Nonathlete College Students Research Articles

Depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors in a large-scale national survey of student athletes versus non-athlete college students: risk and protective factors

Objective This study investigates the prevalence and risk factors of internalizing disorders and suicidal behaviors in student-athletes and their non-athlete peers. Participants The sample consisted of 223,226 college students (69,404 student-athletes [31.09%]) who participated in the NCHA-ACHA II survey (Fall 2015–2018). Methods Items from the NCHA-ACHA II were used to assess severity of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors. Chi-squared Test of Independence and multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine self-reported internalizing symptoms, previous diagnosis, previous use of mental health resources, and suicidal behaviors within student-athletes and non-athletes. Results Findings indicated high rates of internalizing symptoms. Student-athletes, both varsity and intramural/club, displayed decreased odds of internalizing symptoms, self-reported mental health diagnosis, and suicidal behaviors. Conclusions This study with a national sample expands previous studies showing concerning rates of mental health difficulties, student-athletes demonstrated lower odds. These findings highlight the importance of further research and need for targeted intervention within this population.

Assessment of Lipid Profiles among Athletes and Non-Athletes in Kalar City

Regular and professional physical activity has a significant impact on general health, lipid status, and body composition., Lipid profiles and anthropometric measures are considered the main indicators for understanding body composition and cardiovascular risk factors among both athletes and non-athletes. The aim of this study was to assess the body composition and lipid profile of athletes and non-athlete college students at the University of Garmian. This study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted on 45 endurance athletes and 30 sedentary male and female individuals. It took venous blood samples from the antecubital vein. Total blood cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-dense lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Low-dense lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and very low lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) were determined by standard methods. It was found a significant difference in lipid profile and body mass index (BMI) between athletic and non-athletic individuals at different ages. A significant reduction in TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL concentrations was observed in athletes as compared to the control group. However, the HDL cholesterol and BMI of athletes were not significantly different when compared to the control group. Among athletes, BMI had a significant correlation with age, TC, and VLDL, but the same correlation was not significant in non-athletes. TG had a significant correlation with VLDL in athletes but not in non-athletes. According to this study, athletes had a better lipid profile than non-athletes, despite the slight difference in BMI, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Good Health). The significant correlations of body composition (BMI) and age with body lipid profiles in athletes may be useful for assessing body health.

91 Athletic Status Predicts Neurocognitive Dispersion in College Students

Objective:Studies have reported that athletic conditioning or training may have neuropsychological benefits for adult athletes, including enhanced processing speed, executive function, and working memory and attention. However, others have reported that these benefits may be attenuated by an athlete’s level of exposure to repetitive, subconcussive head impacts, such as heading the ball in soccer. Neurocognitive dispersion, or intraindividual variability (IIV), has become an increasingly popular tool to assess neuropsychological performance in various clinical populations. Less dispersion is typically associated with more consistent and better overall performance (i.e., fewer lapses of reaction time and accuracy). However, few studies have utilized these measures in healthy young adults. The objective of this study was to determine if athletes and non-athletes exhibited different levels of neurocognitive dispersion on a battery of neuropsychological tasks. It was hypothesized that athletes would exhibit less neurocognitive dispersion compared to non-athletes, despite their exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impacts.Participants and Methods:Division 1 varsity and club team university athletes (n = 74, Mage = 19.93, female = 55%), and non-athlete undergraduate students (N = 154, Mage = 20.12, female = 69%) completed a neuropsychological battery consisting of 13 cognitive tests. Outcomes for each test were converted to standard scores and combined for overall neuropsychological performance. Two measures of IIV, intraindividual standard deviation (ISD) and maximum discrepancy (MD), were calculated across all 13 cognitive tests for each participant. Intraindividual standard deviation was calculated by taking the standard deviation of the mean performance across each task for each participant. Maximum discrepancy was calculated by subtracted the lowest standard score from the highest standard score per participant across all 13 cognitive tests.Results:Controlling for the impact of premorbid functioning, depressive symptoms, and gender, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) found significantly less ISD in athletes (M = 11.28, SD = 2.76) compared to non-athletes (M = 12.56, SD = 3.61) across all 13 neuropsychological tasks (η2 = 0.04, p = .004). Similarly, significantly lower MD scores were found in athletes (M = 40.25, SD = 11.14) compared to non-athletes (M = 44.69, SD = 14.07) across all 13 neuropsychological tasks (η2 = 0.03, p = .008). Post-hoc analyses revealed no significant differences when athletes were divided into contact and non-contact athletes.Conclusions:Similar to prior findings that aerobic exercise may enhance cognitive performance, both contact and non-contact college athletes exhibited less neurocognitive dispersion (as measured by ISD and MD) compared to non-athlete college students. However, no significant differences were found between non-contact athletes and contact athletes (soccer players) who were exposed to repetitive subconcussive heading events. These findings suggest that athletic performance in college-aged athletes may lead to more consistent and therefore overall better neuropsychological performance despite exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impacts.

