Service Academy Research Articles

The Role Of The Coach In Determining Success At A National Powerlifting Competition

PURPOSE: To compare rates of success in coach- versus self- supervised performance at the USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships from 2016-2019. METHODS: Using a repeated measures ANOVA design with specific post-hoc analysis, 88 members of the powerlifting team at a United States Service Academy had individual performances tracked during the annual USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships from 2016-2019. Performance metrics included: number of successful and non-successful attempts, total weight lifted, and Wilks total (a relative strength metric used in powerlifting). RESULTS: A total of 88 competitors were tracked over the duration of this investigation. Successful attempts (7.9±1.2 vs. 5.4±1.2), total weight lifted (530.2±146.9 kg vs. 416.8±235.0kg), and Wilks total (408.9±86.0 vs. 352.3±186.7) were significantly greater in the coach-supervised versus self-supervised population. Lifters following a coach-supervised versus self-supervised competition plan performed significantly better across all performance metrics (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The coach plays a significant role in determining performance outcomes during powerlifting competition. An abundance of research exists on the importance of a coach in developing long-term, periodized strength training for improving strength outcomes, but minimal research exists on the role of the coach in predicting success in individual competitions. These findings support the notion that supervisory mentorship is integral to the success of athletes during both training and competition.

Trunk and Lower Extremity Movement Patterns, Stress Fracture Risk Factors, and Biomarkers of Bone Turnover in Military Trainees.

Military service members commonly sustain lower extremity stress fractures (SFx). How SFx risk factors influence bone metabolism is unknown. Understanding how SFx risk factors influence bone metabolism may help to optimize risk-mitigation strategies. To determine how SFx risk factors influence bone metabolism. Cross-sectional study. Military service academy. Forty-five men (agepre = 18.56 ± 1.39 years, heightpre = 176.95 ± 7.29 cm, masspre = 77.20 ± 9.40 kg; body mass indexpre = 24.68 ± 2.87) who completed Cadet Basic Training (CBT). Individuals with neurologic or metabolic disorders were excluded. We assessed SFx risk factors (independent variables) with (1) the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), (2) self-reported injury and physical activity questionnaires, and (3) physical fitness tests. We assessed bone biomarkers (dependent variables; procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide [PINP] and cross-linked collagen telopeptide [CTx-1]) via serum. A markerless motion-capture system was used to analyze trunk and lower extremity biomechanics via the LESS. Serum samples were collected post-CBT; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays determined PINP and CTx-1 concentrations, and PINP : CTx-1 ratios were calculated. Linear regression models demonstrated associations between SFx risk factors and PINP and CTx-1 concentrations and PINP : CTx-1 ratio. Biomarker concentration mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Significance was set a priori using α ≤ .10 for simple and α ≤ .05 for multiple regression analyses. The multiple regression models incorporating LESS and SFx risk factor data predicted the PINP concentration (R2 = 0.47, P = .02) and PINP : CTx-1 ratio (R2 = 0.66, P = .01). The PINP concentration was increased by foot internal rotation, trunk flexion, CBT injury, sit-up score, and pre- to post-CBT mass changes. The CTx-1 concentration was increased by heel-to-toe landing and post-CBT mass. The PINP : CTx-1 ratio was increased by foot internal rotation, lower extremity sagittal-plane displacement (inversely), CBT injury, sit-up score, and pre- to post-CBT mass changes. Stress fracture risk factors accounted for 66% of the PINP : CTx-1 ratio variability, a potential surrogate for bone health. Our findings provide insight into how SFx risk factors influence bone health. This information can help guide SFx risk-mitigation strategies.

Factors Associated With Delayed Concussion Reporting by United States Service Academy Cadets.

