Intercollegiate Athletes Research Articles

The efficacy of a targeted personalized drinking feedback intervention among intercollegiate athletes: A randomized controlled trial.

College athletes are an at-risk population for excessive alcohol use and subsequent alcohol-related harms. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of an electronically delivered personalized drinking feedback (PDF) intervention targeted specifically to college athletes, both in comparison with a standard (i.e., nontargeted) PDF intervention and an education-only (EO) condition that also included targeted information. Data were collected on 263 intercollegiate athletes from three colleges (76% women, 86% White) who were randomly assigned to one of the conditions. Results provided partial support for the efficacy of the targeted PDF intervention. Students in the targeted PDF condition reported a lower peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the 6-month follow-up than those in the other conditions. Heavy drinking students in the targeted PDF condition reported a lower peak BAC than those in the other conditions at the 1-month follow-up and a lower peak BAC than those in the EO condition at the 6-month follow-up. Finally, in-season athletes in the targeted PDF condition reported fewer drinks per week than those in the PDF-standard condition at the 1-month follow-up. These findings provide preliminary support for the use of targeted PDF interventions with at-risk alcohol users, such as college athletes.

Engaging Intercollegiate Athletes in Preventing and Intervening in Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence

Objective: The object of this exploratory evaluation was to evaluate the “Bringing in the Bystander” sexual and intimate partner violence prevention program with a new sample of intercollegiate athletes. Participants and Methods: Fifty-three male and female athletes participated in the program (experimental group), and 86 were in the control group. All completed pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up surveys, including assessment of rape myth acceptance, intent to engage in bystander behaviors, bystander confidence, and bystander behaviors. Results: The program worked overall and for both women and men, improved bystander confidence and intent to engage in bystander behaviors, and did not create significant backlash effects (ie, worsening of attitudes as a result of program). Conclusions: The program fits with the intent of the National Collegiate Athletic Association CHAMPS/Life Skills program regarding its focus on the overall development of student-athletes and demonstrates the promising bystander approach compatible with the 2007 American College Health Association toolkit, Shifting the Paradigm: Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence.

Automated external defibrillator use at NCAA Division II and III universities

ObjectiveThe placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at collegiate sporting venues is a growing trend. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, location and past utilisation of...

Epidemiology of overuse injuries among intercollegiate athletes

ObjectiveResearch on overuse injuries has been limited among collegiate athletes. This study describes the epidemiology of overuse injuries sustained by Division I intercollegiate athletes.MethodsInjuries were identified using an ongoing injury...

Reducing Heavy Drinking Among First Year Intercollegiate Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Normative Feedback

This study evaluated the efficacy of a web-based personalized normative feedback program targeting heavy drinking in first-year intercollegiate athletes. The program was offered through the Athletic Department first-year seminar at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I university. Athletes were randomly assigned to either a web-based feedback group or a comparison condition. Results indicated high-risk athletes receiving the intervention reported significantly greater reductions in heavy drinking than those in the comparison group. Additionally, intervention effects were mediated by changes in perceptions of peer drinking. Findings support the use of web-based normative feedback for reducing heavy drinking in first-year intercollegiate athletes.

The Effect Of Caffeine On Psycho-motor And Athletic Performance In The Shot Put Throw

