Male Collegiate Athletes Research Articles

Characterizing the Effects of Concussion and Head Impact Exposure: Design, Methods, and Participant Traits of the CARE 2.0 Study.

This article describes the design, methods, and participant characteristics of the second phase of the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium study ("CARE 2.0") of the effects of concussion and repetitive head impact exposure on neuropsychiatric health. The authors conducted a prospective multisite observational study of male and female collegiate athletes and military service academy cadets and midshipmen participating in the CARE study. Participants were assessed at three time points: undergraduate baseline (UB), before departure from university or service academy (exit), and up to 6 years following graduation (postgrad) via an online battery of brain health assessments. Participant characteristics were compared across the three time points and four levels of head impact exposure. A total of 4,643 participants completed the exit assessment, and 3,981 completed the postgrad assessment. Relative to the UB assessment cohort, the exit and postgrad assessment cohorts differed with respect to the percentage of women, baseline Wechsler Test of Adult Reading scores, National Collegiate Athletic Association division category, sport contact level, and number of previous concussions. The median standardized difference across balancing variables, assessment time points, and degree of head impact exposure was 0.12 (with 90% of effect sizes ≤0.29). Although there were some statistically significant differences between participants across assessments, the effect sizes were modest, and overall the data suggest that the exit and postgrad cohorts reflect the characteristics of the baseline cohort. The CARE study design and its large, richly characterized sample provide an opportunity to answer important questions about cumulative and persistent effects of concussion and repetitive head impact exposure on neuropsychiatric health.

Eversion Force Control and Neural Drive to the Peroneus Muscles in Male Collegiate Soccer Athletes With and Without Perceived Ankle Instability

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether individuals with perceived ankle instability (PAI) exhibited lower force control capacity and higher neural drive variability during ankle eversion force control tests compared to individuals without PAI. DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control study. METHODS: We included male collegiate soccer athletes with ( n = 16) and without PAI ( n = 11). Force steadiness and accuracy tests were performed at 10%, 30%, and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction. Neural drive to the peroneal muscles was calculated using high-density surface electromyography. We analyzed force error, force complexity, and force and neural drive variability. RESULTS: Eversion strength was higher in the PAI group (0.36 ± 0.1 N m/kg) ( P = .03). Force error (mean difference [MD], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.31, 0.21), force complexity (approximate entropy) (MD, 0.08; 95% CI: − 0.34, 0.50), force (MD, 0.20; 95% CI: −1.77, 1.36), and neural drive (MD, 1.75; 95% CI: −2.48, 5.91) variability at 10% maximal voluntary contraction did not differ between groups ( P>.05). There were no significant differences between groups in other intensities and variables ( P>.05). CONCLUSION: Eversion force control and neural drive to the peroneal muscles in male collegiate soccer athletes with PAI did not differ from those in athletes without PAI. JOSPT Open 2024;2(4):315-321. Epub 15 July 2024. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2024.0360

Comparative Analysis on Injury Incidence and Characteristics in Men’s Collegiate Athletes between Combat and Ball Sports

PURPOSE: To identify the characteristics of injuries among male collegiate athletes in combat and ball sports during the 2021 season and to propose strategies for injury prevention.METHODS: A total of 143 participants (67 combat and 76 ball sports athletes) registered with the Korean Sports & Olympic Committee in 2021 participated in this study. Each athlete responded to a questionnaire based on the injury survey developed by the International Olympic Committee. The questionnaire collected information on four demographic characteristics and three aspects of sports injuries: injury location, type, and cause. The Chi-squared test was used to compare injuries and determine the association between the two types of sports.RESULTS: The practice injuries and athlete exposures (AEs) recorded were 328 and 141,076 in combat sports and 384 and 142,054 in ball sports, respectively. The injury incidence rates (IRs) were 2.14/1,000 AEs (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89-2.39) and 2.02/1,000 AEs (95% CI, 1.75-2.29) in combat and ball sports, respectively. Furthermore, the most common location, type, and cause of injury associated with both combat and ball sports were the ankles (combat: n=105, 34.8%; ball: n=60, 20.9%), sprain/ligamentous ruptures (combat: n=83, 26.4%; ball: n=96, 28.3%), and overtraining (combat: n=133, 41.7%; ball: n=94, 27.3%), respectively. Combat and ball sports were significantly associated in terms of injury location (Chi-squared =334.771, p<.001), type (Chi-squared=205.099, p<.001), and cause (Chi-squared=40.278, p<.05).CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, implementing an injury surveillance system is crucial for identifying risk factors and developing strategies to prevent injuries in both combat and ball sports. Additionally, coaches, supervisors, and trainers can incorporate specific exercise programs into their training regimens to strengthen anatomy frequently affected by injuries.

