationship Between Precompetitive Sympathetic Predominance and Competitive Performance in Elite Extreme Sports Athletes.

Elite athletes achieve superior performance under high pressure in competitive situations. Although it is known that such situations affect the precompetitive activity of their autonomic nervous system (ANS), the relationship between precompetitive ANS activity and performance remains controversial. Especially in extreme sports, it has been shown that cardiac sympathetic tone occurs in athletes before competition attempts. However, the relationship between precompetitive sympathetic tone and performance is unclear. To investigate this relationship in extreme sports, we organized a freestyle snowboard jumping competition and examined competitors' physiological states and performance during this event. The electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 20 elite snowboarders were measured 10 min before each jump in different competitive situations: practice, qualifying, and final sessions. The mean heart rate (HR), the low-frequency to high-frequency component ratio (LF/HF ratio), the logarithm of the HF (lnHF) component of the frequency-domain of the heart rate variability (HRV), the ratio of the standard deviation of all R–R intervals to the root mean square of successive differences of R–R intervals (SDNN/rMSSD ratio), and the rMSSD of the time-domain of the HRV were calculated from the ECG data. The results showed a significant increase in the mean HR as well as significant decreases in the lnHF component and rMSSD of the HRV as the sessions progressed. Interestingly, the mean HR, LF/HF ratio and SDNN/rMSSD ratio of the HRV showed significant positive correlations with competitive scores, and the lnHF component and rMSSD of the HRV showed significant negative correlations with the scores. Our results indicate that precompetitive ANS activity becomes predominantly sympathetic in elite extreme athletes, such as freestyle snowboarders, when the competition intensifies, and that this sympathetic predominance is positively related to competitive performance.

Effects of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis on Passive Neuromuscular Response and Mechanosensitivity in Athletes with Hamstring Shortening: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction. Diacutaneous Fibrolysis is defined as specific instrumental intervention to normalize function in the musculoskeletal system. It is considered a treatment method for the mechanical alterations of the locomotor system, and it is widely used in sports for therapeutic and preventive purposes. Despite the clinical benefits observed in different musculoskeletal conditions, the action mechanism of diacutaneous fibrolysis remains uncertain. There are no studies evaluating the neuromuscular response on the posterior muscular chain of the lower extremity in athletes, where overload, stiffness, and injury incidence are high. Objective. To evaluate the immediate, and 30 min post treatment effects of a single diacutaneous fibrolysis session on passive neuromuscular response and mechanosensitibity on hamstring and gluteus in athletes with shortening. Design. A randomized within participant clinical trial. Methods. Sixty-six athletes with hamstring shortening were included (PKE < 160). The lower limbs were randomized between the experimental limb and control limb, regardless of dominance. A single session of diacutaneous fibrolysis was applied to the posterior gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus of the experimental lower limb whereas the control limb was not treated. Viscoelastic muscle properties (myotonometry), contractile muscle properties (tensomiography), and mechanosensitivity (algometry) were tested before treatment (T0), after treatment (T1), and 30 min post treatment (T2). Results. Regarding viscoelastic properties, in the intra-group analysis we found statistically significant differences in the experimental limb at T1, decreasing muscle stiffness in gluteus maximus (p < 0.042), in biceps femoris (p < 0.001) and in semitendinosus (p < 0.032). We also observed statistically significant differences in Tone decrease (p < 0.011) and relaxation increase (p < 0.001) in biceps femoris. At T2, the decrease in stiffness in all tested muscles was maintained (p < 0.05). There were statistically significant inter-groups differences in stiffness on gluteus (p < 0.048) and biceps femoris (p < 0.019) and in tone on biceps femoris (p < 0.009) compared to the control limb. For contractile properties, we only found statistically significant differences on maximal radial displacement (Dm) in gluteus, both control and experimental at T2 (p < 0.05) and in biceps femoris control (p < 0.030). No changes were found in the mechanosensitivity. Conclusions. A single session of diacutaneous fibrolysis produces changes in some parameters related to viscoelasticity properties of the biceps femoris and gluteus. There were no changes on contractile properties on semitendinosus. Only small changes on the contractile properties on the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris were found. No effect was found on the mechanosensitivity of the posterior chain muscles in athletes with hamstring shortening.