Track and Field can require athletes to perform at high levels early in the morning. Because there is evidence that the time of day can affect human performance, coaches and athletes should arm themselves with strategies to improve psycho-motor performance. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of low-dose caffeine as a method of improving early morning psycho-motor performance and physical performance in athletes involved in the shot put event. METHODS: Participants were 9 inter-collegiate track athletes (age: 20.33+1.58yrs, ht: 1.77+0.11cm, wt: 106.26+ 2.34kg, bmi: 33.72+ 5.23). A double-blind, randomized, within subjects design was used to investigate the effects of buccal caffeine supplementation on psycho-motor and athletic performance in the shot put. Participants reported for testing at 6:00 am and received one 100 mg caffeine chewing gum supplement (CAF) treatment or a similar placebo (PLAC). Participants then completed a series of 5 warm-up throws followed by 6 attempts with a shot put (16lbs for males, 4kg for females) measured for distance. A psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) was administered 5 minutes subsequent to the caffeine administration. Following the 6th attempt the PVT was re-administered. The effects of the treatment on PVT were evaluated with an ANCOVA (treatment*time with weight/gender) An ANOVA (treatment*time) was performed to compare performance between the CAFF and PLAC treatments. RESULTS: A significant treatment x time interaction was revealed for PVT performance (F1,2= 11.163, hp2=0.650, p=0.016). The caffeine treatment resulted in a faster mean reaction time (pre: 0.306±0.013 vs 0.317±.021, post: 0.316±.018 vs 0.323±0.021); however, the different pre to post was greatest in the caffeine group (0.01 vs 0.06). A significant difference (treatment* throw) was found (F1,5=2.795, hp2= 0.259, p=0.030) indicating that the CAFF treatment produced better performance over the course of the six attempts. Paired samples t-test revealed that the first attempt between the CAFF treatment (9.62m±1.71) and the PLAC treatment (9.05m±1.69) was significantly different (p=0.017, ES=0.996, 95%CI 1.02m to 0.13m). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that low-dose caffeine is an effective ergogenic aid and can have a positive effect on psycho-motor performance in early morning shot put performance.

Survey of dietary supplement use in intercollegiate athletes

It is commonly assumed that dietary supplement use is wide spread in intercollegiate athletes. In order to provide relevant nutrition education to student athletes it is necessary to understand both the type of and the degree to which supplements are used. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of self‐reported supplement use among intercollegiate athletes in a division I university athletic program. Surveys were administered annually to each student athlete in 11 men's and/or women's sports from 2001–2008. Supplements were grouped into 6 categories: vitamins, minerals, protein, performance enhancers (creatine), weight loss, and joint health. At total of 3303 surveys were analyzed. Results indicate that creatine was the most widely used supplement in men's sports while a multi‐vitamin was the most widely used supplement by female athletes. The overall reported use of dietary supplements was considerably less than expected. However, these results suggest the need for continued discussions on the efficacy of creatine supplementation and the beneficial effects of a daily multi‐vitamin.

The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire in intercollegiate athletes: Validity limited by ceiling effect

The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire has been validated as an effective upper extremity specific outcome measure. Normative scores have not been established for young athletes. This study was conducted to establish normative DASH scores for intercollegiate athletes. We hypothesized that DASH scores in intercollegiate athletes differ from published values obtained from the general population. The DASH questionnaire was administered to 321 athletes cleared for full participation in intercollegiate sports. Their scores were compared with normative values in the general population and 2 other age-matched cohorts. Intercollegiate athletes had significantly better upper extremity function compared with the general population (1.37 +/- 2.96 vs 10.10 +/- 14.68, P < .001) and an age-matched cohort of employed adults (1.37 +/- 2.96 vs 5.40 +/- 7.57, P < .0001). The DASH was 0 for 65.1%. Within this cohort, men reported better upper extremity function than women (0.98 vs 1.82, P = .010). Athletes participating in overhead sports reported worse upper extremity function than nonoverhead athletes (1.81 vs 0.98, P = .042). We report normative DASH values for a group of intercollegiate athletes and show a significant difference between the scores of these athletes and the general population. Within our cohort of competitive athletes, overhead sports and female gender are associated with significantly lower DASH scores and sports module scores. The utility of using these results are limited by a substantial ceiling effect in this population of competitive athletes. Differences within our cohort and differences between our cohort and other populations are minimized by this ceiling effect. Various upper extremity outcome measures may be similarly limited by a ceiling effect and should be examined for appropriateness before use. Intercollegiate athletes report significantly greater upper extremity function than the general population; however, validity of the DASH in these athletes is limited and population differences may be minimized by a substantial ceiling effect.

