Female Athletic Trainers Research Articles

Differential neural mechanisms for movement adaptations following neuromuscular training in young female athletes with a history of sports-related concussion

Sports-related concussion (SRC) in adolescent athletes is associated with an increased risk of subsequent lower extremity injury. Neuromuscular training (NMT) has shown promise for reducing lower extremity injuries following SRC, however, neural adaptations in response to changes in lower extremity biomechanics following NMT in athletes with a history of SRC (HxSRC) remains poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify changes in neural activity associated with lower extremity movement adaptations following a six-week NMT intervention in athletes with a HxSRC. Thirty-two right-hand/foot-dominant female adolescent athletes (16 with self-reported HxSRC, 16 age- and anthropometrically-matched controls) completed a bilateral leg press task with 3D motion analysis during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Movement adaptations were defined as a change in frontal and sagittal plane range of motion (ROM) during the fMRI bilateral leg press task. Significant pre- to post-NMT reductions were observed in the non-dominant (left) mean frontal plane ROM. Whole-brain neural correlate analysis revealed that increased cerebellar activity was significantly associated with reduced mean left-knee frontal ROM for matched controls. Exploratory within group analyses identified neural correlates in the postcentral gyrus for the HxSRC group which was associated with reduced mean left-knee frontal plane ROM. These distinct longitudinal changes provide preliminary evidence of differential neural activity associated with NMT to support knee frontal plane control in athletes with and without a HxSRC.

Effects of Long-lasting Volleyball Training on Tubulointerstitial Damage in Adolescent Female Athletes

In adolescent female athletes, monitoring physical condition using non-invasive methods such as urine could speed the provision of information to athletes and coaches, thereby preventing injuries and promoting improved performance. On this matter, it has been reported that physical stress is cumulatively increased by prolonged training in adolescent female athletes. Given the potential to monitor the cumulative effects of long-term training at the level of renal function, this could provide appropriate feedback to adolescent female athletes regarding their physical condition. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to clarify the accumulative effects of long-term volleyball training on renal damage, based on urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), in adolescent female athletes. Twenty-one eumenorrhoeic female volleyball players (as baseline values; age: 16.4±0.8 years, height: 161.9±5.8 cm, body mass: 55.6±5.7 kg, BMI: 21.8±1.2 kg/m2, body fat: 24.5±3.0 % [mean±SD]) participated in this study. All athletes carried out volleyball training in the school gym, which consisted of ball handling, specialized drills, and practical game-style exercises, including physical (aerobic/anaerobic) training. The training cycle was six days per week, with approximately 2 to 2.5 hours of volleyball training per day. In order to determine the cumulative effects of tubular injury (urinary L-FABP), urine samples were collected before and after volleyball club activities on three successive days (Days 1, 3, and 5) at 0 (baseline) and 10 months (two consecutive summer seasons), respectively, for the later analysis of urinary L-FABP using chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. Student's T-test was performed on the analyzed data of urine samples collected prior to the club activity, using values calculated as the mean of three consecutive days. No significant difference was observed in urinary L-FABP after 10 months of volleyball training (μg/g creatinine; 1.39±1.6 for 0 month, 1.17±0.8 for 10 months, respectively). The results of this study may partially explain the possibility that training adaptation occurred or that a threshold to overtraining was not reached after one year of training. Since physiological and environmental factors such as heat stress are presumed to be intricately involved in long-term training in a non-air-conditioned indoor environment, the biomarkers used in this experiment may be important dependent variables in monitoring overtraining of female indoor athletes. Supported partly by funds from Wesco Scientific Promotion Foundation (2022-71 to N. Y.) in Japan. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The Impact of Altitude Training on NCAA Division I Female Swimmers’ Performance

In this study, we investigate the effects of altitude training on female swimmers prior to college and how that training ultimately affects perfor- mance in their college career. In particular, for female athletes training in college at altitudes above 5,000 feet, we test whether athletes that trained at altitudes above 5,000 feet prior to college had different time drops between collegiate and high school best times, compared to athletes whose pre-collegiate training was below 5,000 feet. We test the hypothesis that having trained in college at altitudes above 5,000 feet and training prior to college at altitudes above 5,000 feet compared to altitudes below 5,000 feet will result in different observed time drops between collegiate and high school best times. We considered swimmers from four NCAA Division I colleges located in Colorado at altitudes ranging from approximately 5,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. We collected data on the best pre- collegiate and collegiate times of 167 sprint event (50 freestyle) swimmers, 164 middle-distance event (200 freestyle) swimmers, and 69 distance event (1650 freestyle) swimmers. The subjects were grouped by event specialty and whether or not they trained at altitude prior to their collegiate careers. Time improvements from best pre-collegiate times to best collegiate times between altitude groupings were computed for swimmers and event groups. We conclude that there is no significant drop in time between swimmers who swam at below 5,000 feet in altitude prior to their collegiate careers and those who swam at or above 5,000 feet in altitude.