A Comparative Study on Running Gait Pattern of Sprinters and Distance Runners

Abstract: The biomechanics of running gait vary significantly between sprinters and distance runners, owing to the unique demands of their respective disciplines. Sprinting is an aggressive and intricate athletic activity that is primarily associated with power and speed, whereas distance running is concerned with efficiency and fluidity of movement. This study was formulated to determine whether sprinters and distance runners would exhibit differences in technique while running at the same speed. 20 male collegiate athletes—10 sprinters and 10 distance runners aged between 17-25 year were selected from the LNIPE. Each subject ran on treadmill at a set pace of 15 km/hr for 5 mins. Spatiotemporal variables (cadence, stride length, run cycle duration, stance phase duration, swing phase duration, propulsion speed) and pelvic kinematic variables (pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic rotation) were measured using BTS G-Walk sensor. Collected data was analysed using independent t-test. The result of the study showed no significant differences (p > .05) between sprinters and distance runners for both the spatiotemporal and the pelvic kinematic variables which suggests that, despite their different training focuses and race distances, sprinters and distance runners exhibit similar gait patterns when running at the same speed.

An investigation on sex-based disparities in male and female collegiate athlete reactive strength index

Reactive strength is the ability to effectively use a fast stretch shortening cycle (SSC) with the eccentric into a concentric contraction (Rebelo et al., 2022, Healthcare, 10, 593). A fast SSC is determined to be <200 ms due to a preliminary study by (Schmidtbleicher & Komi, 1992, Encyclopedia Sports Med. Vol. 3 Strength and Power in Sport) reviewing muscular contractions. Reactive strength is determined through two different metrics used within the literature which are ground contact time (GCT) and jump height (JH) allowing for understanding on how an athlete can utilise the myotatic reflex to react with the floor. Reactive Strength Index (RSI) is typically measured via drop jump (DJ) and 10/5 reactive pogo jumps. A novel way to measure RSI is via a rebound countermovement jump (RCMJ) which utilises RSI-Modified and includes time to take off instead of ground contact time. RSI is an important metric to measure because it has implications within sport-specific metrics like sprinting and jumping (Jarvis et al., 2022, Sports Med, 52, 301-330). However, some of the limitations of RSI are it is a ratio metric, and therefore RSI can mask underpinning metrics. As a result, additional metrics such as such a force, velocity and power can help better understand athlete development and the underpinning key performance indicators. However, many metrics within reactive jumps remain unsearched. Data will be collected from around 16 university athletes aged 18-25 currently competing in sport with at least one year’s experience in resistance training. Data will be collected using Hawkins dynamic force plates, sampling at 1000 Hz, and has recently been reported to be valid and reliable (Badby et al., 2023, Sports, 23, 4820) Participants will be asked to complete 3 DJ, RCMJ and 10/5 jump trials on two separate occasions separated by a minimum of 48 hours. Athletes will be instructed to perform a quiet standing period for 1 second before and after each jump to calculate body weight by the 5 × standard deviation method. Therefore, the study aims to compare the disparities between all three jumps aswell, sexes and the potential implications on performance. Previous studies displayed significant disparities between male and female participants. Therefore, the null hypothesis for this study is to display a non-significant difference across sexes aswell as between jumps. A limitation to this study is controlling the standardisation of variables such as squat depth during all tests.