Concurrent Verbal Encouragement and Wingate Anaerobic Cycle Test Performance in Females: Athletes vs. Non-Athletes

To examine the effect of concurrent verbal encouragement on the performance of the WAnT in female athletes vs. female non-athletes. College-age female subjects were recruited where ten of the subjects were intercollegiate athletes (ATH, n1 =10) and the nine were non-athletes (NON, n2 =9). The WAnT was novel to all subjects and the subjects were blinded to the study's purpose. Prior to the experimental trials, subjects were measured for body composition and performed a familiarity WAnT trial without verbal encouragement. Subjects then performed the WAnT twice, once with concurrent verbal encouragement (VE) and once without (NVE), in a balanced cross-over design. Peak (PP) and mean power (MP), and total work (TW) were compared between ATH and NON across VE and NVE using an ANOVA (1 between, 1 within), α=0.05. ATH and NON did not differ (p>0.05) in age or body composition with the exception of fat-free mass which differed significantly (ATH=53.7±6.6, NON=46.1±5.7 kg) (p<0.05). A significant (p<0.05) main effect for ATH/NON was observed where ATH outperformed NON when pooled across VE/NVE trials for PP (ATH=13.0±1.4, NON=11.3±1.7 W·kg-1), MP (ATH=7.7±1.1, NON=6.7±0.9 W·kg-1) and TW (ATH=232±35, NON=201±26 J·kg-1). When pooled across all subjects (ATH and NON), the VE/NVE trials did not differ (p>0.05) for PP (VE=12.4±1.7, NVE=12.0±1.9 W·kg-1), MP (VE=7.3±1.1, NVE=7.2±1.2 W·kg-1) and TW (VE=219±33, NVE=215±35 J·kg-1). The ATH/NON interaction with VE/NVE was not significant (p>0.05). Concurrent verbal encouragement does not affect performance on the WAnT in females, nor does it affect WAnT performance in female athletes and non-athletes differently.

Epidemiology of Ankle Sprain at the United States Military Academy

Background Ankle sprain is a common injury in athletic populations that results in significant time lost to injury. Hypothesis The incidence rates (IRs) of ankle ligament sprains are influenced by gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), physical conditioning, level of competition, type of sport, and athlete exposure to sport. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods A longitudinal cohort study was performed to determine the effect of risk factors for ankle sprain at the United States Military Academy between 2005 and 2007. Results A total 614 cadets sustained new ankle sprains during 10 511 person-years at risk, resulting in an overall IR of 58.4 per 1000 person-years. Women (96.4), compared with men (52.7), had a significantly increased rate ratio (IRR) for ankle sprain of 1.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.20). Men with ankle sprains had higher mean height, weight, and BMI than uninjured men (P < .001). Men with ankle sprains had higher average scores in push-ups, sit-ups, and run time than uninjured men (P < .001). Ankle sprain occurred most commonly during athletics (64.1%). Ankle sprain IR did not significantly differ between intercollegiate and intramural athletic competition after controlling for athlete-exposure (IRR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.81-1.37). The ankle sprain IRR of female compared with male intercollegiate athletes was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.67-1.32) per 1000 person-years and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.74-1.47) per 1000 athlete-exposures. The intercollegiate sports of men's rugby, women's cheerleading, and men's/women's basketball, soccer, and lacrosse had the highest ankle sprain IR. Conclusion Higher mean height and weight in men, increased BMI in men, greater physical conditioning in men, and athlete exposure to selected sports were all risk factors for ankle sprain.

The Changing Attitudes, Expectations and Traits of Parents of Intercollegiate Athletes

The Changing Attitudes, Expectations and Traits of Parents of Intercollegiate Athletes

Wingate Anaerobic Test Peak Power and Anaerobic Capacity Classifications for Men and Women Intercollegiate Athletes

The Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) has been established as an effective tool in measuring both muscular power and anaerobic capacity in a 30-second time period; however, there are no published normative tables by which to compare WAnT performance in men and women intercollegiate athletics. The purpose of this study was to develop a classification system for anaerobic peak power and anaerobic capacity for men and women National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college athletes using the WAnT. A total of 1,585 (1,374 men and 211 women) tests were conducted on athletes ranging from the ages of 18 to 25 years using the WAnT. Absolute and relative peak power and anaerobic capacity data were recorded. One-half standard deviations were used to set up a 7-tier classification system (poor to elite) for these assessments. These classifications can be used by athletes, coaches, and practitioners to evaluate anaerobic peak power and anaerobic capacity in their athletes.

