Sports Medicine Commons^™

Post-Concussion Experiences Of Collegiate Student-Athletes, Kaitlin Iris Singer

Doctoral Dissertations

Sports-related concussions are a major public health concern affecting a significant number of collegiate student-athletes. Medical and public health research has addressed every aspect of concussion management processes including concussion education, medical diagnosis, recovery, and returning to sport and classroom. This research has led to several best-practices for concussion management. Since 2010, the NCAA has mandated that its member institutions maintain concussion management policies and procedures. However, the current recommendations, based primarily on medical research, have been found in quantitative studies of the behaviors and practices of athletic trainers, coaches, and student-athletes to be ineffective. To date, no studies have …

Reliability And Validity Of The Star Excursion Balance Test For Patients With Chronic Patellar Instability, Andrew D. Firth

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is an eight-direction, maximal-reach balance test whose measurement properties are unknown in participants with chronic patellar instability. We designed an observational study with repeated measures to evaluate the test-retest reliability, cross-sectional and longitudinal construct validity, sensitivity to change and responsiveness of the SEBT in this population. Fifteen patients completed the SEBT and reported outcomes at baseline and two weeks and four patients completed testing three months later at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic.

Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for the SEBT were fair to good, ranging from 0.66-0.84. The SEBT demonstrates good cross-sectional construct …

The Effect Of Acute Aerobic Exercise On Hemostasis In Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients, Ryan A. Martin

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Purpose: To determine the hemostatic response after acute aerobic exercise in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Methods: Eighteen males were recruited from the university and local community. Individuals who presented evidence of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease were excluded. Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) > 5 was criteria for OSA. Subjects performed a treadmill exercise test at 35% and 70% predicted VO₂reserve during the morning hours. Pre exercise blood samples were obtained after 15 minutes supine rest and within two minutes following exercise. Repeated Measures ANOVA were performed for Factor VIII antigen, tPA antigen, tPA activity, and PAI-1 activity across two time …

A Prediction Model For Acute Core And Lower Extremity Injuries In Division 1 Collegiate Football Players, Alexandra Aline Mcdonald

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Context: Various intrinsic factors such as high exposure, poor endurance of core muscles, previous injury, strength deficits, suboptimal neurocognitive function, and orthopedic abnormalities have been found as predictors for sprains and strains among collegiate football players. Objective: Assess the applicability of pre-participation assessments as predictors of core or lower extremity injury. Design: Cohort Study. Setting: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football program. Patients or Other Participants: Athletes who underwent mandatory pre-participation examinations before preseason football training over two consecutive seasons (n=225). Main Outcome Measure(s): Associations between preseason protocols and injury incidence for core and lower extremity injuries were established …

Improving Access To Care For Arkansas Youth Athletes With Sport-Related Concussion: Establishing “Teleconcussion” In Arkansas, Kristin Maxey

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Proper management of sport-related concussion (SRC) is critical for improved recovery outcomes in youth athletes. Several barriers exist to improving the standard of care for youth athletes with SRC. Many rural areas lack medical professionals with specialized training in SRC. Innovative methods for providing specialized healthcare to youth athletes with SRC are needed. Telehealth may be an effective means of providing specialized care for youth athletes with SRC located in underserved areas that have a shortage of healthcare providers specializing in SRC.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare patient, caregiver, and provider ratings of the therapeutic …

An Epidemiological Look At Injuries Among High School Athletes Participating In A Variety Of Sports For Both Sexes, Emily H. Wills

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle, but participating in athletic activities like team sports can lead to injury. This study was designed to find the differences in types of high school sports injuries and how frequently these injuries occur among different sports and between males and females. A survey was given to members of the football, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball teams of a central Appalachian high school. The highest rate of injury was found in girls’ basketball at 86.7%, followed by football at 85.2%, boys’ basketball at 70.6%, softball and volleyball each at 69.2%, …

Cooling Effectiveness Of Modified Cold-Water Immersion Method Following Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia, Katherine Elizabeth Luhring

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Context: Recommended treatment of exertional heat stroke (EHS) includes whole body cold-water immersion (CWI); however, remote locations, spatial or monetary restrictions challenge CWI feasibility. Thus, the development of a modified, portable CWI method would allow for optimal treatment of EHS when restrictions apply. Objective: Determine cooling efficacy of modified CWI (tarp assisted cooling with oscillation; TACO) following exertional hyperthermia. Design: Randomized, crossover controlled trial. Setting: Environmental chamber (33.4 ± 0.8°C, 55.7 ± 1.9% relative humidity). Patients or Other Participants: Sixteen (9 males, 7 females) volunteers (26 ± 4.7y, 1.76 ± 0.09m, 72.5 ± 9.0kg, 20.7 ± 7.1%body fat) with no …

Platelet Rich Plasma In Musculoskeletal Pathologies, Nicole L. Kaniki

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in musculoskeletal injuries.