The toll of the scroll: A path toward burnout

Athletes report using social networking sites, including Instagram, to manage their self-presentations. While on Instagram, they may browse content and interact with others, enabling them to socially compare themselves to other athletes. Less favorable comparisons may contribute to higher burnout perceptions. The purpose of the current study was to (a) examine if the use of Instagram contributed to burnout perceptions and (b) if type of use and social comparison mediated these relationships. Male and female collegiate athletes (N = 162) completed measures of Instagram usage, social comparison, and burnout during their sport season. Latent path analysis using robust maximum likelihood estimation was used to examine the model. Daily time spent on Instagram was directly associated with exhaustion (β = −0.32) and reduced accomplishment (β = −0.21). Browsing was directly associated with exhaustion (β = 0.39), reduced accomplishment (β = 0.38), and sport devaluation (β = 0.27). Interacting was directly associated with devaluation (β = −0.23). Social comparison while using Instagram was directly associated with reduced accomplishment (β = −0.35) and devaluation (β = −0.34). Browsing mediated the relationship between time spent on Instagram and exhaustion (β = 0.13) and reduced accomplishment (β = 0.13). Social comparison was not a mediator. Results suggest that scrolling through posts on Instagram explains why time spent on the platform contributes to burnout perceptions. Comparing oneself favorably to others while using Instagram, independent of time spent on Instagram as well as type of use, may reduce burnout while comparing oneself unfavorably may enhance burnout perceptions.

Nominal Differences in Acute Symptom Presentation and Recovery Duration of Sport-Related Concussion Between Male and Female Collegiate Athletes in the PAC-12

BackgroundSport-related concussion (SRC) is a heterogenous injury that often presents with varied symptoms and impairment. Recently, research has focused on identifying subtypes, or clinical profiles of concussion to be used in assessing and treating athletes with SRC. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex differences in clinical profiles, recovery duration, and initial symptom severity after SRC in a cohort of collegiate athletes in the Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12).MethodsThis prospective cohort study examined post-SRC symptoms, recovery, and return-to-play times using data from the Pac-12 CARE Affiliated Program and Pac-12 Health Analytics Program. Clinical profiles reported by student-athletes were defined by the number (> 50%) of specific symptoms frequently reported for each profile. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine associations among sex, clinical profiles, time-to-recovery, and return-to-play times.Results479 concussion incidents met inclusion criteria. The probabilities of initial presentation of each clinical profile, initial injury severity scores, and recovery times within a profile did not differ between sexes (p = 0.33–0.98). However, both males and females had > 0.75 probabilities of exhibiting cognitive and ocular profiles. Initial injury severity score was a strong nonlinear predictor of initial number of clinical profiles (p < 0.0001), which did not differ between sexes. The number of clinical profiles was also a nonlinear predictor of time-to-recovery (p = 0.03) and return-to-play times (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsInitial symptom severity was strongly predictive of the number of acute clinical profiles experienced post-SRC. As the number of clinical profiles increased, time-to-recovery and time to return-to-play also increased. Factors other than sex may be better associated with acute symptom presentation post-concussion as no sex differences were found in reported clinical profiles or recovery. Understanding the number and type of clinical profiles experienced post-SRC may help inform concussion diagnostics and management.

Association between the experience of exertional heat illness (EHI) and living conditions of collegiate student athletes.

Exertional heatstroke (EHS), a severe form of exertional heat illness (EHI), is the third leading cause of death in athletes; thus, early detection and prevention of EHI can help prevent EHS, which is a life-threatening condition. This study aimed to clarify the association between the cognizance of experiencing EHI and living conditions and specific EHI symptoms among collegiate athletes. This study was conducted in October 2022 by administering a questionnaire to 237 male collegiate athletes. Of the 215 (90.7%) respondents, 197 (91.6%) provided valid responses; among them, 88 (44.7%) responded they had experienced EHI, while 109 (55.3%) had not. A history of medical examinations due to EHI, having experienced headaches during summer activities, and having read the EHI manual were factors indicating cognizance of EHI. The number of times meals containing a staple food, main dish, and side dish were eaten in a day was a factor in preventing EHI. Early detection of EHI is important for its prevention, and it is important that athletes themselves have knowledge of symptoms and can correctly self-diagnose EHI. Emphasizing the potential of a well-balanced dietary intake has the potential to prevent EHI is crucial.

Characteristics of non-exercise activity thermogenesis in male collegiate athletes under real-life conditions.