Comparison of Hamstring and Gluteus Muscles Electromyographic Activity while Performing the Razor Curl vs. the Traditional Prone Hamstring Curl

This study examined the muscle activation of the razor curl functional hamstring exercise (the razor curl has the total body extended and then requires the hips and knees to flex to 90 degrees simultaneously with full contraction of the hamstrings to further the knee flexion) to the traditional prone hamstring curl. Eight healthy, female intercollegiate athletes participated (mean age 20.8 +/- 3.9 y; mean height, 177.8 +/- 10.9 cm; mean weight, 67.3 +/- 9.9 kg). Electromyographic (EMG) data were collected on the following muscles: medial hamstring (semimembranosus and semitendinosus), biceps femoris, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus while participants performed the 2 exercises: razor curl and the traditional prone curl. Results revealed no significant differences between muscle activations during the 2 exercises (p <or= 0.05). Also noted that, when examining the means of each muscle's percent of their maximum isometric voluntary contraction, the razor curl displayed a greater total activation. The investigators were able to conclude that the prone hamstring curl does, indeed, target the musculature of the hamstrings. However, it has been shown here that the more functional position of the razor curl does, indeed, achieve activation of not only the hamstring muscle group but also the gluteus medius and maximus. Both the traditional prone hamstring and the razor curl allow for hamstring and gluteals activation. However, if one wants to fully train the hamstrings functionally, one should focus on the razor curl. Due to its functionality, the razor curl is designed to increase hamstring contractibility by placing the hip into flexion. The razor curl is easily implemented on a back extension machine, where first one should focus on the form and then on functional speed.

Hip Arthroscopy in Athletes

Background Arthroscopy is a well-accepted technique in the management of many athletic-related hip disorders, yet little quantitative outcomes data have been reported. Purpose To report the results of hip arthroscopy in a consecutive series of athletes with 10-year follow-up. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Since 1993, all patients undergoing hip arthroscopy at our institution have been prospectively assessed with a modified Harris hip score preoperatively and then postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 60, and 120 months or until a subsequent procedure was performed. The variables studied included age, sex, type of sport, level of sport, diagnosis, duration of symptoms, onset of symptoms, and center edge angle. Fifty-two procedures were performed on 50 patients who had achieved 10-year follow-up. Fifteen patients developed symptoms in the course of athletic activities and their cases represent the substance of this study. Results Follow-up information was available for all 15 patients (11 men and 4 women). The average age was 31.7 years (range, 14–70 years). Type of sport involved included football (3), tennis (3), basketball (2), golf (2), and others (5); with 9 recreational, 4 high school, and 2 intercollegiate athletes. Diagnoses included chondral damage (8), labral tear (7), arthritis (5), avascular necrosis (1), loose body (1), and synovitis (1). The median improvement in the modified Harris hip score was 45 points (from 51 preoperatively to 96, on the 100-point scale), with 13 patients (87%) returning to their sport. All 5 athletes with arthritis eventually underwent total hip arthroplasty at an average of 6 years. There were no complications. Conclusion Arthroscopy to address hip injuries in athletes can result in substantial improvement with durable results. However, arthritis is a prognostic indicator of poor long-term outcomes.

