Sleep, Diet Quality, and Lipid Profile Assessment in NCAA Division I Acrobatics and Tumbling Student-Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Acrobatics and Tumbling (A&T), an emerging National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) sport, involves athletes with rigorous training backgrounds, usually extending from youth through early adulthood. This study examines the sleep health, diet quality, and lipid profile of A&T athletes clustered by their performance position. METHODS: Forty-two A&T athletes, clustered as tops (n = 19; age = 19.6 ± 1.0 years; body mass index [BMI] = 22.3 ± 1.7 kg/m2) and bases (n = 23; age = 19.6 ± 1.3 years; BMI = 25.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2), completed preseason sleep and diet quality (Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Shortened [REAP-S]) surveys. Fasting blood samples were collected for lipid analysis. Body composition was assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Most athletes (71.4%; base n = 14, top n = 16) reported insufficient sleep (≤7 hours) and "good" sleep quality (90.4%, n = 38; base n = 18, top n = 20). Average REAP-S score was 29.24 ± 3.74. Approximately 31% (n = 13) displayed at least one undesirable lipid concentration according to medical guidelines for normal levels (total cholesterol [TC] < 200 mg/dL, triglycerides [TG] < 150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] > 40 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] < 130 mg/dL). Approximately 20% exhibited elevated TC (top n = 4, base n = 4), 12.5% had elevated TG (base n = 5), 2.5% showed low HDL-C (base n = 1), and 10% presented elevated LDL-C (top n = 2, base n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Most athletes experienced suboptimal sleep (≤7 hours/night) and 31% displayed at least one undesirable lipid concentration (elevated TC, TG, or LDL-C or reduced HDL-C). Tailoring interventions with sports dietitians is recommended, focused on increasing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat intake while reducing saturated fat consumption. These interventions could mitigate cardiovascular risks, improve recovery, and possibly enhance athletic performance.

Effects of L-Leucine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Adipokine Markers in Untrained Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women.

ABSTRACT: Chapman-Lopez, TJ, Funderburk, LK, Heileson, JL, Wilburn, DT, Koutakis, P, Gallucci, AR, and Forsse, JS. Effects of L-leucine supplementation and resistance training on adipokine markers in untrained perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 526-532, 2024-This study examined the effects of supplementing 5 g of leucine compared with a placebo during a 10-week resistance training program on body composition parameters and adipokine concentrations in untrained, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Thirty-five women were randomly assigned to 2 groups-leucine (LEU, n = 17) and placebo (PLC, n = 18)-in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Each group consumed the supplement or placebo every day and completed a resistance training program for 10 weeks. Using 3-day food records, a diet was assessed before the intervention and after its cessation. Body composition was assessed preintervention and postintervention using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Moreover, the concentrations of adipokines, such as adiponectin, visfatin, leptin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Both groups showed an increase in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area ( p = 0.030) and fat-free mass (FFM; p = 0.023). There were significant group differences in concentrations of visfatin ( p = 0.020) and leptin ( p = 0.038) between the PLC and LEU groups. Visfatin displayed higher concentrations in the PLC group and leptin displayed higher concentrations in the LEU group. In addition, there were significant decreases in adiponectin concentrations for both groups (LEU: 652 ± 513 to 292 ± 447 pg·ml -1 ; PLC: 584 ± 572 to 245 ± 356 pg·ml -1 , p = 0.002) and MCP-1 only decreased in the PLC group (253 ± 119 to 206 ± 106 pg·ml -1 , p = 0.004). There were significant decreases in adiponectin concentrations in both groups and a decrease in MCP-1 concentrations in the PLC group. These decreases may be due to both adipokines possible relationship with VAT area. However, it is not known whether leucine has underlying properties that hinder changes in MCP-1 concentrations.

Burnout in and Commission of Medical Errors by Secondary School Athletic Trainers.