Athletes experience high total energy expenditure; therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics of the components contributing to this expenditure. To date, few studies have examined particularly the volume and activity intensity of non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) in athletes compared to non-athletes under real-life conditions. This study aimed to determine the volume and intensity of NEAT in collegiate athletes. Highly trained Japanese male collegiate athletes (n = 21) and healthy sedentary male students (n = 12) participated in this study. All measurements were obtained during the athletes' regular training season under real-life conditions. NEAT was calculated using metabolic equivalent (MET) data using an accelerometer. The participants were asked to wear a validated triaxial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Physical activity intensity in NEAT was classified into sedentary (1.0-1.5 METs), light (1.6-2.9 METs), moderate (3.0-5.9 METs), and vigorous (≥6 METs) intensity. NEAT was significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes (821 ± 185 kcal/day vs. 643 ± 164 kcal/day, p = 0.009). Although there was no significant difference in NEAT values relative to body weight (BW) between the groups (athletes: 10.5 ± 1.7 kcal/kg BW/day, non-athletes: 10.4 ± 2.2 kcal/kg BW/day, p = 0.939), NEAT to BW per hour was significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes (0.81 ± 0.16 kcal/kg BW/h vs. 0.66 ± 0.12 kcal/kg BW/h, p = 0.013). Athletes spent less time in sedentary and light-intensity activities and more time in vigorous-intensity activities than non-athletes (p < 0.001, p = 0.019, and p = 0.030, respectively). Athletes expended more energy on vigorous- and moderate-intensity activities than non-athletes (p = 0.009 and p = 0.011, respectively). This study suggests that athletes' NEAT relative to BW per day is similar to that of non-athletes, but athletes spend less time on NEAT, which makes them more active in their daily lives when not exercising and sleeping.

Prevalence, Performance and Predictors of Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Male Black Athletes: A Retrospective Study

Introduction QRS voltages for electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) are more prominent in Black athletes than non-Black athletes. The underlying physiological relationships of ECG-LVH in BA remain enigmatic despite their greater predisposition to arterial hypertension. Objectives To determine the frequency of eight eponymous ECG-LVH criteria in male collegiate athletes in Nigeria; To determine the diagnostic performance of the most prevalent criteria; To determine the predictors of ECG-LVH. Methods 34 (thirty-four) athletes and 49 (forty-nine) non-athletic controls with normal electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were retrospectively recruited from an existing pre-participation screening cohort. They were all normotensive, non-obese and normoglycemic, and matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Results The four most frequent criteria were Sokolow-Lyon index (67.6% vs. 36.7%; χ2 = 7.7; p = .006), Romhilt’s criterion (52.9% vs. 8.2%; χ2 = 20.6; p &lt; .001), Peguero-Lo Presti criterion (38.2% vs. 22.4%; χ2 = 2.43; p &lt; .144), and Mazzoleni’s criterion (35.3% vs. 4.1%; χ2 = 13.95; p &lt; .001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of these criteria ranged between 23.8%–57.1%, 38.5%–53.9%, and 32.4%–50.0%, respectively. Athletic activity (OR = 4.49; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.63–12.36; p = .004) and lower BMI (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.63–0.97; p = .026) were independent predictors of ECG-LVH by the Sokolow-Lyon criterion. Conclusions Voltage ECG-LVH criteria all poorly predict the presence of echocardiographic LVH in young male Black athletes. However, the Sokolow-Lyon criterion seems to be associated with a benign cardio-metabolic profile in such athletes and appears hypothetically superior to other voltage criteria for identifying physiological cardiac remodeling in them. This hypothesis should be tested in future studies.

Validity of using perceived exertion to assess muscle fatigue during bench press exercise

BACKGROUND: Muscle fatigue is nearly unavoidable during resistance exercise, yet evaluating it in such circumstances can be challenging. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) as a measure of muscle fatigue during non-explosive bench press (BP) exercise. METHODS: Fifteen male collegiate athletes participated in three BP tasks set at 65% of their one-repetition maximum. The RPE, spectral fatigue index (SFI), and velocity loss were measured across different experimental conditions. RESULTS: Significant effects were observed across different experimental conditions for the overall RPE, average velocity loss, and average SFI (all p&lt; 0.001). As the lifting tasks progressed, there were significant increases in the RPE, velocity loss, and SFI (p&lt; 0.001). Additionally, significant differences were observed between the experimental conditions in the RPE (p&lt; 0.001), SFI (p&lt; 0.001), and velocity loss (p&lt; 0.01). A significantly stronger (p&lt; 0.05) correlation was observed between the RPE and SFI (r= 0.68, df= 117, p&lt; 0.001) than between the velocity loss and SFI (r= 0.51, df= 117, p&lt; 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The corresponding changes observed in the RPE, velocity loss, and SFI suggest that both the RPE and velocity loss can be used as indicators of muscle fatigue during non-explosive BP exercise. However, due to the strong correlation between the RPE and SFI, RPE is more effective for reflecting muscle fatigue in non-explosive resistance exercise settings. Regarding ease of use, the RPE is more suitable than velocity loss for assessing muscle fatigue in training scenarios.

