Lacrosse Players Research Articles

Helmet and Gloves

Helmet and Gloves

Stress fractures of the femoral shaft in women’s college lacrosse: a report of seven cases and a review of the literature

Background: Stress fractures do not often occur in the shaft of the femur. They are more common in the femoral neck, the tibial shaft, the metatarsals, and other bones of...

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Various Field Lacrosse Balls

Although the sport of lacrosse has evolved dramatically over the last few decades and is presently the fastest growing team sport in the United States, the current specifications for balls date back to 1943. The purpose of this study was to see if various commercially available field lacrosse balls meet these specifications and to determine additional mechanical properties of the ball that may more completely characterize ball performance. Eight models from several manufacturers were tested. Seven models were designated for game play, while one model was promoted as a practice ball. In accordance with the specifications, the mass, circumference, and rebound height were recorded for one dozen balls from each model. The load required to compress the balls 0.0125 m and the coefficient of restitution (COR) with an incident speed of 26.80 m/s were also determined. We found that some balls met several of the specifications, but none of the models had every ball meet all the specifications. For the two measures of ball liveliness, rebound height had a weak correlation with COR. Ball compression loads averaged about 750 N over most models, but were almost 85% less for the practice model. It appears that current governing body specifications are outdated, as no ball model we tested met these specifications. The determination of ball liveliness at more realistic speeds should also be taken into account. Since balls with low compression loads can pass through face protectors worn by lacrosse players, the sport's governing bodies may wish to consider a specification on ball compression.

Muscular Dissatisfaction and Supplement Use among Male Intercollegiate Athletes

Body image satisfaction was measured among college male athletes participating in track/cross-country, soccer, basketball, swimming, and lacrosse through the use of figure drawings varying in level of muscularity. All the athletes chose significantly different figure drawings to best represent their actual physique, ideal physique, and the physique they believed was most attractive to the opposite sex. For each sport, athletes’ actual physique was less muscular than both their ideal physique and the one they thought was attractive to the opposite sex. Soccer and lacrosse players chose an ideal physique larger than the one they thought was attractive to the opposite sex, while swimmers chose an ideal physique smaller than the one they thought was attractive to the opposite sex. Lacrosse players wanted to gain the most muscle. Those athletes who used muscle mass/weight-gain supplements spent more time per week in weight training and viewed their actual physique as larger than did athletes who did not use weight-gain supplements. The present results further reveal the desire of athletes to gain muscle, possibly to the extent of abusing weight-gain supplements and thus providing the foundation for faulty body image or dysfunctional eating.

DIFFERENCES IN BODY ATTITUDE BETWEEN AESTHETIC AND NON-AESTHETIC SPORTS IN FEMALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

PURPOSE To compare body attitude measurements of female collegiate lacrosse players (non-aesthetic), dance team (aesthetic) members and controls within the competitive season. METHODS Participants were 27 lacrosse players, 20 dance team members and 64 non-athlete controls. Participants were administered a nine-figure silhouette scale and asked to circle the best representation of how they think they look (cognitive), how they feel they look (emotional) and how they want to look (ideal) on separate scales. Within and across group differences for body attitude were compared using one-way ANOVA. Post-hoc analysis was performed using the Tukey procedure. RESULTS Significant differences were found within the individual groups including the lacrosse (p < 0.0001) and dance (p < 0.0001) teams ideal versus cognitive and emotional perceptions. A significant difference was also found between the ideal scores of both athletic groups compared to the controls (p = 0.032) suggesting both athletic groups idealized a smaller body size than age-matched controls. However, no significant differences were found between the two athletic groups on any body attitude parameter. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate no differences in body attitude between these aesthetic and non-aesthetic sports. Nonetheless, the results do suggest that female collegiate athletes may suffer from a higher degree of body dissatisfaction or idealize a smaller body size than their age-matched counterparts. This higher degree of body dissatisfaction could potentially lead to an increased risk for the development of eating disordered behaviors in a population were performance and not body size should be the focus.

Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Knee-Joint Reposition Sense and Functional Performance

Objective:To determine the relationship between weight-bearing (WB) and non-weight-bearing (NWB) joint reposition sense (JRS) and a functional hop test (FH) and to compare performance on these parameters between athletes and nonathletes.Design:Repeated-measures ANOVA and Pearson correlations.Setting:Research laboratory.Participants:40 men (age = 20.8 ± 1.7 y; ht = 176.9 ± 5.8 cm; wt = 82.6 ± 9.5 kg): 20 lacrosse players and 20 nonathletes.Main Outcome Measures:Ability to actively reproduce 30° of knee flexion in the WB and NWB conditions and functional performance on a single-leg crossover-hop test.Results:No significant correlations were observed between JRS and FH in athletes and nonathletes. No significant differences were observed between athletes and nonathletes in JRS. All participants were significantly more accurate at WB than at NWB JRS.Conclusions:There appears to be no relationship between WB or NWB JRS and functional performance, regardless of one’s physical activity level

Eye injuries in women's lacrosse players.

To determine the prevalence of eye injuries among intercollegiate women's lacrosse players as well as the level of play, specific play settings, and particular mechanisms associated with these injuries. Anonymous, retrospective, survey. Intercollegiate lacrosse tournament. Collegiate and postcollegiate women's lacrosse players. Self-reports of eye injuries, injury circumstances, treatment received, playing time missed, and continuing problems were recorded. Surveys were collected from 667 players from 34 teams (83% of players listed on rosters). A total of 125 injuries were reported among 84 players (12.6%). Injuries occurred equally in high school and college. Athletes were injured most frequently in games (41 injuries) and practices (38 injuries), with 17 players injured during the off-season. Several mechanisms of injury were noted. Fifty-three women sustained injuries requiring medical attention. Of those athletes injured, 23 missed 1-5 days and 9 players missed more than 5 days. Four athletes (4.8%) reported residual problems from an eye injury sustained while playing lacrosse. Eye injuries are occurring more frequently than current surveillance data suggest. Because injuries are seen at all levels of play, in many different situations, and by multiple mechanisms, mandatory eyewear is needed to prevent serious eye injuries in women's lacrosse.

Creatine use among young athletes.

Creatine is a nutritional supplement that is purported to be a safe ergogenic aid in adults. Although as many as 28% of collegiate athletes admit taking creatine, there is little information about creatine use or potential health risk in children and adolescents. Although the use of creatine is not recommended in people less than 18 years of age, numerous anecdotal reports indicate widespread use in young athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, risk factors, and demographics of creatine use among middle and high school student athletes. Before their annual sports preparticipation physical examinations, middle and high school athletes aged 10 to 18 in Westchester County, a suburb north of New York City, were surveyed in a confidential manner. Information was collected regarding school grade, gender, specific sport participation, and creatine use. Overall, 62 of 1103 participants (5.6%) admitted taking creatine. Creatine use was reported in every grade, from 6 to 12. Forty-four percent of grade 12 athletes surveyed reported using creatine. Creatine use was significantly more common (P <.001) among boys (53/604, 8.8%) than girls (9/492, 1.8%). Although creatine was taken by participants in every sport, use was significantly more common among football players, wrestlers, hockey players, gymnasts, and lacrosse players (P <.001 for all). The most common reasons cited for taking creatine were enhanced performance (74.2% of users) and improved appearance (61.3%), and the most common reason cited for not taking creatine was safety (45.7% of nonusers). Despite current recommendations against use in adolescents less than 18 years old, creatine is being used by middle and high school athletes at all grade levels. The prevalence in grades 11 and 12 approaches levels reported among collegiate athletes. Until the safety of creatine can be established in adolescents, the use of this product should be discouraged.

Assessment of neuromuscular response characteristics at the knee following a functional perturbation

Previous research indicates that both the extent and timing of muscular activation at the knee can be influenced by muscle activity state, joint angle, weight-bearing status and trunk position. However, little research to date has evaluated protective neuromuscular response times and activation patterns to an imposed perturbation with the knee joint in a functional, weight-bearing stance. Hence, we designed a lower extremity perturbation device to produce a sudden, forward and either internal or external rotation moment of the trunk and femur relative to the weight-bearing tibia. Surface electromyography (EMG) recorded long latency reflex times of the medial and lateral quadriceps, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles in 64 intercollegiate lacrosse and soccer players in response to both internal and external rotation perturbation. We found the gastrocnemius fired significantly faster that the hamstring, which in turn fired significantly faster than the quadriceps. There was also a significant difference in activation times of the medial and lateral hamstring not found for the quadriceps or gastrocnemius muscles. Our findings confirmed that reactive neuromuscular responses following this functional perturbation differ markedly from those previously reported using seated, partial weight-bearing and/or uni-planar models under relaxed conditions.

