Health Of Student-athletes Research Articles

Avenues for prevention using the epidemiology of sport-related concussion from a large high school surveillance study.

Epidemiology provides fundamental opportunities to protect student-athlete health. The goal of this study was to describe the epidemiology of sport-related concussion (SRC) across 8 years (2015/2016-2022/2023) and compare boys' and girls' sports for SRC incidence and SRC mechanisms. This was a retrospective cohort study performed using a statewide high school head injury surveillance system of high school student-athletes (n = 2,182,128; boys, n = 1,267,389; girls, n = 914,739). Exposures of interest included study year and boys and girls in comparable sports. Clinical incidence was calculated by dividing SRC counts in each sport by the number of participants per 100 player-seasons and presented with 95% CIs. The 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 data were included in the analysis, however caution is warranted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical incidence ratios (CIRs) were estimated for sex-comparable sports, and significance was determined if 95% CIs excluded 1.00. The authors compared mechanism of injury in boys' and girls' comparable sports with chi-square analyses (p < 0.05). Among 25,482 total SRCs, the overall clinical incidence of SRC for all boys and girls was 1.17 (95% CI 1.15-1.18) per 100 player-seasons across all years. Across all years, the overall clinical incidence in boys' sports was 1.34 (95% CI 1.32-1.36) per 100 player-seasons, and 0.93 (95% CI 0.91-0.95) per 100 player-seasons in girls' sports. Boys' sports with the highest clinical incidence included football, ice hockey, and wrestling. Girls' sports with the highest clinical incidence included basketball, soccer, lacrosse, competitive cheer, and gymnastics. Girls consistently had higher SRC rates relative to boys for baseball/softball, basketball, and soccer (CIR range 1.65 [95% CI 1.41-1.93] to 3.32 [95% CI 2.67-4.16]). Girls had lower SRC in lacrosse in 2015/2016 (CIR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.97); no difference in 2016/2017-2020/2021, but had higher clinical incidence in 2021/2022 (CIR 1.69, 95% CI 1.18-2.44) relative to boys. In boys the most common mechanism of SRC occurred from person-to-person contact (n = 8752, 62.8%), whereas girls commonly sustained SRC from person-to-object contact (n = 2369, 33.4%) and from person-to-person contact (n = 2368, 33.4%). There were significant associations between boys' versus girls' sports and mechanism of injury within baseball/softball (χ2 = 12.71, p = 0.005); basketball (χ2 = 36.47, p < 0.001); lacrosse (χ2 = 185.15, p < 0.001); and soccer (χ2 = 122.70, p < 0.001). These findings can help understand the potential impact of interventions aimed at preventing or reducing SRC. Including girls' sports within this study extends research for a largely underrepresented group.

Call It an "Evolution": Promoting Student-Athlete Well-Being During the Transition From Collegiate Sport.

After highly publicized stories of student-athletes' struggles with mental health, the spotlight on mental health and well-being in this special issue coincides with a broader growing concern for the long-term impact of competitive sport participation on student-athlete health and wellness. The end of a competitive sport career represents a potentially vulnerable life transition. As demonstrated in the literature, the unique aspects of elite sport culture shape student-athletes' perceptions of their identity, health, and health behaviors, which have implications for how student-athletes navigate their health and well-being as they transition away from the embedded health care structure inherent to elite sport. Given evidence indicating that student-athletes may face mental and physical health concerns after retirement from sports, targeted transitional strategies are needed to provide patient-centered care in this population. In this article, we briefly summarize current understanding of sport transition and highlight some key findings from studies conducted by the contributing authors' research groups exploring the impact of sport career transitions on student-athlete well-being. We also reflect on limitations of the existing research and transition models and, in turn, propose potential directions for adopting a nuanced and multidimensional framework to explore interconnected transition domains. We conclude by offering recommendations for sports medicine professionals to consider in future research, programming, and policies to promote student-athletes' holistic well-being through this critical transition.

