Male Student-athletes Research Articles

The Influence of an Alpha Band Neurofeedback Training in Heart Rate Variability in Athletes.

Neurofeedback training is a technique which has seen a widespread use in clinical applications, but has only given its first steps in the sport environment. Therefore, there is still little information about the effects that this technique might have on parameters, which are relevant for athletes’ health and performance, such as heart rate variability, which has been linked to physiological recovery. In the sport domain, no studies have tried to understand the effects of neurofeedback training on heart rate variability, even though some studies have compared the effects of doing neurofeedback or heart rate biofeedback training on performance. The main goal of the present study was to understand if alpha-band neurofeedback training could lead to increases in heart rate variability. 30 male student-athletes, divided into two groups, (21.2 ± 2.62 year 2/week protocol and 22.6 ± 1.1 year 3/week protocol) participated in the study, of which three subjects were excluded. Both groups performed a pre-test, a trial session and 12 neurofeedback sessions, which consisted of 25 trials of 60 s of a neurofeedback task, with 5 s rest in-between trials. The total neurofeedback session time for each subject was 300 min in both groups. Throughout the experiment, electroencephalography and heart rate variability signals were recorded. Only the three sessions/week group revealed significant improvements in mean heart rate variability at the end of the 12 neurofeedback sessions (p = 0.05); however, significant interaction was not found when compared with both groups. It is possible to conclude that neurofeedback training of individual alpha band may induce changes in heart rate variability in physically active athletes.

The Impact of Resistance Training on Gene Expression of IGF1 and Athletes’ Physiological Parameters

AIM: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of a resistance training program for 8 weeks on IGF1, gene expression, and physical performance in male student-athletes. METHODS: The population of this study was 20 male students divided to two equal groups. The parameters estimated were IGF1, gene expression, and muscle strength testing. Blood was drawn to verify the concentration of the variables, using kits and Elisa method in addition to the PCR technique. RESULTS: The results revealed that a significant increase in IGF1, gene expression was different between students. Furthermore, muscle strength testing revealed significant changes. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that resistance training program may impact fitness and muscle strength as well the anabolic activity through IGF1 increase accompanied by varied gene expressions.

High-Revenue Athletics Institutional Policies and Practices Aligned with Key Resources for STEM Career Development

This study sought to explore the ways in which athletics departments within high-revenue National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I universities established institutional policies and practices aligned with providing key science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career development resources. These resources were derived from an earlier study focused on Black male student-athletes in high-revenue Division I athletics. The athletics department websites of a sample of high-revenue Atlantic Coast Conference institutions were reviewed seeking evidence of such policy and practice alignment with STEM career development. The resources identified from this review included explicit programming and student-athlete experiences for career, personal, and cultural identity development; designated institutional support personnel, including academic advisers, career counselors, and learning specialists, with the potential to provide personalized social support and academic support; and tutoring and study hall as additional academic support practices. The need for equity and student-centeredness is discussed in light of the implementation of each of these resources, as well as considerations of the impact of athletics departments demonstrating leadership and accountability in administering these resources, as compared to university-wide departments of academic and student affairs.

Five-year cohort study of White-British male student-athletes’ attitudes toward gay men

ABSTRACT While sport has traditionally been a hostile environment for gay men, attitudes toward homosexuality among youth in the West have changed significantly in recent years. This research uses Herek’s Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale, Revised Version (ATLG-R) scale to investigate attitudes toward homosexuality among 243 undergraduate male students in the UK. Results revealed no significant differences in student attitudes toward gay men in the first two years, but significantly more positive attitudes onward from the third. Overall, incoming attitudinal dispositions of homophobia among young male student-athletes were minimal. Anderson’s Inclusive Masculinity Theory (IMT) is used to explain these findings, with the results supporting existing literature concerning positive attitudes toward homosexuality among young, sporting men in the UK.

Extending the Scholar Baller Model to Support and Cultivate the Development of Academically Gifted Black Male Student-Athletes

Professional athletes and entertainers are often identified as the source of emulation for young males, especially Black males. With far less romanticized career representations than those in the athletic arena, many Black families foster, knowingly and unknowingly, a polarized path to elusive goals of a professional athletic career. Explicitly focusing on academically gifted Black males who are also athletically talented, gifted education teachers have an opportunity to support and cultivate dual identity development complement both athletic and scholar identities, acknowledging the cultural significance sport and athletics play. This article seeks to provide gifted education teachers with a framework to fulfill these goals—the Scholar Baller Model. Through its integration into the curriculum, gifted education teachers can enrich the pre-college experiences of academically and athletically gifted Black males, resulting in more positive convergence of their academic and athletic identities that will, in turn, cultivate more positive educational outcomes and career options for collegiate-level Black athletes.