BODY COMPOSITION AND REGIONAL PHASE ANGLE AS INDICATORS OF VO2max IN ELITE MALE AND FEMALE COMBAT ATHLETES

Various potentially related factors, such as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and anthropometric, physiological, genetic, and chronotype data, can contribute to athletes' training programs. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), phase angle (PhA) values, and aerobic power in female and male combat athletes. PhA, lean mass (kg), fat mass (kg), and body fat percentage (%) values of the athletes were measured using the BIA method. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured using a mobile cardiopulmonary exercise test system. Statistical tests included analyses of bivariate correlation, t-tests, and multiple regressions. All parameters differed except for male and female athletes' age and training experience. Male athletes have higher maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and PhA values than female athletes. BIA and PhA were differentially (small-medium) associated with absolute and relative VO2max in all athletes (p<0.05), whereas no correlation was found between both PhA and relative VO2max, respectively. The relationship between PhA and VO2max is more revealing, especially in male and female athletes. PhA and BIA have the potential to be used in the field by conditioning and trainers to assess aerobic endurance swiftly; this can aid in determining competition readiness, training progress, and monitoring the recovery of muscle performance following injury.

Season Phase Comparison of Training and Game Volume in Female High School Volleyball Athletes

This study evaluated the differences in training and match volume per set by season phase in female high school volleyball. Twelve athletes wore a device to measure total jumps (TJ) and high jumps (HJ), movements per minute (MPM), kinetic energy expended, and stress percent throughout the season phases: preseason, tournament, and district. In matches, athletes jumped less and had lower MPM in preseason (4.4 ± 2.3 TJ/set, 1.9 ± 0.5 MPM/set) compared with tournament (13.2 ± 8.1 TJ/set, 6.4 ± 1.7 MPM/set) and district (16.5 ± 9.9 TJ/set, 6.7 ± 1.8 MPM/set; p ≤ .001 for all) phases. District registered more HJ/set (2.6 ± 2.2 HJ/set) than preseason (0.7 ± 0.7 HJ/set, p = .007) and tournament phases (292 ± 172 J/lb/set, p < .001), and more kinetic energy expended/set (488 ± 174 J/lb/set) than preseason (201 ± 94 J/lb/set, p = .001). The highest training volume occurred during preseason with more TJ (preseason: 70.9 ± 26.0; tournament: 44.3 ± 19.3, p < .001; district: 34.7 ± 3.4, p = .004) and kinetic energy expended (preseason: 1,645 ± 547 J/lb; tournament: 980 ± 506 J/lb, p = .018; district: 1,108 ± 362, p = .016). Preseason training had higher stress percent (16.6 ± 3.0%) than tournament (19.4 ± 3.7%, p = .004) and more HJ (7.7 ± 6.3%) than district (3.1 ± 2.9%, p = .012). Match volume was unbalanced across the season phases, with preseason showing the lowest volume and district having the highest volume. This was counterbalanced with a higher training volume during the preseason compared with the other phases.

The Comparison of the Power Performance Ability Between Male and Female Taekwondo Athletes

This study analyzed the comparison of the power performance ability between male and female taekwondo athletes training in Sleman Regency in facing the Yogyakarta Special Region Sports Week. The population in this study involved 22 Sleman Regency taekwondo athletes. The total numbers of the samples in this study were 12 male athletes and 8 female athletes. The data analysis in this study utilized statistical analysis of SPSS 25. The results of the study revealed that the age of male and female Sleman Regency taekwondo athletes ranged from 17 to 25 years. The assessment results of the ability regarding the biomotor power components of taekwondo in Sleman athletes, on average, fell into the category of less once. The results showed an average male’s right foot triple hop jump test was 6.34 m. The farthest jump was 7.47 m, and the shortest was 4.77 m. The average male’s left foot triple hop jump test was 6.17 m. The farthest was 6.30 m, and the shortest was 5.33 m. For female athletes, the average result of the right foot triple hop jump test was 4.93 m. The longest jump reached 6.30 m, and the shortest jump was 4.14. The female athlete’s left foot triple hop jump test fell into an average of 4.84 m. The farthest jump reached 5.90 m, and the shortest jump was 3.59 m. Based on this assessment, the quality of Sleman’s taekwondo athletes, both males and females, was still far from the good category.