Building Comprehensive Integration of Health and Performance Support Through Sport Science

ABSTRACT This article provides an overarching view on establishing a sport science department that fosters comprehensive integration of student-athlete health and performance support in collegiate athletics. Collegiate athletic departments have adopted the high-performance model to help manage the complex health and performance needs of their student-athletes. Considered best practice by many, the high-performance model has limits in collegiate athletics, whereas comprehensive integration is the next generation of best practice. It combines every available resource to establish unprecedented health and performance support. This is accomplished, in part, by collaborating with academic, health care, and industry stakeholders who can fill persistent gaps in the broad services, knowledge, and expertise required to meet the ever-evolving health and performance challenges faced by athletic departments. A well-designed sport science department can facilitate this process by establishing mutually beneficial partnerships to fulfill various service, research, education, or innovation initiatives. This article details the role of the sport scientist in establishing comprehensive integration. It guides athletic departments who wish to begin a sport science program, as well as those who wish to expand their current sport science structure. See Video 1—Video Abstract, http://links.lww.com/SCJ/A369.

A-50 A Review of the Dangers of Misdiagnosing Concussions as Depression

Abstract Purpose Underrepresentation of concussion diagnoses is of increasing concern for the health and wellbeing of young athletes. Similarly, there is increased attention on the mental health of student athletes. Less addressed, however, is potential for misdiagnosis between these concerns. This literature review explains the underpinnings of the potential misinterpretation of concussion symptoms under the guise of depression. Methods Peer reviewed studies published within the last 25 years were included in this review. Specific statistics referring to current high school and collegiate athletes included peer reviewed articles from 2020-2023. Results Depression and concussions are correlated, further, experiencing TBI and concussion puts an individual at increased risk for developing depression. Additionally, many symptoms of concussion overlap with diagnostic criteria for depression such as: fatigue, suicidal ideation, anhedonia, sleep difficulties, and low mood. The risk of misdiagnosis of depression in concussed athletes is apparent. However, no known study has demonstrated the rate of this misdiagnosis. Treatment for concussion recovery and depression management is fundamentally different, which calls for accurate differentiation between the occurrence of depressive symptoms and head trauma induced symptoms. Conclusions Future research regarding affordable and accessible methods to differentiate depression from concussion will help reduce the chances of misdiagnosis. Understanding the considerable overlap in symptomatology and importance of recognizing both concussion when it occurs as well as depression is essential for individuals working with student athletes. Improved education for high school and college coaches and athletes, along with clinicians and physicians is a key component in this change.

An HBCU track-and-field student-athlete perspective on the role of the pharmacist and physical therapist in sports

BackgroundPharmacy is a profession with the capacity to provide services in a variety of venues, including sports and sporting events. The physical therapy profession is often involved in treating the injured athlete; however, direct interactions with collegiate sport teams is limited and inconsistent. A literature review showed a limited and inconsistent role of the pharmacist and physical therapist in sports, especially at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). ObjectiveTo examine collegiate track-and-field student-athlete perceptions related to the role of the pharmacist and physical therapist. MethodsA cross-sectional study using a convenience sample was conducted to assess the perceptions of NCAA track-and-field student-athletes from a HBCU. A survey utilizing modified Likert-scale and open-ended questions was administered electronically to fifty-four student-athletes via email. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years old and a current track-and-field student-athlete. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. ResultsThis study, one of the first to examine an HBCU student-athlete population, yielded a 100% response rate. About 80% want to discuss the directions for use and side effects of certain medications or dietary supplements with a team pharmacist. Over 75% of student-athletes desired to consult with a physical therapist about injury management and prevention. Overall, most respondents felt that pharmacists (81.5%) and physical therapists (78.8%) should have a role with NCAA sports to benefit student athletes. ConclusionInterprofessional collaboration and communication among healthcare professionals is essential to improve student-athlete health knowledge and performance. The student-athletes expressed interests in receiving consultation and educational sessions from pharmacists and physical therapists.

The Role of Title 1 Secondary School Athletic Trainers in the Primary and Patient-Centered Care of Low Socioeconomic Adolescents.