A modified incremental shuttle run test for the determination of peak shuttle running speed and the prediction of maximal oxygen uptake

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of subject drop-out on a multi-stage shuttle run test and a modified incremental shuttle run test in which speed was increased by 0.014m.s-1 every 20-m shuttle to avoid the need for verbal speed cues. Analysis of the multi-stage shuttle run test with 208 elite female netball players and 381 elite male lacrosse players found that 13 (+/-3) players stopped after the first shuttle of each new level, in comparison with 5 (+/-2) players on any other shuttle. No obvious drop-out pattern was observed on the incremental shuttle run test with 273 male and 79 female undergraduate students. The mean difference between a test-retest condition (n= 20) for peak shuttle running speed (-0.03+/- 0.01m.s-1) and maximal heart rate (0.4+/- 0.1 beats.min-1) on the incremental test showed no bias (P > 0.05). The 95% absolute confidence limits of agreement were 0.11m.s-1 for peak shuttle running speed and +/-5 beats.min-1 for maximal heart rate. The relationship (n= 27) between peak shuttle running speed on the incremental shuttle run test (4.22+/- 0.14m.s-1) and VO2max (59.0+/- 1.7ml.kg-1.min-1) was r=0.91 (P< 0.01), with a standard error of prediction of 2.6ml.kg-1.min-1. These results suggest verbal cues during the multi-stage shuttle run test may influence subject drop-out. The incremental shuttle run test shows no obvious drop-out patten and provides a valid estimate of VO2max.

Physiological Profile of College Club-Sport Lacrosse Athletes

Due to the emphasis on preventive sports medicine, it has become increasingly important to identify physiological indices of athletic performance and predisposition to injury. Although physiological testing is typically used to assess physical status of athletes in numerous sports, no research has been published that addresses the physiological profile of college lacrosse athletes. Thus this study sought to quantify body composition, maximal aerobic power, anaerobic capacity, blood chemistry, and coronary risk factors on 30 college male club-lacrosse athletes. Data were grouped by player position (attack, n = 5; defense, n = 8; goalie, n = 2; midfield, n = 15) and skill level (1st team, n = 14; 2nd team, n = 16). Results indicated the lacrosse players were above average in some indices of maximal aerobic power during exercise stress testing. They had higher maximal power, mean power, and total work output, collectively, than reported for other college athletes. Analysis of body composition revealed a mean body fat of 15% for the entire sample. Mean resting blood chemistries were within normal limits. Based on their exercise response, body composition, and blood lipid profile, these athletes are at low risk for developing coronary heart disease. They also exhibit high anaerobic capacity reflective of this sport.

Personality characteristics of male and female participants in team sports

Males members of two college teams, baseball and football, and female members of two teams, field hockey and lacrosse (combined) and equestrians, were compared on the five scales of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ). All teams were significantly higher on the Activity and lower on the Neuroticism-Anxiety scales than the general college population of the University of Delaware. Lacrosse and field hockey athletes were higher on activity than equestrians and baseball players were higher than football players on this scale. Contrary to predictions, football players scored lower than the general university male population on Impulsive Sensation Seeking and the lacrosse and field hockey players did not differ from the general college females on Impulsive Sensation Seeking. The baseball players also scored lower on this scale. The hypothesis that body contact sports attract high sensation seeking and aggressive participants was not supported. Sensation seeking is more characteristic of participants in high risk sports offering unusual sensation and personal challenges.