Ultrasound shear wave speeds reduced following hamstring strain injury but not after returning to sport

ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to investigate differences in ultrasound shear wave speed (SWS) between uninjured and injured limbs following hamstring strain injury (HSI) at time of injury (TOI), return to sport (RTS), and 12 weeks after RTS (12wks).MethodsThis observational, prospective, cross-sectional design included male and female collegiate athletes who sustained an HSI. SWS imaging was performed at TOI, RTS, and 12wks with magnetic resonance imaging. SWS maps were acquired by a musculoskeletal-trained sonographer at the injury location of the injured limb and location-matched on the contralateral limb. The average SWS from three 5 mm diameter Q-boxes on each limb were used for analysis. A linear mixed effects model was performed to determine differences in SWS between limbs across the study time points.ResultsSWS was lower in the injured limb compared to the contralateral limb at TOI (uninjured – injured limb difference: 0.23 [0.05, 0.41] m/s, p = 0.006). No between-limb differences in SWS were observed at RTS (0.15 [-0.05, 0.36] m/s, p = 0.23) or 12wks (-0.11 [-0.41, 0.18] m/s, p = 0.84).ConclusionsThe SWS in the injured limb of collegiate athletes after HSI was lower compared to the uninjured limb at TOI but not at RTS or 12 weeks after RTS.Critical relevance statementHamstring strain injury with structural disruption can be detected by lower injured limb shear wave speed compared to the uninjured limb. Lack of between-limb differences at return to sport may demonstrate changes consistent with healing. Shear wave speed may complement traditional ultrasound or MRI for monitoring muscle injury.Key points• Ultrasound shear wave speed can non-invasively measure tissue elasticity in muscle injury locations.• Injured limb time of injury shear wave speeds were lower versus uninjured limb but not thereafter.• Null return to sport shear wave speed differences may correspond to structural changes associated with healing.• Shear wave speed may provide quantitative measures for monitoring muscle elasticity during recovery.Graphical

Lacertus Syndrome in a Male Collegiate Tennis Athlete: A Level 4 Case Report

A 24-year-old male collegiate tennis athlete presented with pain, weakness, and numbness consistent with the ulnar nerve distribution in the left distal upper extremity following excessive wrist and forearm flexion and pronation. The patient was diagnosed with lacertus syndrome after referral for imaging. Lacertus syndrome is an exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm, typically including median nerve entrapment and surgical intervention. The uniqueness of this case included ulnar nerve involvement and resolution with interprofessional conservative management. Athletic trainers should consider including other health care professionals to conservatively manage lacertus syndrome in patients with delayed symptom onset during repetitive wrist and forearm activities.

A comparison of morning priming exercise using traditional-set and cluster-set configurations on afternoon explosive performance.

The impact of two priming exercise protocols using traditional (TS) or cluster-set (CS) arrangements on explosive performance 6 hours later were examined. Sixteen male collegiate athletes performed three testing sessions (one baseline without any prior exercise in the morning and two experimental sessions) separated by 72 hours. Participants completed two morning (9-11 am) priming protocols in a randomized order, either using a TS (no rest between repetitions) or CS (30 seconds of rest between repetitions) configuration. The protocols consisted of 3 sets × 3 repetitions of barbell back squat at 85% of 1 repetition maximum, with 4 minutes of rest between sets. In the afternoon (3-5 pm) of each trial, after a 6-hour rest period, a physical test battery was conducted that replicated baseline testing, including countermovement jump, 20-meter straight-line sprint, and T-test abilities. Across both conditions, participants exhibited increased countermovement jump height, 20-meter sprint time and T-test time compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Improvements in countermovement jump height (+4.4 ± 5.4%; P = 0.008) and 20-meter sprint time (+1.3 ± 1.7%; P = 0.022), but not T-test time (+1.1 ± 3.3%; P = 0.585), were significantly greater for CS than TS. In conclusion, compared to a traditional set arrangement, a morning-based priming protocol using a cluster-set configuration led to superior explosive performance benefits in the afternoon.