Decision-making by extreme athletes: the influence of their social circle

We explored the influence of the social circle on decision-making in regard to risk by 13 extreme athletes from different sports (Free solo climbing, Base-jumping, Longboarding, Solo seafaring, Alpinism, Extreme skiing, Extreme kayaking), all considered extreme due to the high risk of injury or death during practice. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with each participant individually in order to determine the influence of members of their social circle (parents, children, partner, friends, etc) on their behaviour. Our results show that their influence is insufficient to substantially modify the practice of extreme sport or the exposure to extreme risk or to lead them to give up their sport. Friends linked to extreme sports are the only ones capable of understanding and promoting these practices. The influence of the rest of the agents will go in the direction of reducing risk taking. The passion for thrill-seeking activities is what imbues the lives of extreme athletes with meaning and this passion is broadly immune to influences from their immediate social circle.

Acceptance Model in Designing for Extreme Users: Extreme Athletes Using Activity Trackers

Acceptance Model in Designing for Extreme Users: Extreme Athletes Using Activity Trackers

Experiencia Emocional Subjetiva en Deportistas Extremos: Estudio Cualitativo

Los participantes en deportes extremos usualmente han sido estudiados desde la perspectiva de riesgo. El presente estudio busca alejarse de dicha preconcepción y tiene como objetivo estudiar la experiencia subjetiva emocional. Se empleó una metodología cualitativa con diseño fenomenológico-hermenéutico tomando como herramienta sistemas conversacionales. Los informantes fueron 8 deportistas extremos pertenecientes a un mismo grupo. Dentro de los deportes extremos se incluyen: Escalada de montaña, rapel, puenting, montañismo y bungee jumping. Los resultados indican que el miedo es generador de libertad, puede ser útil, es gratificante y también es promotor de transformaciones personales. Esta investigación otorga valor teórico al porqué del involucramiento en deportes extremos. Participants in extreme sports have usually been studied from a risk perspective. The present study seeks to move away from this preconception and aims to study the emotional subjective experience. A qualitative methodology with phenomenological-hermeneutic design was used taking as a tool conversational systems. The informants were 8 extreme athletes belonging to the same group. Extreme sports included were: Mountain climbing, rappelling, bungee jumping, and mountaineering.The results indicate that fear is a generator of freedom, it can be useful, it is rewarding and it is also a promoter of personal transformations. This research gives theoretical value to the reason for involvement in extreme sports. Participantes em esportes radicais geralmente têm sido estudados a partir de uma perspectiva de risco. O presente estudo busca afastar-se desse preconceito e visa estudar a experiência emocional subjetiva. Uma metodologia qualitativa com desenho fenomenológico-hermenêutico foi utilizada, utilizando sistemas conversacionais como ferramenta. Os informantes eram 8 atletas extremos pertencentes ao mesmo grupo. Esportes radicais incluem: alpinismo, rapel, bungee jumping, montanhismo e bungee jumping. Os resultados indicam que o medo é um gerador de liberdade, pode ser útil, gratificante e também promotor de transformações pessoais. Esta pesquisa dá valor teórico ao motivo do envolvimento em esportes radicais.

Cold Water Swimming-Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review.

Cold water swimming (winter or ice swimming) has a long tradition in northern countries. Until a few years ago, ice swimming was practiced by very few extreme athletes. For some years now, ice swimming has been held as competitions in ice-cold water (colder than 5 °C). The aim of this overview is to present the current status of benefits and risks for swimming in cold water. When cold water swimming is practiced by experienced people with good health in a regular, graded and adjusted mode, it appears to bring health benefits. However, there is a risk of death in unfamiliar people, either due to the initial neurogenic cold shock response or due to a progressive decrease in swimming efficiency or hypothermia.

Ulnar shaft stress fractures in fast-pitch softball pitchers: a case series and proposed mechanism of injury.

Stress fractures of the upper extremities in athletes are important injuries for radiologists to appreciate despite being far less common than stress fracturesof the lower extremities. Among upper extremity stress fractures, those involving the olecranon have been well described in overhead pitching athletes. Isolated stressfractures of the ulnar shaft however are less commonly reported in the literature and considered to be rare. We have observed a correlation between young patients withulnar shaft stress fractures and the activity of fast-pitch softball pitching. In this series, we present the imaging findings in four cases of ulnar shaft stressfractures in softball pitchers who presented with insidious onset forearm pain. Furthermore, a review of the literature focusing on softball pitching mechanics isprovided to offer a potential underlying mechanism for the occurrence and location of these injuries. An awareness of the imaging appearance of ulnarshaft stress fractures along with an understanding of its proposed mechanism will facilitate accurate and timely imaging diagnosis of this injury by the radiologist.

