Changes in Knee Extension and Flexion Maximal and Rapid Torque Characteristics During a Collegiate Women's Soccer Season.

ABSTRACT: Akehi, K, Palmer, TB, Conchola, EC, Thompson, BJ, Kasl, A, Bice, M, and Unruh, S. Changes in knee extension and flexion maximal and rapid torque characteristics during a collegiate women's soccer season. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1389-1395, 2022-The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in maximal and rapid torque capacities of the knee extensor and flexor muscles over the course of a competitive season in NCAA Division II women's soccer players. Eighteen female soccer athletes performed 2 maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the knee extensor and flexor muscles before, during, and at the end of the competitive season. Peak torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD) at 50 (RTD50), 200 (RTD200), and 100-200 (RTD100-200) milliseconds were extracted from each MVIC for both legs. The rapid (RTD50) to maximal force ratio (RTD:PT), hamstring-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio, and bilateral strength differences were also calculated. Results indicated that PT, RTD50, and RTD200 decreased 11-21% from the preseason to the midseason for the knee extensors (p < 0.02) and RTD50 increased approximately 11% from the midseason to the end of season for the knee flexors (p < 0.01). Rate of torque development-to-PT ratios for the knee extensors and flexors increased 12-25% at the end of the season (p < 0.05). Also, H:Q strength ratios using PT, RTD50, and RTD200 increased 12.5-24% after the season started (p = 0.001-0.04). There were no bilateral strength differences (dominant vs. non-dominant limbs) across the season (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that participation in a soccer season can change maximal and rapid torque production of the knee extensors and flexors. Coaches and clinicians should consider incorporating a season-long strength training and maintenance plan for soccer players with the aim to improve athletic performance and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injuries to the lower extremities.

Alcohol consumption behaviors among athletic training students at accredited athletic training education programs in the mid-america athletic trainers' association.

CONTEXT: Alcohol consumption among college students has been evaluated at many levels, but assessment of alcohol consumption among collegiate athletic training students has not been substantially reviewed. Understanding the alcohol use of this college-age group adds to the overall literature on alcohol consumption of the college student population. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption behaviors in collegiate athletic training students using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey using the AUDIT. SETTING: The AUDIT questionnaire was sent to the program directors of all Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs-accredited athletic training education programs in the Mid-America Athletic Trainers' Association. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen of the 35 athletic training education programs agreed to take part in the study, yielding a 40% response rate. Three hundred and forty-eight of the 946 athletic training students (36%) solicited agreed to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Maximum score on the AUDIT out of a possible score of 40. RESULTS: The mean AUDIT score for the sample was 7.47, with an SD of 5.69. Thirty-seven percent of participants demonstrated an AUDIT score of 9 or above. Nearly 18% of participants reported having 6 or more drinks at one sitting on a weekly basis. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to compare athletic training students' alcohol consumption with that of other student groups. The greater percentage of athletic training students does not drink in excess on a frequent basis.

The level of medical services and secondary school-aged athletes.

CONTEXT: Medical organizations have recommended that administrators, parents, and community leaders explore every opportunity to make interscholastic athletic programs safe for participation, including employing athletic trainers at practices and competitive events. OBJECTIVE: To determine the overall level of medical services provided for secondary school-aged athletes at high school athletic events in a rural southern state, to evaluate the employment of athletic trainers in the provision of medical services in secondary schools, and to compare athletic training medical services provided at athletic events among schools of various sizes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Questionnaires were sent to administrators at 199 secondary schools. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 144 administrators, including interscholastic athletic directors and school principals, from 199 secondary schools participated (72% response rate). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Participants completed the Self-Appraisal Checklist for Health Supervision in Scholastic Athletic Programs from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has been demonstrated to be valid and reliable. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to measure differences in groups. RESULTS: We found differences in cumulative scores when measuring between institutional classifications (P ≤ .05). Cumulative scores for the Event Coverage section of the instrument ranged from 80.5 to 109.6 out of a total possible score of 126. We also found differences in several factors identified in the Event Coverage section (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: The number of coaching staff certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid was minimal. Most schools did not have a plan for providing minimal emergency equipment, ice, or water for visiting teams. We found that 88% (n = 7) of the 8 essential Event Coverage components that the American Academy of Pediatrics deems important were not addressed by schools represented in our study.