Is Substance Use a Team Sport? Attraction to Team, Perceived Norms, and Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Male and Female Intercollegiate Athletes

This research examined the role of attraction to one's team in predicting alcohol and marijuana use among intercollegiate athletes. Attraction to team and alcohol-related information were collected via an online survey and marijuana use-related information was gathered in a live setting. We investigated the influence of attraction to one's team above and beyond the influence of gender and perceived norms, and attraction to team as a moderator of these relationships. Attraction to one's team accounted for significant variance in marijuana use, and alcohol-related consequences after controlling for alcohol consumption. Regression analyses revealed significant interactions between gender, attraction to team, and norms in predicting alcohol and marijuana use. Stronger attraction to one's team may increase alcohol use but decrease marijuana use among male athletes, suggesting the importance of attraction to team when developing interventions for athletes.

Effect of Various Training Modalities on Vertical Jump

The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the effects of weight training, training with weights and plyometrics, and training with weights and the VertiMax® on vertical jump. Subjects were 37 intercollegiate athletes assigned to one of four training groups: strength (S), strength-plyometric (P), strength-VertiMax® without arms (VNA), and strength-VertiMax® with arms (VA). Each group completed a 6-week training program. There were no statistical increases in pre–post vertical jump within all groups. There were no significant differences for posttest vertical jump between the four training groups. Pre- and posttest effect sizes were minimal across all groups. The findings of this study demonstrate that there is no difference in vertical jump among strength training, plyometric training, and jump training over a 6-week timeframe.

Sport Injury and College Athlete Health across the Lifespan

What is the price of sports participation? The recently released Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee Report (United States Department of Health & Human Services [USDHHS], 2008) refers to sport injury as one of the prices, or “adverse events,” associated with regular physical activity such as competitive sport participation. Evidence in the colloquium paper presented by Zernicke, Antle, McLean, Palmieri-Smith, Miller, and Wojtys (2009)—entitled Play at Your Own Risk: Sport and the Injury Epidemic—demonstrates the magnitude and extent of this sport injury price, and provides a comprehensive and multifaceted look at both the nature of the problem and cutting edge, research-based solutions. As a reactor to their paper, my frames of reference include those of a (a) scholar in sport and exercise psychology with specific expertise in the psychology of sport injury, (b) former intercollegiate athlete who sustained many sport injuries herself, and, (c) former intercollegiate coach who dealt on the front lines with numerous athletes incurring and recovering from sport injuries. Is excellence in sport compatible with good health? Within the specific context of intercollegiate sport injury, my answer to this question relates to two salient themes that emerged for me in reaction to Zernicke et al.’s (2009) paper: first, that one must consider multiple dimensions of athlete health to fully grasp the compatibility of excellence and health, and second, that one must consider the full lifespan of intercollegiate athletes when answering the question. First, with respect to multiple dimensions, some of the key dimensions of athlete health affected by sport injury include physical (e.g., general health and functioning, orthopedic health, sport performance), social (e.g., ability to interact with other individuals), cognitive (e.g., ability to process information and act properly), emotional (e.g., ability to cope, adjust, and adapt), spiritual (e.g., belief in some force or dynamic other than humans), philosophical (e.g., the belief system that governs engagement), and economic (e.g., financial livelihood and support for activities). Furthermore, in addition to sport injury affecting multiple dimensions of the injured athlete’s own health, there is the health of the broader system to consider. Injury affects more than the injured; it often also holds healthrelated consequences for the network of family, friends, teammates, coaching

Normative Misperceptions and Marijuana Use Among Male and Female College Athletes

This research assessed the frequency of marijuana use and perceptions of gender-specific marijuana use among intercollegiate athletes from two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 universities. Normative data were gathered in a live setting. Male athletes reported significantly greater marijuana use than female athletes and the overall sample reported higher prevalence of use than national averages for college athletes and non-athletes. Gender-specific perceptions among male and female athletes exceeded actual self-reported use, and perceived marijuana use among male athletes was strongly associated with personal use. The findings demonstrate the salience of group-specific marijuana norms and present implications for normative feedback interventions among college athletes.

