Assessing the Validity of Several Heart Rate Monitors in Wearable Technology While Mountain Biking.

Purpose: This study sought to assess the validity of several heart rate (HR) monitors in wearable technology during mountain biking (MTB), compared to the Polar H7® HR monitor, used as the criterion device. Methods: A total of 20 participants completed two MTB trials while wearing six HR monitors (5 test devices, 1 criterion). HR was recorded on a second-by-second basis for all devices analyzed. After data processing, validity measures were calculated, including 1. error analysis: mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean error (ME), and 2. Correlation analysis: Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Thresholds for validity were set at MAPE < 10% and CCC > 0.7. Results: The only device that was found to be valid during mountain biking was the Suunto Spartan Sport watch with accompanying HR monitor, with a MAPE of 0.66% and a CCC of 0.99 for the overall, combined data. Conclusion: If a person would like to track their HR during mountain biking, for pacing, training, or other reasons, the devices best able to produce valid results are chest-based, wireless electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors, secured by elastic straps to minimize the movement of the device, such as the Suunto chest-based HR monitor.

The effect of plyometric training on power and kicking distance in female adolescent soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of low-frequency, low-impact plyometric training on vertical jump (VJ) and kicking distance in female adolescent soccer players. Sixteen adolescent soccer players were studied (age 13.4 ± 0.5 years) across 14 weeks. The control group (general soccer training only) had 6 subjects, and the plyometric training (general soccer training plus plyometric exercise) group had 10 subjects. All subjects were tested for VJ and kicking distance on 3 occasions: pre-test, 7 weeks, and 14 weeks. Data were analyzed using a 2 (Training) × 3 (Test) analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures on the factor test. No significant difference in kicking distance was found between groups at pre-test (p = 0.688) or 7 weeks (p = 0.117). The plyometric group had significantly greater kicking distance after 14 weeks (p < 0.001). No significant difference in VJ height was found between groups at pre-test (p = 0.837) or 7 weeks (p = 0.108). The plyometric group had a significantly higher VJ after 14 weeks (p = 0.014). These results provide strength coaches with a safe and effective alternative to high-intensity plyometric training. Based on these findings, to increase lower-body power resulting in increased VJ and kicking distance, strength coaches should implement once-weekly, low-impact plyometric training programs with their adolescent athletes.

Concussion-Prevention Strategies Used in National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I and II Women's Soccer.

CONTEXT: Whereas much attention has been paid to identifying mechanisms for decreasing concussion rates in women's soccer players, which strategies are currently being used is unknown. In addition, athletic trainers' (ATs') knowledge and beliefs about the efficacy of concussion-prevention practices have not been studied. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the concussion-prevention strategies being used in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and Division II women's soccer and identify the beliefs of certified ATs regarding mechanisms for preventing concussion. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Online survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 223 women's soccer team ATs employed at Division I or II universities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A survey instrument of structured questions and open-ended, follow-up questions was developed to identify the use of cervical-strengthening programs, headgear, and other techniques for preventing concussion. Questions also addressed ATs' beliefs regarding the effectiveness of cervical strengthening, headgear, and mouthguards in concussion prevention. Data were collected via questionnaire in Qualtrics survey software. Descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages were calculated for close-ended questions. Open-ended questions were evaluated for common themes, which were then reported by response frequency. RESULTS: Cervical strengthening or stability for concussion prevention was reported by 38 (17.12%) respondents; 153 (69.86%) ATs believed that cervical strengthening would aid in concussion prevention. Seventy-eight (35.49%) reported that their players wore headgear. Nineteen (8.76%) believed that soccer headgear prevented concussions; 45 (20.74%) believed that mouthguards prevented concussions. Education in proper soccer technique was reported by 151 (69.59%) respondents. Fourteen (0.06%) respondents cited nutritional strategies for concussion prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Although ATs believed that cervical strengthening could help prevent concussions, few had implemented this strategy. However, the ATs whose teams used headgear outnumbered those who believed that headgear was an effective prevention strategy. Based on our findings, we saw a disconnect among the current use of concussion-prevention strategies, ATs' beliefs, and the available evidence.