A comparative study of lower limb strength during vertical jump of male college students in table tennis, badminton and tennis

The objectives of this paper are to explore the correlation of kinetic indices of SJ (squat jump) and CMJ (counter-movement jump) and the differences of lower limb strength mechanics indexes of table tennis, badminton and tennis players under SJ and CMJ. This study included 60 male collegiate athletes, 20 each from table tennis, badminton, and tennis. Subjects performed SJ and CMJ tests on a force platform and the vertical jump data were analyzed. Table tennis, badminton and tennis players demonstrated significant differences in the SJ and CMJ assessments. Badminton players outperformed table tennis players in terms of peak power (PP) (p = 0.005) and peak velocity (PV) (p = 0.017). Badminton players beat table tennis players in PV (p = 0.028), PP (p = 0.022), fast twitch fibers (FTF) (p = 0.033) and pre-stretch effect (EP) (p = 0.0004). Tennis players exhibited lower peak force (PF) (p = 0.006) indicators than badminton players. For athletes in all three sports, the SJ test markers (vertical jump displacement, PF, PP and PV) demonstrated a strong positive correlation. There was a highly significant positive correlation between VJD and PF, PP, PV and FTF among badminton players. Significant positive connections were discovered between PF, PP, PV, FTF and EP, as well as between PP and PV and FTF and EP. PV and FTF had a very strong positive correlation, as did EP, PV and FTF. College badminton players had higher vertical jumps than table tennis and tennis players. In addition to vertical jump height, PP (power production), PV (power velocity) and FTF (force-time factors) are important markers for assessing the success of vertical jumps in athletes’ daily training. These findings can assist coaches and athletes develop better vertical jump training programs.

Blood biomarkers for estimating energy intake in Japanese male collegiate athletes: a pilot study

BackgroundAthletes should be informed of their required energy intake in preparation for sports competitions. However, the environment in which dietary surveys can be conducted to determine the required energy intake for sports competitions is limited, and such survey will require a substantial amount of time and effort from athletes and dietitians. If certain biomarkers for estimating the energy intake can be identified, they may compensate for the shortcomings of these dietary surveys. We aimed to identify the blood biomarkers to estimate the energy intake/basal metabolic rate ratio of male athletes.MethodsTwenty-six male athletes from a university physical education department were included and underwent measurements of height, weight, and body composition, as well as blood sampling. The dietary assessment included a 3-day dietary recall and collection of meal photographs. The basal metabolic rate was estimated using the lean body mass, while the daily energy intake/basal metabolic rate ratio was used as an index to determine the energy intake. From the 36 selected blood biomarkers, we identified the independent biomarkers for inclusion in the multiple regression analysis by assessing for pairwise correlations and multicollinearity. A formula for estimating the energy intake/basal metabolic rate was then developed using the stepwise method. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsOverall, 18 of the 36 blood biomarkers were selected, and multiple regression analysis revealed that triiodothyronine, white blood cell count, and triglyceride level were significant factors that can be used to estimate the energy intake/basal metabolic rate, accounting for 60.4% of the variance. No systematic errors were observed in the estimated values, calculated using the estimation formula and dietary assessment results.ConclusionsA combination of free triiodothyronine level, white blood cell count, and triglyceride level can be used for estimating the energy intake/basal metabolic rate of male athletes, thus compensating for the shortcomings of dietary surveys.