Head Impact Exposure in American High School Football and Ice Hockey: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To prospectively investigate the relationship between head impact (HI) exposure, neuropsychological performance, and reported symptoms in youth football and ice hockey players in the United States. We hypothesized that exposure to greater linear and rotational forces would be associated with neuropsychological inefficiency and increased symptoms. <h3>Design</h3> Longitudinal prospective cohort over the course of one year. <h3>Setting</h3> General community. <h3>Participants</h3> Volunteer sample comprised of male student-athletes with current or planned participation in American football or ice hockey who were within 90 days of starting 10th or 11th grades (N=34). Those who had significant developmental, academic, or neurologic history or did not complete one year follow up (n=9) were excluded. <h3>Interventions</h3> Not applicable. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Linear and rotational acceleration/deceleration forces were measured via helmet sensors (football) and mouth guards (ice hockey). Participant background (past medical history of specific learning disorder, attention disorder, mood or anxiety disorder, or headache/migraine), neuropsychological testing (ImPACT, paper/pencil measures), concussion history, and symptom report (PCSS) were gathered during preseason (PS) and at one year follow up (FU). Neuropsychological inefficiency (NPI, Beauchamp, 2015) at FU and change in total reported symptoms were calculated. <h3>Results</h3> Participant background and previous concussion were associated with increased odds of NPI (all odds ratios=5.57-15.76, all ps=0.24-0.27) and symptom increase at FU (all OR=1.56-5.57, all p=0.26-0.85), albeit none were statistically significant. No significant associations were observed for HI exposure variables. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In this pilot study, we did not observe statistically significant associations between HI exposure and neuropsychological inefficiency or increased symptoms at one year follow up. Larger studies with a broader participant pool (e.g., additional contact sports, females) and longer-term follow-up are warranted to corroborate these findings. If the present findings are substantiated, results would support safe participation in contact sports. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.

Different Effect of Static Stretching and Neurodynamic Technique in Increasing Hamstring Flexibility on Hamstring Tightness

Background : Poor hamstring muscle flexibility is one of the most common risk factors for hamstring injuries. This poor flexibility condition often occurs in individuals who experience hamstring tightness. Static stretching and neurodynamic technique are exercise to increase flexibility of hamstring muscle. Purpose : This study study aims to determine the difference in the effect of static stretching and neurodynamic technique exercises in increasing hamstring muscle flexibility on hamstring tightness. Material/Methods : Quasi experimental pre and post test two group design. 16 male student athletes who were randomly divided into 2 groups, static stretching exercises group and neurodynamic technique exercises group. Each group consists of 8 people. The hamstring flexibility measurement used in this study is the straight leg raise (SLR) examination, and will be evaluated in four weeks. Result : The static stretching exercise intervention had a significant effect on the flexibility of the hamstring muscles (p < 0.05). Likewise, the neurodynamic technique exercise intervention also had a significant effect on hamstring muscle flexibility (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the increase in hamstring muscle flexibility after being given both exercise (p > 0.05).

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERSONAL ISSUES RELATED STRESS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENT ATHLETES

Student athletes have to balance numerous demands such as academic pursuit, training and competition, thus these could bring stress and challenges. This study examined personal issues as sources of stress experienced by university student athletes. A total of 273 student athletes (Males = 160, Females = 113; Age = 20.4 + 2.5 years) participated in this study. A 16-item questionnaire was adopted from the Organizational Stress Inventory developed by Fletcher and Hanton (2003). The inventory was divided into three sub-scales of ‘nutrition’, ‘injury’, and goals and expectations’. The results suggested that both male and female student athletes were stressed, in order of importance by ‘nutrition’, ‘injury’ and ‘goal &amp; expectation’ respectively. Inferential statistics showed that there were no significant differences in ‘nutrition’, ‘injury’ sub-scales according to gender. However, for the ‘goal and expectations’ sub-scale, there was a statistically significant difference in ‘unclear goals’ and ‘tension because of personal goals within the team’ where male athletes demonstrated higher stress than female athletes. The findings are important to coaches and sport managers in addressing personal issues among athletes. More research is needed to include athletes from other educational institutions and from national sport associations.

Moving Beyond the Question of Education or Exploitation: The Dynamic Experiences of Black Male Student-Athletes

When discussing the Black male student-athlete, dominant perspectives argue that they are being educated while another perspective argues that this population is being exploited. This article moves beyond the question of whether Black male student-athletes are being educated or exploited as we argue that both can happen. Utilizing Critical Race Theory, we highlight dominant perspectives about Black male student-athletes as well as offer an analysis of their experiences. The article provides the presentation of a fictive counterstory that portrays the notion that this population can experience education and exploitation. We conclude by offering a discussion about approaches that institutions and athletic departments can take to better serve Black male student-athletes, including adopting the Excellence Beyond Athletics approach (Cooper, 2016).

