Sports Sciences Commons^™

Herniated Nucleus Pulposus Radiculopathy In Athletes, Elizabeth G. Massel

Capstone Showcase

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), commonly referred to as intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation, is the second most common cause of neck and back pain, and most common cause of radiculopathy. The purpose of this CME article is to provide guidance on the medical management and secondary prevention of HNP in athletic populations, and highlight the pathophysiological process of mechanical overload putting athletes at a proportionately higher risk of the disease. It will address the unique pathophysiology of overuse-related HNP, as opposed to underuse, with the mechanical overload on vertebral discs associated with many sports. It will also review, with more emphasis …

Speed, Agility And Power Potential Of Young Basketball Players, Denis Causevic, Semir Masic, Ivor Doder, Kestutis Matulaitis, Seth Spicer, Ahmed Gawash

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background. As basketball constantly evolves, physical performance becomes more and more important. Physical fitness assessments are the most reliable way to find out at what level a basketball player is prepared to perform. Therefore, the main aim of this research was to determine if the speed, agility and power of under-16-year- old (U16) basketball players is related to their playing positions.

Methods. The study included (n = 40) young basketball (aged 14.99 ± 0.84 years) players. The variables included height, body mass, body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), the percentage of body fat (BF%), the counter movement jump (CMJ), …

Body Composition Of Young Soccer Players, Denis Causevic, Seth Spicer, Ahmed Gawash

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to examine and analyze the body composition of young soccer players across different age groups.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 126 young soccer players divided by age categories U15 – 53 players (age=14.68±0.47); U17 – 51 players (age=16.47±0.50); U19 – 22 players (age=18.05±0.38). Body height for all subjects was measured by anthropometer, while body composition was measured by digital scale TANITA BC-420MA.

Results: On average, soccer players in the U-15 group had significantly lower body height, weight, body mass index, and fat free mass than U-17 and U-19 players …

Hydration And Fluid Replacement Knowledge In High School Football Athletes, Megan Anderson

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge of hydration and fluid replacement among high school football players. Secondary purposes of this investigation included identifying the athletes’ current sources of nutrition information and to identify the players’ perception of the adequacy of their fluid intake and barriers that prevent them from obtaining enough fluid before, during, and after exercise. A total of 29 athletes completed the survey. The mean ages of the athletes participated in this study was 16.4 years. The mean number of seasons played on the high school football team was 3.1 seasons. The mean …

Athletes' Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Concussions, Rebecca Williams, Christopher Cross

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Concussions are a serious injury with significant short and long-term consequences. With the increasing awareness of the dangers of concussions, research has been directed toward educating coaches, athletes, and clinicians about this condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate DII football athletes’ knowledge and attitudes toward concussion, so we can determine what education is necessary to better inform them, in order to be able to conduct a more efficient evaluation. A total of 55 male football athletes from NCAA DII institutions agreed to take part in the survey on a voluntary basis. Subjects completed a survey assessing athletes’ …

Concussion Return To Play Protocols Effect On Athletes' Reporting Of Symptoms, Timothy S. Waller, Amanda R. Meade, Elizabeth A. Sled, Michael S. Weller

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

When an athlete suffers a concussion, the standard return to play (RTP) guidelines are that they must sit out a minimum of a week as they go through a slow progression of exertional and neurocognitive tests once they are asymptomatic. This is a great improvement to concussion treatment in the past where athletes were often dangerously returned. However, because of this “blanket” 7-day minimum return policy, we believe the current RTP guidelines are potentially leading athletes to hide their symptoms more so they do not have to sit out. Fifty-three athletes were surveyed from soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and football teams …