THE USE OF POSTURAL RESTORATION FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ROTATOR CUFF PATHOLOGY: A CASE REPORT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) theories and rehabilitation techniques focus on restoring balance to anatomical systems. Common postural asymmetries can present in athletes as dysfunctions and limitations. The purpose of this case report was to examine the use of PRI exercises and theories to address pelvic alignment, along with core stabilization, during treatment of shoulder dysfunction in a collegiate volleyball player. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 22-year-old female volleyball athlete reported unresolved right rotator cuff tendinopathy. She presented with bilateral rib cage flare, anterior pelvic tilt, and bilateral ROM differences in hip and shoulder internal and external rotation. PRI® special test findings included a positive left and right Adduction Drop Test (ADT), positive left Extension Drop, and Hruska Adduction Lift test (left=2, right=3) indicating posterior exterior chain (PEC) pattern of dysfunction. The traditional shoulder rehabilitation program from the previous season was eliminated and a PRI based intervention was performed. Intervention exercises included the 90/90 dead bug diaphragmatic breathing, 90/90 hamstring hip lift, and right sidelying respiratory left adductor pull back. Exercises were performed as three sets of ten diaphragmatic breathing repetitions, a minimum of three times weekly prior to activity. OUTCOMES: Likert scale ratings of pain decreased from a six pre-intervention to two. The left hip gained 10° of internal rotation and the right hip gained 14° of external rotation. Right shoulder internal rotation increased 15°. Hruska Adduction Lift improved to a four bilaterally (right by day 24, and left by day 31). Left extension drop test was negative following day 17. DISCUSSION: PRI® exercises focusing on core and pelvic stability translated to improved hip and shoulder ROM, and decreased shoulder pain associated with rotator cuff tendinopathy. By treating pelvic alignment with the PRI® exercises, the ROM imbalance and pain at the shoulder joint were addressed. CONCLUSION: Incorporating PRI exercises and theories into the rehabilitation program of a volleyball player was useful in addressing underlying imbalances throughout the kinetic chain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.

Cupping Therapy Does Not Influence Healthy Adult's Hamstring Range of Motion Compared to Control or Sham Conditions.

Cupping therapy, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, has recently gained popularity as a therapeutic modality among sports medicine clinicians. While the use of cupping therapy to decrease musculoskeletal pain is supported by recent research findings, evaluations on the use of cupping therapy to influence range of motion (ROM) are limited. The purpose of the study was to identify if cupping therapy applied passively for 10 minutes increases flexibility compared to sham treatment or control conditions. Twenty-five participants with hamstring ROM less than 80° and no previous cupping therapy experience completed the study. Participants reported to the laboratory on three occasions for one of three randomly assigned treatment conditions (cupping, sham, or control) for 10 minutes while prone. Hamstring flexibility was evaluated three times (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 10-minutes post-treatment) via ROM measured during an active straight leg raise. Participants returned on two other occasions to receive the remaining treatment conditions. A 3 (treatment condition) × 3 (time) repeated measures analysis of variance was utilized for statistical analysis. There was no interaction between condition and time (p = 0.78). Within-subjects effects for time (p = 0.76) was not significant. Post hoc pairwise comparison of treatment conditions found no differences between control and cupping (p = 0.36), cupping and sham (p = 0.35), or control and sham (p=0.98) conditions. Cupping therapy applied statically for 10 minutes does not increase hamstring flexibility compared to a sham treatment or control condition.

Effect of the simultaneous application of NMES and HVPC on knee extension torque.

CONTEXT: Electrical stimulation using simultaneous application of two current types for multiple effects is a current treatment option, but the effect of this treatment is not currently known. OBJECTIVES: To compare isometric knee extension torque when using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in combination with High Voltage Pulsed Current (HVPC) versus NMES alone during three contraction conditions of quadriceps. DESIGN: Counterbalanced, within-subjects design to test independent variables, stimulation protocol, and contraction condition; ANOVA to analyze dependent variable, peak torque. SETTING: Athletic Training Research Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 14 healthy subjects (7 male and 7 female, age = 21.9 +/- 2.0 yr, height = 173.4 +/- 10.1 cm, weight = 76.1 +/- 16.7 kg). INTERVENTION: Participants performed three contraction conditions during two stimulation protocols. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Peak isometric knee extension torque. RESULTS: The main effect for Stimulation Protocol was not significant: F1,26 = .01, P = .94. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous application of HVPC with NMES does not facilitate the neuromuscular response but may provide an efficient treatment when managing atrophy, strength loss, pain, and edema associated with reconstructive surgery.