Sports Sciences Commons^™

Relative Age Effect At Men’S Volleyball World Championships Over Time, Marcin Śliwa, Mariusz Buszta, Jerzy Sadowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Relative age effect (RAE) in sport is extensively described in the literature. However, there is scarcity of data on how to avoid problems in the talent identification process and, consequently, how to avoid dropping out or losing a potential volleyball talent. The aim of the study was to carry out a retrospective analysis of RAE at Men’s U-19 and U-21 World Championships as well as Men’s World Championships over the last 12 years and to investigate possible differences in quarterly age distribution depending on anthropometric features, geographical regions the teams under study came from as well as their performance …

Interval Training Using A Slide Board Is Superior To Cycloergometer Regarding Aerobic Capacity And Specific Fitness In Elite Ice Hockey Players, Robert Roczniok, Artur Terbalyan, Daria Manilewska, Grzegorz Mikrut, Tomas Mika, Petr Stastny

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Ice hockey is a physically demanding sport that requires a combination of aerobic and anaerobic capacities, as well as specific on-ice skills. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of individualized interval training on a slide board with training on a cyclo-ergometer, focusing on aerobic capacity and specific fitness in elite ice hockey players. Materials and Methods: Thirty players were randomly divided into an experimental (slide board) and a control (cyclo-ergometer) group. Both groups underwent a 6-week training program with the same intensity and volume. Results: The results showed that both forms of training led to significant improvements in …

Assessment Of Postural Stability Of 14-Year-Old Girls Training Volleyball, Robert Walaszek, Wiesław Chwała, Katarzyna Burdacka, Marcin Burdacki, Paweł Kurowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Measurements of postural stability are carried out for the prevention of injuries and for rehabilitation of athletes who have sustained traumatic injuries. The aim of the study was to assess postural stability measured in static and dynamic conditions in 14-year-old girls, of whom some were training volleyball, and some were not. Materials and Methods: The study involved a group of 30 girls aged 14, attending volleyball classes. This group was compared with the control group (n = 30) of girls of the same age who regularly participated only in regular physical education (PE) classes. The tests were conducted twice. …

The Transgenerational Transmission Of Physical Attractiveness Perceptions: Role Of Parents' Physical Activity And Nutrition Habits In Modelling Body-Focused Health Attitudes And Body Shape Perception In Five-Year-Old Offspring, Agata Kamionka, Mariusz Lipowski, Sebastian Lizińczyk, Urszula Sajewicz-Radtke, Bartosz Radtke, Ariadna Łada-Maśko, Dariusz Olszewski-Strzyżowski, Małgorzata Lipowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Observing parents’ body-focused behaviours during middle childhood is one of the initial ways in which children model their perceptions of pro-health attitudes and their connection to physical attractiveness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parents' health behaviours, their appearance, and the perceptions of adult body types (skinny, medium, obese) by their five-year-old children. Moreover, the role of gender in the above relationship for both children and parents was also examined. Materials and methods: This study participants were 680 families with five-year-old children (330 girls). Participation was limited to the moth-er-father-child triad. The Beauty and Health Scale, Healthy …

The Acute Effect Of Releasing The Thoracolumbar Facia By Osteopatic Technique On Lower Extremity Functional Performance On Lumbar Extensor Endurance And Mobility In Soccer Players, Erkan Özyılmaz, Ömer Şenel, Hasan Aka, Zait Burak Aktuğ

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this study is to examine the acute effect of osteopathic release of the thoracolumbar fascia on lower extremity functional performance, lumbar extensor endurance and mobility in professional soccer players. Materials and Methods: 30 volunteer male athletes who professionally play soccer participated in the study, and the participants were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The functional performance of the lower extremities, lumbar extensor endurance and mobility of the subjects were measured twice – before and immediately after the Still Technique and placebo applications. Subjects' lower extremity functional performance was determined by the Single Leg Hop …

Effects Of A 10-Week Footstrike Transition Programme On Tibial Stress Fracture Probability; A Randomized Controlled Intervention Using Finite Element And Probabilistic Modelling, Jonathan Sinclair, Paul J. Taylor

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this study was to undertake a randomized control trial examining the effects of a 10-week footstrike transition program on tibial stress fracture risk compared to control. Material and methods: Twenty habitual rearfoot strike runners were randomly assigned to either footstrike or control groups. The footstrike group undertook a graduated 10-week program which allowed them to convert their habitual rearfoot strike pattern, whereas the control group maintained their normal training regime without any alterations to their strike pattern. Running biomechanics were collected using an eight-camera motion capture system, and ground reaction forces using a force plate. Tibial …