Approximately half of individuals who sustain a concussion do not immediately report their injuries. Motivators for not reporting include thinking the suspected concussion was not a serious injury and wanting to continue participating in activity. Additionally, military personnel have concerns about how concussions may affect their careers. However, delayed reporting can prolong neurobehavioral recovery. Understanding the frequency of delayed reporting and contributing factors will aid in identifying individuals who may be more likely to delay reporting. To describe the frequency of delayed concussion reporting by service academy cadets and determine if sex, injury setting, sport level, or medical history is capable of predicting delayed reporting. Cohort study. Service academies. A total of 316 patients with concussions were observed from January 2014 to August 2016. All cadets completed an annual concussion baseline collection of demographic, medical history, and sports participation information. Delayed concussion reporting served as the outcome variable. Predictor variables were sex, injury setting, and sport level, as well as concussion, headache, and learning disorder history. Frequencies were calculated to describe the proportion of participants who delayed reporting. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess if the predictor variables were associated with delayed concussion reporting. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all variables included in the final model. Of the patients with concussion, 51% were classified as delayed reporting. In univariable models, females (OR = 1.70) and National Collegiate Athletic Association cadet-athletes (OR = 1.98) were more likely to delay reporting than males and intramural cadet-athletes, respectively. The multivariable model yielded similar findings. Roughly half of the cadets who sustained a concussion failed to immediately report their injury. Specifically, our data suggested that female cadets, cadets injured outside of competition, and highly competitive cadet-athletes were almost twice as likely to delay reporting as others.

Concussion-Recovery Trajectories Among Tactical Athletes: Results From the CARE Consortium.

Assessments of the duration of concussion recovery have primarily been limited to sport-related concussions and male contact sports. Furthermore, whereas durations of symptoms and return-to-activity (RTA) protocols encompass total recovery, the trajectory of each duration has not been examined separately. To identify individual (eg, demographics, medical history), initial concussion injury (eg, symptoms), and external (eg, site) factors associated with symptom duration and RTA-protocol duration after concussion. Cohort study. Three US military service academies. A total of 10 604 cadets at participating US military service academies enrolled in the study and completed a baseline evaluation and up to 5 postinjury evaluations. A total of 726 cadets (451 men, 275 women) sustained concussions during the study period. Number of days from injury (1) until the participant became asymptomatic and (2) to complete the RTA protocol. Varsity athlete cadets took less time than nonvarsity cadets to become asymptomatic (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.75, 95% confidence interval = 1.38, 2.23). Cadets who reported less symptom severity on the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, third edition (SCAT3), within 48 hours of concussion had 1.45 to 3.77 times shorter symptom-recovery durations than those with more symptom severity. Similar to symptom duration, varsity status was associated with a shorter RTA-protocol duration (HR = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.34, 2.25), and less symptom severity on the SCAT3 was associated with a shorter RTA-protocol duration (HR range = 1.31 to 1.47). The academy that the cadet attended was associated with the RTA-protocol duration (P < .05). The initial total number of symptoms reported and varsity athlete status were strongly associated with symptom and RTA-protocol durations. These findings suggested that external (varsity status and academy) and injury (symptom burden) factors influenced the time until RTA.

Test-Retest Reliability of Concussion Baseline Assessments in United States Service Academy Cadets: A Report from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)-Department of Defense (DoD) CARE Consortium.

In response to advancing clinical practice guidelines regarding concussion management, service members, like athletes, complete a baseline assessment prior to participating in high-risk activities. While several studies have established test stability in athletes, no investigation to date has examined the stability of baseline assessment scores in military cadets. The objective of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of a baseline concussion test battery in cadets at U.S. Service Academies. All cadets participating in the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium investigation completed a standard baseline battery that included memory, balance, symptom, and neurocognitive assessments. Annual baseline testing was completed during the first 3 years of the study. A two-way mixed-model analysis of variance (intraclass correlation coefficent (ICC)3,1) and Kappa statistics were used to assess the stability of the metrics at 1-year and 2-year time intervals. ICC values for the 1-year test interval ranged from 0.28 to 0.67 and from 0.15 to 0.57 for the 2-year interval. Kappa values ranged from 0.16 to 0.21 for the 1-year interval and from 0.29 to 0.31 for the 2-year test interval. Across all measures, the observed effects were small, ranging from 0.01 to 0.44. This investigation noted less than optimal reliability for the most common concussion baseline assessments. While none of the assessments met or exceeded the accepted clinical threshold, the effect sizes were relatively small suggesting an overlap in performance from year-to-year. As such, baseline assessments beyond the initial evaluation in cadets are not essential but could aid concussion diagnosis.