Dynamics of the Affective States During and After Cheerleading Training in Female Athletes

Dynamics of the Affective States During and After Cheerleading Training in Female Athletes

Examining Professional Identity among Collegiate Athletic Trainers and its Relationship with Work-family Conflict

Purpose: Professional identity is defined as an individual’s set of attitudes and beliefs about their specific role in their profession; a concept that could perhaps have implications on experiences of work-family conflict. The purpose of the study is to examine professional identity within college athletic trainers and how it relates to experiences of work-family conflict. Methods: Data was collected through an online survey (Qualtrics) where participants responded to demographic questions and previously validated Professional Identity and Values (PIV) Scale and the Work-Family Conflict (WFC) Scale. Demographic data were reported and analyzed for descriptives and frequencies. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were performed to identify differences among groups. Results: 585 (373 female, 210 male) college athletic trainers completed our study. Participants on average were 33 9 years of age and had 10 8 years of experience. Participants average score on the PIV scale was 93.618.96 and 4511.55 on the WFC scale. A Mann Whitey U test revealed there was no statistical difference between genders within the PIVS scale (p=.527). A Mann Whitey U test revealed a significant statistical difference between those who had less than 3 years of experience and those who had more than 3 years (U=20178.5, pConclusions:Male and female athletic trainers, regardless of their level within the NCAA collegiate setting, reported similar levels of PIV, but those athletic trainers with more than three years of experience reported higher levels. When an athletic trainer has responsibilities at home that require time and energy, his/her level of PIV is reduced.

Gender Diversity in Sports Medicine: Current Trends

As the sports medicine field has grown, the need for a more diverse workforce has become more evident. Given the growing athlete diversity that exists at all recreational and competitive levels of organized sports, it is important to better understand the current state of athletic health care diversity. This review assesses the current state of diversity in sports medicine from the perspective of the medical and athletic training professions. Men and women currently display nearly equivalent participation levels; however, the distribution of female team physicians and athletic trainers could better match the teams that they serve. Although progress has been made, much more needs to be done to bring more female athletic trainers and team physicians into athletic health care leadership roles. Early mentoring programs have shown efficacy for increasing the number of female candidates who might become the foundation of future athletic health care and academic program leaders. Level of EvidenceV, expert opinion.

Gender-specific issues of strength training loads planning for elite female athletes

Introduction
 Strength training is a fairly popular topic, both among sports product users and among scientists in Switzerland and other countries around the world. Nevertheless, the analysis of the literature is indicating that there is not enough scientifically based research on gender-specific issues of strength training loads planning for female athletes in sports of higher achievements.
 Purpose
 The goal of this study was to identify gender-specific issues in the planning of strength training loads for elite female athletes based on the psychophysiological and biomechanical methods of controlling.
 Methods
 To determine the model characteristics of the optimal psychophysiological state (indicators of the efficiency of attention, volume of voluntary attention, productivity, coefficients of motivational, volitional and typological components, stress resistance) and balance function of elite male and female athletes during practising competitions, we compared two independent groups (women, n = 17 and men, n = 24). All participants were aware of the objectives of the study and agreed to participate. Mathematical and statistical processing and data analysis were carried out using the computing and graphic capabilities of the computer programs “Statistica” (Statsoft, version 7.0) and Microsoft Excel 2010.
 Results
 The analysed factors and their component indicators to determine the state of psychophysiological functions for women and men. The analysis of the obtained indicators indicates that the manifestation of the characteristics of psychophysiological functions for men and women has its own gender characteristics. For men, it is a predominance of attention, and for women, mobility and strength of nervous processes. As for the quality of the balance function, significantly higher indicators (p < 0,05) are observed for women precisely when performing an attempt with closed eyes.
 Conclusions
 The sexual peculiarities of the formation of psychophysiological functions of elite athletes, the functional peculiarities of psychomotor and mental activity, as well as the peculiarities of the psychophysiological organization of information processing were revealed. The nuances regarding the indicators of quality of the balance function among elite athletes, depending on gender, are revealed, which is primarily related to the location of the centres of gravity: in women, it is located in the hips, and in men, it is much higher. This will, for example, directly affect the difference in the recommended angle in the knee area for female and male athletes during the strength exercise “squat with a barbell”. In addition, we would like to note that the data of the studied literature sources and our previous studies allow us to formulate a hypothesis regarding the change in the speed of basic training in elite female athletes under the influence of hormonal changes in different phases of their menstrual cycle. This hypothesis will be further investigated in forthcoming research.