56 Investigating the Moderating Effect of Family Psychiatric History on the Association Between Concussion History and Elevated Symptom Endorsement

Objective:Prior research has found that a greater history of concussion is associated with subtle increases in symptom endorsement. Recent work indicates that a family history of psychiatric disorder is a potential risk factor for prolonged recovery following a single injury. While greater symptom endorsement is observed among those with a personal psychiatric history, the potential role of family psychiatric history in elevated symptom endorsement in the context of repeated concussion has not been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine whether family psychiatric history moderates the association of concussion history and elevated symptom endorsement in active collegiate athletes.Participants and Methods:A total of 176 (mean age = 21.19 ± 1.63; 116 male) collegiate athletes completed this study at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Participant’s family psychiatric history was collected through a modified Family History Screen (FHS) regarding the participant’s biological parents, siblings, and children, focusing on questions relating to major depressive disorder (MDD; 3 total questions) and general psychiatric history (5 total questions). Concussion history was assessed through a semi-structured interview using American College of Rehabilitation Medicine criteria for mild traumatic brain injury. Concussion symptoms were measured via the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-5) and psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). General linear models tested the association of the number of prior concussions with log-transformed SCAT-5 and BSI-18 scores. Additional general linear models were fit to assess the effects of number of prior concussions, family psychiatric history (MDD family history and general family history, each coded as Yes/No), and the interaction of prior concussion and family psychiatric history on log-transformed SCAT-5 and BSI-18 scores. Sex was included as a covariate in all models.Results:More prior concussions were significantly associated with greater symptom severity scores on the SCAT-5 (x2=26.87, p&lt;0.001, unstandardized beta[B](standard error[SE])=0.25(0.05)) and BSI-18 (x2=20.94, p&lt;0.00, B(SE)=0.19(0.04)). For the models investigating the effects of family psychiatric history, neither the main effect of MDD family history nor the MDD family history by prior concussion interaction were significant for either the SCAT-5 (ps&gt;0.05) or BSI-18 (ps&gt;0.05). Similarly, for the general history model, neither the main effect of general family psychiatric history nor the interaction of general family psychiatric history and number of prior concussions were significant for either the SCAT-5 (ps&gt;0.05) or BSI-18 (ps&gt;0.05). For both the MDD family history and general psychiatric family history models, the number of prior concussions remained positively associated with subjective symptoms on both the SCAT-5 (X2=20.10, p&lt;0.001, and x2=23.50, p&lt;0.001) and BSI-18 (x2=16.46, p&lt;0.001, and x2=20.68, p&lt;0.001).Conclusions:The results of the current study provide further evidence for a relationship between elevated sub-clinical symptom endorsement and the number of prior concussions in active, collegiate athletes. The results do not, however, support the hypothesis that the association between prior concussion and an athletes’ level of symptom endorsement are moderated by the family psychiatric history. Additional research is needed to determine what factors predispose some individuals to the adverse chronic effects of repeated concussion.

Cardiac changes in collegiate athletes following SARS-CoV-2 infection and quarantine: a prospective Case-Control study

Objective Athletes are susceptible to acute respiratory tract infections, including SARS-CoV-2, which can affect cardiovascular function. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection and quarantine on cardiac function in male and female collegiate athletes. Methods We conducted a single-center, prospective, case-control study and performed transthoracic echocardiography in a diverse group of convalescent SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes following a 10–14–day quarantine, matched to non-SARS-CoV-2 athletes. Data collection occurred from August 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021. Results We evaluated 61 SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes (20 ± 1 years, 39% female) and 61 controls (age 20 ± 2 years, 39% female). Echocardiography in SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes was performed on average 40 ± 38 days after infection diagnosis. All SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes had clinically normal systolic left ventricular function (LVEF > 50%). However, SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes exhibited mildly lower LVEF compared to controls (65 ± 6% vs. 72 ± 8%, respectively, p < 0.001), which remained significant when evaluated separately for female and male athletes. Sub-analysis revealed these differences occurred only when imaging occurred within a mean average of 27 days of infection, with a longer recovery period (≥27 days) resulting in no differences. SARS-CoV-2-positive male athletes exhibited higher left ventricular end-diastolic volume and mitral filling velocities compared to male controls. Conclusion Our study reveals unique sex-specific cardiac changes in collegiate athletes following SARS-CoV-2 infection and quarantine compared to controls. Despite a mild reduction in LVEF, which was only observed in the first weeks following infection, no clinically significant cardiac abnormalities were observed. Further research is required to understand if the changes in LVEF are directly attributed to the infection or indirectly through exercise restrictions resulting from quarantine.

Differences In Perceived Soreness Between Male And Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes

Differences In Perceived Soreness Between Male And Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes

Hip Strength Changes Over The Course Of 1 Year Between Male And Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes

Hip Strength Changes Over The Course Of 1 Year Between Male And Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes