Search

Background: Neuromuscular training (NMT) has demonstrated efficacy as an intervention to decrease the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries and improve sports performance. The effect of this training on the mechanisms that contribute to improved physical performance has not been well defined. Hypothesis: Athletes in the NMT group will have better mechanisms of fundamental movements and agility tests that may contribute to improved sports performance. Study Design: Prospective cohort study Level of Evidence: Level 2 Methods: Eight high school teams (111 athletes, 53% male, mean age 16 years) participated, with half performing NMT. Physical performance was measured using the dorsaVi ViPerform system, a US Food and Drug Administration-cleared wireless sensor system. Agility was assessed using a timed 3-cone test. Independent sample t tests were used to compare differences between the intervention and control groups. Results: Matched pre- and postseason data were collected from 74 athletes after excluding athletes with injury and those lost to follow-up. Significant improvements were observed in the NMT group for loading/landing speed ratios during a single-leg hop test (right lower extremity = −0.19 [–0.37, 0.03], P = 0.03 and left lower extremity = −0.27 [–0.50, −0.03], P = 0.03). The control group had lower ground reaction forces compared with the NMT group (P < 0.02), while significant improvements were found in the NMT group for initial peak acceleration (P < 0.02) and cadence (P = 0.01) during a straight-line acceleration/deceleration test. For the 3-cone agility test, the postseason time decreased compared with preseason in the NMT group, whereas the time for the control group increased (–0.37 s vs 0.14 s, P < 0.00). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that NMT administered by sports medicine clinicians can significantly improve some physical performance of fundamental movements in high school athletes. Clinical Relevance: Coaches should be trained to effectively deliver NMT in order to improve sports performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Objective: To determine the effect of an educational workshop on adherence to neuromuscular training (NMT) among high-school coaches. Design: Cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting: High school. Participants: A total of 21 teams in 8 high schools (unit of randomization) were randomized to the intervention or control group. Twelve boys' and 9 girls' teams in a variety of sports were enrolled. Intervention: Coaches in the intervention group participated in a 60-minute education workshop to teach effective implementation of a NMT program and also received print materials. Coaches in the control group received the same print materials. Main Outcome Measures: Eight data collectors were trained to observe each team's practice/game 2 to 3 times a week. They completed a study questionnaire to identify the NMT exercise and whether the coach (1) delivered exercise instructions and (2) provided alignment cues (both yes/no). Results: A total of 399 practices/games were observed over 2 seasons. A greater proportion of coaches in the intervention group provided alignment cues to correct improper technique compared with the control group {difference = 0.04 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.01-0.07], P = 0.006}. There was a similar proportion of coaches in the intervention and control groups who provided exercise instructions [difference = 0.01 (95% CI, −0.02 to 0.04), P = 0.44]. More coaches in the intervention group completed a full NMT program [OR = 4.62 (1.22, 17.50), P = 0.02]. Conclusions: Coach education can improve adherence to a NMT program and delivery of alignment cues. Coaches should receive in-person training on NMT and how to deliver alignment cues to their athletes while performing the exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selected one-electron properties for eight small molecules (H2O, CO, N2, H2S, NH3, PH3, HCl, and HF) have been computed using extended Gaussian basis sets at the SCF and CI levels. The basis sets and CI methodologies were capable of recovering approximately 86% of the estimated total correlation energy (88% of the valence) and, to the best of our knowledge, yielded the lowest variational energies and closest overall agreement with experimentally determined properties to date. Compared to numerical Hartree–Fock properties the current values are generally within 1%, with the largest deviation being 2.6% for δ at the nucleus. The sensitivity of the computed properties to the basis set composition and type of CI are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF), defined as blunting of counter-regulatory hormone and symptom responses to recurrent hypoglycemia, remains a therapeutic challenge in diabetes treatment. The opioid system may play a role in HAAF pathogenesis since activation of opioid receptors induces HAAF. Blockade of opioid receptors with intravenous naloxone ameliorates HAAF experimentally, yet is not feasible therapeutically., Objective: To investigate the effects of opioid receptor blockade with intranasal naloxone on experimentally-induced HAAF., Design: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study., Setting: Academic research center., Participants: Healthy non-diabetic volunteers., Interventions: Paired two-day studies, 5-10 weeks apart, each consisting of three consecutive hypoglycemic episodes (hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamps, glucose nadir: 54 mg/dL): two on day 1 with administration of intranasal naloxone vs. placebo, followed by the third episode on day 2., Main Outcome Measures: Differences in counter-regulatory hormones responses and hypoglycemia symptoms between first and third hypoglycemic episodes in naloxone vs. placebo studies., Results: Out of 17 participants, 9 developed HAAF, confirming variable inter-individual susceptibility. Among participants susceptible to HAAF, naloxone maintained some hormonal and symptomatic responses to hypoglycemia and prevented the associated requirement for increased glucose infusion. Unexpectedly, naloxone reduced plasma epinephrine and growth hormone responses to the first hypoglycemic episode but prevented further reduction with subsequent hypoglycemia., Conclusions: This is the first study to report that intranasal naloxone, a widely used opioid receptor antagonist, may ameliorate some features of HAAF. Further investigation is warranted into mechanisms of variable inter-individual susceptibility to HAAF and the effects of intranasal naloxone in people with diabetes at risk for HAAF., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com. See the journal About page for additional terms.)