Endoscopic Assisted First Rib Resection for Thoracic Outlet Syndromes in Overhead Throwing Athletes

Objectives:Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a complex of signs and symptoms resulting from compression of the nerves and vessels supplying the upper limb. Repetitive and cumulative stress of the upper extremity in athletes are associated with TOS. Despite of several previous reports, TOS is incompletely understood, difficult to diagnose, and often poorly managed. Especially, etiology and pathology on throwing athletes with TOS have not been still unknown. Recent articles showed that with the help of the endoscope, more safety and less invasive surgery has been achieved. We consider that intraoperative observations will lead to analyses the pathology of TOS in athletes. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate characteristic clinical features, objective imaging, intraoperative findings, and surgical outcomes of patients with TOS in overhead throwing athletes.Methods:This study analyzed 158 cases of TOS (47 women and 111 men) who underwent endoscopic assisted first rib partial resection. Patients were divided into 2 group: athletes (89 patients) and non-athletes (69 patients). The diagnosis of TOS was based on clinical features, plane radiographs, ultrasonography, three-dimensional computed tomography angiography, and MRI. Indications for this surgery included failure of more than 6 months of conservative treatment or evidence on artery interruption on 3D angiography or obvious narrowing of interscalene region on ultrasound. Conventional transaxially approach described by Roos with endoscopic assist was underwent for partial resection of the first rib and decompression of neurovascular bundle. Intraoperative findings involved as follows; Interscalene distance (ISD): the distance between the posterior edge of the anterior scalene and the anterior edge of the middle scalene, Neurovascular bundle (NVB) patterns: based on alignment of the nerve, artery, and vein, following three types; parallel type, oblique type, and vertical type. Evaluation was performed through use of the clinical rating system of Roos’s classification, DASH, intraoperative endoscopic findings, plain radiographs, and ultrasonography. The mean follow-up period was 17.4 (from 6.4 to 42.4) months.Results:We found characteristic clinical features in athletes with TOS compared with non-athletes as follows; younger (16.7 years vs 36.3 years), shorter duration of symptoms (7.8 vs 26.0), and better outcomes (excellent or good percentage in Roos score; 91.0 % vs 73.9 %). Intraoperative findings showed no significant differences of ISD and NVB patterns between athletes and non-athletes. On the other hand, anatomical variation including abnormal bundle was found more frequently in athletes compared with non-athletes (Figure 1, Table1). There were no major complications.Conclusions:In conclusion, endoscopic assisted transaxially approach for first rib resection in TOS provided a superior magnified clear visualization and safely sufficient decompression of neurovascular bundle. The current study showed better clinical outcomes in athletes compared with non-athletes. Several factors including younger, shorter duration of symptoms, and anatomical variation would reflect to the result. The orthopaedic surgeon should be aware of the possibility of TOS in an adolescent who plays an overhead throwing sport. Appropriate surgical indication would provide them superior clinical outcomes.

A Method for Determination of Unbound Fats in Protein Bar Formulations Compared with Isolated Fat/Protein Combinations to Optimize Shelf Life

Abstract Objectives Protein bars form a growing part of the snack food industry, but shelf life is typically limited by bar hardening due to protein aggregation related to the migration of other nutrients. Addressing these issues will extend protein bar shelf life while continuing to maintain nutrient density for military personnel and extreme athletes. We developed a method to examine the interaction of fats and proteins in bars and in simple mixtures in order to address lipid/protein interaction and lipid migration. Methods Mixtures of dairy protein and fats were created in order to determine ideal fat/protein ratios. Fats tested were palm kernel oil (PKO), cocoa butter, coconut oil, and canola oil. Proteins included milk protein isolate, a dairy protein blend, whey protein concentrate, and two whey protein isolates (WPI). Fats were liquified, mixed with protein at 0/100 up to a 50/50 ratio by weight and allowed to solidify. Solidified pellets were suspended in filters placed in conical tubes at a temperature four degrees Celsius above the melting point of the fat for twelve to twenty-four hours. The weight of melted fat that passed through the filter was then determined. Results At 50/50 ratios, the combinations of cocoa butter and PKO with WPI and whey protein concentrates demonstrated 1% and 3% fat loss, respectively. While a ratio of 59/41% lipid/protein respectively, cocoa butter and PKO with WPI continue to have the lowest residual fat at 14% while the highest is coconut oil and milk protein isolate at a residual fat content of 29%. Low residual fat is between one and three % residual in a 50%/50% matrix, while low-fat retention is anything above 14% residual fat. The dairy blend and milk protein isolate have low-fat retention with saturated fats but have increased retention with canola oil. Coconut oil has a high residual fat of 25% with the milk protein isolate that contains both casein and whey proteins. Conclusions The ideal fat protein mixtures for military personnel and extreme athletes are WPI's and with PKO or cocoa butter. By using these two fats with the whey protein isolates, it creates an ideal matrix for protein bar stability preventing bar hardening and long shelf life while keeping nutrient density. Funding Sources Military grant-funded by the Defence Logistics Agency and SMRC.