Comparison of Ventilation Volume and Airway Pressure of an Advanced Airways in Virtual Reality Ambulance Simulation

Background/Objectives: It is convenient to apply C-E technique during ventilation using bag-valve mask in the moving ambulance. Purpose of the study is to investigate the effective ventilation volume and airway pressure.Methods/Statistical analysis: The National Fire Service Academy conducted Virtual Reality (“VR”) based ambulance simulations from April 17, 2018 to April 28, 2018. The mean and standard deviations of mean ventilation and airway pressure were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA and SPSS software 12.0 (SPSS Ins., Chicago, IL, USA) program.Findings: When VR-based intubation was performed, the ventilation volumes were 375 ml (±30.71), 225 ml (±8.48), 324 ml (±6.56), 244 ml (±7.79), and 427 ml (±10.42) when using bag-valve mask, laryngeal mask, laryngeal tube, I-gel, and intubation, respectively. Airway pressure was 17.48 cmH2O (±0.28) from endotracheal intubation, 14.79 cmH2O (±1.51) from bag-valve mask, 13.49 cmH2O (±0.78) from laryngeal tube, 8.66 cmH2O (±0.80) from I-gel, 6.73 cmH2O (±0.53) from laryngeal mask showed airway pressure.Improvements/Applications: The present study has significance in that basic data for the method of using a professional airway are provided by adequate ventilation for each professional airway in transit.

Cadets in portuguese military academies: a sociological portrait

The aim of this article is to revisit the question of the social origins of the armed forces officer corps, using data drawn from a survey to all cadets following military training at the three Portuguese service academies in 2016. It puts forward the question of whether the sociological characteristics of the future military elite reveal a pattern of convergence with society or depart from it, in terms of geographical origins, gender and social origins. The article offers a sociological portrait of the cadets and compares it with previous studies, identifying trends of change and continuity. The results show that there is a diversified and convergent recruitment pattern: cadets are coming from a greater variety of regions in the country than in the past; there is a still an asymmetric but improving gender balance; self-recruitment patterns are rather stable, and there is a segmented social origin pointing to the dominance of the more qualified and affluent social classes. In the conclusion questions are raised regarding future civil-military convergence patterns as well as possible growing differences between ranks.

Improving Concussion Education: Consensus From the NCAA-Department of Defense Mind Matters Research & Education Grand Challenge.

Early disclosure of possible concussive symptoms has the potential to improve concussion-related clinical outcomes. The objective of the present consensus process was to provide useful and feasible recommendations for collegiate athletic departments and military service academy leaders about how to increase concussion symptom disclosure in their setting. Consensus was obtained using a modified Delphi process. Participants in the consensus process were grant awardees from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Department of Defense Mind Matters Research & Education Grand Challenge and a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders from collegiate athletics and military service academies. The process included a combination of in-person meetings and anonymous online voting on iteratively modified recommendations for approaches to improve concussion symptom disclosure. Recommendations were rated in terms of their utility and feasibility in collegiate athletic and MSA settings with a priori thresholds for retaining, discarding, and revising statements. A total of 17 recommendations met thresholds for utility and feasibility and are grouped for discussion in five domains: (1) content of concussion education for athletes and MSA cadets, (2) dissemination and implementation of concussion education for athletes and military service academy cadets, (3) other stakeholder concussion education, (4) team and unit-level processes, and (5) organizational processes. Collectively, these recommendations provide a path forward for athletics departments and military service academies in terms of the behavioral health supports and institutional processes that are needed to increase early and honest disclosure of concussion symptoms and ultimately to improve clinical care outcomes.

