Sports Medicine Commons^™

A Systematic Review Of The Long And Short-Term Effects Of Sports Related Concussions In Youth And Adolescent Athletes, Yasin Ahmed

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Sports-related concussions impact thousands of young athletes. They can lead to short- and long-term effects, such as headaches, behavioral changes, and memory issues. These consequences lead to general concerns about the safety of young athletes participating in sports. Comprehending the effects of concussions in this vulnerable population is crucial for developing more advanced preventive measures and management strategies. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, searching Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Augsburg University Lindell Library databases. Relevant studies were identified using specific terms. Articles were included based on their relevance to youth or adolescent athletes and sports-related concussions. Studies …

Lower Extremity Risk Assessment In Athletes Following A Traumatic Brain Injury, Carlos D. Villalpando

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Concussions are a major health disorder. Continued research regarding the impact of concussions on athletes has led to an increased risk for lower extremity injury across a variety of populations following head trauma. Guidelines from the CDC use a self-reported symptom and cognitive examination for return to play.

Purpose: Current recommended guidelines increase the risk of lower extremity injury due to failure of identifying neurological deficits that persist following a concussion. This literature review aims to identify if athletes diagnosed with a concussion are at an increased risk …

In Patients With A Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Does An Autograft Versus Allograft Reconstruction Provide Superior Post- Operative Outcomes?, Aaron Karo

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: The literature surrounding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) exhibits the most commonly used grafts for a ruptured ACL are bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts, quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts, hamstring tendon (HT) autografts, and allografts. This paper was designed to compare the postoperative outcomes between autografts and allografts to determine which graft is superior.

Methods: A literature review of studies were searched and selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria using Augsburg University Interlibrary loan system, PubMed, and Elsivier.

Results: The research demonstrates superior outcomes for autografts compared to allografts. Additionally, the research delineates outcomes based on the type of …

Promoting Wellness For College Athletes Through Mindfulness Meditation, Lisa R. Braatz

Theses and Graduate Projects

The practice of mindfulness meditation may be beneficial for college athlete’s mental health and wellness. College athletes are in a period of significant personal growth and experience high amounts of stress related to athletic performance, academics, and peer relationships. Integrating mindfulness meditation for college athletes has been linked to improving relaxation, concentration, and performance while decreasing fatigue and negative emotions related to fear or anxiety. This scholarly project explores the implementation of four mindfulness meditation sessions on perceptions of stress, mental focus, athletic performance, and presence in female college track and field athletes. The participants were attending an urban college …

New Treatment Options For Concussions Using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Crystal Amundson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Millions of Americans experience concussions every year. With new attention from the media looking into the long-term sequela of concussions, more research and studies are initiated to find an effective treatment. Concussions happen after an impact to the head or body that causes a pathologic disruption in normal brain function. Symptoms most commonly associated with the trauma are headaches, emotional distress, vestibular disturbances and sensitivity to light. Historically, treatment has been physical and cognitive rest.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed was performed to identify articles pertaining to the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in concussions and traumatic brain …

Does An Acl Autograft, Allograft Or Synthetic Graft Lead To Improved Long Term Knee Stability?, Parker Lanoue

Theses and Graduate Projects

Current literature surrounding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction outlines four primary classes of grafts used to replace the existing ACL. These classes include bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts, hamstring tendon (HT) autographs, allografts and synthetic grafts. Research has been conducted on each of these primary ACL reconstruction strategies and through this research we are looking to answer the question on which of these classes of ACL grafts in turn leads to the most improved long-term knee stability. In addition to analyzing these classes of grafts we will also inspect options along the non-surgical route to ACL repair, a more conservative approach, …

Are Platelet Rich Plasma Injections A Better Choice Compared To Glucocorticoid Injections For The Treatment Of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy In Adult Patients?, Sawyer Lange

Theses and Graduate Projects

An estimated 16 to 34 percent of the general population will experience shoulder pain at some point in their life. Rotator cuff tendinopathy makes up a large portion of that percentage. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood product that has supraphsyiologic levels of growth factors and cytokines that have the potential to expedite the tendon healing process. This literature review will look at the current science surrounding PRP and look at studies comparing its efficacy to the commonly used corticosteroid injection.