Methods: We completed a review of the literature on the use of PRP in tendon, muscle, bone, and intra-articular injuries (Chapter 2). We completed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of PRP in ultrasound guided versus palpation guided injections of PRP in non-operative treatment of tendon and muscle injuries using an indirect analysis method (Chapter 3). We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of PRP versus corticosteroid (CS) injections in patients with plantar fasciitis (Chapter 4).

Results: Most studies …

Optimizing The Rehabilitation Of Elbow Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries, Ranita Harpreet Kaur Manocha

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Elbow lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries frequently arise following trauma, and can result in disabling instability. Typically such injuries are managed with immobilization followed by a graduated exercise regime; however there is minimal biomechanical evidence to support current treatment protocols. This investigation examines the in vitro effectiveness of several rehabilitation techniques using a custom elbow motion simulator. It was found that active range of motion is safest in the overhead position (n = 7). Early motion in this position may reduce the incidence of elbow stiffness without compromising ligament healing following LCL injury. Forearm pronation and active motion stabilize …

Nutrition Resources For Football Players In Division I Institutions: The Athletic Trainer's Perspective And Role, Giovanna Marie Giannini

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: The importance of nutrition on athletic performance is evident. Athletic trainers (ATs), nutritionists/RDs, strength and conditioning specialists (SCSs), and other athletic department personnel may be available to student-athletes and can be solicited for nutrition advice. Multiple studies have found that although some universities have a sports nutritionist on staff, student-athletes approached an AT most often for nutrition advice rather than an SCS, nutritionist or other person. ATs have the necessary education to provide proper nutrition information to student-athletes; however, it is not the primary role of an AT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the quantity, …

Clinical Characteristics Of Active Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability, Mary Elizabeth Winningham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ankle sprains, specifically to the lateral ligament complex, are one of the most common injuries seen during athletic participation and may lead to chronic ankle instability (CAI).¹ Residual symptoms of CAI can include feelings of giving way and instability as well as, persistent weakness, pain during activity, and self-reported disability, which may affect postural control and functional performance.² The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between perceived kinesiophobia and dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM), measures of dynamic postural control, and measures of functional performance, within active individuals with CAI. Thirty-seven physically active …

Longitudinal Examination Of Perceived Stress And Depression Symptomology In Division I Student-Athletes, Bobby Daigle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CONTEXT: Concussions are all too prevalent in amongst athletes. Concussions make up almost 5 percent of all collegiate athletic injuries. Concussions have been linked with many long lasting effects including depression and increased stress or anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally examine post-concussion depression and stress levels in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 athletes.

DESIGN: Descriptive longitudinal study.

SETTING: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate athletics.

PARTICIPANTS: Concussed and uninjured Division I collegiate athletes, ages 18-22, competing in football, women’s soccer, baseball, softball, and women’s track.

INTERVENTION(S): Participants completed the CES-D at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months …

A Culture That Fosters Concussions: Does Increased Education Lead To More Accurate Reporting Of Concussions?, Michael Heptig

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

With over 1.7 million incidents reported annually, concussion has become the most common class of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States (Bazarian, Zhu, Blyth, Borrino, & Zhong, 2012). As staggering a statistic as this may be, many believe it fails to represent the true number of concussions because the non-reporting of symptoms has been commonplace among athletes (Khurana & Kaye, 2012; Williamson & Goodman, 2006). The aim of this study was to determine those factors that influence the reporting of concussion symptoms. Specific variables that were examined include the amount of concussion education provided (determined by requisite amount …

The Progression Of Neurological Impairment In Sport-Related Brain Injuries, Nicole Leo

Honors Theses

Millions of Americans sustain traumatic head injuries each year when participating in various high and low-risk activities. Athletes, in general, are more prone to sustaining brain injuries than others, particularly those that participate in collision sports. This thesis discusses brain damage and long-term effects incurred by collision sport-related traumatic brain injuries such as the formation of amyloid-beta plaques in brain tissue and the increased possibility of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. In addition, brain development and plasticity over time are reviewed revealing the concept that brain plasticity and brain development are key processes that occur throughout childhood, adolescence, and …

Patient-Reported Variables Associated With The Success Of Behavioral Intervention For Patients With Chronic Cough, Bridget Loomis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Purpose: To determine if patient-related variables exist that can potentially discriminate patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC) that are reasonable candidates for behavioral cough therapy (BCT). This study is a small sub-set of a larger, ongoing study, which aims to create and validate a screening tool that primary care physicians can use in order to refer patients early and appropriately for medical or behavioral intervention.

Methods: In this prospective, exploratory study, 20 adult participants, aged 29-68 years of age, answered a bank of questions developed by an expert panel, and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), before and after BCT. Questions …