Psychosocial factors affecting sleep quality of pre-employed firefighters: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundThere have been no health-related studies of pre-employed firefighters without firefighter-specific job-related factors (FSJRF). This study aimed to evaluate the sleep quality of pre-employed firefighters and to examine the relationship between sleep quality and psychosocial factors.MethodsWe conducted a self-report questionnaire survey for 602 pre-employed firefighters at 3 Fire Service Academies after brief lecture about sleep. Sleep quality and psychosocial variables such as depression, anxiety, stress and social support were evaluated. The independent 2 sample t-test, χ2 test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the effect of the variables on the sleep quality of pre-employed firefighters.ResultsAmong a total of 602 people, 347 (57.6%) had good sleep quality and 255 (42.4%) had poor sleep quality. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of them was 3.29 ± 1.41) and 7.87 ± 2.20), respectively. 24 (4.0%) were evaluated to have insomnia by Insomnia Severity Index. Logistic regression analyses showed that the depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.940, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.124–11.292), anxiety (aOR: 4.233, 95% CI: 2.138–8.381), stress (aOR: 2.880, 95% CI: 1.915–4.330) and social support (aOR: 0.959, 95% CI: 0.939–0.980) have a significant effect on sleep quality after adjusted by sex, age, smoking status, drinking status, caffeine intake, past shift working and circadian rhythm type.ConclusionsDepression, anxiety, stress and social support were associated with sleep quality among pre-employed firefighters. Repeated follow-up studies of pre-employed firefighters are needed to further assess their change of sleep quality and identify the FSJRF that may affect the sleep quality of firefighters.

Influence of Concussion Education Exposure on Concussion-Related Educational Targets and Self-Reported Concussion Disclosure among First-Year Service Academy Cadets.

Concussion disclosure is often essential for military personnel to receive appropriate care following concussive injury. Concussion-related education and training may play a role in improving disclosure and recognition among peers, allowing for more timely concussion identification and treatment. The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe concussion education exposure among first-year service academy cadets and (2) examine the association between exposure to concussion education sources (multiple vs. only one) and concussion-related knowledge, attitudes, perceived social norms, intention to disclose symptoms, and disclosure behaviors. First-year service academy cadets completed a cross-sectional survey to assess perceptions of concussion disclosure during preseason concussion baseline testing sessions. Associations between key cadet characteristics and exposure to multiple concussion education sources were examined using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Linear regression was used to model the continuous measures of concussion-related knowledge, attitudes, and perceived social norms. Log-binomial regression was used to model the categorical outcomes of high perceived control over concussion disclosure (higher vs. lower), intention to disclose (higher vs. lower), and disclosure of all possible concussive events at the time of injury (yes vs. no). The primary predictor for all models was exposure to multiple sources of concussion education (video, coach, medical professional, or other) vs. exposure to only one educational source. All models were adjusted for gender, high school contact sport participation, and previous concussion history. Of the 972 first-year cadets (85% response; age=18.4±0.9years; 21.7% female, 29.0% NCAA student-athlete), 695 (71.5%) reported receiving some type of previous concussion education and 229 (23.6%) reported a previous concussion history (206/229 reported the actual number they experienced). Of those reporting previous concussion-related education (n=695), 542 (78.0%) watched a video, 514 (74.0%) talked with a coach about concussion, 433 (62.3%) talked with a medical professional, and 61 (8.8%) reported other sources of education ranging from anatomy teachers to brochures. Overall, 527 (75.8%) reported receiving more than one source of concussion education. Having played a contact sport in high school and having a history of concussion were associated with having multiple concussion education exposures. Being female was associated with lower odds of multiple exposures. Exposure to multiple sources of concussion education was not associated with knowledge, attitudes, perceived norms, or higher intention to disclose concussion symptoms. However, among those with a concussion history, exposure to multiple sources of concussion education was associated with a nearly 40% higher prevalence of disclosing all concussions at the time of injury compared to only one source of educational exposure (67.1% vs. 48.3%; prevalence ratio=1.4; 95% confidence interval: 0.9, 2.1). Thus, although multiple sources of education may not influence intermediate variables of knowledge, attitudes, perceived norms and intentions, exposure to multiple sources of concussion education may influence actual decision-making around concussion disclosure among first-year service academy cadets. These data suggest disparities in concussion education exposure that can be addressed in first-year cadets. Additionally, findings support the importance and use of multiple sources of concussion education in improving cadet's concussion-related decision-making.

