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The purpose was to determine if cold whirlpool treatment decreases functional performance equally regardless of gender. A secondary aim was to determine if there is a gradual increase in functional performance across time. Twenty-one college-aged subjects volunteered to participate in this study and were required to perform four measures of functional performance including: counter movement vertical jump, T-test, 36.58-meter dash (40-yard), and active range of motion of the ankle. Participants were treated with a 20 minute, 10 degree Celsius cold whirlpool following the pre-test of a given functional performance measure. Participants demonstrated significant decreases in counter movement vertical jump, T-test, and 40-yard dash performance immediately following treatment. Vertical jump performance remained impaired for at least 32 minutes. While both the T-test and 40-yard dash were affected for 7 and 22 minutes post- treatment, respectively. Participants also demonstrated significant decreases in peak power and average power immediately after and for 32 minutes post-treatment. Dorsiflexion was significantly decreased 7 and 12 minutes following treatment. There were no differences for plantar flexion, inversion, or eversion. These data suggest functional performance was affected immediately following and for up to 32 minutes after cold whirlpool treatment. It was also evident that there is a gradual performance increase for each measure of functional performance across time. Therefore, the consequences should be carefully considered before returning athletes to activity following cold whirlpool treatment

Although exercise training is unequivocally of benefit relative to the risk of cardiovascular disease, there is a definable risk of complications during exercise training. In younger individuals, the risk is almost exclusively related to the presence of congenital abnormalities, whereas in older (∼40 years) individuals, the risk is largely related to atherosclerotic disease. In both groups, the risk of the underlying pathology leading to clinical presentation is increased by higher intensity exercise. In older individuals, preexercise screening is of potential benefit but is not generally well done. Exercise prescription should favor lower intensity exercise during the early weeks of an exercise program. Subjective methods, which do not rely on the results of an exercise test, including the Rating of Perceived Exertion and the Talk Test, are to be recommended because preliminary exercise testing is performed inconsistently. There are inadequate data regarding the spontaneous exercise training intensity in both healthy individuals and patients.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to examine if topics related to spirituality were being addressed in the curricula of athletic training education programs (ATEPs) and to investigate whether program directors (PDs) believed this to be a topic worthy of inclusion in ATEP experiences. Design and Setting: A descriptive mixed method study using a web-based survey. Subjects: The sample consisted of 291 PDs from accredited undergraduate ATEPs in the United States. Measurements: The items measured included participants' institutional affiliation, years of experience and educational background, perceptions on the propriety of including spiritual topics in ATEP curricula, and general awareness of the literature surrounding spirituality and health. Results: One hundred ten (79.7%) colleges/universities offered a course in spirituality outside the ATEP curriculum, but only 5 (3.6%) colleges/universities currently offered a course in the ATEP curriculum in which spirituality was the main focus. W e found that 89% of PDs believed there was a connection between spirituality and health/healing. Also, 69% agreed that spirituality should be addressed in a variety of ways within ATEPs. Forty seven percent agreed that it was appropriate to address spirituality with patients. Fourteen percent also reported that spirituality should be incorporated in the athletic training competencies and proficiencies. Conclusions: These data suggest that the majority of PDs believe there is a connection between spirituality and health/healing, and that spirituality should be addressed in a variety of ways in ATEPs.

Tarsal navicular fractures require an accurate and timely diagnosis to prevent costly and disabling complications. Diagnosis requires a thorough clinical evaluation that focuses on the patient's history, particularly his or her training regimen, and diet-as was the case with these 17-year-old girls. Plain radiography, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, MRI, and CT help make a definitive diagnosis. Treatment of low-risk fractures involves relative rest and cessation of the precipitating activity. High-risk fractures often require non-weight-bearing immobilization, coupled with therapy, and may require surgery.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the loading characteristics of the upper body during variable angle Roman chair (VARC) exercise and to compare back extension strength outputs obtained from a VARC to a criterion measure (lumbar dynamometer). For twenty-four healthy volunteers (age, 22.7 ± 3.2 years), the load attributed to the upper body and isometric back extension strength were measured twice at six positions over a full range of lumbar flexion on a VARC. In addition, isometric back extension strength was measured at seven positions over a full range of lumbar flexion on a lumbar dynamometer. Test-retest reliability was high for measures of the load attributed to the upper body (r = 0.99) and isometric strength (r = 0.96 to 0.97) on the VARC. The load attributed to the upper body increased from the most flexed to most extended position, while isometric strength increased from the most extended to the most flexed position on the VARC. Average VARC and dynamometer strength values were highly correlated (r = 0.90), but were lower on the VARC than on the dynamometer (888.4 ± 249.8 N vs. 1050.0 ± 438.5 N, respectively; p < 0.05).

The purpose of this studywas to determine the effect of pelvic stabilization during resistance training on the development of isometric lumbar extension strength (torque output) when testing and training are conducted on a lumbar dynamometer. Eighteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two groups that trained on a lumbar extension dynamometer: One trained with pelvic stabilization (n = 9) and the other trained without pelvic stabilization (n = 9). Peak isometric lumbar extension torque was measured on the dynamometer at seven angles over the full range of lumbar flexion, before and after a twelve-week, one time per week dynamic progressive resistance exercise program. Following training, peak isometric torque increased for the stabilization and without stabilization groups (average increase of 15.8 ± 11.8% and 20.6plusmn ;17.2%, respectively; p ≤ 0.05), while there was no difference in torque production between the groups (p0.05). This study demonstrates that pelvic stabilization is not required during training to develop lumbar extension strength when testing and training are conducted on the same machine.