Symptoms of PUBG Addiction among Male Adolescents: A Comparison between College Level Student Cricketers Vs Non-Athlete College Students

Symptoms of PUBG Addiction among Male Adolescents: A Comparison between College Level Student Cricketers Vs Non-Athlete College Students

Effectiveness of Footwork and Handwork Drills in Enhancing the Female College Student’s Dribbling Skills

Basketball is a widely loved sport around the globe. However, it can be a challenging sport to learn, especially for inexperienced players like female non-athlete college students. This study investigated the effectiveness of footwork and handwork drills in enhancing the dribbling skills of female college students (N=68) from a private tertiary school in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. A quasi-experimental design was employed to determine the effectiveness of the two interventions. The footwork and handwork drills were found to be effective in improving the participants' dribbling skills when performed regularly, such as three times a week for four consecutive weeks. The groups significantly differed in their scores (t=2.21, p=.031), with the footwork drills group having a higher mean than the handwork drills group. This implies that the footwork drills intervention was more effective than the handwork drills intervention in improving the students' dribbling coordination skills. These findings confirm the assumption that footwork and handwork drills could enhance the dribbling skills of female college students. The interaction between the system dynamics theory and motor learning theory helped explain the improvement in the students' dribbling skills. The findings point to student-athletes needing footwork drills to enhance their dribbling skills and lessen the possibility of injuries when participating in physical activities.

Prolonged eye-hand decoupling deficits in young adults with a history of concussion from adolescence

ABSTRACT Previous studies reported that adolescents with a sport-related concussion history showed prolonged visuomotor deficits during an eye-hand decoupling task until around 1.5–2 years post-event. The present study expands this work, examining whether such deficits do or do not emerge when testing individuals in young adulthood, i.e. later post-event. Twenty-one non-athlete college students with sport-related concussion history from adolescence (CH; M = 21 yrs.; M = 46 months post-concussion, range 10–90 months) and twenty controls with no history of concussion (NoH; M = 21 yrs.) performed two touchscreen-based visuomotor tasks. It included a coupled task where eyes and hand moved in similar directions, and decoupled-task with eyes and hand going to different directions. Movement planning (e.g. reaction time, initial direction error) and execution (e.g. movement time, path length) related variables were analyzed in both groups and conditions. Movement execution measures were similar for both groups and conditions (all p > 0.05). However, movement planning was impaired in the CH participants in the eye-hand decoupling condition (p < 0.05). CH’s initial direction error was larger (i.e. worse spatial movement planning) than in the NoH group. Although movement execution deficits shown in earlier work in youth were not present in young adults, the present results suggest that a sport-related concussion sustained in adolescence can lead to prolonged deficits with spatial movement planning processes while performing eye-hand decoupling tasks about four years post-injury. Further research should investigate whether these deficits continue into adulthood and expand control on time since concussion and number of concussion metrics. Highlights Young adult college students with a history of a sport-related concussion from adolescence, tested about four years post-incident, showed spatial movement preparation deficits during an eye-hand decoupling visuomotor task. Eye-hand reversal decoupling errors also correlated with time since concussion in those with concussion history. These prolonged eye-hand decoupling deficits may emerge with ongoing time post-event, as comparable deficits were absent in previous work where youth were tested sooner post-injury. Our current findings point towards long-lasting performance impairments in young adult non-athletes after a sport-related concussion from adolescence.