Athletic trainers (ATs) provide regular encounters with a healthcare provider for many Title 1 student-athletes with healthcare access and quality barriers. Thus, they are uniquely positioned to serve as a student-athletes' first point of contact for general medical concerns. This study aimed to describe ATs' experiences providing primary care for Title 1 student-athletes. This qualitative design employing an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach used in-depth, virtual focus groups to examine the experiences of ATs practicing at Title 1 secondary schools. The findings reveal that ATs were called upon to evaluate, treat, and, when necessary, refer student-athletes with general medical conditions. However, Title 1 ATs encountered numerous complex social determinants of health (SDoH) preventing efficient and effective referral to specialty healthcare providers. Thus, ATs ultimately felt their most important roles in the primary care of low socioeconomic adolescents were as caregivers who mitigated avoidable healthcare barriers in addition to coordinators of integrated care that assisted student-athletes and their families with navigating the healthcare system. Title I ATs need to be aware of the SDoH affecting their student-athletes and the ability of those SDoH to affect health outcomes as well as overall student-athlete health and well-being.

Collegiate Student-Athletes as Health Advocates: The Role of Issue and Source Involvement in Students’ Information Processing about Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is a major public health concern on college campuses and shares a deep connection to sporting culture. As such, student-athletes are potential referent points for addressing this destructive behavior among the student body. This study utilizes the theoretical frameworks of the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and parasocial relationships (PSRs) to investigate the effects that student-athletes’ health advocacy has on college students’ attitudinal and behavioral intentions to binge drink. Analysis of data collected from 161 college students, who met the clinical definition of binge drinkers, indicated that issue involvement was associated with more favorable attitudes and the intention to continue drinking, and a disregard for student-athlete health advocacy. Greater degrees of source involvement (i.e., PSR), with depicted student-athletes, however, was found to positively affect elaboration and indirectly foster behavioral intentions to cease binge drinking. Results enhance our understanding of the ELM by suggesting source involvement – as opposed to issue involvement – can be an effective means of encouraging elaboration and decreasing college students’ behavioral intentions to binge drink.

Athlete Identity and Mental Health of Student Athletes during COVID-19

The purpose of our study is to evaluate athletic identity (AI) and mental health measures of youth and young adult athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study recruited athletes aged 11-25 years from universities, high schools, and middle schools in California and New York. Participants were emailed a link to an anonymous, cross-sectional electronic survey. The measure included the athletic identity measurement scale (AIMS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and demographic variables. Chi-square, Fisher's Exact Test, and linear regression were used to examine the relationships between AI, symptoms of anxiety, and symptoms of depression by age, gender, and race. The survey was completed by 653 participants. AI was stratified by tertiary percentiles. The odds of positively scoring for symptoms of anxiety were 60% higher for participants in college compared with high school (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: [1.09, 2.35]). Conversely, the odds of scoring positively for symptoms of depression were 68% higher for participants in high school compared to college (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: [1.09, 2.59]). The odds of scoring positively for symptoms of depression were higher for athletes who scored as high AI, compared to those who scored as moderate (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: [1.11, 2.68]) or low (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: [1.20, 3.12]). The odds of scoring positively for symptoms of anxiety on the PHQ-4 were 3.2 times higher for participants who identified as female (OR: 3.19, 95% CI: [2.31, 4.41]), and the odds of scoring positively for symptoms of depression were 2.4 times higher for participants who identified as female (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: [1.56, 3.54]). Female athletes experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety at significantly higher rates than male athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. High school students experienced fewer symptoms of anxiety, but greater symptoms of depression as compared to the collegiate group, while college students experienced greater odds of symptoms of anxiety. Athletes in the high AI group were more likely to report symptoms of depression than moderate or low identity groups. Female athletes reported lower AI than male athletes, but still had greater symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Bone Stress Injuries And Associated Healthcare Utilization In Collegiate Student Athletes