The effectiveness of using power fitness training loads to increase adaptive reserves of female athletes in hand-to-hand combat

Background and Study Purpose. One of the main aspects of improving the special training of athletes in hand-to-hand combat is increasing functional reserves in conditions of power loads. Study Purpose - to study the peculiarities of adaptive body changes and the level of special training in female athletes of hand-to-hand combat using power fitness programs with different structure, parameters, and means.
 Material and Methods. We examined 36 female athletes (18-20 years old) who had been engaged in hand-to-hand combat for the last 4 years. We divided these women into two groups,18 people in each group. Groups used completely different power fitness training programs. We used methods of testing special training (the number of accurate kicks on the mannequin for 30 s) and laboratory monitoring of blood biochemical parameters (cortisol and LDH) before and after training load during 3 months. Group A used the standard power fitness training program for women of this age (exercises on simulators). Group B used well-known exercises with their own body weight with a complete change of kinematic and dynamic characteristics of the technique during 3 months of training.
 Results. The obtained results showed that indicators of special training positively changed by 10.4% (p <0.05) in group B athletes. At the same time, the studied indicator increased by 2.2% compared to initial level in group A athletes. At the end of the study, we observed an increase in cortisol level in the blood serum of group B athletes in response to physical stimuli. This was almost 10 times lower than the results recorded in group A. The results of monitoring LDH activity in the blood serum showed that its level increased by 19.5% (p <0.05) during the entire study period only in group B athletes. The controlled indicator remained almost unchanged in group A. The dynamics of the studied steroid hormone and enzyme in the blood serum in group B indicated an increase in the level of organism resistance to training loads under specified conditions of muscular activity and their pronounced adaptive changes.
 Conclusions. Determining the most effective power fitness training program for special training of female athletes in hand-to-hand combat, will help to increase their adaptive body reserves and their level of fitness. For this using different in structure and parameters training load.

Training, Wellbeing and Recovery Load Monitoring in Female Youth Athletes.

Participation in youth sports is ever-increasing, along with training and competition demands placed upon youth athletes. Young athletes may experience high training loads due to playing several sports, as well as participating in school physical education. Therefore, monitoring youth athlete load is an emerging area of research that may help limit non-functional overreaching, injury, or illness and assist with long-term athlete development. This narrative review highlights that multiple measures have been explored to monitor both internal and external load. However, the validity, reliability and practicality of these measures are often not fully understood in female youth populations. The most commonly used external monitoring methods are GPS tracking and TRIMP whereas common internal monitoring tools are questionnaires, perceived exertion rating and heart rate measures. The reporting of injuries and menstrual cycles is also crucial for providing completeness when monitoring an athlete. It has been suggested that the combination of training load, recovery and wellbeing monitoring variables is the optimal way to monitor an athlete’s fatigue levels. Whichever monitoring method is applied, in a youth population it is important that the protocol can be individualised, is inexpensive and can be easily implemented and reported so that the monitoring is sustainable.

Cardiac Remodeling in Female Athletes with Relation to Sport Discipline and Exercise Dose – A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study

Abstract Purpose: To compare chronic cardiac adaptations to exercise at various intensities and in different sports categories of female athletes. Methods: This was a retrospective study including 30 elite female athletes (members of the National Team), 14 amateur female athletes training 3-6 h per week for several years, and 20 inactive female controls who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance. Results: Left and right ventricular end-diastolic volumes (LVEDVI and RVEDVI) differed between all studied groups. They rose from controls to elite athletes, with amateur athletes in-between (for LVEDVI 73 ± 9 vs. 83 ± 6 vs. 95 ± 13 ml/m2, P< 0.001, for RVEDVI 74 ± 7 vs. 84 ± 6 vs. 97 ± 14 ml/m2, P< 0.001, respectively). Left and right atrial areas (LAA and RAA) were larger in amateur and elite athletes than in controls (P < 0.001), but there was no difference between the two athlete groups. The interventricular septal diameter was mildly higher only in elite female athletes (9 ± 1 mm vs. 8 ± 1 mm, P< 0.001). No difference in the above parameters was found between power and endurance athletes. Three athletes presented with benign myocardial fibrosis in the lower left ventricular (LV)-right ventricle junction point. Conclusions: The hearts of female athletes differed from inactive controls. Part of the changes was related to exercise intensity (LVEDVI and RVEDVI, mild LV muscle thickening), but other changes were not (LAA and RAA). There was no difference in the heart chamber size and LV muscle thickness between studied athletes engaging in power and endurance disciplines. There were also no significant myocardial tissue changes observed in both elite and amateur female athletes.