Predictors of health behaviors during a college national championship sports event: A daily diary study

Objective: Few studies have examined relations between college sporting events and maladaptive health behaviors among non-athlete college students. Participants: 97 college students. Methods: Completed nightly surveys (alcohol, eating, physical activity, sexual risk taking, smoking) for 11 days around a National Championship game. Results: Baseline stress and rumination was related to worse health behavior; mindfulness was related to better health behavior. Hierarchical linear modeling showed that all maladaptive health behaviors significantly increased the day of the sporting event compared to individuals’ baseline levels. Rumination significantly predicted a spike in alcohol use and sexual risk taking behavior on the day of the Championship game. Conclusions: Risk factors for maladaptive health behaviors include stress and rumination, while mindfulness is protective. Interventions may work to make sports events on campus safer for students (e.g., condoms, reminder emails, mindfulness interventions for at risk groups); more research is needed.

Testing a dual-process model of moral judgement in college athletes and non-athletes: Abstract reasoning or emotion control

Does participation in sport promote good character? Many academics have attempted to investigate this question from philosophical, sociological and psychological perspectives. Most recently, several psychologists have adopted a range of methods to investigate the relationship between sport participation and moral character. To do so, they eschew the lay methodological approach, which focuses on a concept of character couched in terms of good and evil. Instead, they rely on a cognitive developmental concept of moral judgement. Moral judgement is the process of deciding what is right or wrong based on social norms. In the context of the mode of cognitive moral development, the moral judgement of non-athlete college students was significantly more mature than that of athletes. With the development of theory and technique, a substantial body of research supports a dual-process theory of moral judgement, which involves an automatic-emotional factor in the process of moral judgement. To date, however, limited work has been performed to explore whether sport participation can alter moral judgement in the context of the dual-process theory. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the different moral judgement mechanisms between athlete and non-athlete college students. A total of 30 college students (including 15 high-level basketball players with at least five years of professional training experience) participated in this cross-sectional study. The moral judgement task, consisting of personal and impersonal dilemmas, was designed with E-Prime software. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS Devices 1100, fNIR Devices LLC, 4 dual-wavelength source probes and 10 optical detector probes paired to obtain 16 channels) was adopted to monitor haemodynamic activities in the prefrontal cortex while the subjects performed the moral judgement task. Significant experimental effects were observed in behavioural and haemodynamic performance. Both subject groups revealed more utilitarianism in impersonal dilemmas than in personal dilemmas. In addition, compared with the non-athlete group, the athlete group evoked a greater haemodynamic response in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-related channel (channel 13, channel 14 and channel 15) and evoked a decreased haemodynamic response in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-related channel (channel 3). Moreover, the peak latency in the athlete group was shorter than that in the non-athlete group. This study verified the dual-process theory of moral judgement in athlete samples. Individual differences were observed in temporal and spatial indicators during the moral judgement task. Taking brain function into consideration, our findings reflect an enhanced emotion control ability in the athlete group to suppress a prepotent response to moral dilemmas.

The Use of Recreational Drugs in Athletes Compared to Non-Athlete College Students: A Systematic Review

In this systematic review, collegiate athletes’ intake of recreational drugs will be assessed and compared to an average college student. This study will focus on the reasoning behind the usage and intake of recreational drugs including, but not limited to, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco products, and over the counter medication. This review will focus on college athletes from the age of 18-24 who have partaken in the use of recreational drugs within the course of their college career. These studies were found using the Forsyth Library databases AccessMedicine, CINAHL, and Medline. The inclusion criteria included collegiate athletes, recreational drug use and peer reviewed journals. Exclusion criteria included geriatric patients, animal related cases and studies older than 1995. Articles were not included if they were not peer reviewed journals.