Male Student Athlete's Perceived of Mental Health Illness and Awareness

Please enjoy Volume 7, Issue 1 of the JSMAHS. In this issue, you will find Professional, Graduate, and Undergraduate research abstracts, and case reports. Thank you for viewing this 7th Annual OATA Special Edition.

Epidemiology Of Sports-related Fatalities In High School Organized Sports In Japan

Detailed epidemiological data is crucial for development of the evidence-based prevention strategies for catastrophic injuries. Although sports-related fatalities occur every year at the high school level in Japan, the limited literature has examined the incidence rate. PURPOSE: To describe the frequency and incidence rate of sports-related fatalities that happened during school organized sports at Japanese high schools by cause and sports. METHODS: A total of 114 sports-related fatality claims data submitted to Japan Sports Council (JSC) Injury and Accident Mutual Aid Benefit System through 2009 to 2018 were provided to the authors by JSC. Incidents that resulted directly from participation in the fundamental skill of sports (direct cause) and those caused by systemic failure as a result of exertion while participating in the sports (indirect cause) were included for the further analyses (n = 63). Descriptive statistics were calculated with frequency and proportion by cause (direct vs. indirect), sex, and sports. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 athlete-years (AY) by cause and average incidence rates of the study period per 100,000 AY with 95% confidence interval (CI) by sports were calculated, respectively. RESULTS: Sixteen direct (25.4%) and 47 indirect (74.6%) fatalities were reported between 2009 and 2018. The majority of the fatalities were in male student-athletes (n = 60/63, 95.2%). Annual incidence rates of direct and indirect fatalities both declined from 2009 to 2018; direct fatalities from 0.36 to 0.07/100,000AY and indirect fatalities from 0.50 to 0.00/100,000AY. Male baseball (n = 12/63, 19.0%), male judo (n = 9/63, 14.3%), male rugby (n = 7/63, 11.1%), male soccer/futsal (n = 6/63, 9.5%), and male basketball (n = 6/63, 9.5%) were the top five sports that reported sports-related deaths in the study period. Male judo yielded the highest average incidence rate of 4.41/100,000AY (95% CI = 0.68-8.15). CONCLUSION: The annual incidence rates of sports-related direct and indirect fatalities declined through 2009 to 2018. The fatalities affected mostly male student-athletes. Although male baseball reported the greatest number of fatalities in the study period, the risk was highest in male judo when adjusted by participation as indicated by the average incidence rates.

Student-Athletes and Counseling Services: Recommendations for Identifying and Developing Referral Sources

ABSTRACT The current article describes recommendations for identifying and developing referral sources for student-athletes seeking counseling services. A Counseling Center at a northeastern state university collected data from student-athletes presenting for mental health services about who referred them and what sport they played. Findings indicated a disparity between the number of female student-athletes presenting for services and male student-athletes as well as more student-athletes presenting for services during the Fall semester than the Spring semester. It was also found that athletic trainers and coaches were the biggest referral sources to university counseling services. Recommendations for other Counseling Centers are provided in creating and improving upon referral sources for student-athletes.

Epidemiology of sudden death in organized school sports in Japan

BackgroundNearly half of the sudden deaths documented in Japanese middle and high school occurred during school organized sport activities. However, no study to date has calculated the incidence rates of these deaths by sport. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the epidemiology of sudden death in organized school sports in Japan.MethodsData submitted to Japan Sport Council (JSC) Injury and Accident Mutual Aid Benefit System between 2005 and 2016 were retrieved from JSC website for analysis (n = 1137). Case information on fatal incidents that occurred during organized school sports in middle and high school students were extracted for analysis (n = 198). Descriptive statistics about activity type, sex, sport, cause of death, and presence of on-site trained medical personnel were calculated using frequencies and proportions. Sudden death incidence rates were expressed per 100,000 athlete-years with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsThe overall incidence rate of sports-related death was 0.38 deaths per 100,000 athlete-years (95%CI = 0.30, 0.45). Only three cases (2%) reported having trained medical personnel on-site at the time of death. Most deaths were in male student athletes (n = 149/162, 92%), with 7.5 times greater fatality rate in male compared to female student athletes (incidence rate ratio, 7.5; 95%CI = 4.43, 13.22). Baseball (n = 25/162, 15.4%), judo (n = 24/162, 14.8%), soccer/futsal (n = 20/162, 12.3%), and basketball (n = 18/162, 11.1%) accounted for 53.7% of deaths. Accounting for the number of participants in the respective sport, the three highest average incident rates of death were reported in rugby (4.59 deaths per 100,000 athlete-years, 95%CI = 2.43, 6.75), judo (3.76 deaths per 100,000 athlete-years, 95%CI = 1.58, 5.93), and baseball (0.59 deaths per 100,000 athlete-years, 95%CI = 0.38, 0.79). The top three causes of death were sudden cardiac arrest (n = 68/162, 42.0%), head trauma (n = 32/162, 19.8%), and heat related injury (n = 25/162, 15.4%).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the highest rates of sports-related death among Japanese student athletes were observed in the following: rugby, male athletes, and during practices. The leading cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest.

