Sports related heat injury in Victoria, Australia: An analysis of 11 years of hospital admission and emergency department data.

OBJECTIVES: Heat injuries have become a considerable health risk for sport and exercise participants in Australia. This study seeks to update the Australian sports case numbers by considering data from hospital admission and emergency department (ED) presentations (collectively referred to as total hospitalisations). Specifically, this study aimed to report epidemiological features (incidence and case characteristics) for sport related heat injury (SRHI) cases treated in hospital, over an 11-year period in Victoria, Australia. DESIGN: Analysis of administrative health data. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit for hospital admissions and ED presentations separately using diagnosis and activity codes (focused on subgroups of T67 - effects of heat and light and U5000-U7100). Descriptive data were reported by age, sex, financial year and activity, and population trends reported for SRHI incidence rate. RESULTS: A total of 323 SRHI cases (ED=142, 44%; admissions=181, 56%) were identified, representing 10.2% of all heat injury cases (non-sport cases=2834). The highest number of SRHI cases were in golf (n=43, 13.3%) and lawn bowls (n=38, 11.8%). The age groups >65 and 15-34years reported a total of 114 cases (35.3%) and 106 cases (32.8%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings were consistent with previous Australian studies with SRHI comprising 10% of all heat injury cases. Strategies for SRHI awareness can be aimed at the age and sport groups with greater representation in the cases identified. We had expected several-times more ED presentations than admissions, suggesting fewer of the mild-moderate cases of SRHI attend for emergency care and that alternative data are needed to capture these.

Effects of a One-week Vacation with Various Activity Programs on Metabolism and Adipokines.

This study was conducted as part of a larger study of East Tyrolean health tourism, and investigates the effects of an active seven-day vacation on metabolic parameters and adipokines. Fifty-two healthy vacationers participated in two types of vacation activities (golf vs. Nordic walking or e-biking [nw&eb]). In the former group, 30 subjects played golf for a mean duration of 33.5 h per week; in the NW&EB group, 22 persons performed Nordic walking or e-biking for a mean duration of 14.2 h per week. Metabolic parameters and adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, GF-21, irisin, omentin-1, betatrophin, and resistin, were measured one day before and one day after the stay. After one week, only the NW&EB group experienced a significant decrease of 1.0 kg in body weight. Significant changes in HDL-C, FGF-21, irisin, and omentin-1 were seen in the golf group; and in triglycerides, HbA1c, leptin and adiponectin in the NW&EB group. No significant changes in betatrophin or resistin were registered in either group. A seven-day vacation with an activity program for several hours per week causes favorable changes in metabolic parameters and adipokines known to be involved in the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome. The changes differed in their magnitude and significance, depending on the type of activity.

Generational differences in the ranking pathways of top 100 ranked golfers.

The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) offers a rich data source that may be used by golf National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to inform the allocation of human and financial capital. Golf has undergone many changes over the past few decades, thus before rankings data can be used for benchmarking purposes it is crucial to appraise its temporal stability. This study aimed to determine whether the ranking pathways of top 100 golfers have changed over time. Data were collected on 470 golfers who entered the top 100 between January 1990 and December 2018. Golfers were assigned to birth-year defined cohorts: Cohort 1 (1989-1999) (n = 79); Cohort 2 (1979-1988) (n = 153); Cohort 3 (1969-1978) (n = 174); and Cohort 4 (1959-1986) (n = 64). Descriptive statistics were reported for ranking milestones and one-way ANOVAs used to investigate temporal trends. Golfers from younger age cohorts reached milestones at significantly earlier ages and in less time than their older peers. For instance, the time taken to reach the OWGR top 100 for Cohort 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 3.55, 5.99, 7.72, and 10.23 years, respectively. Together, these findings highlight the temporal instability of golf rankings data and provide scientific data to inform athlete selection and investment decisions.

An improved Bayesian Modified-EWMA location chart and its applications in mechanical and sport industry.

Control charts are popular tools in the statistical process control toolkit and the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart is one of its essential component for efficient process monitoring. In the present study, a new Bayesian Modified-EWMA chart is proposed for the monitoring of the location parameter in a process. Four various loss functions and a conjugate prior distribution are used in this study. The average run length is used as a performance evaluation tool for the proposed chart and its counterparts. The results advocate that the proposed chart performs very well for the monitoring of small to moderate shifts in the process and beats the existing counterparts. The significance of the proposed scheme has proved through two real-life examples: (1) For the monitoring of the reaming process which is used in the mechanical industry. (2) For the monitoring of golf ball performance in the sports industry.