Painful Shoulder Syndrome And Upper Limb Function In Competitive Swimmers, Beata Pożarowszczyk-Kuczko, Martyna Kumorek, Dariusz Mroczek, Filipe Clemente, Wioletta Dziubek

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. Swimming is an athletic discipline that largely involves the upper limbs. Due to the driving and propulsive function, there is a heavy involvement of almost all muscles of the arm. Painful shoulder syndrome (PSS) is considered to be one of the main causes of interference with an effective and correct movement of the underwater stroke, which is a fundamental element of functionality in this discipline. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PSS affects upper limb function in competitive swimmers. Material and methods. Thirty-two swimmers aged 17–24 years with at least 2nd sport class participated in the …

In Football Players With Scaphoid Fractures, How Does Surgical Intervention Compare To A Conservative Intervention For The Outcomes Of Repair? A Critically Appraised Topic, Kaitlin Brun, Meggan Bartok, Caitlin Craig, Ally Smith

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

CLINICAL SCENARIO

Scaphoid injuries are common in high impact or high collision sports with 11% of all hand injuries and 60%-70% of all carpal injuries being attributed to the scaphoid bone. Athletes at the highest risk include males ages 20-24 years of age and those who participate in football, basketball, or ice hockey. Fracture of the scaphoid are often misdiagnosed which increase the chance of a nonunion fracture. Currently most scaphoid fractures are treated either conservatively or with surgical interventions. The increasing knowledge of this injury leads us to question the best treatment options for future football athletes.

Effectiveness Of Kinesio Tape In Treating Low Back Pain: A Critical Appraisal, Stacey Lansky, Sara Stiltner

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

CLINICAL SCENARIO

Low back pain is a musculoskeletal disorder that is expected to affect 80% of the population. ^2,7-8 There are several therapeutic interventions including modalities and rehabilitation exercises that have been used in standard treatment of low back pain to improve pain and disability. ^2,3,5,6,8,9 However, few studies have been done on the effects of Kinesio Tape (KT) on pain and disability in patients with low back pain. It should be a primary goal of clinicians treating patients with low back pain to understand if KT is an appropriate alternative intervention in treating pain and disability associated with low …

Athletic Trainers’ Knowledge And Perceived Ability Of Recognizing And Treating Panic Attacks, Caitlin Hill, Chyrsten Gessel, Jaclyn Tate

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

Mental health is a condition of mental wellness that enables people to manage life's stressors, develop their potential, study and work effectively, and give back to their communities. One mental health condition is anxiety. Anxiety is the expectation of a threat in the future. There are multiple subtypes of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), specific phobias, separation anxiety, and panic disorder. This study investigates the relationship between ATs' knowledge and their perceived ability to identify and treat panic attacks.

Scapular Fracture In An Ice Hockey Player, Rachel N. Kornbluth, Art Mccreary, Aaron Lear

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

Ice hockey is a fast and aggressive sport.^1-2 Due to deliberate collisions and fighting, a hard playing surface, and sharp skates, ice hockey players are at high and distinctive risk to injury.^2-5 The way in which ice hockey players collide with, or check, one another, makes the shoulder vulnerable. About 8.6-21.9% of injuries sustained in ice hockey involve the shoulder.⁴ Acromioclavicular joint sprains and anterior glenohumeral dislocations are most common.^1,4-5 This case presents a 25-year-old male collegiate ice hockey player who sustained a recurrent right-sided glenohumeral dislocation after being checked from behind with his arm …

Cpr Knowledge And Skill Retention Among Ncaa Division Iii Athletic Coaches: A Prospective Cohort Study, Allison Hanstine, Jaclyn Tate, Chyrsten Gessel

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

It is crucial for athletic coaches to be proficient in CPR knowledge and skill performance for the health and safety of their athletes. This research aimed to assess CPR knowledge and CPR skill retention five months post-training among athletic coaches. In addition, the study assessed whether the number of years certified in CPR had an association with CPR skill performance scores five months post-training.

The Effectiveness Of Patient Education In A High School Setting, Noah Silvers, Laura L. Harris

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

To compare different types of patient education when recommending best practices for the care of ankle sprains and concussions in adolescents.

Barriers To Implementation Of Post-Concussion Grade Exercise Tests, Tyler Beauregard

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential barriers to sports physical therapy and athletic training clinicians implementing graded exertional tests, specifically for their patients following concussion.

Accuracy Of Ottawa Ankle Rules In Adolescent Foot And Ankle Injuries, Kalie Siereveld, Olivia Teague, Laura L. Harris

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) for informing physician referrals secondary to ankle and foot injuries within adolescents.

Quality Improvement Of A Post-Concussion Recovery Protocol, Halle Strege, Kaitlyn Burnham, Laura L. Harris

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of a post-concussion recovery protocol in an adolescent athletic population.

An Investigation Of Aed Access In One Secondary School, Michelle Skaggs, Laura L. Harris

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accessibility and time required to retrieve and apply Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) against established standards.

Athletic Trainer Confidence In The Management Of Abdominal Injuries And Gi Conditions, Emily C. Roberts, Janet E. Simon

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

Inadequate evidence, position statements, clinical practice and post-surgical guidelines challenge athletic trainers’ capabilities to provide care for abdominal injuries and GI conditions.^1-4 The primary objective of this study is to assess athletic trainers’ confidence in the management and treatment of abdominal injuries and GI conditions compared to musculoskeletal injuries.

The Effect Of Task Demands On Decision Making In Dynamic, Sport-Like Virtual Environments, Jeromy Alt, Paula L. Silva, Tehran Davis, Adam W. Kiefer, Ryan Macpherson

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

To determine if level of temporal pressure to arrive at a desired location explains decisions about passability of closing gaps between opponents encountered and how decisions change with task experience.

The Effect Of Ankle Foot Orthotics On Collegiate Athletes’ Sprint Biomechanics, Elizabeth A. Starns, Paige Tucker

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

Carbon composite dynamic response ankle foot orthotics (CCDRAFOs) are lightweight ankle braces originally made to help pathologically involved legs walk more efficiently¹. Since CCDRAFOs are traditionally not used on able-bodied individuals, there is limited information on the effects of CCDRAFOs on sprint performance of able-bodied athletes. However, the technology behind CCDRAFOs effectiveness has been suggested to have ergogenic aid properties^2-5. This study’s purpose was to evaluate the effects of CCDRAFOs on collegiate athletes’ lower extremity biomechanics, specifically ankle and knee joint angles.

Neurocognitive Performance Differences Between Athletes Who Are Deaf Or Hard-Of-Hearing And Athletes Who Are Hearing, Matthew P. Brancaleone, Jaclyn Caccese, James Onate

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

There are over 71,000 college students in the United States who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH), with many participating in athletics. Athletes who are D/HoH have similar concussion rates to athletes who are hearing at the collegiate level. Differences in neurocognitive baseline performance between athletes who are D/HoH and athletes who are hearing may exist due to misunderstanding of written English instructions or differences in sensory processing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare neurocognitive performance between athletes who are hearing and athletes who are D/HoH.

Using Standardized Patients As A Tool To Explore Student Critical Thinking, Sara Stiltner, Andrea Cripps

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE

Standardized patients (SP) are a tool utilized regularly in athletic training to promote student confidence and independent thinking. SP are widely used in nursing, physical therapy, and in over 80% of medical education programs.¹ The use of SP to supplement student learning and career preparation, in the undergraduate setting has been a validated in increasing student confidence.³ SP’s are a tool that utilize an actor trained to portray a patient who has a specific medical condition or illness and the actor is trained to respond to the students in a consistent manner.^1,2 SP’s allow students the …

A Case Study On The Effects Of Pregnancy On Expiratory Flow Limitation (Efl) And Operating Lung Volumes During Exercise, Hannah Young

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pregnancy on expiratory flow limitation (EFL) and operating lung volumes (end expiratory lung volume and end inspiratory lung volume; EELV and EILV) during exercise, with an exploratory aim to assess differences in the above measures between exercise modalities. EFL has been shown to occur in several other subgroups but has never been studied in pregnant individuals. We followed one 35-year-old pregnant subject throughout her pregnancy, completing exercise and pulmonary testing every other week from 8 weeks gestation to 38 weeks gestation, and once again ~8 weeks postpartum. Testing was …

Does Strength Training Decrease The Risk Of Sports Related Knee Injury?, Zachary J. Noll, Quin W. Buob

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The knee is the most common joint affected by sports-related injuries, with approximately 2.5 million cases treated annually in the US alone, alongside 2 million worldwide ACL repairs. Among athletes engaged in contact sports like football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball, ACL tears are the primary injury concern. In non-contact sports, particularly running, meniscus tears are commonly experienced. A notable 23% of college athletes encounter knee injuries to varying degrees. Many risk factors have been identified including patient sex, activity type, and body composition, justifying the need for individualized preventive measures.