The Influence of Self-Reported Tobacco Use on Baseline Concussion Assessments.

Baseline symptom, balance, and neurocognitive scores have become an integral piece of the concussion management process. Factors such as sleep, learning disorders, fitness level, and sex have been linked to differences in performance on baseline assessments; however, it is unclear how tobacco use may affect these scores. The objective of this study was to compare baseline concussion assessment scores between service academy cadets who use and do not use tobacco. Cadets completed a standard battery of concussion baseline assessments per standard of care and were classified into two groups: tobacco users (n=1,232) and nonusers (n=5,922). Dependent variables included scores on the Balance Error Scoring System, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), Brief Symptom Inventory-18, and Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS). Separate Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to compare all baseline assessment scores between groups with an adjusted P-value<0.004. Cadets that used tobacco performed significantly worse on the impulse control (P<0.001) section of the ImPACT, reported greater ImPACT symptom severity scores (P<0.001), and were more likely to take risks as measured by the BSSS (P<0.001). No differences were detected for Balance Error Scoring System, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, Brief Symptom Inventory-18, and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3 symptom scores, verbal memory, visual memory, visual-motor speed, or reaction time on the ImPACT (P>0.004). Tobacco users performed significantly worse than tobacco nonusers on the impulse control section of the ImPACT, reported greater symptom severity scores on the ImPACT, and were more likely to take risks as measured by the BSSS. Despite statistical significance, these results should be interpreted with caution, as the overall effect sizes were very small. Future research should examine the influence of tobacco use on recovery post-concussion.

Estimated Age of First Exposure to Contact Sports Is Not Associated with Greater Symptoms or Worse Cognitive Functioning in Male U.S. Service Academy Athletes.

This study examined the association between estimated age of first exposure (eAFE) to contact sport participation and neurocognitive performance and symptom ratings in U.S. service academy National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes. Male cadets (N = 891), who participate in lacrosse (n = 211), wrestling (n = 170), ice hockey (n = 81), soccer (n = 119), rugby (n = 10), or non-contact sports (n = 298), completed the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test before the season. Generalized linear modeling was used to predict each neurocognitive domain score and total symptom severity score. Predictor variables were entered in the following order: group (contact vs. non-contact); eAFE (eAFE <12 years vs. eAFE ≥12 years); group-by-eAFE; and covariates for learning accommodation status, concussion history, and age. The group-by-eAFE interaction was not significant for any of the ImPACT composite scores (Verbal Memory, Wald χ2 = 0.073, p = 0.788; Visual Memory, Wald χ2 = 2.71, p = 0.100; Visual Motor Speed, Wald χ2 = 0.078, p = 0.780; Reaction Time, Wald χ2 = 0.003, p = 0.955; Symptom Severity, Wald χ2 = 2.87, p = 0.090). Learning accommodation history was associated with lower scores on Visual Motor Speed (χ2 = 6.19, p = 0.013, B = -2.97). Older age was associated with faster reaction time (χ2 = 4.40, p = 0.036, B = -0.006) and lesser symptom severity (χ2 = 5.55, p = 0.019, B = -0.068). No other parameters were significant. We observed no association between eAFE, contact sport participation, neurocognitive functioning, or subjectively experienced symptoms in this cohort. Earlier eAFE to contact sport participation is not related to worse neurocognitive performance or greater subjectively experienced symptoms in male U.S. service academy NCAA athletes.