Golf habits among physicians and surgeons: observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine patterns of golfing among physicians: the proportion who regularly play golf, differences in golf practices across specialties, the specialties with the best golfers, and differences in golf practices between male and female physicians. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Comprehensive database of US physicians linked to the US Golfing Association amateur golfer database. PARTICIPANTS: 41 692 US physicians who actively logged their golf rounds in the US Golfing Association database as of 1 August 2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of physicians who play golf, golf performance (measured using golf handicap index), and golf frequency (number of games played in previous six months). RESULTS: Among 1 029 088 physicians, 41 692 (4.1%) actively logged golf scores in the US Golfing Association amateur golfer database. Men accounted for 89.5% of physician golfers, and among male physicians overall, 5.5% (37 309/683 297) played golf compared with 1.3% (4383/345 489) among female physicians. Rates of golfing varied substantially across physician specialties. The highest proportions of physician golfers were in orthopedic surgery (8.8%), urology (8.1%), plastic surgery (7.5%), and otolaryngology (7.1%), whereas the lowest proportions were in internal medicine and infectious disease (<3.0%). Physicians in thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and orthopedic surgery were the best golfers, with about 15% better golf performance than specialists in endocrinology, dermatology, and oncology. CONCLUSIONS: Golfing is common among US male physicians, particularly those in the surgical subspecialties. The association between golfing and patient outcomes, costs of care, and physician wellbeing remain unknown.

Ranking Prediction Model Using the Competition Record of Ladies Professional Golf Association Players.

Chae, JS, Park, J, and So, W-Y. Ranking prediction model using the competition record of ladies professional golf association players. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2363-2374, 2018-The purpose of this study was to suggest a ranking prediction model using the competition record of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) players. The top 100 players on the tour money list from the 2013-2016 US Open were analyzed in this model. Stepwise regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of performance and independent variables (i.e., driving accuracy, green in regulation, putts per round, driving distance, percentage of sand saves, par-3 average, par-4 average, par-5 average, birdies average, and eagle average) on dependent variables (i.e., scoring average, official money, top-10 finishes, winning percentage, and 60-strokes average). The following prediction model was suggested:(Equation is included in full-text article.)(Equation is included in full-text article.)(Equation is included in full-text article.)(Equation is included in full-text article.)(Equation is included in full-text article.)Scoring of the above 5 prediction models and the prediction of golf ranking in the 2016 Women's Golf Olympic competition in Rio revealed a significant correlation between the predicted and real ranking (r = 0.689, p < 0.001) and between the predicted and the real average score (r = 0.653, p < 0.001). Our ranking prediction model using LPGA data may help coaches and players to identify which players are likely to participate in Olympic and World competitions, based on their performance.

Return to Sport After Shoulder Arthroplasty in Recreational Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: One of the most frequent demands from patients after shoulder replacement surgery is to return to sport. PURPOSE: To determine the rate of return to sport after shoulder arthroplasty (total shoulder arthroplasty, reverse shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty) in recreational athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis and systematic review. METHODS: The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to perform this systematic review and meta-analysis of the results in the literature as well as the presentation of results. A search of the literature was performed in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the MINORS (Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies) score. Inclusion criteria were studies in English evaluating return to sport after shoulder replacement surgery and on patients practicing a sport regularly, whatever the level, with all ages and sports included. The main criterion was the rate of patients who returned to a sport activity. RESULTS: Nine studies were selected among the 35 identified, including a total of 613 patients (39% male and 61% female) with a mean age of 71.7 years (range, 22.6-92.6 years). All the included patients practiced sports before surgery. The most common reported sports were golf (n = 140), swimming (n = 128), and tennis (n = 54). The mean rate of return to sport was 80.7% (range, 57.1%-97.3%). All patients who returned to sport were practicing in the 3 months before surgery. No radiological data were reported in the literature. The subgroup analysis for resuming golf after shoulder arthroplasty revealed a rate of return to sport of 79.2% (95% CI, 62.9%-89.5%). In the swimming subgroup, the rate was 75.6% (95% CI, 61.3%-85.8%) and in the tennis subgroup was 63.5% (95% CI, 34.1%-85.5%). The subgroup analysis for reverse shoulder arthroplasty reported a lower rate of return to sport than for all types of shoulder arthroplasty combined: 76.5% (95% CI, 60%-87%) versus 80.7% (95% CI, 70.9%-87.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Most patients returned to sport after surgery, and all who returned to sport were practicing their sport in the 3 months before surgery. No radiological data were reported in the literature.

Skin Cancer Awareness Amongst Irish Golfers.

