Sports Sciences Commons^™

Why The Structure Of The Mlb Season Is Causing High Injury Rates, Cole Mitchell

Scholarly Horizons: University of Minnesota, Morris Undergraduate Journal

Major League Baseball is one of America’s most honored organizations in the world. It was founded in 1869 making it one of the oldest sports organizations created. While for decades, the game of baseball, under the direction of the MLB has been highly praised, an injury epidemic began to diminish athletes' time playing the game. Injury in any sport is inevitable due to the unpredictable nature sports bring, however over the course of the last 40+ years, injury rates continue to skyrocket year in and year out in the sport of baseball. Where it shows its greatest effects is at …

Influence Of Mlb Pitching Trends On Youth Players And The Epidemic Of Pitching Injuries, Hunter R. Borah

Scholarly Horizons: University of Minnesota, Morris Undergraduate Journal

This paper will aim to explore the effect of the current MLB pitching trends and the correlation between trends and injury. Furthermore, the goal is to examine the trickle down effect of these trends and the rise in youth arm injuries. I will investigate the MLB’s emphasis on pitching “stuff” (velocity, spin rate and workhorse pitchers), which is favored over statistics, trying to prove that the MLB neglects long-term pitching health in return for harder throwing pitchers. These patterns, adopted by youth players have created a rise in throwing injuries due to the desire of young players to make it …

Effects Of Physical Activity On Self-Efficacy Of Patients With Bronchial Asthma, Carolin Schulze

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Due to higher exposures to fine dust, increased smoking and prevalence of obesity and stress, an increase in the diagnosis of bronchial asthma can be expected, which requires adequate, scientifically tested, alternative therapy methods. The current study investigated the effects of regular physical training on general and disease-specific self-efficacy. Materials and Methods: Overall 82 participants with mild to moderate medicated asthma (63% female, mean age = 41.88 ± 10.43 years) took part in the study. They were randomly divided into three groups: (1) no intervention, (2) progressive muscle relaxation and (3) physical activity intervention. Intervention lasted ten weeks with …

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 …

Sport Health Care Providers Knowledge Of Pain-Relieving Medications Including Opioids, Jackie Vandertuin, Dalya Abdulla, Stephanie Lowther, Miranda Manolakos

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Sport health care providers (SHCP) frequently field inquiries from athletes and key stakeholders regarding pain-relieving procedures, including medications. Purpose: This study sought to investigate the knowledge and role of SHCPs in managing and dispensing pain-relieving medications (PRMs), including opioids, for Canadian athletes. Method: Certified athletic therapists, registered sport massage therapists, licensed doctor of chiropractic sport sciences, and registered physiotherapists were sent an online survey. Percentage responses for each question as well Chi-squared analyses to determine potential interactions between questions were calculated. Results: Findings revealed a significant majority of participants (80%) self-reported having a “great deal” or “some” knowledge about …

Avascular Necrosis Of The Hip Following Surgical Repair Of A Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A Case Report, Ryan Gregory Boggs, Michael Ross, Justin Petrocy, Michael Tall

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical course of a patient with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) who was subsequently diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Case Description: The patient was a 15-year-old male seen by a physical therapist 2 months after in-situ fixation with 2 screws for a SCFE. One week after undergoing surgery, the patient experienced a considerable increase in left hip pain. Radiographs revealed inadequate fixation and a second surgical fixation was performed with 5 screws. On examination, the patient was ambulating weight bearing as tolerated with bilateral axillary crutches. …

Stakeholder Involvement And Systematic Review Of Elements That Determine A Successful Return To Work For Injured Workers: A Scoping Review, Sundip Kaur Khosa, Wilma Jelley Professor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: A healthy and sustainable return to work (RTW) for a worker after injury or illness has benefits for the worker, their family, the employer, and society.¹ For this research we used the following definition of RTW success; return to positive and meaningful work in a position or occupation not necessarily including all the aspects of the worker’s pre-injury or pre-illness functions or tasks. Purpose: The question behind this survey-based research was, What elements are perceived as essential, to ensure return to employment of injured or ill workers, by stakeholders with experience in the RTW process? Methods: A 32 …

Faculty Perspectives On Professional Behaviors In Exercise Science And Kinesiology Education, Christina Davlin-Pater

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Professional behaviors are important for success, and many employers expect students to learn these behaviors in their academic programs. This study identified the value faculty place on specific professional behaviors, their views, their behaviors related to teaching and fostering professional behaviors, and the negative behaviors observed in students. It also examined the perceived barriers faculty have to teaching professional behaviors. Method: 100 institutions with exercise science and/or kinesiology undergraduate programs were identified. Public and private institutions from 8 regions of the country were included. An email requesting participation in a survey was sent to 1567 individuals identified as faculty …

