Search

Evidence indicates that chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and asthma are part of a group of conditions linked by inflammatory dysregulation. One explanation for these associations is that the Western diet is obeseogenic and promotes the secretion of inflammatory biochemical signals. Weight gain results in lipid accumulation and adipocyte stress—factors known to disrupt the balance of systemic cell signaling (adipokines and cytokines) that favors inflammation. Markers are used as indicators of the inflammatory milieu and include the measurement of proinflammatory (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-a) and anti-inflammatory (adiponectin) signaling molecules. Consumption of a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is also an important indicator for a potentially inflammatory profile. This ratio may determine the direction of biological pathways for another family of inflammatory mediators—eicosanoids—which vary according to the omega fatty acid precursor. An improved dietary pattern that emphasizes balanced energy and nutrient intake resulting in a reduced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids plays a particularly important role in inflammation management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context: High school football remains a popular, physically demanding sport despite the known risks for acute brain and neck injury. Impacts to the head also raise concerns about their cumulative effects and long-term health consequences., Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a helmetless tackling training program to reduce head impact exposure in football participants., Design: A three-year, quasi-experimental, prospective cohort (clinicaltrials.gov #NCTXXX) study., Setting: Honolulu (XXX, XXX) area public and private secondary schools with varsity and junior varsity football., Patients or Other Participants: Football participants (n=496) ages 14 to 18 years old. Intervention(s) Participants wore new football helmets furnished with head impact sensor technology. Teams employed a season-long helmetless tackling and blocking intervention in Years 2 and 3 consisting of a 3-phase, systematic progression of 10 instructional drills., Main Outcome Measure(s): Head impact frequency per athlete exposure (ImpAE), location, and impact magnitude per participant intervention adherence levels (60% and 80%)., Results: An overall regression analysis revealed a significant negative association between ImpAE and adherence (p=0.003, beta=-1.21, SE=0.41). In year 3, a longitudinal data analysis of weekly ImpAE data resulted in an overall difference between the adherent and non-adherent groups (p=0.040 at 80%; p=0.004 at 60%), mainly due to decreases in top and side impacts. Mean cumulative impact burden for the adherent group (n=131: 2,105.84g ± 219.76,) was significantly (p=0.020) less than the non-adherent group (n=90: 3,158.25g ± 434.80) at the 60% adherence level., Conclusions: Participants adhering to the intervention on at least a 60% level experienced a 34% to 37% significant reduction in the number of head impacts (per exposure) through the season. These results provide additional evidence that a helmetless tackling and blocking training intervention (utilizing the HuTT® program) reduces head impact exposure in high school football players. Adherence to an intervention is crucial for achieving intended outcomes.