Comparison of Ig-M and some gastrointestinal disorders markers response to one-session continuous moderate training and high-intensity interval training in female athletes

زمینه و هدف: عبارت «سندروم اختلالات گوارش ناشی از ورزش» به اختلالات عملکرد و یکپارچگی دستگاه گوارش اشاره دارد که از ویژگی‌های مشترک فعالیت‌های ورزشی پرشدت و طولانی‌مدت است. به‌دلیل ابهامات موجود دربارۀ اختلالات گوارشی ناشی از انواع تمرینات ورزشی، تحقیق حاضر با هدف مقایسۀ پاسخ ایمنوگلوبولین M، و برخی از نشانگرهای اختلالات گوارشی به یک جلسه تمرین تداومی با شدت متوسط (MICT) و تناوبی پرشدت (HIIT) در دختران ورزشکار انجام گرفت. مواد و روش‌ها: به‌منظور بررسی پاسخ شاخص‌های مرتبط با اختلالات گوارشی به یک جلسه تمرین، 30 دختر ورزشکار داوطلب در قالب یک طرح نیمه‌تجربی سه‌گروهی (گروه‌های کنترل 10 نفر، MICT 10نفر و HIIT 10 نفر) در تحقیق حاضر شرکت کردند. ورزشکاران پس از دو هفته شرکت در دورۀ آشنایی تمرین، در روز یازدهم تا سیزدهم دورۀ ماهانۀ خود در جلسۀ آزمون ورزشی موردنظر شرکت کردند. برنامۀ تمرین در هر دو گروه MICT و HIIT شامل 7200 متر دویدن روی نوار گردان بود؛ به‌طوری‌که گروه MICT با شدت 70 درصد VO2max و گروه HIIT 18 تکرار 400 متر را با شدت 100-110 درصد VO2max انجام دادند. گروه کنترل نیز پس از صرف صبحانه در حالت استراحت بود. نمونه‌های خون پیش، بلافاصله و دو ساعت پس از جلسات تمرینی موردنظر هر گروه جمع‌آوری شد. همچنین علائم اختلالات گوارشی همزمان از طریق پرسشنامه ثبت شد. مقدار I-FABP، زنولین، LPS و IgM سرم به روش الایزا اندازه‌گیری شد. داده‌های سرمی به‌صورت میانگین ± انحراف استاندارد، با استفاده از تحلیل واریانس با اندازه‌گیری‌های مکرر و داده‌های رتبه‌ای مربوط به علائم اختلالات گوارشی با استفاده از آزمون ویلکاکسون با 05/0≥P تجزیه‌وتحلیل شدند.نتایج: سطوح I-FABP، LPS و زنولین پس از انجام قراردادهای ورزشی MICT و HIIT به‌طور معناداری افزایش یافت (05/0>P). درحالی‌که سطح IgM پس از هر دو نوع تمرین به‌طور معناداری کاهش پیدا کرد (05/0>P). همچنین دو ساعت پس از تمرین HIIT سطوح زنولین به حالت پایه بازگشت (05/0<P). غلظت I-FABP دو ساعت پس از تمرین MICT و سطوح زنولین و LPS دو ساعت پس از تمرین MICT و HIIT با گروه کنترل تفاوت معنادار نداشتند (05/0<P). همچنین تفاوت پاسخ‌های حاد کاهندة IgM و فزایندة I-FABP، LPS و زنولین به قراردادهای ورزشی MICT در مقایسه با HIIT معنادار نبود (05/0<P).نتیجه‌گیری: براساس نتایج تحقیق حاضر می‌توان نتیجه گرفت یک جلسه تمرین MICT و HIIT ممکن است موجب افزایش آسیب و نفوذپذیری روده، ایجاد اندوتوکسمی و کاهش ایمنی هومورال در دختران ورزشکار غیرنخبه شود. هرچند به‌نظر می‌رسد اختلالات عملکرد دستگاه گوارش ناشی از تمرین HIIT بیشتر باشد که با بروز علائم ناراحتی‌های گوارشی همراه نیست.