Service Academy Graduate CEOs &amp; Financial Restatements: An Imprinting Perspective on Upper Echelons

We draw upon theory on imprinting and upper echelons to determine whether a CEO’s decision to issue financial restatements is linked to their significant past experiences. We offer service academy ...

Age of First Exposure to Contact Sports and Neurocognitive Performance in U.S. Service Academy Athletes

Abstract Purpose To examine the association between estimated age of first exposure (eAFE) to contact sports and neurocognitive performance and symptom ratings in collegiate U.S. Military Service Academy athletes. We hypothesized that contact-sports participation before the age of 12 would not be associated with worse neuropsychological test performance or greater symptom reporting. Methods Male cadets (N=891) who participated in contact sports [i.e., in lacrosse (n=211), wrestling (n=170), ice hockey (n=81), soccer (n=119), rugby (n=10)], or non-contact sports (n=298), completed the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test before the season. Generalized linear modeling was used to predict each cognitive domain score and the symptom severity score. Predictor variables were entered in the following order: group (contact vs. non-contact), eAFE (eAFE&lt;12 vs. eAFE≥12), group-by-eAFE, and covariates for learning accommodation status, concussion history, and age. Results The group-by-eAFE interaction was not significant for any of the ImPACT composite scores (Verbal Memory, Wald Χ2=.073, p=.788; Visual Memory, Wald Χ2=2.71, p=.100; Visual Motor Speed, Wald Χ2=.078, p=.780; Reaction Time, Wald Χ2=.003, p=.955; Symptom Severity, Wald Χ2=2.87, p=.090). Learning accommodation history was associated with lower scores on Visual Motor Speed (Χ2=6.19, p=.013, B=-2.97). Older age was associated with faster reaction time (Χ2=4.40, p=.036, B=-.006) and lesser symptom severity (Χ2=5.55, p=.019, B=-.068). No other parameters were significant. Conclusion We observed no association between eAFE, contact-sport participation, cognitive functioning, or subjectively-experienced symptoms in this cohort. Earlier eAFE to RHI is not related to worse neurocognitive performance or greater subjectively-experienced symptoms in collegiate student-athletes enrolled in military academies.

Increased Glenoid Retroversion Is Associated With Increased Rotator Cuff Strength in the Shoulder

Background: The rotator cuff muscles are critical secondary stabilizers in the shoulder. Increased glenoid retroversion and rotator cuff strength have been associated with the risk of posterior shoulder instability; however, the effect of increased glenoid retroversion on rotator cuff strength remains unclear. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to examine the association between glenoid version and rotator cuff strength in the shoulder in a young and healthy population with no history of shoulder instability. The hypothesis was that increased glenoid retroversion would be associated with increases in rotator cuff muscle strength. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted over a 4-year period within a high-risk population to identify the risk factors for shoulder instability. Analyzed participants included 574 freshmen entering a United States service academy. Baseline data collected upon entry into the study included magnetic resonance imaging measurements of glenoid version. Rotator cuff strength was also assessed at baseline using a handheld dynamometer. Internal and external rotation strength were assessed with the glenohumeral joint positioned in neutral and in 45° of abduction. The current study represents an analysis of the baseline data from this cohort. Results: The mean age, height, and weight of participants was 18.77 ± 0.97 years, 176.81 ± 8.48 cm, and 73.80 ± 12.45 kg, respectively. The mean glenoid version at baseline was 7.79°± 4.85° of retroversion. Univariate linear regression analyses demonstrated that increased glenoid retroversion was associated with increased internal and external rotation strength of the rotator cuff in neutral and 45° of abduction (P < .001). Similar results were observed in multivariable models controlling for important confounding variables. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that as glenoid retroversion increases, internal and external rotation strength of the rotator cuff also increase in a young and healthy athletic population. These compensatory changes may contribute to increased glenohumeral dynamic stability in the presence of worse static stability with increasing retroversion.