Aim The aim of this study was to assess skin cancer awareness and identify the UV protective measures used by golfers within the Munster region of Ireland. Methods Subjects were recruited from throughout the Munster region at a regional competition, and at three other local golf clubs and "pro" shops. Participants filled out a short anonymous validated questionnaire when collecting their score cards7. Results One hundred and sixty-three golfers completed the questionnaire with a mean age of 65.6 years. 137 (84%) were male and 26 (16%) were female. We noted a high incidence of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer in our subjects. Sixteen (9.8%) had a previous history of skin cancer, with 8 melanomas and 8 non-melanoma skin cancers. A high percentage, 85%, of the golfers surveyed were compliant with SPF use. However many were using too low a SPF, 63 (44%) were using a SPF less than 30. Knowledge of risk of skin cancer is better amongst the golfers surveyed when compared to the general population. Most respondents (N = 96 (59%)) were aware that melanoma can lead to death if left untreated and 114 (70%) recognized that melanoma can be cured if treated early. Conclusion Golfers may benefit from targeted education emphasizing the importance of higher SPF use. Other interventions that may benefit this population would include availability of sunscreens and educational literature in 'pro' shops at golf courses.

Head Injuries in School-Age Children Who Play Golf.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children. We conducted a prospective study, which examined injury characteristics and outcomes of school-age children of 5.0-15.0 years (N = 10) who were admitted to hospital for a TBI. This study evaluated the role of age, gender, the Glasgow Coma Scale, mechanisms and severity of injury, and functional outcomes. Seventy percent of the children sustained a TBI from a fall. We also found that playing golf was associated with 40% of the TBIs, with three (30%) children being unrestrained passengers in a moving golf cart and another one (10%) was struck by a golf club. Injury awareness could have benefited or prevented most injuries, and school nurses are in the best position to provide preventative practice education. In golf-centric communities, prevention of golf-related injuries should include education within the schools.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with nasal positive airway pressure improves golf performance.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with impairment of cognitive function, and improvement is often noted with treatment. Golf is a sport that requires a range of cognitive skills. We evaluated the impact of nasal positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on the handicap index (HI) of golfers with OSAS. METHODS: Golfers underwent a nocturnal polysomnogram (NPSG) to determine whether they had significant OSAS (respiratory disturbance index > 15). Twelve subjects with a positive NPSG were treated with PAP. HI, an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and sleep questionnaire (SQ) were submitted upon study entry. After 20 rounds of golf on PAP treatment, the HI was recalculated, and the questionnaires were repeated. A matched control group composed of non-OSAS subjects was studied to assess the impact of the study construct on HI, ESS, and SQ. Statistical comparisons between pre- and post-PAP treatment were calculated. RESULTS: The control subjects demonstrated no significant change in HI, ESS, or SQ during this study, while the OSAS group demonstrated a significant drop in average HI (11.3%, p = 0.01), ESS, (p = 0.01), and SQ (p = 0.003). Among the more skilled golfers (defined as HI ≤ 12), the average HI dropped by an even greater degree (31.5%). Average utilization of PAP was 91.4% based on data card reporting. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of OSAS with PAP enhanced performance in golfers with this condition. Treatment adherence was unusually high in this study. Non-medical performance improvement may be a strong motivator for selected subjects with OSAS to seek treatment and maximize adherence.

Frontal midline theta is a specific indicator of optimal attentional engagement during skilled putting performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether frontal midline theta activity (Fmθ), an indicator of top-down sustained attention, can be used to distinguish an individual's best and worst golf putting performances during the pre-putt period. Eighteen golfers were recruited and asked to perform 100 putts in a self-paced simulated putting task. We then compared the Fmθ power of each individual's 15 best and worst putts. The results indicated that theta power in the frontal brain region significantly increased in both best and worst putts, compared with other midline regions. Moreover, the Fmθ power significantly decreased for the best putts compared with the worst putts. These findings suggest that Fmθ is a manifestation of sustained attention during a skilled performance and that optimal attentional engagement, as characterized by a lower Fmθ power, is beneficial for successful skilled performance rather than a higher Fmθ power reflecting excessive attentional control.

Birthplace effects on the development of female athletic talent.

This study examined the extent to which an athlete's place of birth can influence the likelihood of playing professional sport. Information regarding the birthplace of all American female athletes in the Ladies Professional Golf Association and Women's United Soccer Association was gathered from official league websites. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine if the birthplace of these professional athletes differed in any systematic way from official census population distributions. Odds-ratios were determined for cities within specific population ranges to ascertain if the likelihood of playing professional sport was influenced in any systematic way by city size. The analyses revealed that female professional soccer players born in cities of less than 1,000,000 were over-represented, as were female professional golfers born in cities of less than 250,000. Results are consistent with those of male professional athletes in suggesting that areas of lower population provide conditions more conducive to the development of expertise than do larger city environments.

