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PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate if the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) total score, individual component test scores, or number of asymmetries can predict noncontact injury risk over three consecutive seasons of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football. METHODS Because football teams comprise individuals with vastly different physical characteristics and playing responsibilities, we divided the subjects into three homogeneous groups based on position (big, combo, and skill). Each FMS score was assessed with regard to the total team score and by individual position groups. For our injury analysis, we also controlled for exposure. Two hundred and eight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes participated over three consecutive seasons, yielding a total of 343 observations. RESULTS There was no significant relationship between total FMS score and likelihood of injury when analyzed by the total team or by position group. These findings were the same for all groups, for both the total number of injuries and injuries weighted by injury exposure. The only significant findings occurred when we considered individual test item scores to injury by position group. We only found a significant relationship in the expected direction with push-up stability in the combo group. CONCLUSIONS FMS was not a good predictor of noncontact injury.

PURPOSE This study investigated the relationship between blood flow restriction (BFR) cuff pressure and blood flow at rest and during exercise, with the aim of determining if lower cuff pressures will provide an ischemic stimulus comparable to higher pressures. METHODS The relationship between blood flow and cuff pressure at rest was determined by measuring blood flow (Doppler Ultrasound) through the superficial femoral artery (SFA) in 23 adults across a range of pressures (0%-100% Arterial Occlusion Pressure at rest [rAOP]). The interplay between cuff pressure, blood flow and exercise was assessed by determining AOP at rest and during plantar flexion exercise (eAOP) and subsequently measuring the blood flow response to plantar flexion exercise with BFR cuff pressure set to either 40% rAOP or 40% eAOP. RESULTS At rest, a nonlinear relationship between cuff pressure and blood flow through the SFA exhibited a plateau at moderate pressures, with nonsignificant differences in blood flow (~9%, P = 1.0) appearing between pressures ranging from 40% to 80% rAOP. While eAOP was greater than rAOP (229 ± 1.5 mm Hg vs 202 ± 1.5 mm Hg, P < 0.01), blood flow during plantar flexion exercise did not significantly differ (P = 0.49) when applying 40% rAOP or 40% eAOP. CONCLUSIONS Blood flow through the SFA exhibits a nonlinear relationship with cuff pressure, such that cuff pressures in the range of 40% to 80% rAOP reduce blood flow to approximately the same degree. The BFR interventions opting for lower (e.g., 40% AOP), more comfortable pressures will likely provide an ischemic stimulus comparable to that of higher (80% AOP), less-comfortable pressures.

Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) of patients on maintenance hemodialysis is very low. Exercise training performed during, or "on" dialysis, and at other times, "off" dialysis, both improve VO2peak. Equivalence of these approaches has not been shown, nor have the physiologic factors limiting VO2peak been clarified in these patients. We hypothesized that hemodialysis does not acutely alter the cardiovascular response to peak exercise, and further that anemia and a low peak heart rate limit VO2peak. Ten patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) performed cycle ergometry to peak exercise. Peak oxygen uptake measured immediately prior to dialysis was compared with predicted values, and with measurements obtained during the second 30 min of dialysis. The determinants of VO2peak were compared with previously reported norms. "Off" dialysis, VO2peak for nine of 10 patients was below the 95% confidence limit for normals. Their cardiovascular response to peak exercise was unchanged by 30-60 min of hemodialysis. Stroke volume was similar to that of normals; however, peak heart rate was 77% of predicted, and hematocrit was 27% (at rest). Peak exercise mixed-venous oxygen content was 3.6 ml O2 ml.dl-1 blood, similar to values reported for athletes. These findings show that up to 1 h of dialysis minimally effects VO2peak, and imply that low oxygen delivery limited VO2peak in these patients.