CONTEXT: Commission of medical errors by health care providers can be costly and potentially fatal for their patients. Previous researchers found a correlation between burnout and the commission of medical errors by physicians. The Smith Cognitive-Affective Model of Athletic Burnout suggests that emotional exhaustion and decreased personal accomplishment in athletic trainers (ATs) may be associated with behavioral outcomes such as commission of medical errors, but this association has not been examined. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between burnout in and commission of medical errors by ATs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Web-based survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 403 certified ATs working in the secondary school setting were recruited via multiple social media pages and the National Athletic Trainers' Association Research Survey Service. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): An online questionnaire that consisted of 97 items from previously used scales was distributed to participants. A logistic regression model with personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion as independent variables and a dichotomous variable for commission of medical errors (yes or no) as a dependent variable was calculated. A Poisson regression model with personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion as independent variables and number of medical errors committed as a dependent variable was also calculated. RESULTS: Approximately 18.4% of our sample admitted to committing at least 1 medical error in the last 30 days. Both personal accomplishment (odds ratio = 1.06, P = .005) and emotional exhaustion (odds ratio = 1.02, P = .037) were significantly associated with commission of at least 1 medical error. Emotional exhaustion (B = .02, P = .002) was significantly associated with the number of medical errors committed. CONCLUSIONS: Athletic trainers committed medical errors at a rate comparable with that of other health care professionals. Burnout was directly associated with both the likelihood of an AT committing a medical error and the number of errors an AT committed.

The Relationship Between Spiritual Well-Being and Burnout in Collegiate Athletic Trainers.

CONTEXT: Spiritual well-being is the expression of one's spirituality as measured in the dimensions of existential and religious well-being. The Smith Cognitive Affective Model of Athletic Burnout suggests that personality factors such as spiritual well-being and the use of religious coping methods may affect burnout as well as its causes and outcomes. This has not been examined in collegiate athletic trainers (ATs). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being and burnout in collegiate ATs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Web-based survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 783 certified ATs employed full time in the collegiate setting participated. Part-time employees (eg, graduate assistants, interns) were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A 100-item online questionnaire was created for this study. It used items from previously developed scales, including the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Brief RCOPE, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and substance-use questions from the Monitoring the Future study. Participants were able to complete the survey in approximately 10-15 minutes. Multiple regression analyses were used to analyze survey data. We mapped all independent (existential well-being, religious well-being, positive and negative religious coping) and dependent variables (situational variables, Maslach Burnout Inventory burnout subscales, substance use, and intention to leave) onto the Smith Cognitive-Affective Model of Athletic Burnout to determine which variables altered burnout levels, substance use, and intention to leave. Tests of mediation or moderation were conducted when appropriate. RESULTS: Existential well-being was a significant positive predictor of social support and a significant negative predictor of work-family conflict, decreased sense of personal accomplishment, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, intention to leave the profession, and binge drinking. Existential well-being also served as a mediator or moderator in several components of the model. CONCLUSIONS: Existential well-being was a protective factor against burnout as well as some of the causes and effects of burnout in collegiate ATs.

Effects of Hypohydration on Muscular Strength, Endurance, and Power in Women.

ABSTRACT: Gann, JJ, Andre, TL, Gallucci, AR, and Willoughby, DS. Effects of hypohydration on muscular strength, endurance, and power in women. J Strength Cond Res 35(2S): S102-S106, 2021-The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dehydration on muscular strength, endurance, power, and perceptual measures in resistance-trained women. Ten resistance-trained women completed 2 bouts of exercise (1 repetition maximum [1RM] for bench press and angled leg press followed by 5 sets to failure of 75% of 1RM and vertical jump), either dehydrated (∼3% body mass) (DT) or heat-exposed with fluid replacement (HT). Paired t-tests revealed bench press 1RM was significantly lower for DT (42.7 ± 14.5 kg) compared with HT (44.1 ± 13.9 kg). No significant difference was found for leg press 1RM (DT = 216.1 ± 55.0 kg; HT = 223.4 ± 55.7 kg). There was also no difference in total reps completed for bench press (DT = 33.5 ± 5.0; HT = 33.0 ± 5.5) or leg press (DT = 42.6 ± 20.3; HT = 45.8 ± 19.7). There was no significant difference for vertical jump height (DT: 45.8 ± 5.2 cm, HT: 46.9 ± 6.0 cm). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and session RPE were not significantly different between trials. Significant differences for perceived recovery status (DT: 5.1 ± 2.2, HT: 7.2 ± 1.1) and perceived readiness (DT: 4.2 ± 1.0, HT: 2.5 ± 0.5) indicate subjects expected impaired performance during DT. The current results suggest that previous night dehydration may have a negative impact on both bench press 1RM performance and perceptual feelings of recovery in resistance-trained women.

RESIDENTS CASE REPORT: MUSCULOCUTANEOUS NERVE INJURY IN A COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PITCHER.