The Physical and Psychological Experience of Rowing the North Atlantic Solo and Unassisted

The present study followed an individual's successful, record-setting, solo, unsupported row across the North Atlantic Ocean to gain an understanding of the physical and psychological experience of this extreme endurance feat. The participant was a 37-y-old male endurance athlete. Over the course of his nearly 39-d row, he provided daily ratings of effort, physical symptoms, and psychological experiences via a self-report questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using simulation modelling analysis to examine within-day and cross-lagged correlations between perceived exertion and all other variables. Qualitative data were examined via thematic content analysis. Results showed that, on average, the participant experienced low levels of pain intensity, pain interference, fatigue interference, sleepiness, loneliness, boredom, anxiety, and frustration, in contrast to moderate scores for fatigue, restfulness, positive emotions, calmness, and confidence. There were statistically significant correlations between higher levels of perceived exertion and higher same-day levels of pain interference, fatigue, and fatigue interference, as well as lower same-day levels of calmness, loneliness, and boredom. Qualitative responses revealed 3 primary stressor types (internal physical, internal psychological, and external stressors) and 5 coping responses (acceptance/mindfulness, active response/problem solving, adjusting expectations/goal setting, distraction, and resignation). Study findings indicate that the extreme athlete experienced physical and emotional challenges, but he demonstrated positive adjustment via the frequent experience of positive emotions and proficient use of a broad set of coping strategies matched to the daily stressor being addressed.

Gives you wings or not? Exploring the impact of viewers’ responsibility attribution and surprise on their attitude, identification and trust

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of critical, journalistic documentaries on viewers. More precisely, it investigates the effects of responsibility attribution and surprise on stakeholder attitude, trust and identification.Design/methodology/approachIn a quasi-experimental pre-post setting, 127 participants viewed a documentary about Austrian beverage and marketing company Red Bull. The film inquired into the deaths of six extreme athletes sponsored by the company. As a critical, investigative piece, the documentary was designed to give viewers the impression that Red Bull was, at least partially, responsible for the athletes’ deaths.FindingsResults show that responsibility attribution, the feeling of being surprised and being in a state of negative affect, had a significant impact on viewers’ attitude and trust toward, and identification with Red Bull.Originality/valueThe study adds insights on surprise as a factor in viewers’ assessment of responsibility. The study is original in terms of methodology by using real-time rating to ascertain which sequences trigger changes in responsibility attribution among viewers. Furthermore, implications of the study’s findings with regard to inoculation theory are discussed.

No Relationship Between Muscle Flexibility and Blood Flow in the Lower Legs of Competitive Runners

Megan Battles1, Rachel Bowden1, Cameron Greene1, Justin Stanek2, Arbin Thapaliya1, Jeffrey Williams1 1 Franklin College, Franklin, IN 2 Illinois State University, Normal, IL Muscular adaptations in the upper limb from training are associated with hypertrophy, inflexibility, and diminished vascular perfusion. Despite these findings in upper extremity athletes, no studies have examined the relationship between peripheral vascular adaptations and muscle flexibility in the lower legs of runners. Through a better understanding of blood flow and muscle flexibility adaptations, clinicians can more accurately assess and treat running injuries. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between blood flow in the posterior tibial artery and sagittal plane ankle range of motion (ROM) among a sample of collegiate runners. METHODS: Blood flow in the posterior tibial artery and sagittal plane ankle ROM were measured bilaterally on 25, asymptomatic collegiate track athletes (16 males, 9 females, age = 20.0 ± 1.2 years, height = 171.5 ± 10.2 cm, mass = 66.7 ± 13.7 kg). Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between blood flow in the posterior tibial artery and ROM of the talocrural joint. RESULTS: Findings revealed no significant relationship between blood flow in the dominant leg’s posterior tibial artery and dorsiflexion (r = .14, P = .52) or plantarflexion (r = -.32, P = .12) and no significant relationship between blood flow in the non-dominant leg’s posterior tibial artery and dorsiflexion (r = -.02, P = .93) or plantarflexion (r = -.02, P = .92). CONCLUSION: Although muscle inflexibility contributes to compromised blood flow in other body regions, findings of this study demonstrated no relationship between flexibility of the plantarflexor muscles and blood flow in the posterior tibial arteries of competitive runners. Future research should continue examining blood flow in the lower limb as one, among many, physical adaptations runners may experience from training.