Bone stress injuries (BSI) occur frequently in runners and females. However, their occurrence in other sports, time-lost (TL) status, and associated healthcare utilization is unclear. PURPOSE: To describe bone stress injuries and associated healthcare utilization in a population of collegiate student athletes. METHODS: A descriptive epidemiology design utilizing de-identified electronic medical records from all sponsoring institutions in one NCAA conference was used. Injury occurrences were collected from August 2017 - March 2020, representing 810 team-seasons (351 men’s and 459 women’s). Injuries were identified by onset (acute or overuse) and stratified as TL or non-time-loss (NTL). Lower extremity injury location and injury type were identified. Associated healthcare utilization, including athletic training services (ATS) provided, and injuries resulting in one or more physician encounters (PE), prescribed medication, diagnostic test, procedure, or surgery were determined. Mean BSI per team per season were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 501 BSI were captured, representing 2.5% of all injuries/illnesses in the time period (n = 20080). The majority (n = 341, 68.1%) were in women’s teams. Overuse-NTL BSI comprised 13.8% of the sample (n = 69). The foot was the most frequent location (n = 164, 68.3%). Women’s track and field (n = 106, 21.2%, 2.9) and women’s cross country (n = 86, 17.2%, 2.4) reported the highest occurrence of BSI by sport and highest occurrence per team per season. BSI necessitated 13907 ATS, and 462 BSI required PE, resulting in medications prescribed in 54, tests in 458, procedures in 8, and surgeries in 74 cases. Of ATS, 65% (n = 9056) were for overuse injuries, with women utilizing 77.7% (n = 7037) of them. CONCLUSIONS: Women experienced the majority of BSI, concentrated in running sports. Most BSI in men and women were designated as overuse and resulted in TL, but almost 14% were managed as overuse-NTL. BSI required substantial AT and physician services, and prevention may be possible with data-driven programs. This project was supported by the Pac-12 Conference’s Student-Athlete Health and Well-Being Initiative. The content of this abstract is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Pac-12 Conference, or its members.

Descriptive Epidemiology Of Acute, Overuse, Time-loss And Non-time-loss Upper Extremity Injuries In Collegiate Student Athletes

Sports injury surveillance is increasingly documenting overuse and non-time-loss (NTL) injuries, as well as acute and time-loss (TL). Capturing time-loss (TL and NTL) and onset (acute and chronic), particularly for upper extremity injuries, may more accurately describe injury burden. PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology of upper extremity injuries of acute and overuse onset, stratified by TL and NTL, in collegiate student athletes. METHODS: Electronic medical records from member institutions were migrated to a secure cloud service provider. De-identified injuries from student athletes who authorized their records to be used for research were provided from August 2017 to March 2020 for all sports, representing 351 men’s and 459 women’s team seasons. Quality assurance procedures occurred at the institution, conference, and research team levels. Upper extremity musculoskeletal injuries were identified by onset (acute or overuse) and stratified by time-lost (TL or NTL). Injury frequencies and mean number of injuries per team per season were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 3286 injuries, acute-NTL (n = 1278, 38.9%) and acute-TL (n = 1229, 37.4%) were most frequent and most frequent in males (acute-NTL n = 897, 27.3%; acute-TL 925, 28.1%). Women’s overuse-TL (n = 177, 5.4%) and overuse-NTL (n = 248, 7.5%) were more frequent than men (n = 165, 5.0%; n = 189, 5.8% respectively). Ligament sprain (n = 835, 25.4%) was the most frequent diagnosis in men and women for acute-TL and -NTL injuries, while tendinopathy (n = 240, 7.3%) was most frequent for overuse-TL and -NTL injuries. Football had the highest mean number of injuries per team per season for acute-TL and -NTL (13.5, 15.9), while men’s gymnastics was highest in overuse-TL and -NTL (1.7, 3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Overuse injuries represented 23.7% of the sample and were more frequent in women, though men’s teams had higher mean number of injuries per team per season. Overuse upper extremity injury burden exists in a variety of sports, underscoring the need for injury prevention programs. This project was supported by the Pac-12 Conference’s Student-Athlete Health and Well-Being Initiative. The content of this abstract is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Pac-12 Conference, or its members.