Can Self-Talk Improve Athletic Performance? A Critically Appraised Topic, Allison Brombach, Mikaela Dawn Boham, Ronald L. Snarr, Erica M. Filep

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Clinical Scenario: Athletes are constantly searching for alternative mechanisms to improve performance in sport. In addition to modifying physical training, psychological training tools (e.g., self-talk) have been used to elevate athletes from the average competitor. Athletes can use self-talk to navigate challenges in competition and improve self-confidence in tasks leading to potential increases in performance. However, literature relaying performance benefits for adolescent and adult athletes using self-talk is unclear. Clinical Question: In athletic populations, does the implementation of motivational or goal-setting self-talk increase athletic performance? Summary of Key Findings: Four studies were identified exploring self-talk on athletic performance outcomes. Methodology …

Gait Initiation Alone May Be Insufficient To Identify A Neuromuscular Mechanism Underlying Concussion-Related Kinematic Alterations, Tyler A. Wood, Rafael Casas, Chris Hill, Nicholas E. Grahovec

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Concussions create significant long-term health consequences, such as kinematic alterations, which may contribute to lower extremity musculoskeletal injury, dexterity limitations, disability, and declines in quality of life. A potential movement test that may identify neuromuscular mechanisms underlying these kinematic alterations is gait initiation. Gait initiation can assess preparatory postural adjustments as an individual transitions from static balance to voluntary movement. Thus, this study aims to examine muscle activation latency of individuals who sustained a concussion 3 to 24 months prior to testing, compared to healthy controls, during gait initiation tasks. Methods: This case-control study included 32 individuals who sustained …

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 …

Exploring The Mechanistic Trail Connecting Cellular Function, Health, And Athletic Performance With Phase Angle: A Review On The Physiology Of Phase Angle And Exercise-Based Interventions, Trevor Short, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 7, 2024. Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle (PhA) has been widely used in clinical and sports settings, as it is positively associated with health and fitness. However, what PhA is measuring at the cellular level has not been addressed, which limits our interpretation of PhA. The purpose of this review is to provide a roadmap, starting with the mechanistic link between the dielectric properties of mammalian cells and their physiological function. In simplistic terms, PhA measures cellular permittivity and electrical conductivity. These characteristics determine cellular health and function. This …

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 …

Evaluation Of Elevation Parameter Determination By Global Navigation Satellite Systems’ Sports Receivers: A Preliminary Study, Tomasz Szot, Marcin Sontowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Sports Global Navigation Satellite Systems’ receivers have been providing athletes, coaches, and scientists with valuable information on movement for over two decades. As these receivers are specific measuring instruments, there is a need to determine their accuracy. This paper presents a relatively simple methodology for assessing sports receivers of this type regarding their elevation determination. Material and methods: The methodology was based on the Digital Terrain Model of Poland, a discrete representation of the topographic elevation of the land surface. Three wearable devices from different years of manufacture were selected for the preliminary study by calculating the Root Mean …

An Evaluation Of The Irish Rugby Football Union (Irfu) Coach Education Framework In School And Club Settings, Kevin Smith

Theses

This thesis aimed to evaluate the Irish Rugby Football Union Coach Education Framework (IRFU-CEF) and its subsequent effect on coach behaviours/perceptions, training session content, and athlete perceptions in multiple rugby union settings. The IRFU-CEF was designed to educate coaches in How to coach, as opposed to more traditional forms of coach education that are typically designed to deliver content of What to coach. A baseline analysis (Study 1) was conducted to examine current behaviours/perceptions in a rugby union coaching environment. An IRFU-CEF intervention (Study 2) was delivered to coaches in the form of a single episode as a coach education …

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 …

Rpe-3100 Therapeutic Recreation For Individuals With Disabilities I, Mary Lou Fierle Ms.

Open Educational Resources

This is the syllabus for the course RPE-3100 Therapeutic Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities I

Less Activity Means Improved Welfare? How Pair Housing Influences Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus Cyanocephalus) Behaviour, London M. Wolff, Jeffrey R. Stevens

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

The activity level and specific behaviours exhibited by captive animals are crucial indicators of welfare. Stereotypies, or repetitive behaviours that have no apparent function or goal, are performed by animals experiencing poor conditions in their environment and indicate welfare concerns. Changes in the housing environment in particular may have critical influences on behaviour and welfare. Here, we measured behavioural changes in a captive pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) population (n = 10) associated with a shift from single to pair housing. Using automated video processing, we show that pair housing greatly reduced overall activity levels in these birds. The …