Parity of match play: an LPGA replication.

This study investigated whether the slight advantage of higher seeded players to win in match play on the men's Professional Golfers' Association Tour generalizes to the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. Analysis showed no significant advantage for the higher seeded player in match play. The highly restricted range of skill of tour players makes it mainly a matter of chance who will win any match-play event or who will have the better or worse scores on any given day.

Is the independence of golf scores for professional golfers a statistical artifact?

This study investigated whether the lack of day-to-day consistency in performance for professional golfers would occur if round ranks were employed instead of round scores. When players' round scores from the 2004 Clark study were converted to round ranks, the results were very similar to those found in that study. It was concluded that the range of abilities for professional golfers is so restricted that the fluctuation in players' scores or rankings will show little consistency from day to day.

When "where" is more important than "when": birthplace and birthdate effects on the achievement of sporting expertise.

In this study, we assessed whether contextual factors related to where or when an athlete is born influence their likelihood of playing professional sport. The birthplace and birth month of all American players in the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and Professional Golfer's Association, and all Canadian players in the National Hockey League were collected from official websites. Monte Carlo simulations were used to verify if the birthplace of these professional athletes deviated in any systematic way from the official census population distribution, and chi-square analyses were conducted to determine whether the players' birth months were evenly distributed throughout the year. Results showed a birthplace bias towards smaller cities, with professional athletes being over-represented in cities of less than 500,000 and under-represented in cities of 500,000 and over. A birth month/relative age effect (in the form of a distinct bias towards elite athletes being relatively older than their peers) was found for hockey and baseball but not for basketball and golf. Comparative analyses suggested that contextual factors associated with place of birth contribute more influentially to the achievement of an elite level of sport performance than does relative age and that these factors are essentially independent in their influences on expertise development.

Rasch analysis of rank-ordered data.

Theoretical and practical aspects of several methods for the construction of linear measures from rank-ordered data are presented. The final partial-rankings of 356 professional golfers participating in 47 stroke-play tournaments are used for illustration. The methods include decomposing the rankings into independent paired comparisons without ties, into dependent paired comparisons without ties and into independent paired comparisons with ties. A further method, which is easier to implement, entails modeling each tournament as a partial-credit item in which the rank of each golfer is treated as the observation of a category on a partial-credit rating scale. For the golf data, the partial-credit method yields measures with greater face validity than the paired comparison methods. The methods are implemented with the computer programs FACETS and WINSTEPS.

An analysis of players' consistency among professional golfers: a longitudinal study.

This study followed the performance of individual professional golfers who played from 1997 to 2000 on the Professional Golfers Association Tour (PGA Tour, N=35), Ladies Professional Golfers Association Tour (LPGA Tour, N = 25), and Senior Professional Golfers Association Tour (SPGA Tour, N = 31) and investigated individual players' consistency in round-to-round performance within tournaments. Although the number of players showing consistency for most years exceeded chance expectations, evidence for round-to-round consistency from one year to the next for any player was small. Such evidence suggests that variability in player performance is more the rule than the exception for players on the three American professional tours.

Golf-associated head injury in the pediatric population: a common sports injury.

OBJECT: Golf-related injuries constitute a common type of sports injury in the pediatric population. The increase in the frequency of these injuries is largely attributed to the increase in the popularity of golf and greater use of golf carts by children. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms and complications associated with golf-related injuries in the pediatric population and, by doing so, assist in the prevention of such injuries. We reviewed the charts of 2546 pediatric patients evaluated by the neurosurgery service at the authors' institution over a 6-year period. There were 64 cases of sports-related injuries. Of these, 15 (23%) were golf-related, making these injuries the second-largest group of sports-related injuries. Depressed skull fracture was the most common injury observed. Neurosurgical intervention was required in 33% of the cases. With rare exceptions, patients made good recoveries during a mean follow-up period of 22.2 months. One death occurred due to uncontrollable cerebral edema following a golf cart accident. One child required shunt placement and several revisions following an injury sustained from a golf ball. CONCLUSIONS: Children should be advised on the proper use of golf equipment as a preventive measure to avoid these injuries. Precautionary guidelines and safety training guidelines should be established. The institution of a legal minimum age required to operate a golf cart should be considered.

Examination of hole-to-hole streakiness on the PGA Tour.

A study investigated streakiness among professional golfers. Hole-to-hole scores within 747 tournaments from a randomly chosen group of 35 players on the 1997 PGA Tour were analyzed. Contingency analyses gave no evidence for streakiness. Players were just as likely to score par or better following an above par hole as to make a par or better following a par or better hole. These results are consistent with those found for individual players in baseball and basketball.