BACKGROUND: Literature regarding musculocutaneous nerve injuries among the athletic population is scarce, with only several reported clinical cases among baseball and softball pitchers. PURPOSE: To present a unique case of a musculocutaneous nerve injury to aid in clinician awareness and propose innovative rehabilitation practices that may facilitate improved patient outcomes during recovery. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 23-year-old Division 1 NCAA collegiate baseball pitcher presented with vague anterior arm pain following a pre-season game. The athlete described the pain as an "intense stretch" of his right arm that occurred during his last pitch. The initial evaluation identified tenderness over the right distal bicep. All shoulder and elbow orthopedic tests to assess shoulder impingement, labral pathologies, and glenohumeral instability were unremarkable. Increased neural tension was also noted with upper limb neurodynamic testing of the median and ulnar nerves on the right arm compared bilaterally. Electromyography (EMG) testing confirmed a right upper and mid-brachial plexus stretch injury with the primary involvement of the musculocutaneous nerve. Rehabilitation focused on restoring strength deficits and diminishing neural tension. Blood flow restriction (BFR) was introduced on the uninvolved limb to reduce deficits in bicep musculature strength. Once the athlete regained bicep strength and forearm sensation, he was progressed from flat-ground throwing activities to throwing off the mound. OUTCOMES: A reduction in neural tension during neurodynamic testing of the right arm, improvement of bicep brachii deficits seen between the right and left limbs, and restoration of sensation in the right lateral forearm enabled a progressive return to sport. DISCUSSION: Due to vague reports and inconclusive findings, the initial presentation of musculocutaneous nerve injuries may be mistaken for other conditions such as a biceps brachii strain. Further -documentation of this injury and rehabilitation procedures are needed to enhance patient outcomes.

Burnout and Substance Use in Collegiate Athletic Trainers.

CONTEXT: The Smith Cognitive-Affective Model of Athletic Burnout suggests that athletic trainers (ATs) suffering from burnout may engage in substance use as a coping behavior. Increases in self-reported burnout symptoms are often associated with increases in heavy episodic drinking and tobacco use among various health care providers. However, this relationship has not been examined thoroughly. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of substance use in ATs and identify relationships between symptoms of burnout and substance use among ATs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Web-based survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 783 certified ATs working full time in the collegiate or university setting were sampled for this study. Graduate assistant and other part-time ATs were excluded. The survey was distributed via the National Athletic Trainers' Association membership directory e-mail broadcast service. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A 100-item online questionnaire consisting of items from previously used scales was used for this study. The survey included the Maslach Burnout Inventory and questions on substance use from the Monitoring the Future study. Multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the survey data. All independent (Maslach Burnout Inventory subscales) and dependent (use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana) variables were mapped to the Smith Cognitive-Affective Model of Athletic Burnout to determine which dimensions of burnout altered the odds of self-reported substance use. RESULTS: Almost half (46.3%) of participants admitted to at least 1 binge-drinking episode. However, the use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and energy drinks during the previous month was less pronounced in the sample. Emotional exhaustion (B = 0.008, P = .023) and personal accomplishment (B = -0.016, P = .02) were significantly correlated with binge drinking. Emotional exhaustion (Exp[B] = 1.017, P < .001) was also significantly positively correlated with energy-drink consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Some ATs engaged in heavy episodic drinking. Emotional exhaustion and a decreased sense of personal accomplishment were significantly correlated with this behavior.

Athletic Trainer Burnout: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the causes, effects, and prevalence of burnout in athletic trainers (ATs) identified in the literature. DATA SOURCES: EBSCO: SPORTDiscus and OneSearch were accessed, using the search terms athletic trainer AND burnout. STUDY SELECTION: Studies selected for inclusion were peer reviewed, published in a journal, and written in English and investigated prevalence, causes, effects, or alleviation of AT burnout. DATA EXTRACTION: The initial search yielded 558 articles. Articles that did not specifically involve ATs were excluded from further inspection. The remaining 83 full-text articles were reviewed. Of these 83 articles, 48 examined prevalence, causes, effects, or alleviation of AT burnout. An evaluation of the bibliographies of those 48 articles revealed 3 additional articles that were not initially identified but met the inclusion criteria. In total, 51 articles were included in data collection. DATA SYNTHESIS: Articles were categorized based on investigation of prevalence, causes, effects, or alleviation of burnout. Articles were also categorized based on which subset of the athletic training population they observed (ie, athletic training students, certified graduate assistants, high school or collegiate staff members, academic faculty). CONCLUSIONS: Burnout was observed in all studied subsets of the population (ie, students, graduate assistants, staff, faculty), and multiple causes of burnout were reported. Suggested causes of burnout in ATs included work-life conflict and organizational factors such as poor salaries, long hours, and difficulties dealing with the "politics and bureaucracy" of athletics. Effects of burnout in ATs included physical, emotional, and behavioral concerns (eg, intention to leave the job or profession).