Working Memory in Collegiate Athletes and Non-Athletes: A Comparison of Team-Sports Athletes, Solo-Sports Athletes, Frequent Exercisers and Infrequent Exercisers

Past research suggests that exercise is associated with improved working memory (WM) abilities, and that athletes have better executive functioning and WM skills than non-athletes. However, no studies to date have separated the effects of exercise from the effects of athletic participation when examining WM. This study had three primary goals: (1) to determine whether amateur college athletes have better auditory and visual WM than their non-athlete peers who exercise frequently and whether non-athlete frequent exercisers have better WM than non-athlete infrequent exercisers (2) to determine whether amateur participation in particular types of sports (team-based versus solo sports) corresponds to differences in auditory or visual WM, and (3) to examine whether gender plays a role in the relationships between exercise, athletic participation and WM. This study was a cross-sectional, correlational design that examined WM in men versus women college students divided into four groups (team-sports athletes, solo-sports athletes, frequent exercisers, and infrequent exercisers). 153 college students completed five tests of auditory (Digit Span subtest, PASAT) and visual (Spatial Span subtest, N-Back, WCST) WM. Collegiate men who participated in team-based sports outperformed collegiate men who participated in solo-sports in auditory WM. The two non-athlete groups (frequent and infrequent exercisers) earned scores between those of the two athlete groups. Male infrequent exercisers demonstrated better visual WM than the other three male athlete/exerciser groups. In contrast, neither athletic participation nor exercise affected collegiate women’s WM abilities. Our results did not support our hypothesis that all types of student athletes would exhibit better WM than students who exercise regularly but do not engage in competitive sports. Additionally, our data did not indicate that frequent exercise is associated with stronger WM skills than infrequent exercise in non-athlete college students. Participation in team-based sports was associated with better auditory WM skills than participation in solo sports, but this was only true for male, not female, athletes. Thus, gender was an important factor in delineating the relationships between exercise, athletic participation and WM.

Nonsuicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt among collegiate athletes: Findings from the National College Health Assessment

Objective To evaluate whether collegiate athletes and nonathlete college students differ in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and help-seeking behaviors. Participants: 165,210 respondents to the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (NCHA), a survey administered to college students by participating institutions during Fall 2011 to Spring 2015. Methods: Single-level binary logistic regression with equality of coefficients tests and chi-square analyses. Results: The models for NSSI and suicide attempt differed slightly between student-athletes and nonathletes. Most notably, stress is a stronger correlate of NSSI (Z = 3.03, p < .01) for nonathletes while difficulties with social relationships is a stronger correlate of suicide attempt for student-athletes (Z=–3.13, p < .01). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the salience of relationship problems as a correlate with suicide attempts in student-athletes. Difficulty in romantic or other social relationships could be a marker of risk or an identifiable, actionable target for preventing future suicidal behaviors among collegiate athletes.

Turning the Corner: A Comparison of Collegiate Athletes’ and Non-Athletes’ Turning Points in Eating Disorder Recovery

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify turning points in eating disorder recovery in collegiate female athletes compared to non-athletes. The sample included 12 varsity athletes and 17 non-athlete college students who previously met criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (AN; n = 17); Bulimia Nervosa (BN; n = 3); Binge Eating Disorder (n = 1); or both AN and BN (n = 8). Participants completed individual interviews and responses were analyzed inductively. There was some commonality in the athletes’ and non-athletes’ experiences. For example, the most frequent turning point for both groups was Insight/Self Realization. Regarding the next three most frequent turning points, athletes reported Sport Performance, Confrontation, and Support/Concern from Others, whereas non-athletes reported Professional Treatment, Hitting a Low, and Support/Concern from Others. This study contributes to the sparse literature on competitive athletes’ recovery. Results indicated that athletes’ turning points differed from non-athletes; therefore, findings are discussed concerning athlete-specific treatment recommendations and suggestions for coaches.

Low Protein Intake Among College Males Is Associated With Increased BMI

A convenience sample of male nonathlete college students (n = 47) was assessed (diet intake, physical activity, and anthropometrics) and interviewed on protein knowledge/behavior. Most participants were unaware or misinformed about protein and were using supplements. Fifteen percent of participants consumed less than 0.8 g/kg per day, 70% consumed 0.8 to 1.99 g/kg per day, and 15% consumed 2 g/kg per day or more of protein. Differences between protein intake groups were assessed using a multivariate analysis of variance. The low protein intake group had higher body fat percentages, body mass indexes, and waist circumferences (P &lt; .05). Future experimental research is needed to examine the impact of differing protein intakes on body composition in college male populations.