Reactive Postural Responses Are Slower In Acutely Concussed Collegiate Athletes: Preliminary Results

Abnormal balance is a common clinical sign of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Despite the clinical utility of reactive balance testing in other balance impaired populations, current clinical testing for mTBI does not include reactive postural responses (RPR) which may be more representative of a competitive athletic environment.PURPOSE: To examine differences in RPR in athletes with mTBI compared to healthy controls at three time points: within 48 hours after mTBI (Acute), within 24 hours of beginning return-to-play protocol (PreRTP), within 24 hours of being cleared for full return to competition (PostRTP).METHODS: RPR in 24 collegiate athletes with mTBI (F = 12, age 19.42 ± 1.28 years, BMI 25.18 ± 3.38 kg/m2) and 19 healthy controls (F = 8, age 19.67 ± 1.56 years, BMI 24.36 ± 2.98 kg/m2) were assessed using the Push and Release, with eyes closed, under single (ST) and dual-task (DT; concurrent verbal cognitive task) conditions at three time points after-mTBI (acute, PreRTP, PostRTP). Inertial sensors on the sternum, lumbar, and feet were used to assess time to stabilization (TTS). A sensor on the tester’s hand determined release time. Standardized effect sizes, mean differences, and confidence intervals were calculated for each time point for both tasks. RESULTS: There was a median of six days between PreRTP and PostRTP. The mTBI group had longer ST TTS (1.09 ± 0.315 s) than healthy controls (0.904 ± 0.157 s) at the acute time point by 0.187 s (Cohen’s d (d) = 0.73; 95% CI: [0.179, 0.204]), at PreRTP by 0.069 s (d = 0.32; 95% CI: [0.053, 0.084]) and shorter TTS at PostRTP by 0.034 s (d = -0.166; 95%CI: [-0.048,-0.019]). The mTBI group had longer DT TTS (1.23 ± 0.31 s) than healthy controls (0.984 ± 0.207 s) at the acute time point by 0.248 s (d = 0.92; 95% CI: [0.230, 0.267]), at PreRTP by 0.035 s (d = 0.18 ;95% CI: [0.021, 0.048]) and at PostRTP by 0.036 s (d = 0 .18 ; 95%CI: [0.022, 0.050]). CONCLUSIONS: There was a large difference in RPR between athletes with mTBI and healthy controls at the acute time point for both ST and DT; athletes with mTBI had slower time to stabilization. Differences in RPR were small at PreRTP and PostRTP for both ST and DT. These preliminary results suggest that mTBI affects reactive postural responses acutely following mTBI but these responses recover over time. Supported by PAC 12 Student Athlete Health & Wellbeing

Student-Athlete Mental Health, Help-Seeking, and Service Utilization: Implications for a Multi-Tiered, Public Health Approach on College Campuses

ABSTRACT Student-athletes experience unique stressors and challenges that impact both their mental health and athletic performance. The current study sought to explore these stressors and challenges; examine how they relate to help-seeking, service access, and utilization; and recommend what colleges and universities can do to better support the mental health of student-athletes. Three focus groups were conducted with NCAA Division I student-athletes in upstate New York between November 2019 and October 2020. Student-athletes described significant stress juggling athletic, academic, and social demands while maintaining a performance level that met the expectations of their coaches and themselves. Student-athletes were also impacted by an unhealthy athletic culture and team environment, specific higher-risk transition periods, and inaccurate beliefs about student-athletes held by their non-athlete peers. While many athletes reported struggling with their mental health, they felt either unable or unwilling to seek help due to stigma, how it would appear to their coaches, the hours and location of the counseling center, and previous poor experiences accessing and utilizing services. The authors present a set of multi-tiered recommendations to help increase awareness, access to, and utilization of both on- and off-campus mental health services, resources, and supports.

Increasing Health Risks During Outdoor Sports Due To Climate Change in Texas: Projections Versus Attitudes.