Examining the Relationship between Religious Coping and the Misuse of Prescription Stimulants among a Sample of Undergraduate Students.

BACKGROUND: There is a well-established inverse relationship in undergraduate samples between a person's religious coping and substance abuse. Positive religious coping (PRC) has been associated with decreases in the use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Investigations examining prescription drug misuse and PRC found that higher levels of PRC were related to a reduction in the misuse of some prescription drugs. However, the literature has yet to identify an inverse relationship between PRC and the misuse of prescription stimulants (MPS) among undergraduates. OBJECTIVE: Examine the association between religious coping and past-year MPS in a sample of undergraduate students. METHODS: Undergraduates were recruited to complete an anonymous online survey from three universities (1 private, 2 public) in the United States. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 908 undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 25. Statistical analyses revealed that higher levels of PRC were associated with a reduction in past-year MPS. A separate model found that attending religious events also decreased the behavior. Conversely older students, males, Greek organization affiliation, a lower GPA and having a current stimulant prescription all increased the odds of reporting past-year MPS. Negative religious coping and a student's race were not significantly associated with MPS. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that PRC skills have the potential to reduce MPS in college students. Therefore, it is possible that the development of similar secular skills could have the same effect. Future studies should explore the role that positive coping skills having on the reduction of MPS among undergraduates regardless of religious conviction.

Do Energy Drink Consumers Study More?

The use and motivations for use of energy drinks (EDs) in college students has been documented in the literature. Many college students identify academic reasons, such as a need to study more, as a motivation for ED use. However, research has not determined if users who claim academic motivations actually study more than those who claim other motivations. A sample of 692 undergraduate students at a large, private university completed a paper survey that inquired about demographics, ED use, motivations for ED use, sleep quality, and average amount of time spent sleeping and studying per week. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographics, and analysis of variance was used to compare ED users with different motivations to amount of time spent sleeping and studying per week. Regression analysis was also used to determine if ED use could be predicted by any of the other variables. Increased ED consumption was predicted by being male (B = -0.394, p < .001) and having a decreased sleep quality (B = 0.586, p < .001). Reported study hours by subjects who claimed academic reasons as motivation for ED use were not significantly different in comparison to ED users who claimed other motivations. In our sample, ED users who reported academic reasons as motivations for use did not report significantly more study hours per week when compared to those who claimed other motivations. This demonstrates a disconnect between reported motivations for energy drink use and outcomes that are expected to be associated with those motivations.

The Size and Scope of Collegiate Athletic Training Facilities and Staffing.

CONTEXT: Athletic training facilities have been described in terms of general design concepts and from operational perspectives. However, the size and scope of athletic training facilities, along with staffing at different levels of intercollegiate competition, have not been quantified. OBJECTIVE: To define the size and scope of athletic training facilities and staffing levels at various levels of intercollegiate competition. To determine if differences existed in facilities (eg, number of facilities, size of facilities) and staffing (eg, full time, part time) based on the level of intercollegiate competition. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Web-based survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Athletic trainers (ATs) who were knowledgeable about the size and scope of athletic training programs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Athletic training facility size in square footage; the AT's overall facility satisfaction; athletic training facility component spaces, including satellite facilities, game-day facilities, offices, and storage areas; and staffing levels, including full-time ATs, part-time ATs, and undergraduate students. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 478 ATs (response rate = 38.7%) from all levels of competition. Sample means for facilities were 3124.7 ± 4425 ft2 (290.3 ± 411 m2) for the central athletic training facility, 1013 ± 1521 ft2 (94 ± 141 m2) for satellite athletic training facilities, 1272 ± 1334 ft2 (118 ± 124 m2) for game-day athletic training facilities, 388 ± 575 ft2 (36 ± 53 m2) for athletic training offices, and 424 ± 884 ft2 (39 ± 82 m2) for storage space. Sample staffing means were 3.8 ± 2.5 full-time ATs, 1.6 ± 2.5 part-time ATs, 25 ± 17.6 athletic training students, and 6.8 ± 7.2 work-study students. Division I schools had greater resources in multiple categories (P < .001). Differences among other levels of competition were not as well defined. Expansion or renovation of facilities in recent years was common, and almost half of ATs reported that upgrades have been approved for the near future. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides benchmark descriptive data on athletic training staffing and facilities. The results (1) suggest that the ATs were satisfied with their facilities and (2) highlight the differences in resources among competition levels.