Body Composition of Division I Collegiate Female Equestrian Athletes

PURPOSE: To compare measures of total and regional body composition using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in NCAA Division I collegiate equestrian athletes to a group of age, sex and BMI matched non-athlete college students. METHODS: Thirty-one female collegiate equestrian athletes were matched to a population of normal, non-athlete college students by age (19.8±0.2 vs. 19.8±0.2 yrs.), body mass index (22.3±0.4 vs. 22.6±0.4 kg/m2), sex and ethnicity. Total and regional fat tissue mass (FM), lean tissue mass (LM), bone mineral density (BMD), and abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured by DXA. Paired t-tests assessed total and regional differences between equestrian athletes and controls. RESULTS: Equestrian athletes had a lower total fat percentage (%fat) than controls (30.7±0.9 vs. 33.1±0.1%, p=0.03). There was a trend for the equestrian athletes to have lower total FM (18.4±0.8 vs. 20.0±0.9 kg, p=0.06) than controls. There were no significant differences in total LM (41.0±0.9 vs. 39.9±0.8 kg, p=0.33), total BMD (1.15±0.02 vs. 1.15±0.02 g/cm3, p=0.92) and VAT (0.13±0.03 vs. 0.16±0.03 kg, p=0.25) between equestrian athletes and controls. However, equestrian athletes, when compared to the controls, had significantly lower leg %fat (33.0±0.8 vs. 37.3±0.9%, p<0.001), leg FM (7.0±0.3 vs. 8.0±0.4 kg, p=0.01) and higher leg LM (14.1±0.4 vs. 13.2±0.3 kg, p=0.04). The greater leg lean mass in equestrian riders resulted in a smaller upper to lower body lean mass ratio (1.706 ± 0.019 vs. 1.812 ± 0.030, p=0.005) compared to controls. There was no difference in leg BMD between equestrian athletes and controls (1.19±0.02 vs. 1.21±0.02 g/cm3, p=0.46). CONCLUSIONS: The lower total percent body fat in equestrian athletes seems to be influenced by differences in leg composition with equestrian athletes having significantly more lean mass and less fat mass. These results are consistent with the role the legs play in horseback riding and demonstrate an effect of either training or horseback riding on body composition compared to matched controls.

Comparing fMRI activation during smooth pursuit eye movements among contact sport athletes, non-contact sport athletes, and non-athletes.

ObjectivesThough sub-concussive impacts are common during contact sports, there is little consensus whether repeat blows affect brain function. Using a “lifetime exposure” rather than acute exposure approach, we examined oculomotor performance and brain activation among collegiate football players and two control groups. Our analysis examined whether there are group differences in eye movement behavioral performance and in brain activation during smooth pursuit.MethodsData from 21 off-season Division I football “starters” were compared with a) 19 collegiate cross-country runners, and b) 11 non-athlete college students who were SES matched to the football player group (total N = 51). Visual smooth pursuit was performed while undergoing fMRI imaging via a 3 Tesla scanner. Smooth pursuit eye movements to three stimulus difficulty levels were measured with regard to RMS error, gain, and lag.ResultsNo meaningful differences were found for any of the standard analyses used to assess smooth pursuit eye movements. For fMRI, greater activation was seen in the oculomotor region of the cerebellar vermis and areas of the FEF for football players as compared to either control group, who did not differ on any measure.ConclusionGreater cerebellar activity among football players while performing an oculomotor task could indicate that they are working harder to compensate for some subtle, long-term subconcussive deficits. Alternatively, top athletes in a sport requiring high visual motor skill could have more of their cerebellum and FEF devoted to oculomotor task performance regardless of subconcussive history. Overall, these results provide little firm support for an effect of accumulated subconcussion exposure on brain function.

A COMPARISON OF CALCANEAL BONE DENSITY IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

BackgroundLimited evidence exists regarding calcaneal bone mineral density (cBMD) and lower extremity overuse bone injury (LEOBI).ObjectiveDetermine if there is an association between LEOBI (stress fractures and MTSS) and cBMD.DesignProspective cohort...