Relationships among Student-Athletes' Identity, Mental Health, and Social Support in Japanese Student-Athletes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The purpose of the two studies was to investigate the relationships among student athletes’ identity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between perceived social support from teammates and mental health in student-athletes. Two studies were conducted to investigate and clarify the mental health states of student-athletes in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Study 1, conducted in April 2020, the participants were 402 male student-athletes and we examined the relationships among student-athletes’ identity and mental health. The results of correlational analyses indicated significant negative correlations between the degree of student-athletes’ identity and depression and sports helplessness. In Study 2, conducted in March 2021, the participants were 135 male student-athletes and examined the relationship between perceived social support from teammates, student-athletes’ identity, and mental health. The results indicated a significant correlation between social support, student athletes’ identity, and mental health.

Injuries in Irish male and female collegiate athletes

ObjectiveTo understand the incidence and burden of injury of student-athletes in four of the most popular collegiate sports. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingCollegiate sport. ParticipantsGaelic football, hurling/Camogie, soccer and Rugby (n = 672; male = 416, female = 256) student-athletes. Main outcome measureInjury incidence, burden of injury and total, match and training injury rates, and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The frequencies and proportions were also calculated. An injury was defined as any physical condition that prevents a student-athlete from full participation for a period greater than 24 h. ResultsOver a quarter (0.266) of student-athletes sustained an injury in the academic season. Male student-athletes had a higher injury rate than females (21.6 vs 11.3 injuries/1000 h). Rugby (20.8 injuries/1000 h) had the highest injury rates with hurling/Camogie (6.3 injuries/1000 h) the lowest. Lower extremity injuries were predominant (68.8%) with ankle sprains demonstrating a large burden for all sports (20.6-280.2 days absent/1000 h). Hamstring strains (13.7-118.4 days absent/1000 h) had a large burden for all sports except male Rugby. Knee sprains had a large burden on the female Gaelic footballer (84.8 days absent/1000 h). Sprinting (27.4%) and the tackle (20.1%) were the most common mechanism of injury. Injuries were predominantly moderate (8–28 days) or severe (>28 days) (84.7%). ConclusionInjury reduction needs to be prioritised in the student-athlete, particularly in males. Specific focus is required on the lower extremity, especially in the hamstring muscles and ankle joint owing to the large burden of injury.

The Association Between Alterations in Redox Homeostasis, Cortisol, and Commonly Used Objective and Subjective Markers of Fatigue in American Collegiate Football.

To assess associations between a free oxygen radical test (FORT), free oxygen radical defense test (FORD), oxidative stress index, urinary cortisol, countermovement jump (CMJ), and subjective wellness in American college football. Twenty-three male student athlete American college football players were assessed over 10 weeks: off-season conditioning (3wk), preseason camp (4wk), and in season (3wk). Assessments included a once-weekly FORT and FORD blood sample, urinary cortisol sample, CMJ assessment including flight time, reactive strength index modified and concentric impulse, and a daily subjective wellness questionnaire. Linear mixed models analyzed the effect of a 2 within-subject SD change in the predictor variable on the dependent variable. The effects were interpreted using magnitude-based inference and are presented as standardized effect size (ES) ± 90% confidence intervals. Small negative associations were observed between FORT-flight time, FORT-fatigue, FORT-soreness (ES range = -0.30 to -0.48), FORD-sleep (ES = 0.42 ± 0.29), and oxidative stress index soreness (ES = 0.56 ± 0.29). Small positive associations were observed between FORT-cortisol (ES = 0.36 ± 0.35), FORD-flight time, FORD reactive strength index modified and FORD-soreness (0.37-0.41), oxidative stress index concentric impulse (ES = 0.37 ± 0.28), and with soreness-concentric impulse, soreness-flight time, and soreness reactive strength index modified (0.33-0.59). Moderate positive associations were observed between cortisol-concentric impulse and cortisol-sleep (0.57-0.60). FORT/FORD was associated with CMJ variables and subjective wellness. Greater amounts of subjective soreness were associated with decreased CMJ performance, increased FORT and cortisol, and decreased FORD.