Various strength training protocols have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the …

Sex And Age Differences In Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Responses And The Resulting Influences On Cognition, Miranda K. Traylor

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Vascular dysfunction is the earliest known marker of neurodegeneration. However, limited research has been conducted to determine if changes in peripheral vascular function track differences in brain health. Therefore, the purpose was to determine if previously reported sex differences in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) vascular occlusion test (VOT) parameters persist across the lifespan and if these differences track age- and sex-related differences in a cognitive task. Ninety-nine healthy, cognitively intact adults (50 women, 49 men) across the adult lifespan (19-81 yrs) were used for analysis. The combination of NIRS-VOT was used to quantify microvascular function. Cognition was defined as the time …

Sprint Performance Following Plyometric Conditioning Activity In Elite Sprinters, Kinga Huminska-Lisowska, Aleksandra Strońska-Pluta, Aleksandra Suchanecka, Myosotis Massidda, Grzegorz Trybek, Carla Maria Calò, Agata Rzeszutko-Bełzowska, Remigiusz Recław, Anna Grzywacz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: This study investigates an association between the human dopamine receptor 2 gene DRD2 Taq1D rs1800498 polymorphism and personality traits among athletes, exploring the genetic underpinnings of sports performance and psychological characteristics. It aims to understand how genetic factors related to dopamine reception influence athletic predispositions and behaviors. Materials and Methods: An association study was conducted with 391 male participants, comparing 159 sports subjects with 232 non-trained controls. Personality traits were assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, while the DRD2 Taq1D rs1800498 polymorphism was genotyped through real-time PCR. Results: Significant differences in the DRD2 Taq1D rs1800498 genotype and allele frequencies …

Sprint Performance Following Plyometric Conditioning Activity In Elite Sprinters, Michal Krzysztofik, Mateusz Jopek, Dariusz Mroczek, Aleksander Matusiński, Adam Zając

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Considering the significance of the ankle joint for sprinting with the spring-like properties of the Achilles tendon, it seems that plyometric activating exercises could significantly potentiate maximum velocity sprinting. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of specific plyometric exercises engaging the ankle joint, called stiff-legged hops as a conditioning activity (CA) on countermovement jump (CMJ) and sprinting performance evaluated over a distance of 50m in elite female and male sprinters that differ in athletics level. Material and methods: Thirty-two sprinters of the Polish National Team were assigned into experimental and control (CTRL) groups, while …

How Does Rest Interval Duration Affect Performance? An Experiment On High-Intensity Sprint Exercises, İbrahim Orkun Akcan, Cengiz Ölmez

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of interval and high-intensity sprint training (RST) with different rest intervals on the respiratory function, aerobic and anaerobic power. (2) Materials and Methods: The study involved the voluntary participation of 20 male participants. The participants were divided into two groups: 2IRG (2-minute rest between repeated sprints) and 4IRG (4-minute rest between repeated sprints). The changes in the respiratory function, aerobic, and anaerobic power parameters were examined in the 2IRG and 4IRG athletes who performed two training sessions per week for 4 weeks. (3) Results: The findings indicated that there …

The Effects Of Complex Elastic Band Training On Physical Fitness Components In Junior Female Handball Players, Mehrez Hammami, Ryland Morgans, Piotr Zmijewski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 10-week complex elastic band training (CEBT) program on athletic performance in junior female handball players. Methods: Participants (16.2 ± 0.5 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 16) or control group (CG; n = 14). The IG group performed CEBT twice a week during the 10-week intervention, which included eight 35-minute sessions, progressing in number of sets and band resistance for each specific exercise. The CG maintained regular in-season training. The modified T-test (T-half), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump …

The Impact Of Physique On Strategy And Performance In The 400 M Hurdles Race Among Elite Male Athletes, Janusz Iskra, Subir Gupta, Krzysztof Przednowek, René V. Best, Arkadiusz Stanula

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: the objective of this study was to assess the impact of physique on the stride pattern and performance of elite male 400-m hurdles runners. Materials and Methods: this study is based on the analysis of the performance of 297 male 400-m hurdlers in 13 Olympic games, 16 world championships, and 15 European championships. The hurdlers were divided into 4 groups, based on their height and body mass index (BMI) – taller and heavier (TH), taller and lighter (TL), shorter and heavier (SH), and shorter and lighter (SL). Times taken to complete various phases of the 400-m hurdles race – …