Extreme heat is a recognized threat to human health. This study examines projected future trends of multiple measures of extreme heat across Texas throughout the next century, and evaluates the expected climate changes alongside Texas athletic staff (coach and athletic trainer) attitudes toward heat and climate change. Numerical climate simulations from the recently published Community Earth System Model version 2 and the Climate Model Intercomparison Project were used to predict changes in summer temperatures, heat indices, and wet bulb temperatures across Texas and also within specific metropolitan areas. A survey examining attitudes toward the effects of climate change on athletic programs and student athlete health was also distributed to high‐school and university athletic staff. Heat indices are projected to increase beyond what is considered healthy/safe limits for outdoor sports activity by the mid‐to‐late 21st century. Survey results reveal a general understanding and acceptance of climate change and a need for adjustments in accordance with more dangerous heat‐related events. However, a portion of athletic staff still do not acknowledge the changing climate and its implications for student athlete health and their athletic programs. Enhancing climate change and health communication across the state may initiate important changes to athletic programs (e.g., timing, duration, intensity, and location of practices), which should be made in accordance with increasingly dangerous temperatures and weather conditions. This work employs a novel interdisciplinary approach to evaluate future heat projections alongside attitudes from athletic communities toward climate change.

The mental health of student-athletes: a systematic scoping review

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic scoping review of the research focussing on student-athletes’ mental health (MH). More specifically, we aimed to describe and synthesise: (a) the study and sample characteristics of the dual career (DC) and MH research literature, (b) the types of MH outcomes examined in student-athlete populations, (c) comparisons of student-athletes’ MH in relation to other populations of interest, and (d) the variables associated with student-athletes’ MH. Articles were collected from four databases: SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, Scopus, and PubMed. In total, 159 studies spanning three decades met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted within the North American collegiate context. The majority (62.5%) examined mental ill-health outcomes (e.g. disordered eating, depression, anxiety), 22.6% examined positive mental health outcomes (e.g. subjective well-being, psychological well-being), and 13.8% combined both perspectives. Most studies using non-student-athlete comparison groups found that student-athletes were at a similar or decreased risk for MH problems, although notable exceptions were identified. Finally, 49 distinct variables were associated with student-athletes’ MH. Most variables related to generic or sport-specific factors, with only a limited number of studies examining DC-specific factors. Findings from our scoping review are critically discussed in view of the existing literature.

Psychological capital and positive mental health of student-athletes: Psychometric properties of the sport psychological capital questionnaire

Psychological capital and positive mental health of student-athletes: Psychometric properties of the sport psychological capital questionnaire

Youth Athletes' Parents' Perceptions and Knowledge of the Athletic Training Profession.

Parents have unique roles in advocating for their child's health and safety. Such advocacy can improve student-athletes' access to athletic trainers (ATs), yet few researchers have investigated the perceptions of student-athletes' parents regarding athletic training. To explore parents' perceptions of athletic training and evaluate their knowledge regarding the AT's role. Concurrent mixed-methods study. Web-based questionnaire. Parents affiliated with USA Football representing 36 states (n = 316: men = 53.5%, women = 46.1%; average age = 45.6 ± 6.2 years [age provided = 291]) were included. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed via Qualtrics. The questionnaire contained demographic questions, quantitative items assessing perceived value and knowledge of athletic training, and open-ended questions to provide opportunities for expansion. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the demographic data. Quantitative measures were presented as count and percentage responses. Open-ended responses were analyzed using the general inductive approach, and overall perceptions were supported with participant quotes. Of 10 763 parents, 390 completed the questionnaire (3.6% response rate, 74.8% completion rate). Of the 390, 316 had a child in high school. Approximately 67% (n = 213) of respondents considered an AT a trusted source of medical information and "extremely valuable" to student-athletes' health and safety. The questionnaire response injury prevention was frequently recognized (n = 307, 97.2%) as a skill ATs perform, followed by first aid/wound care (91.8%) and therapeutic interventions (82.3%). Parents highlighted the AT's role in immediate care and attributed peace of mind and feelings of comfort to having a health care professional readily available for their children. When asked directly and when discussing their effect on student-athlete health and safety, parents valued ATs. Though various qualifications of ATs were recognized, parents emphasized the importance of having someone immediately available to provide care if and when needed. Educational efforts should focus on ATs as the most qualified health care professionals to provide comprehensive medical care to student-athletes in both urgent and nonurgent situations.