Factors Impacting Soldier-Athletic Performance of U.S. Service Academy Cadets

Early identification of factors impacting soldier-athletic performance can assist in designing training programs & selection of key personnel. PURPOSE: Investigate factors via selected physical assessment tests {(PAT’s); Soldier Performance Index (SPI); Cadet Combine (CC)} which identify overall soldier-athletic performance of U.S. Service Academy cadets (USSAC’s). METHODS: 66 fit subjects (42 men; 24 women) participated in a 19-hour lecture/lab course over a 2-month period which included 2 embedded PAT’s examining combat readiness components of strength, endurance, mobility, power/speed. Specific data analysis & criterion determination was used on the 0-368+ point SPI & 0-137.5 point CC. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis indicated push-ups (PU) & 400 meter run; adjusted R2 = 0.83 for CC, while PU, 500 meter row & reps to failure of 220-lb trap bar dead lift (TBDL); adjusted R2 = 0.84 for SPI. Correlation between the two PAT’s; r = 0.91, adjusted R2 = 0.83. Criterion cut points (70% of USSAC’s best scores; or top 10 performers) for both SPI & CC revealed a stable metric in identifying higher end physical performance cadets. Descriptive data:DISCUSSION: Our data indicate that both SPI & CC provide a stable metric in PAT’s & the top tier (n=10) are able to provide robust physical ability in the strength, endurance, mobility, power/speed realm. Lower body strength as indicated via reps of 220-lb TBDL & 1-RM TBDL/BM ratio suggests a simple test which is predictive of higher SPI & CC scores respectively. While soldier-athletic performance is key, our robust PAT’s were not influenced via BM when separated via gender. CONCLUSIONS: For soldier-athletes desiring success on the five combat readiness components, reps of 220-lb TBDL, 400 meter run, 500 meter row, PU and either the SPI or CC are simple, reliable field tests which can assist classify and select personnel for more arduous military applications. An enhanced physical profile should be the goal of any soldier-athlete.

Pathoanatomy of Shoulder Instability in Collegiate Female Athletes

Background: Shoulder instability has been well described in young men; however, few studies have specifically evaluated the pathoanatomy and unique spectrum of injuries in women with shoulder instability. Purpose: To describe the pathoanatomy of operative shoulder instability in a collegiate female cohort. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of female students at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I military service academy treated operatively for shoulder instability by a single surgeon between September 2008 and September 2014. Preoperative data collected included patient age, sport, mechanism of injury, number and frequency of dislocations, direction of instability, and co-occurring surgical abnormalities at the time of arthroscopy. Outcome variables included recurrent instability after surgery and need for revision. Results: Thirty-six female student athletes with an average age of 20 years (range, 18-22 years) were included. The majority of instability events were traumatic in nature (69%), and 61% of the total events were subluxations. Rugby was the most common sport for experiencing instability (7 patients), followed by obstacle course training (6 patients). Thirty-two patients (89%) reported multiple instability events, averaging 4 per shoulder. The primary direction of instability was anterior in 26, combined anterior and posterior in 7, and 3 met criteria for multidirectional instability. At the time of surgery, 26 patients (72%) had a Bankart tear, 9 (25%) had a posterior labral tear, and 5 (14%) had superior labrum anterior to posterior tears. Nine patients (25%) were found to have humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesions, 7 (19%) had partial-thickness articular-sided rotator cuff tears, and only 1 patient (3%) had evidence of true attritional glenoid bone loss. Hill-Sachs lesions were found in 16 patients (44%). Recurrent instability occurred in 9 patients (25%) following arthroscopic stabilization, and revision surgery was performed in 6 (17%). Conclusion: Shoulder instability in female athletes presents commonly as multiple subluxation events. While soft tissue Bankart lesions were found in numbers equal to those in previous studies include both sexes, bony Bankart lesions were less common in women. Finally, the presence of combined anterior and posterior labral tears and HAGLs in women was more common than previously reported.