Effect of 8-week intake of the n-3 fatty acid-rich perilla oil on the gut function and as a fuel source for female athletes: a randomised trial.

Previous studies have examined the effects of n-3 fatty acid intake in supplement form or fish oil capsules, but there are few studies based on other foods. Perilla oil is a traditional Japanese seed oil rich in n-3 fatty acids. This randomised trial aimed to determine the appropriate n-3 fatty acid dose through consumption of perilla oil, which improves gut function and microbiota in trained athletes, and the amount of fat fuel required to provide energy to athletes involved in high-intensity training to improve athletic performance. Thirty-six female athletes training six times per week were randomly assigned to three groups according to perilla oil intake: 9 g/d (high oil intake (HOI)), 3 g/d (low oil intake (LOI)) and placebo-supplementation (PLA) groups. The HOI and LOI groups had perilla oil-containing jelly and the PLA group had placebo jelly for 8 weeks. Gut microbiota, constipation score and urinary biochemical index were measured pre- and post-intervention. The spoilage bacteria, Proteobacteria, significantly decreased (P = 0·036, d = 0·53), whereas Butyrate-producing bacteria, Lachnospiraceae, significantly increased (P = 0·007, d = 1·2) in the HOI group. Urinary indoxyl sulphate significantly decreased in the HOI group only (P = 0·010, d = 0·82). Changes in the constipation score were significantly lower in the HOI group (P = 0·020) and even lower in the LOI group (P = 0·073) than in the PLA group; there were significant differences between groups (P = 0·035). Therefore, perilla oil intake may improve gut function and microbiota in athletes, with higher doses resulting in further improvement.

Intensified training in adolescent female athletes: a crossover study of Greek yogurt effects on indices of recovery.

ABSTRACTBackgroundDuring a period of intensified exercise (e.g. training/identification camps), often undertaken by competitive youth athletes, the maintenance of muscle function and peak performance can become challenging due to an accumulation of fatigue. The provision of post-exercise dairy protein in adults has been previously shown to accelerate recovery; however, its efficacy in youth athletes is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of increased dairy protein consumption with plain Greek yogurt (GY) on performance and recovery indices during an intensified soccer training camp in adolescent female soccer players.MethodsThirteen players (14.3 ± 1.3 years) participated in a randomized, double blinded, crossover design study where they received 3 servings/day of either GY (~115 kcal, 17 g protein, ~11.5 g carbohydrates) or an isoenergetic carbohydrate control (CHO, ~115 kcal, 0.04 g protein, ~28.6 g carbohydrates) during two 5-day soccer-specific training camps. Performance was assessed before and after each training camp. Fasted, morning, creatine kinase (CK), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 10 (IL10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) were measured in plasma pre- and post-training.ResultsTraining led to decrements in counter-movement jump (p = 0.01), broad jump (p = 0.04) and aerobic capacity (p = 0.006), with no effect of GY. A significant increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 was observed from pre- to post-training in GY (+26% [p = 0.008]) but not in CHO (p = 0.89). CRP and CK increased (+65% [p = 0.005] and +119% [p ≤ 0.001], respectively), while IGF-1 decreased (−34% [p ≤ 0.001]) from pre- to post-training with no difference between conditions.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that consumption of GY did not offer any added recovery benefit with respect to measures of performance and in the attenuation of exercise-induced muscle damage above that achieved with energy-matched carbohydrate in this group of young female soccer players. However, regular consumption of GY may assist with the acute anti-inflammatory response during periods of intensified training in adolescent athletes.

Age, Sex, and Years of Experience: Examining Burnout Among Secondary School Athletic Trainers.

