Postural stability in athletes: The role of sport direction

BackgroundThe bulk of relevant studies compare individual or very few sports and on small samples of athletes. This requires extensive analysing postural stability in various sports.Research questionThe main objective of our study was to identify the features of postural stability in a normal vertical stance in athletes of various kinds.MethodsThis study compares postural stability in a normal bipedal stance with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions among athletes (n = 936, age: 6–47 years) from different sports and performance level. Postural stability was measured through the center of pressure (COP) sway area (AS) and velocity (VCP) while standing quietly in a normal bipedal position with EO and EC on a stabiloplatform (50 Hz).ResultsThe order of VCP-EO increase in athletes compared to Control was as follows: Shooting (-11.3 %, p < .0001) < Football (-10.4 %, p < .0001) < Boxing (-8.7 %, p < .0001) < Cross-Country Skiing (-7.2 %, p < .0001) < Gymnastics (-7.0 %, p < .0001) < Running (-6.9 %, p < .0001) < Team Games Played with Hands (-6.8 %, p < .0001) < Wrestling (-6.3 %, p < .0001) < Tennis (-5.5 %, p = .0004) < Alpine Skiing (-5.4 %, p = .002) < Rowing (-5.0 %, p = .194) < Speed Skating (-4.7 %, p = .004) < Figure Skating (-3.6 %, p = .034) < Control.SignificancePracticing any kind of sport was associated with increased postural stability in normal bipedal stance. This is the first study that provides reference values of COP sway and velocity with and without visual control on a stable force platform for different sport groups.     

Part II: presentation,diagnosis, classification,treatment, and prevention of stress fractures in female athletes

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Stress fractures (SFx) occur as the result of repetitive loads over short periods of time, which leads to micro-damage of the bone through cortical resorption, ultimately leading to fracture. They are a common injury in female athletes and often cause significant morbidity. The goal of this study is to review the presentation, diagnosis, classification, treatment, and prevention of SFx in female athletes.

Results: A thorough history, physical exam, and appropriate imaging can facilitate early diagnosis of stress fracture (SFx) and faster resolution of symptoms with more conservative management. The female athlete triad is an especially important factor that contributes to the increased risk of SFx in females. The continuum of stress injuries ranges from mild microfailure to complete fracture, which has resulted in the development of newer grading schemas through MRI and radiographic findings. Stress fractures are also classified as low- or high-risk according to anatomic location, as blood supply and applied forces at different locations affect the likelihood of fracture propagation, displacement, delayed union, or non-union.

Conclusions: The ability to screen for at-risk athletes is paramount in preventing SFx. Recognition and prompt treatment of the female athlete triad requires a multidisciplinary approach in order to restore energy balance, correct menstrual irregularities, and improve bone health. This review provides a basis for understanding how to identify and treat stress fractures, which may allow treating physicians to diagnose this condition earlier and minimize any associated morbidity.     

Muscle recruitment during plyometric exercises in overhead athletes with and without shoulder pain

ObjectivesTo investigate if there is a difference in muscle activity patterns during high load plyometric shoulder exercises between overhead athletes with and without shoulder pain.DesignControlled laboratory EMG study.SettingUniversity EMG Laboratory.ParticipantsSixty overhead athletes, 30 with shoulder pain and 30 healthy controls were included.Main outcome measuresThe EMG activity of Upper Trapezius (UT), Middle Trapezius (MT), Lower Trapezius (LT), Serratus Anterior (SA), Latissimus Dorsi (LD) and Pectoralis Major (PM) on the tested side and bilateral on Abdominal Obliques Externus (OE) muscles was registered with wireless surface EMG during 3 rotational plyometric shoulder exercises in 3 positions, prone, sidelying and standing.ResultsA significant higher muscle activity was found in the shoulder pain group for MT together with an overall significant higher activity in the thoraco-humeral and abdominal muscles compared to healthy controls.ConclusionsWhen rehabilitating the overhead athlete with shoulder pain, shoulder muscles together with both thoraco-humeral and abdominal muscles need to be engaged.     

我国老年长期护理服务质量及其影响因素分析——基于上海市的实证研究

利用上海市调研数据,以60岁及以上老人为研究对象,基于SERVQUAL模型和有序多分类逻辑回归方法分析我国老年长期护理服务质量及其影响因素。研究发现:老人对长期护理服务质量评价不高,且常用临床护理服务质量略低于基本生活照料服务质量。供给方因素中护理机构基础设施、管理水平、护理人员专业水平对长期护理服务质量的提升具有正向激励作用。需求方因素中老人养老金水平对长期护理服务质量的提高具有显著正向激励,而老人的失能程度对服务质量具有显著负向影响,且与男性老人相比,女性老人对长期护理服务质量评价显著更高。研究结果为精确地评估我国老年长期护理服务质量提供了科学依据,对提升失能老人的生活质量,促进我国长期护理服务产业的发展具有重要的政策启示。     

The prevalence of chronic ankle instability and its relationship to foot arch characteristics in female collegiate athletes

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) and to investigate its relationship to the foot arch in collegiate female athletes by each sports event.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingUniversity setting.Participants138 collegiate female athletes.Main outcome measuresAll subjects were asked about previous ankle sprains, and the arch height index (AHI) was calculated. Athletes with a previous sprain history were evaluated based on the criteria by the International Ankle Consortium (IAC), the severity of ankle instability (CAIT), and foot and ankle function (FAAM). The prevalence of CAI and the relationship between the AHI and ankle instability were analyzed by each sports event.ResultsOf 106 athletes with a previous ankle sprain, 10 (9.4%) met the IAC criteria below the cut-off value of the CAIT, and only 1 athlete (0.9%) was below the FAAM cut-off value. The AHI was not significantly different in athletes with CAI. The AHI was significantly lower in swimmers than in track and field (sprint) athletes.ConclusionMost female athletes with CAI were aware of the severity of ankle instability, but they did not feel dysfunction of the ankle during sports. Additionally, the AHI may depend on the characteristics of sports events.