Evaluation of a Psychological Skills Training Workshop for Male Intercollegiate Lacrosse Players

This study evaluated the effects of a four-session psychological skills training (PST) workshop on self-reported knowledge, perceived importance, and use of goal setting, relaxation, imagery, and cognitive restructuring in a sample of male intercollegiate lacrosse players (n=49). In an interrupted time-series design with switching replications, subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Self-report data were collected on three occasions at 2-week intervals. Group 1 received PST during the first 2-week interval and Group 2 received PST during the second 2-week interval. The overall effectiveness of the PST workshop was supported by both between-subjects and within-subjects analyses. This study illustrates that controlled research can viably and ethically be conducted in applied sport settings. Limitations of the current study and directions for future PST outcome research are discussed.

Lyme borreliosis

<h3>Abstract</h3> <h3>Background</h3> Myocarditis in athletes is a feared complication of SARS-CoV-2, yet guidelines for screening with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are lacking. Further, stakeholder involvement in the research is rare. <h3>Hypothesis</h3> We sought to determine the rates of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging evidence of SARS-CoV-2 related myocarditis in student athletes. We hypothesized that rates of myocarditis were lower than initially reported and that including athletes on the research team would enhance participant satisfaction and scientific integrity. <h3>Methods</h3> Accordingly, when members of a hockey team were infected with SARS-CoV-2, we invited them and their team physicians to be part of the design of a study assessing the incidence of myocarditis. We performed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging on participating hockey players infected with SARS-CoV-2 and compared them to a healthy lacrosse cohort. Participants were given an optional survey to complete at the end of the study to assess their satisfaction with it. <h3>Results</h3> Four hockey players and two team physicians joined the study team; eight hockey players and four lacrosse players participated in the study. Zero athletes met imaging criteria for myocarditis; delayed enhancement was observed in seven cases and three controls. Athletes supported sharing the findings with the participants. No athletes reported feeling uncomfortable participating, knowing other athletes participated on the research team. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Rates of SARS-CoV-2 myocarditis in young athletes appears to be lower than initially reported. Partnered research is important, especially in populations with more to lose, such as collegiate athletes; future studies should include stakeholders in the study design and execution. <h3>Key points</h3> Cardiac MRI findings of myocarditis after COVID infection in young athletes is rare. Subjects of research studies appreciate involvement in the development of the study, and this also builds trust with the research team.

Effect of Body Position on Hamstring Muscle Group Average Torque

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of the supine and prone position on concentric and eccentric isokinetic strength of the hamstring muscle group. Twelve university female lacrosse players were tested for hamstring average torque on a Kinetic Communicator(R) dynamometer at 60 degrees /sec from the supine and prone positions. Analysis of variance indicated average torque generated from the prone was greater than the supine position. Greater torque was also generated during eccentric contraction than during concentric contraction. The influence of the tonic labyrinthine and the symmetrical tonic neck reflexes is proposed as the mechanism for the differences observed between the two test positions. The prone position facilitates optimal generation of torque while approximating a length-tension relationship observed during sprinting. These findings suggest consideration be given to assessment and strength training of the hamstring muscle group in the prone position. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1990;11(10):449-452.

The effect of prophylactic knee bracing on performance

This study examined the effect of prophylactic knee bracing upon performance in 35 college-aged athletes. Twenty-five male and ten female subjects completed two sets of tests to determine quadriceps peak torque, rise time, time to fatigue, anaerobic power, and blood lactate accumulation. On one trial the subjects wore a Stromgren dual-hinged prophylactic knee brace. MANOVA analysis revealed that bracing did not significantly affect the performance of football players (males) but did inhibit the overall performance of lacrosse players (females) (P less than 0.05). Post hoc analyses determined that rise time (time to develop peak torque) was the greatest contributor among the dependent variables to the multivariate difference observed in the females. However, no isolated variable was identified as significantly different between the conditions by repeated-measures t-tests. Additional analyses disclosed that familiarity with brace wearing, order of testing, or a trial effect (i.e., learning) did not alter the performance results. It was concluded that wearing a protective knee brace does not improve performance and may inhibit performance in some asymptomatic athletes. It is suggested that athletes and coaches reexamine the use of prophylactic braces based upon these findings and other research described in this paper.