Racial, ethnic, and sex differences in heavy drinking and negative alcohol-related consequences in a national sample of NCAA student-athlete drinkers

Objective: Athletic involvement is linked to increased risk for heavy alcohol use among college students. We examined whether student-athletes from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds differ with respect to heavy drinking and related consequences. Method: Participants were 15,135 student-athlete drinkers (50.7% female) from 170 NCAA member institutions who participated in an online study. Results: Findings from our hierarchical linear models indicated that being a male student-athlete was associated with an increased likelihood of high intensity drinking (10/8 + drinks/per sitting for males/females) for White, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and Black student-athletes, but not for Hispanic student-athletes. Additionally, being a female student-athlete was associated with higher levels of negative alcohol-related consequences across all racial/ethnic groups. Finally, at similar drink quantities, compared to being a White student-athlete, being an Asian American/Pacific Islander student-athlete was associated with higher levels of alcohol-related consequences. Conclusions: Student-athlete drinkers are not homogeneous with respect to heavy drinking and related consequences.

Gender Differences in Athletic and Academic Cultures on a University Campus

Abstract: In order to explore the differences between a student’s academic life and a scholar-athlete’s sports life, we investigated the organizational cultures of a university’s academic departments and sports teams by surveying 259 students and 230 student-athletes. We found the academic cultures to be more clannish (family oriented) and the sports cultures more market (performance and results) driven. For the female athletes, we found a negative relationship between clan culture and satisfaction with their sports team, while for everyone else (male and female students and male athletes) clan culture was positively related to satisfaction with academic department or sports team. Relatedly, for the female athletes, the relationship between market culture and satisfaction with their sports team was positive, while for everyone else (male and female students and male athletes) market culture was negatively related to satisfaction with academic department or sports team. This suggests that there are important differences between the experiences of male and female student-athletes. We also found the participants in the business school to be less clannish than those in the other schools and colleges. We discuss the practical implications of these results for coaches of male and female athletes and for campus leaders of academic departments.

Dream Big: Effects of Capitals, Socioeconomic Status, Negative Culture, and Educational Aspirations Among the Senior High School Student Athletes.

To understand the impact of social, financial, cultural capitals, negative culture, and socioeconomic status of families on educational aspiration in the senior high school student athletes, it will be beneficial to promote their career developments. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of ethnicity, year of sport experience family income, the educational expectations of significant others, and the three aforementioned types of capital on educational aspiration among the senior high school student athletes. This study was conducted with a sample of 262 U-18 male baseball student athletes. Of the participants, 20.20% had attained the qualifications to play on the national team. The results showed that monthly family income positively affected social capital and positively indirectly affected educational aspirations through social capital, whereas monthly family income negatively affected negative culture and positively affected educational aspirations through negative culture. Moreover, social capital positively affected educational aspirations compared with negative culture negatively affected educational aspirations. The results serve as a reference for the formulation of educational policy as it relates to student athletes.

Individual Baseline Balance Assessments in a Large Sample of Incoming NCAA Division I Athletes Using a Force Plate System

BACKGROUNDIndividualized baseline testing is resource and time intensive. The use of normative data to approximate changes after a suspected concussion is thus an appealing alternative. Yet, few peer-reviewed, large-sample studies are available from which to develop accurate normative averages of balance using force-plate technology.PURPOSEThis study sought to validate a normative dataset from the force-plate manufacturer and examine the magnitude and nature of sample variability.STUDY DESIGNCross-sectional.METHODSBaseline balance and self-reported sex, sport, and concussion history were assessed in 533 prospective collegiate athletes (45% female) during pre-participation physical examinations. Balance was measured using four stances from the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance and quantified as Sway Index Scores with the Biodex Biosway Portable Balance System. Group averages are contrasted to data from the force-plate manufacturer. Individual variability around these averages was visualized and analyzed by sex and sport.RESULTSMale student athletes showed significantly more sway in the eyes open, soft stance condition than female athletes. These differences were maintained when concussion history was included as a covariate. Athletes, particularly male athletes, in the high versus low contact sport group showed significantly more sway in the eyes open, soft surface and the eyes closed, hard and soft surface stances.CONCLUSIONThere was substantial individual variability that was partially explained by sex differences and sport differences. The development of normative averages for sway may benefit from consideration of sex and sport. Further studies should characterize other factors that influence baseline balance in collegiate athletes.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE2b