Burnout is occurring in the athletic training profession. Although data on burnout are growing, the secondary school employment setting is often overlooked in research. With the employment of athletic trainers in the secondary school setting growing rapidly, a better understanding of burnout is warranted, as it has been linked to attrition. To better understand burnout among secondary school athletic trainers using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), with a particular focus on differences between men and women. Cross-sectional survey. Secondary school athletic trainers. Athletic trainers who work in the secondary school setting were recruited via email to participate in the online survey. A total of 572 (373 women, 195 men, and 4 unreported) responses were included after we filtered out incomplete responses. Participants were asked to complete an online survey, which consisted of demographic and workplace questions along with 3 scales (ie, Perceived Stress Scale, CBI, and Work-Family Conflict Scale). Nonparametric analysis was used to investigate the differences in scale scores between groups. Participants reported a mean score of 40.1 (± 16.28) on the CBI scale. Women's scores were higher on the personal burnout subscale (t570 = 24.501, P ≤ .001), work-related burnout subscale (t570 = 11.347, P ≤ .001), and total CBI (t570 = 9.423, P = .002). Participants who were ≤30 years of age scored higher on the personal burnout subscale (t515 = 5.53, P = .019), work-related subscale (t515 = 7.812, P = .005), and total CBI (t515 = 4.194, P = .041). Those with ≤3 years of experience scored higher on the personal burnout subscale (t570 = 11.213, P ≤ .001), work-related burnout subscale (t570 = 6.557, P = .010), and total CBI (t570 = 4.722, P = .030). Low levels of burnout are being reported among secondary school athletic trainers. Female athletic trainers experienced greater levels of burnout, as well as personal and work-related burnout. Early-career athletic trainers also reported higher levels of burnout, suggesting the need for more support during this time.

Female Mentors and Gender Dynamics in Athletic Training

Purpose: Female athletic trainers face barriers in accessing female mentors due to the small numbers of same-gender leaders in athletic training. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of clinically practicing female athletic trainers with mentorship. Method: Twenty-three (23) athletic trainers who identified as female and had at least 3 years of clinical experience. Interviews occurred using a semi-structured interview script. All teleconference interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A 3-person research team analyzed the data and coded it into domains and categories based on the consensual qualitative research process. Credibility was established with multiple researchers, an external auditor, and member checks. Results: Three domains emerged from the data: (1) foundations of mentor relationships, (2) the benefit of mentor relationships, and (3) the influence of female mentors. Participants identified mentor behaviors they value such as not judging, communicating openly and regularly, guiding, challenging, trusting, and supporting. Participants indicated they benefited from their mentor relationships with an evolving friendship, career advancement, administrative support, relationships management, confidence, and empowerment. Participants identified unique influences of female mentors, specifically helping them manage gender-specific challenges and modeling work-life integration. Participants stated an obvious lack of female mentors in athletic training. Conclusions: Findings suggest those that are identified as mentors, regardless of gender, demonstrate foundational behaviors that yield benefits to their mentees. However, the findings also suggest a significant absence of female mentors in athletic training. With the limited number of females in leadership or mentor roles in the field, it is difficult for females to access same-gender mentorship. With this lack of same-gender mentorship, female athletic trainers may face more significant obstacles in managing gender-specific dynamics and challenges in clinical practice.

NFL Players' Perceptions of Female Athletic Trainers

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

The effect of strength-endurance training on serum and urine metabolic profiles of female adolescent volleyball athletes.

Limited investigations on metabolic responses to exercise training in female adolescent volleyball athletes exist. The aim of this study was to obtain serum and urine metabolite markers in female adolescent volleyball athletes within 2-week strength-endurance training using a metabolomics approach coupled with biochemical analysis, which would be potential biomarkers for evaluating the physiological state of athletes. Twelve female adolescent volleyball athletes were recruited for 2-week strength-endurance training. Differential serum and urine metabolic profiles between the pre- and post-training group were obtained on gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and data subsequently underwent orthogonal partial least-squares analysis (OPLS). Strength-endurance training exerted a significant influence on the athletes' serum and urine metabolic profiles. The changed metabolites were primarily involved in energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acids metabolism. Results support the hypothesis that female athletes displayed an increased propensity to oxidize lipids as the major energy source. Exposure to strength-endurance training also led to a significant increase in cortisol, but a decrease in testosterone, indicating disordered hormone adjustment. Exercise-induced oxidative stress occurred, as was evidenced by the decrease in reduced glutathione, and increases in blood malondialdehyde and oxidized glutathione. Since the muscle damage markers creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase did not show significant changes, the training might not cause cell membrane damage and the athletes did not cross the adaptive injury level. By measurement of endogenous metabolites, the metabolomics study has the potential to reveal the global physiological changes in response to exercise training.