Improved Muscle Activation In Performing A Functional Lunge Versus A Traditional Squat

The back squat is a common exercise for performance strength training and rehabilitation. Contrary to common clinical practice, variation in stance width during the squat has not shown to affect the isolation of quadriceps musculature. In addition to the stance width, squat depth has also been a focus of debate in muscle activation. Today, many practitioners are focusing on more functional activities and it is often questioned if the squat, especially to greater depths is truly a functional exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose was to examine the muscle activation at three different squat depths and the body weight walking lunge. METHODS: Eight healthy, female intercollegiate athletes (mean age 20.8 + 3.9 y; mean height, 177.8 + 10.9 cm; mean mass, 67.3 + 9.9 kg) participated. Electromyographic (EMG) data were collected on the following muscles: medial hamstring (semimembranosus and semitendinosus), biceps femoris, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus while participants performed the three different squat depths and a body weight walking lunge. RESULTS: Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a significant main effect for exercise type on the rectus femoris (χ2=15.706, p=0.001); vastus medialis oblique (χ2=8.767, p=0.03); vastus lateralis (χ2=15.169, p=0.002); medial hamstrings (χ2=8.775, p=0.03); biceps femoris (χ2=14.258, p=0.003); and gluteus medius (χ2=10.387, p=0.02). Exercise type did not have a main affect on gluteus maximus muscle activity (p=0.05). The results demonstrated that the total muscle activation of the squat depths were not greater than that of the walking lunge. It was revealed that the walking lunge did indeed produce more activation in the majority of all muscles analyzed, except rectus femoris, when compared to the three squat depths. CONCLUSIONS: By training athletes in the walking lunge they can obtain the same results of that of squat to 90 training. Furthermore, the lunge allows athlete to be in a more functional position. From the basic lunge position of the knees flexed to 90 degrees we can begin to train explosive recovery moves which would transfer over to competition. Ideally, athletes should be training their kinetic chain fluidly and dynamically, the more dynamic the activity the more fluid the athlete's movement and posture will be in competition.

Linear And Control Entropy Analysis Of Electromyography And Mechanomyography Signals During The Wingate Anaerobic Test

PURPOSE: Tools from non-linear dynamical systems analysis may provide unique insight into the nature of fatigue during maximal exercise. Control entropy (CE) is a novel method to quantify the complexity of non-linear dynamic physiological signals and is indicative of control systems constraints. Therefore, the effects of fatigue on surface elecrtromyography (SEMG) and mechanomyography (MMG) were studied during the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) using CE analysis. METHODS: Twelve trained (6 M / 6 F) intercollegiate athletes volunteered to participate in procedures approved by the Hope College HSRB. MMG and SEMG of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles of the dominant leg were recorded using accelerometers (ACC, ADXL330, Analog Devices, Inc., Norwood, MA) and surface electrodes. Measurements collected at a rate of 1000 Hz were amplified and recorded using Biopac (GA) EM100C, MP150 and AcqKnowledge v3.8.2 software, respectively. Participants performed a 30-second WAnT on a Lode Excalibur cycle egometer at 0.075 kp/kg of body weight. Linear comparisons of changes in the mean amplitude, peak-peak amplitude, and mean power density for both the MMG and EMG signals were made using repeated measures ANOVA (a ≤0.05). CE of raw MMG and SEMG signals were calculated and tested for significance using Matlab (The Mathworks, MA). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between genders (p < 0.05); and there were significant effects of time (VM; RF) for mean MMG (p < 0.001), mean VM SEMG (p < 0.05), p-p MMG (p < 0.001), and p-p SEMG (p < 0.05). Fatigue Index (FI) calculations for MMG-FI and WAnT-FI (0.826 ± 0.010 and 0.491 ± 0.192, respectively) revealed a moderately high correlation (r = 0.725, p = 0.012). CE increased significantly in both MMG and EMG at the start of the WAnT. CE of MMG remained elevated for duration, while EMG declined as fatigue ensued. CONCLUSIONS: SEMG and MMG signals reflect the changes in power output seen in the WAnT. These may provide supplemental information in assessing anaerobic power. In particular, changes in CE indicate that constraints are reduced in both neurological and muscular system components during the WAnT and may provide unique insight into the nature of fatigue from supramaximal exercise.