Accuracy of dietary reference intake predictive equation for estimated energy requirements in female tennis athletes and non-athlete college students: comparison with the doubly labeled water method

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of a dietary reference intake (DRI) predictive equation for estimated energy requirements (EER) in female college tennis athletes and non-athlete students using doubly labeled water (DLW) as a reference method.MATERIALS/METHODSFifteen female college students, including eight tennis athletes and seven non-athlete subjects (aged between 19 to 24 years), were involved in the study. Subjects' total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured by the DLW method, and EER were calculated using the DRI predictive equation. The accuracy of this equation was assessed by comparing the EER calculated using the DRI predictive equation (EERDRI) and TEE measured by the DLW method (TEEDLW) based on calculation of percentage difference mean and percentage of accurate prediction. The agreement between the two methods was assessed by the Bland-Altman method.RESULTSThe percentage difference mean between the methods was -1.1% in athletes and 1.8% in non-athlete subjects, whereas the percentage of accurate prediction was 37.5% and 85.7%, respectively. In the case of athletic subjects, the DRI predictive equation showed a clear bias negatively proportional to the subjects' TEE.CONCLUSIONSThe results from this study suggest that the DRI predictive equation could be used to obtain EER in non-athlete female college students at a group level. However, this equation would be difficult to use in the case of athletes at the group and individual levels. The development of a new and more appropriate equation for the prediction of energy expenditure in athletes is proposed.

Acute effects of whole body vibration on functional capabilities of skeletal muscle (Los efectos agudos de la vibración corporal total sobre las capacidades funcionales del músculo esquelético)

The focus of this research was to evaluate the effect whole body vibration (WBV) on measures of muscular contractile function. In addition, this research was conducted to compare the effects of WBV on athletes versus non-athletes. Nineteen male, non-athlete college students, as well as eighteen male Division I collegiate athletes participated in this research. All participants completed 2 conditions, vibration and no vibration, in a randomized order. Participants were exposed to either a 2-minute bout of vibration or a 2-minute no vibration condition. Immediately following both conditions, participants were tested for peak vertical jump height, isokinetic peak torque and average power of knee extensors and flexors, and anaerobic power during a 30-second maximal effort cycle task. Results showed a significant improvement in knee flexion peak torque at 6.28 rad·sec-1 in the athlete group following the vibration condition. Results also showed a trend toward a significant improvement in knee extensor and knee flexor average power at 6.28 radΧsec-1 in the athlete group following the vibration condition. There were no significant changes in any isokinetic measure for the non-athlete group. There were no significant changes in vertical jump or anaerobic power for either group. This may be due in part to the complexity of the dose-response relationship, which is largely dictated by the parameters of vibration frequency, amplitude, and duration. However, previous studies have found positive results using similar protocols as the present study. Practically speaking, the use of WBV prior to exercise may result in facilitated contractile and athletic performance. Consequently, this study sought to describe the impact of using WBV prior to exercise on muscle function.Key Words. Performance enhancement; Athletes; Power; Muscle Performance.Resumen. El objetivo de esta investigaciσn fue evaluar el efecto de la vibraciσn de cuerpo entero (WBV) sobre parαmetros de la funciσn contrαctil muscular. Ademαs, esta investigaciσn se realizσ para comparar los efectos de la WBV en atletas en comparaciσn con no atletas. Diecinueve hombres, estudiantes universitarios no deportistas, asν como 18 hombres, atletas de Divisiσn I universitaria participaron en esta investigaciσn. Todos los participantes completaron dos condiciones en orden aleatorio: la vibraciσn y la ausencia de vibraciσn. Los participantes fueron expuestos a 2 min de vibraciσn o una condiciσn de no vibraciσn por dos minutos. Inmediatamente despuιs de ambas condiciones, a los participantes se les midiσ la altura pico de salto vertical, el torque pico isocinιtico, la potencia media de extensores y flexores de la rodilla y la potencia anaerσbica durante una tarea de ciclo de esfuerzo mαximo 30 s. Los resultados muestran una mejorνa significativa en el torque pico de la rodilla a 6.28 rad·sec-1 en el grupo de deportistas luego de la condiciσn de vibraciσn. Los resultados tambiιn muestran una tendencia hacia un aumento significativo en la potencia promedio de los flexores y extensores de la rodilla a 6.28 rad·sec-1 en el grupo de deportistas luego de la condiciσn de vibraciσn. No hubo cambios significativos en las variables isocinιticas en el grupo de no atletas. Tampoco hubo cambios significativos en el salto vertical ni en la potencia anaerσbica en ambos grupos. Esto puede explicarse en parte a la complejidad de la relaciσn de dosis-respuesta, la cual estα ampliamente determinada por los parαmetros de frecuencia, amplitud y duraciσn de la vibraciσn. Sin embargo, estudios previos han encontrado resultados positivos utilizando protocolos similares a los del presente estudio. En tιrminos prαcticos, el uso de WBV antes del ejercicio puede resultar en una mejor contractilidad y rendimiento deportivo. En consecuencia, este estudio tratσ de describir el impacto del uso de WBV antes del ejercicio en la funciσn muscular.Palabras claves. mejora del rendimiento, atletas, potencia, rendimiento muscular