Impact of Aerobic and Anaerobic Field Tests on Physical Fitness of Female Athletes

Success in sports and many other group activities requires a total feeling of well-being as well as specialized and strategic skills in individual and team activities. One of the fundamental characteristics that influence athletic performance is viewed as PF. The main objective of this study was to analyze the impact of aerobic and anaerobic systems on PF of female athletes. This paper is a part of doctoral thesis and one of the objectives of this thesis was “to analyze the impact of aerobic and anaerobic fitness on the PF of female athletes”. The study used an experimental design with pre and post-test. Only female players of basketball and netball participated from two different universities namely “Lahore College Women University (LCWU)’ and “The University of the Punjab (PU)” from Lahore, Pakistan. Stratified random sampling method was used to collect data. In addition to demographic data, detailed information on health status was also collected through “Student-Athlete Health History Questionnaire” as part of the inclusion criteria. An equal number of participants were assigned to the control group (n=52) and the experimental group (n=52). . The training program started with a pre-test and the training was implemented three times a week for 8 weeks under the direct supervision of trained instructors at LCWU and PU on alternate days. The score of each training session was recorded for each participant in all the fitness tests, and a post-test was performed at the end of the training. Scores of the 20-meter shuttle run test were used to measure aerobic fitness. Mean scores agility and speed tests were used to measure anaerobic fitness. Mean scores of all the tests were computed to generate scores for PF. Mean comparisons were performed under descriptive analysis and Paired Sample t-test and Univariate Analysis of Variance was performed for hypothesis testing. Paired Sample t-test for all three fitness variables showed “a significant difference for aerobic fitness from pretest to posttest as t (207) = 0.89, p = 0.000 and a significant difference for anaerobic fitness was also found as t (207) =110, p = 0.000 and similarly, a significant difference for PF from pretest to posttest was found as t (207) = 95, p=0.000.” A significant impact of aerobic fitness on PF was found (F=3.08, p=0.000) and a significant impact of anaerobic fitness on PF was also found (F=2.36, p=0.005). The results of the study concluded that aerobic and anaerobic fitness showed significant improvement in PF of female athletes. Aerobic fitness showed significant effect on CRF, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and agility of the participants with no significant effect on BMI and anaerobic fitness showed significant effect on muscular strength and speed only.

Foot and Ankle Injury Surveillance of Collegiate Student-Athletes Utilizing the Pac-12 Health Analytics Program