Exploring the Relationship Between the Misuse of Stimulant Medications and Academic Dishonesty Among a Sample of College Students.

The misuse of prescription stimulant medications (MPS) and academic dishonesty (AD) are both problematic behaviors among college students. Although both behaviors are linked to a student's desire to succeed academically, little research has been conducted to examine the relationship between these behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine if students who engaged in past-year MPS committed acts of AD more frequently than those who do not engage in MPS. We collected our data from a sample of undergraduates (n = 974) between the ages of 18 and 25 enrolled at one of three universities in the US who completed an online questionnaire to assess AD and MPS. Results indicated that 18.2 % of the sample engaged in MPS in the past year and 65 % committed one or more acts of AD during the past year. An increased frequency of AD increased the odds of reporting MPS when controlling for known covariates (e.g., gender, stimulant prescription status, and energy drink consumption). In addition, higher rates of MPS were identified in students affiliated with a Greek organization, those with a current stimulant prescription, those who consume energy drinks, and those who misuse other prescriptions. Concerning specific AD-types, misusers reported copying off someone else's homework, having someone copy of their homework, and using the internet to commit acts of dishonesty more frequently than those who do not engage in MPS. This study adds to the MPS college student literature by highlighting the relationship between MPS and AD.

Hazardous drinking and weight-conscious drinking behaviors in a sample of college students and college student athletes.

BACKGROUND: "Weight-conscious drinking" refers to behaviors to restrict calories in conjunction with consuming alcohol and is associated with numerous negative consequences. This behavior has been observed in the college student population but has not been examined among college student athletes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed drinking, hazardous drinking levels (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption [AUDIT-C] sum score), and weight-conscious drinking behaviors (for weight loss purposes and for intoxication purposes) using a paper-and-pencil survey that was completed by students at a large, private university in the Southwest United States. The sample for this study included college student nonathletes (n = 482; 212 males and 270 females) who completed the survey in 1 of 34 classes and college student athletes (n = 201; 79 males and 122 females) who completed the survey during practice. These analyses examined whether hazardous drinking level and other personal covariates (gender, race, and athlete status) predicted the 2 weight-conscious drinking behaviors of interest. RESULTS: Among the subsample of students who drank, the same proportion of participants indicated weight-conscious drinking behavior for weight loss and weight-conscious drinking behavior for intoxication (both 24.9%; n = 122). In the multivariate analyses, students with higher hazardous drinking scores and females were significantly more likely to report engaging in both weight-conscious drinking behaviors. In those analyses, neither weight-conscious drinking behavior varied by athlete status. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of college students, hazardous drinking most predicted weight-conscious drinking behavior and superseded gender and athlete status. In response, college health professionals should consider evidenced-based approaches to address hazardous drinking.

Game On: Past Year Gambling, Gambling-Related Problems, and Fantasy Sports Gambling Among College Athletes and Non-athletes.

College students experience higher rates of gambling-related problems than most other population segments, including the general population. Although Division I (D1) athletes often have more at stake than the average student if and when they gamble (e.g., the potential to lose their athletic eligibility), relatively few studies have assessed the gambling behavior of this population and none have specifically assessed fantasy sports gambling. We conducted a study to examine gambling behavior (past-year gambling, gambling-related problems, and fantasy sport gambling) among a sample (N = 692) of college students at a private religiously affiliated university in the Southwest US. The sample for our study was unique in that approximately 30 % of the participants were D1 athletes. We compared the gambling behavior among three groups based on the athlete status: D1 athletes, club/intramural/recreational (CIR) athletes, and non-athletes (NAs). Compared to females in our sample, males observed higher rates of past year gambling, fantasy sports participation, fantasy sports gambling, and gambling-related problems. Among males, we found that CIR athletes observed the highest rates of past year gambling and fantasy sports participation and D1 athletes observed higher rates than NAs. We did not find differences in fantasy sport gambling and past year gambling-related problems based on athlete status in males or females.