Specificity of Training on Computer-Obtained Isokinetic Measures

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 7 weeks of isokinetic training on knee extension and flexion peak torque, torque acceleration energy, average power, and total work, and to observe the relationship between the increases in each of the isokinetic measures. Seventeen intercollegiate lacrosse players served as subjects and were assigned to an exercise or control group. Isokinetic training consisted of 3 sets of 25 repetitions at 270 degrees /sec, 3 days per week for 7 weeks on an orthotron isokinetic dynamometer. All subjects were tested on a Cybex(R) isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 60, 180, and 270 degrees /sec pre- and post-exercise or control condition. Results showed a significant training effect at 270 degrees /sec for knee extension peak torque, torque acceleration energy, and average power, and knee flexion torque acceleration energy. High correlations were observed between the increases in peak torque, average power, and torque acceleration energy. These findings suggest that increases in average power, peak torque and instantaneous power may be expected as a result of isokinetic exercise training in healthy athletes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;10(12):495-498.

Use of Mental Preparation Strategies by International Elite Female Lacrosse Players from Five Countries

Fifty-five lacrosse players from five countries (Australia, Canada, England, the United States, and Wales) competing in the 1986 Lacrosse World Cup Tournament completed a questionnaire regarding their use of mental preparation in training and competition. The findings revealed that 81 % of the subjects considered mental preparation to be very important or extremely important in preparing for competition, and only 2% considered it to be unimportant. A one-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference among the countries on 3 of 10 variables studied. A significant difference was demonstrated between lacrosse teams from various countries in the use of visualization/imagery and frequency of dreams about play (Canada made most frequent use). There was also a significant difference in the frequency of mental training received from a trained sport psychologist. Perhaps not coincidentally, the lacrosse team that had the most frequent contact with a trained sport psychologist (Australia) was the most successful team at the tournament.

Relative body fat and anthropometric prediction of body density of male athletes.

Two hundred and seven male members of South Australian representative squads in 18 sports (mean +/- s = 24.2 +/- 4.7 years) were tested in order to provide descriptive data on relative body fat (% BF), develop a population specific equation and cross-validate existing equations. Measurements were taken of 10 circumferences, 2 diameters and 8 skinfolds; body density (BD) was measured by underwater weighing with the residual volume (RV) being determined by He dilution. The overall mean BD was 1.0761 g X cm-3 (s = 0.0085 g X cm-3; range = 1.0465-1.0968 g X cm-3) which corresponded to 10.0% BF according to Siri (s = 3.7%; range = 1.3-23.0%). The games players (n = 129) registered an overall mean of 10.3% BF (s = 3.7%; range = 2.2-23.0%). There were significant differences (p less than 0.05) for % BF between the lacrosse players (mean = 12.3%) an both the Australian Rules footballers (mean = 8.0%) and track and field athletes (mean = 8.7%). A stepwise multiple regression on 185 subjects yielded the following equation, which had an R of 0.787: BD = 1.078865-0.000419 (sigma abdominal, medial calf, front thigh and juxta-nipple skinfolds in mm) +0.000948 (neck circumference in cm) -0.000266 (age in decimal years) -0.000564 (ankle circumference in cm). Only those predictors which resulted in a significantly increased correlation (p less than or equal to 0.05) were included. The standard error of estimate of 0.00537 g X cm-3 was equivalent to 2.3% BF at the mean. This equation was satisfactorily cross-validated against the BD of a separate sample (n = 22) from the same population. However, cross-validation of 11 previously published equations indicated that they have limited applicability to State representative sportsmen.

Clavicular fractures and acromioclavicular joint dislocations in lacrosse: Preventable injuries

Clavicular fractures and acromioclavicular joint dislocations occur frequently in high school lacrosse players. This injury is restricted to attackmen who are struck in the clavicular region by the stick of the defensemen. The conventional foam shoulder pads with or without flexible plastic inserts worn by the attackmen did not protect them from this injury. On the basis of this clinical experience, a new protective shoulder pad containing high-density polyethylene over the clavicle and acromioclavicular joint has been designed and manufactured to prevent these injuries. Our initial experience with this new shoulder pad indicates that it will protect lacrosse players from clavicular fractures and acromioclavicular joint dislocations.