Relationship between strength qualities and short track speed skating performance in young athletes.

This study analyzed the relationships between isometric as well as concentric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) strength of the leg muscles and the times as well as speeds over different distances in 17 young short track speed skaters. Isometric as well as concentric single-joint MVC strength and multi-joint MVC strength in a stable (without skates) and unstable (with skates) condition were tested. Furthermore, time during maximum skating performances on ice was measured. Results indicate that maximum torques during eversion and dorsal flexion have a significant influence on skating speed. Concentric MVC strength of the knee extensors was higher correlated with times as well as speeds over the different distances than isometric MVC strength. Multi-joint MVC testing revealed that the force loss between measurements without and with skates amounts to 25%, while biceps femoris and soleus showed decreased muscle activity and peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, as well as rectus femoris exhibited increased muscle activity. The results of this study depict evidence that the skating times and speeds are primarily influenced by concentric MVC strength of the leg extensors. To be able to transfer the strength onto ice in an optimal way, it is necessary to stabilize the knee and ankle joints.

An epizootic of rabies in Maryland, 1982-84.

The number of reported rabid raccoons increased by 617 per cent in Maryland from 1982 to 1984. The per cent of raccoons that tested positive for rabies increased from 7.9 per cent in 1982 to 57 per cent in 1984. During this period of time, more than 74 per cent of human exposures to rabid animals involved raccoons. Reports of animal bites of humans, however, showed only a 2.6 per cent increase. The raccoon rabies epizootic has had significant public health impact in terms of human rabies postexposure prophylaxis and rabies control programs.