Category:Ankle; Sports; OtherIntroduction/Purpose:In order to monitor student-athlete health, identify risk factors associated with sports injuries, and develop and evaluate injury prevention programs at the collegiate level, it is necessary to implement and utilize high quality sports injury surveillance systems. The Pac-12 Health Analytics Program (HAP) addresses this need by standardizing electronic medical record entries and common data elements across all Pac-12 institutions. The literature suggests that collegiate student-athletes are at higher risk for certain injuries that have chronic effects on their health-related quality of life. Previous investigations utilizing the HAP database found ankle injuries to be the second most prevalent lower extremity injury in this population. This study aims to build upon these previous findings and further characterize below-knee injuries using the HAP database.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed archival data from Pac-12 student-athletes followed in the HAP database, a deidentified Pac-12 conference-wide sports injury surveillance system used to study the epidemiological characteristics of varsity student- athletes from 2017-2020. Data collection is part of the standard of care provided by varsity athletic trainers and entered into the Presagia Sports electronic medical record. This data is then deidentified and automatically sent to the Pac-12 for inclusion in the HAP. Individual authorization forms were obtained from student-athlete participants prior to deidentification and inclusion in the HAP database. Student-athletes who sustained a lower extremity (LE) injury below the knee were included. Data on demographics and injury characteristics were analyzed.Results:Foot and ankle injuries account for 20.3% (6,776/33,432) of all database injuries, representing 23.4% (2,214/9,444) of all student-athletes. Female-athletes (26.8%) had a higher injury rate than male-athletes (20.9%) (p<0.00001). Lower leg injuries were categorized as ankle (43.1%), foot (25.3%), lower leg (18.4%), and ankle/heel (13.2%). Ligament sprain was the most common injury type (38.1%) followed by tendinopathy (14.4%) and inflammation (7.9%). Males were more likely to sustain an acute injury (81.8%) than females (63.7%). Injuries most commonly occurred on synthetic (46.0%). Common mechanisms of injury (MOI) included running (21.6%), contact with another player (18.4%), and contact with a hard object (14.8%). Injuries most commonly occurred during in-season (48.9%) compared to off-season (25.5%) and pre-season (20.9%) segments of the competitive year. Half of injuries (50.0%) resulted in lost time from sport, however only 6.7% of injuries were season ending and only 2 injuries (<0.01%) resulted in medical retirement.Conclusion:Most ankle injuries occurred on synthetic surfaces, suggesting an opportunity for enhanced monitoring and prehabililitation programs for sports that utilize these types of surfaces. Further investigations accounting for covariates and risk factors may inform injury prevention strategies and improve student-athlete wellness. While the Pac-12 HAP database is early in development, this report demonstrates the potential value that injury surveillance systems can provide for student-athlete health. The Pac-12 HAP is a collaborative and effective injury database, setting the standard for other regional conferences.

Athletic Trainer-Reported Prevalence of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Barriers to Health in Secondary Schools.

Where a person lives can have a significant effect on health. Limited access to health care, food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, and violence increase a person's likelihood of poor health. Athletic trainers (ATs) can contribute to identifying and improving the determinants of health that affect student-athletes. (1) What were the current perceptions ATs had about the health behaviors (specifically mental health and substance use) of high school student-athletes? (2) What were the barriers that ATs experienced when providing health services to high school student-athletes? (3) How did the developed environment affect the health behaviors and barriers that ATs observed? Qualitative study. Online survey. Certified National Athletic Trainers' Association members employed in the secondary school setting. Demographics of ATs were collected, and the ATs' perceptions of the health of student-athletes across developed environments, prevalence of mental health issues, tobacco and substance use, barriers to health care services, and housing and food insecurities among student-athletes were surveyed. Descriptive statistics for the outcome measures were reported. A total of 7600 electronic surveys were distributed to the ATs and 911 responded (females = 62%, average age = 36 years, average experience = 12.5 years). The school setting was identified by 82.5% as public and the environment as suburban by 43.7%, rural by 30.1%, and urban by 26.1%. Participants perceived a high average prevalence of mental health concerns (32%), e-cigarette use (31.7%), and marijuana use (26.9%) among student-athletes. Significant perceived barriers to health included limited access to transportation, poverty, and housing and food insecurities. This study highlights the health disparities and barriers ATs observed when addressing the health care needs of student-athletes. Understanding the determinants of health in order to identify the causes of health disparities may better prepare ATs to manage the health needs of underserved student-athletes.

The Impact of Intolerance of Uncertainty on Test Anxiety: Student Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Test anxiety caused by intolerance of uncertainty has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of student athletes, especially in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A total of 556 grade three high school student athletes in Chongqing, China, were investigated using the Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12), Perceived Social Support Scale, and Coping Style Scale for Middle School Students. Results reveal that more than half the student athletes experienced test anxiety, and the severity was above average during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant correlation between intolerance of uncertainty, perceived social support, coping style, and test anxiety. A positive correlation was found between test anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping style toward emotions, and a negative correlation between test anxiety, perceived social support, and coping style toward problems. Intolerance of uncertainty has a direct predictive effect on test anxiety, and perceived social support and coping style play a chain mediator role between intolerance of uncertainty and test anxiety. By constructing the mediating effect model, we can, to some extent, reveal the mechanism of the influence of intolerance of uncertainty on test anxiety. This study has a certain reference value for the prevention of test anxiety in student athletes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.