Elite collegiate tennis athletes have lower 2D: 4D ratios than those of nonathlete controls.

The ratio of the length of the second finger (index finger) to the fourth finger (ring finger) (2D:4D ratio) is a putative marker for prenatal hormones. Physiological research has suggested a low 2D:4D ratio correlates with high athletic ability. Athletes of specific sports (e.g., American football) have lower 2D:4D ratios than those of nonathletes, whereas athletes of some sports (e.g., rowing, gymnastics, and soccer) do not. This study investigated the 2D:4D ratios among collegiate tennis athletes, elite collegiate tennis athletes, and nonelite collegiate tennis athletes and compared them with nonathletes of both sexes. The participants included 43 elite collegiate tennis athletes (Level I intercollegiate athletes in Taiwan; 27 males and 16 females), 107 nonelite collegiate tennis athletes (Level II athletes; 55 males and 52 females), and 166 nonathlete college students (80 males and 86 females). The principle findings suggest that (a) regardless of sex, collegiate tennis athletes have lower 2D:4D values than those of nonathletes; (b) elite collegiate tennis athletes have lower 2D:4D values than those of nonathletes; (c) among females but not males, athletes and nonelite athletes have lower 2D:4D values than those of nonathletes; and (d) males have lower 2D:4D values than those of females.

Alcohol Use among College Athletes: Do Intercollegiate, Club, or Intramural Student Athletes Drink Differently?

Background: Varsity student athletes are a high-risk drinking group, exhibiting a greater propensity to binge drink than their non-sport peers. Moreover, as intercollegiate athletic involvement increases, so too does alcohol consumption. There is little research, however, which examines drinking behaviors of students who participate in nonvarsity athletics. Objectives: Identify differences in alcohol-related behaviors and associated consequences among U.S. varsity, club, and intramural athletes, and nonathlete college students. Methods: Secondary data analysis of the 2011 National College Health Assessment (n = 29,939). Results: Intramural athletes binge drank more frequently (M = 1.1, SD = 1.7) than club athletes (M = 1.0, SD = 1.6), intercollegiate athletes (M = 0.9, SD = 1.5), and nonathletes (M = 0.6, SD = 1.3) and also experienced greater alcohol-related consequences. Intramural athletes consumed the most during their last drinking episode (M = 4.1, SD = 4.0) and reached the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) (M = 0.062, SD = 0.09).Compared to club and varsity athletes [M = 0.8, SD = 1.4; t (8,131) = −9.6, p < .001], intramural-only athletes reported binge drinking significantly more frequently (M = 1.2, SD = 1.7) and also reached significantly higher BACs during most recent drinking episode (M = 0.064, SD = 0.08) than organized sport athletes [M = 0.057, SD = 0.08; t (8,050) = −3.0, p = .003]. Conclusions: Intramural athletes represent a higher-risk drinking group than other athlete and nonathlete college students. Future research should investigate factors contributing to drinking differences among different athlete groups.