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This study compared performance and muscle architecture (MA) changes in starters (S) and nonstarters (NS) during a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's soccer season. Twenty-eight women (19.9 ± 1.1 years; 1.71 ± 0.08 m; 64.7 ± 6.4 kg) were monitored for vertical jump power (VJP), repeated line drills (LDs), 3-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT), and reaction time (RT) at preseason, midseason, and postseason. Muscle architecture changes using ultrasonography were assessed at preseason and postseason. Comparisons between S (n = 11; 70.0 ± 14.6 min per game) and NS (n = 17; 8.4 ± 8.0 min per game) were performed to make magnitude-based inferences. No differences were seen in VJP during the season in either group. Starters were more likely (81.1%) to decrease LD time than NS, with no differences in fatigue rate. Starters and NS improved 3D-MOT (1.14 ± 0.41 to 1.55 ± 0.43) and RT (0.37 ± 0.05 to 0.34 ± 0.33 seconds), with no differences between groups. Rectus femoris (RF) echo intensity improved (65.57 ± 1.50 to 61.26 ± 1.59) in both groups, with no interactions observed. Cross-sectional area (20.84 ± 3.58 to 21.46 ± 3.66 cm) increased and pennation angle (PANG) (12.58 ± 2.56 to 11.78 ± 2.03°) decreased for both groups in the vastus lateralis (VL). Muscle architecture comparisons between groups revealed S likely decreased VL muscle thickness (MT) and PANG (81.6 and 79.4%, respectively) and possibly decreased RF MT and PANG (65.7 and 59.4%, respectively) when compared with NS. Results indicate that VJP and LD fatigue rate are not changed during a competitive season, but S become faster than NS. Three-dimensional multiple object tracking and RT improve regardless of playing time. Changes in MA indicate that practices alone provide sufficient stimulus for improving muscle quality during the competitive season.

The effects of passive smoking on ischemic heart disease are reviewed. Short-term exposures of 20 min to 8 h result in increased platelet sensitivity and decreased ability of the heart to receive and process oxygen. Longer term exposure results in plaque buildup and adverse effects on blood cholesterol. The available epidemiology is reviewed, and it is concluded that passive smoking increases the coronary death rate among U.S. never smokers by 20% to 70%. The newest Environmental Protection Agency procedures for estimating deaths from passive smoking, when applied to the epidemiologic results on heart disease and passive smoking, indicate that in 1985 an estimated 62,000 ischemic heart disease deaths in the United States were associated with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Clinicians are advised to counsel their patients to avoid tobacco smoke at home, at work and in transportation settings.