Structural Studies on the HERV‐K Nuclear Export RNA Element

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient germline infections that comprise 8% of the human genome. A number of HERVs are actively expressed—their products assume important physiological roles in embryonic development and have been associated with cancer and autoimmune diseases. Expression of a type of HERV, HERV‐K, has been associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and some cancers. Expression of the Env protein appears to be dependent on a cis‐acting signal, RcRe, and a viral protein called Rec that mediate nuclear export of unspliced mRNAs in Crm1‐dependent manner, similar to the Rev‐RRE system in HIV. Despite low sequence similarity, the HERV‐K RcRE and HIV RRE are both characterized by a long stem and several smaller stems centered around a junction at the top of the long stem. We recently reported the three‐dimensional structure of the HIV RRE RNA and found that it is a flat, “A”‐shaped molecule (Fang et al., 2013). Based on apparent secondary structure similarities, we hypothesized that the unique “A” shape may be conserved in complex retroviruses. We examined the tertiary structure of the RcRE RNA in solution using small‐angle X‐ray scattering. Our results suggest that the two divergent retroviral elements are structurally conserved, attesting to the significance of the three‐dimensional structure in Rev‐RRE recognition. We report a structure‐ and function‐based mutational analysis of the RcRE tertirary structure.Support or Funding InformationNaval Academy Research Council (NARC)DTRA CB Technologies Service Academy Research Initiative.US Naval Academy, Chemistry DepartmentThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Is it in your face?: Exploring the effects of sexual dimorphism on perception of leadership potential

ABSTRACTPerceptions of a leader in a work environment is important from 2 perspectives: the leader themselves and more importantly the external observer. But what information does the observer use when making these judgments of leadership potential? Many studies on role congruity have demonstrated that gender stereotyping and perceived leadership ability is strongly tied to gender role incongruity. The role of facial appearance has been associated with leadership status and potential and becomes essentially relevant in military settings. Thus, the manner in which an individual’s face is perceived and evaluated may impact perceptions of his or her leadership ability and subsequent success. The present study seeks to extend research on how sex and gender characteristics of an individual’s face may possibly influence the perception of leadership abilities in a military service academy. Findings indicated that participants preferred individuals with gender congruent faces, which may reflect a preference for physical prowess and abilities.

Gender-Specific Risk Factor Profiles for Patellofemoral Pain.

To determine the association between selected biomechanical variables and risk of patellofemoral pain (PFP) in males and females. Prospective cohort. US Service Academies. Four thousand five hundred forty-three cadets (1727 females and 2816 males). Three-dimensional biomechanics during a jump-landing task, lower-extremity strength, Q-angle, and navicular drop. Cadets were monitored for diagnosis of PFP during their enrollment in a service academy. Three-dimensional hip and knee kinematic data were determined at initial contact (IC) and at 50% of the stance phase of the jump-landing task. Logistic regression analyses were performed for each risk factor variable in males and females (P < 0.05). Less than 10 degrees of hip abduction at IC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, P = 0.03] and greater than 10 degrees of knee internal rotation at 50% of the stance phase (OR = 1.71, P = 0.02) increased the risk of PFP in females. Greater than 20 degrees of knee flexion at IC (OR = 0.47, P < 0.01) and between 0 and 5 degrees of hip external rotation at 50% of the stance phase (OR = 0.52, P = 0.04) decreased the risk of PFP in males. No other variables were associated with risk of developing PFP (P > 0.05). The results suggest males and females have differing kinematic risk factor profiles for the development of PFP. To most effectively reduce the risk of developing PFP, the risk factor variables specific to males (decreased knee flexion and increased hip external rotation) and females (decreased hip abduction and increased knee internal rotation) should be addressed in injury prevention programs.