Evaluating Visual Dependence In Postural Stability Using Smartphone And Stroboscopic Glasses, Brent A. Harper, Michael Shiraishi, Rahul Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

This study explores the efficacy of integrating stroboscopic glasses with smartphone-based applications to evaluate postural control, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional forceplate technology. Athletes, particularly those with visual and visuo-oculomotor enhancements due to sports, often suffer from injuries that necessitate reliance on visual inputs for balance—conditions that can be simulated and studied using visual perturbation methods such as stroboscopic glasses. These glasses intermittently occlude vision, mimicking visual impairments that are crucial in assessing dependency on visual information for postural stability. Participants performed these tasks under three visual conditions: full vision, partial vision occlusion via stroboscopic glasses, and no vision …

The Impact Of Concussion History On Balance Performance In Collegiate Football Players, Cade R. Montgomery, Evan Braesch

Applied Health Sciences Student Works

This study aims to investigate the enduring impact of prior sport-related concussions on static and dynamic balance performance among collegiate football players. Twenty-six players (n=26), half with a history of diagnosed concussions (n=13). underwent balance testing using the Biosway Balance Error Scoring Scale test (BESS) for static balance, and the Y-Balance test (YBT) for dynamic balance. The Biosway test revealed notable statistical discrepancies in BESS composite scores between groups (p=0.010) and individual test items such as single leg stance with eyes closed (p=0.034) and tandem stance with eyes closed (p=0.030). No significant difference in the YBT composite scores between groups, …

Things To Keep In Mind When Selecting Physical Assessments In Youth Soccer: Correlations Between Test Performances, Interlimb Asymmetries, And Effects Of Maturation, Francisco Javier Robles-Palazón, John J. Mcmahon, Francisco Ayala, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A range of field-based tests have been proposed for inclusion in physical performance assessment batteries. However, there are obvious time and human resources constraints in applied settings. The knowledge of potential relationships between tests on performance, asymmetries, as well as maturation-induced changes, may help select the most informative and least time-consuming testing battery. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine correlations in performance between different field-based tests, in interlimb asymmetry between those unilateral tests, and between asymmetry scores and test performances, and (2) to determine the influence of players’ maturity status on test performances and asymmetries. A total …

Effects Of Photobiomodulation Therapy On Muscle Function In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Mitra Rouhani, Miguel Tolentino, Jeri-Anne Lyons, Alexander V. Ng

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

In people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), muscle fatigue and weakness are common issues that can interfere with daily activities. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), comprising light in a 600–1100 nm bandwidth, is a low-level laser therapy thought to improve muscle performance in non-disease populations, in part, by improving mitochondrial function and thus, might be beneficial in pwMS. Given this potential, we aimed to investigate the effects of PBMT on muscle performance in pwMS, both in the short-term and over an extended period.

Methods

This study consisted of two parts with a randomized double-blind crossover design. In study I, muscle function was …

Tendinopathy Severity Assessment–Achilles (Tendins-A): Evaluation Of Reliability And Validity In Accordance With Cosmin Recommendations, Myles C. Murphy, Fergus Mccleary, Dana Hince, Ruth Chimenti, Paola Chivers, J. Turner Vosseller, Sophia Nimphius, Nonhlanhla S. Mkumbuzi, Peter Malliaras, Nicola Maffulli, Robert J. De Vos, Ebonie K. Rio

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective To evaluate the construct validity (structural validity and hypothesis testing), reliability (test–retest reliability, measurement error and internal consistency) and minimal important change (MIC) of the 13-item TENDINopathy Severity assessment–Achilles (TENDINS-A). Methods Participants with Achilles pain completed an online survey including: demographics, TENDINS-A, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) assessed dimensionality. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed structural validity (root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA); Comparative Fit Index (CFI); Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI); standardised root measure square (SRMS)). Correlations between TENDINS-A and the FAOS or VISA-A assessed hypothesis testing. Intraclass …

Caffeine’S Impact On Heart Rate Variability During Short-Term Exercise In University Students, Maya J. Spinler, Morgan M. Payne, Christopher Carroll Dr.

Applied Health Sciences Student Works

The primary objective is to explore the physiological effects of caffeine on intra-bout exercise-induced blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) deceleration resulting from repeated anaerobic exercise cycling in active university students. Use of caffeinated stimulants has increased in recent years, particularly in the exercise setting. The cardiovascular system (CS) is an essential piece of exercise physiology and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Caffeine has a known effect on the CS during acute exercise. What is not well solidified is the connection between caffeine and exercise-induced markers, such as heart rate recovery (HRR) and BP. Participants underwent …

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.