Academic programs rely on outcomes assessments to determine if changes in the curriculum are necessary.Context:To examine the overall satisfaction levels of graduates (2005–2006) of National Athletic Trainers' Association–accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs as related to the 2002 Standards and Guidelines for Development and Implementation of NATA-Accredited Post-Professional Graduate Athletic Training Education Programs.Objective:Original survey instrument and demographic questionnaire.Design:Online survey instrument.Setting:Of 211 survey recipients, 123 returned surveys (58.29% response rate).Patients or Other Participants:Demographic information and satisfaction levels in 10 standard areas (depth of learning, breadth of learning, critical thinking, instructor availability, theoretic basis, writing skills, scholarly growth, community return, leadership, and overall program satisfaction) were obtained. Satisfaction scores were categorized into 10 percentage brackets (eg, 80%–89%) for each standard area.Main Outcome Measure(s):No differences were noted in relation to any of the standard satisfaction areas for evaluation of time off from school. However, graduates who required more than the allotted amount of time to complete their degree were less satisfied in the areas of depth of learning (P = .027), breadth of learning (P = .001), instructor availability (P = .005), writing (P = .022), and overall program satisfaction (P = .016).Results:Graduates were generally satisfied across all areas of their didactic curriculum. However, satisfaction levels were affected if graduates required more than the allotted amount of time to complete their degrees.Conclusions

Low-back pain (LBP) in women gymnasts is relatively common. This investigation was performed to evaluate the effects of a preseason training program for the trunk extensor, lateral flexor, and flexor muscles on LBP occurrence during the subsequent competitive season. The training group consisted of 15 collegiate women gymnasts. The control group consisted of 15 nonathlete collegiate women. Pre- and posttesting for all participants consisted of static endurance tests for the trunk extensors, lateral flexors, and flexors. After pretesting, the training group completed 10 weeks of biweekly training consisting of non-foot-supported back extensions and side bridges, in addition to their usual trunk flexor exercises. The control group did not perform any specialized trunk muscle training. Mean improvements in trunk endurance, based on multivariate analysis of variance at the 5% level of significance, were significantly greater in the training group than in the control group. Mean improvements in endurance in the training group were 47 seconds for the lateral trunk flexors, 34 seconds for the trunk extensors, and 80 seconds for the trunk flexors. During the subsequent gymnastics season, none of the gymnasts reported new episodes of LBP. One gymnast with chronic LBP reported a recurrence of LBP during the season. None of the gymnasts reported that the training program adversely affected their gymnastic performance. These data suggest that training the trunk musculature twice per week during a 10-week period with a relatively simple floor exercise protocol was an effective stimulus to improve trunk endurance measures. It is encouraging that none of the gymnasts reported new episodes of LBP during the subsequent competitive gymnastics season.

Purpose Correlative data have suggested that the Talk Test (TT) may be a surrogate of the ventilatory threshold (VT). This study examined manipulations of either the VT or exercise protocol to test the hypothesis that the TT and VT are related in a robust way, adequate for exercise prescription. Methods Healthy young adults participated in 4 independent series of experiments designed to decrease (blood donation) or increase (training) VT, or to systematically vary the exercise intensity above and below VT. These interventions were matched to responses of the TT. Results The changes in the exercise intensity at VT and at the last positive stage of the TT matched each other following both blood donation and training. When exercise intensity was varied above and below VT, the predicted ability to speak was well matched to observations of the TT. Predictive errors biased toward passing the TT when exercise intensity was greater than VT. The time required for the result of TT to become negative when exercise intensity was more than VT, decreased with increasing intensity but averaged more than the 2 minutes that has been used in previous studies. Conclusions This study confirms the robust relationship between VT and the TT during various interventions and suggests that the TT is suitable for exercise prescription.

We evaluated the reliability of static and dynamic lumbar muscle endurance measurements on a BackUP lumbar extension dynamometer. Sixteen healthy participants (8 male; 8 female) volunteered for this investigation. Fifty percent of each participant's body weight was calculated to determine the weight load utilized for the static (holding time) and dynamic (repetitions) lumbar extension endurance tests. Four separate tests (2 static, 2 dynamic) were conducted with at least a 24-hour rest period between tests. Test-retest intraclass correlations were shown to be high (static lumbar endurance, ICC = 0.92 (p0.0005); dynamic lumbar endurance, ICC = 0.93 (p0.0005) for both of the performed tests. Our results demonstrated that static and dynamic lumbar endurance can be assessed reliably on a BackUP lumbar extension dynamometer. Key PointsReliability studies that test lumbar endurance on machines that effectively stabilize the pelvis and isolate the lumbar extensors are limited.This is the first study to report reliability measures of static and dynamic lumbar endurance on a BackUP lumbar extension dynamometer.Static and dynamic lumbar endurance on a BackUP lumbar extension dynamometer, which uses a variety of pelvic stabilization mechanisms, can be reliably assessed in apparently healthy individuals.Future research is necessary to examine the reliability of lumbar extension endurance on the BackUP dynamometer in patient populations and validity in various settings.