The Consumption of Energy Drinks Among a Sample of College Students and College Student Athletes.

To assess energy drink (ED) consumption, potential ED correlates, and ED-related motivations among a sample of college students to determine differences based on athlete status (student athlete vs. non-athlete). Six hundred and ninety-two college students completed surveys at a large private university in the United States. Participants completed a paper based questionnaire assessing ED and ED-related variables. Over thirty-six percent (197 non-athletes, 58 student athletes) of participants reported ED consumption in the preceding 30 days. Multivariately, there was no difference in ED consumption based on athlete status. Heavy episodic drinking and prescription stimulant misuse were both correlated with increased ED consumption. ED motivations differed based on the frequency of ED consumption. ED use was common among student athletes and non-athletes in our sample. It is important to be aware of the correlation between heavy episodic drinking, prescription stimulant misuse, and ED consumption among college student populations because of the adverse consequences associated with these behaviors.

Misuse of prescription stimulant medication in a sample of college students: examining differences between varsity athletes and non-athletes.

BACKGROUND: The misuse of prescription stimulants (MPS) has been identified as an adverse health behavior among college students. Because stimulant medication is often taken to increase focus and decrease reaction time, these substances have the potential to enhance athletic performance. However, the role that athlete status (varsity athlete vs. non-athlete) has on MPS has rarely been examined in the college student population. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether there are differences in past-year MPS and MPS-related motivations between college varsity athletes and non-athletes. METHODS: A sample of 682 (482 non-athletes; 200 athletes) college students between the ages of 18 and 25 completed a paper-based questionnaire to assess MPS, MPS-related motivations, and other potential MPS correlates (e.g., gender, energy drink consumption, tobacco use, heavy episodic drinking). Then, we conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to examine potential correlates of MPS, including athlete status. Finally, we examined differences in MPS-related motivations between varsity athletes and non-athletes. RESULTS: Overall, 98 (13.9%; 16.6% non-athletes v. 7.5% varsity athletes) respondents reported past-year MPS and varsity athletes were significantly less likely (p<0.05) to do so. Past-year MPS was also significantly associated with energy drink consumption, tobacco use, and heavy episodic drinking in our sample. Concerning MPS-related motivations, athletes more often cited a need to enhance athletic performance as the impetus for their misuse. CONCLUSIONS: MPS was prevalent among the sample. Varsity athletes were significantly less likely to engage in past-year MPS and were motivated to do so for different reasons.

The diversion of stimulant medications among a convenience sample of college students with current prescriptions.

Diversion is defined as the unlawful channeling of regulated pharmaceuticals from legal sources to the illicit marketplace. Persons with legal prescriptions often give away or sell their medications to others. The misuse of prescription stimulant medications continues to be a problem on college campuses and a need to understand how students are obtaining stimulant medications exists. The object of the study was to identify the prevalence, correlates, and motivations associated with diversion of prescription stimulants among current prescription holders. A large sample of undergraduates (n = 1,022) between the ages of 18 and 24 enrolled at a large public university in the southeastern United States completed an in class questionnaire. Among those respondents, we identified 151 current stimulant prescription holders and analyzed the prevalence, motivations, and correlates associated with lifetime and current diversion. Overall, 58.9% of current prescription holders had given away or sold their stimulant medication during their lifetime. Those with a history of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants were almost 5 times more likely to divert their medication during their lifetime. The majority of those engaging in lifetime and current diversion medication did so infrequently. The most common motivations reported for both lifetime and current diversion were "to make extra money" and to "help during a time of high academic stress." Students who reported a history of prescription misuse were also more likely to engage in current diversion. Diversion-related behaviors should be explored further and programs aimed at the reducing these behaviors should be considered.

An Examination of the Situational Factors Associated With the Misuse of Prescription Analgesics Among College Students.

The current study examined the effect that students' educational environment has on the prevalence and motivations associated with the misuse of prescription analgesics (MPA). A sample of 893 undergraduate students was recruited from one religiously affiliated private university and one public university in the Southern United States. Participants completed an in-class survey assessing MPA-related behavior and their associated motivations. Results indicated that students attending the religiously affiliated university displayed lower rates of MPA. Multivariate analyses revealed that a positive drug abuse screening, prescription status, and grade point average are the strongest predictors of past-year MPA for both schools. Some motivations for medical misuse differed significantly between campuses. Implications as to how these differences can inform programs aimed at the reduction of prescription analgesic abuse are discussed.