Personal food systems of male collegiate football players: a grounded theory investigation.

CONTEXT: Factors that affect food choices include the physical and social environments, quality, quantity, perceived healthfulness, and convenience. The personal food choice process was defined as the procedures used by athletes for making food choices, including the weighing and balancing of activities of daily life, physical well-being, convenience, monetary resources, and social relationships. OBJECTIVE: To develop a theoretical model explaining the personal food choice processes of collegiate football players. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II football program. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen football players were purposefully sampled to represent various positions, years of athletic eligibility, and ethnic backgrounds. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: For text data collection, we used predetermined, open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method. The athletes' words were used to label and describe their interactions and experiences with the food choice process. Member checks and an external audit were conducted by a qualitative methodologist and a nutrition specialist, and the findings were triangulated with the current literature to ensure trustworthiness of the text data. RESULTS: Time was the core category and yielded a cyclic graphic of a theoretical model for the food choice system. Planning hydration, macronutrient strategies, snacks, and healthful food choices emerged as themes. CONCLUSIONS: The athletes planned meals and snacks around their academic and athletic schedules while attempting to consume foods identified as healthful. Healthful foods were generally lower in fat but high in preferred macronutrients. High-protein foods were the players' primary goal; carbohydrate consumption was secondary. The athletes had established plans to maintain hydration. Professionals may use these findings to implement educational programs on food choices for football players.

Dietary supplement use among adolescent athletes in central Nebraska and their sources of information.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dietary supplement use among adolescent athletes. The project was also directed at identifying the sources these student-athletes used for acquiring information about dietary supplements. One hundred thirty nine high school athletes (99 males; 34 females; mean age = 15.8 +/- 1.19 years) volunteered to participate in this study. A 16-question anonymous survey instrument examined use of dietary supplements, reasons for use, type of sport participation, and sources of information regarding dietary supplements. Of the participants in this study, 22.3% (N = 31) reported currently taking dietary supplements. There was no relationship found between dietary supplement use and age. There were a significantly higher number of males reporting current dietary supplement use. Of those who reported to be currently taking dietary supplements, sports performance (N = 25) was the most reported reason for use. There were no significant differences found in reported dietary supplement use between any of the sports. Of the participants, 38.1% (N = 53) listed their coach as their best source of information on dietary supplements. The results of this study offer the current literature some additional insight into trends in supplement use among high school student athletes. Practical implications suggest that it may be necessary to ensure coaches have sufficient knowledge about dietary supplements so that adolescent athletes are receiving accurate information.

Collegiate Student-Athletes' Satisfaction With Athletic Trainers.

Context: In today's sport settings, the athletic trainer is often the first member or the health care team with whom the athlete interacts. Delivery of patient care can be improved by increasing patient/athlete satisfaction.Objective: To evaluate the satisfaction collegiate student-athletes had with their athletic trainer(s) and the athletic training services provided at their institutions.Design: A survey format was solicited to 40 randomly selected National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and II athletic training programs in 4 regions across the United States.Setting: Collegiate athletic training environment.Patients or Other Participants: A total of 325 student-athletes from 20 of the programs solicited agreed to participate.Main Outcome Measure(s): The questionnaire was a variation on a previously used instrument developed for assessing athletes' perceptions of care. Validity and reliability analyses supported use of the instrument. A linear regression model was calculated to determine predictors of satisfaction score.Results: Significant differences in satisfaction scores were observed between athletes in high- and low-profile sports and between male and female athletes. When sex and sport profile were combined, differences in scores were noted between female athletes in high-profile sports and males in low-profile sports. Both sex and sport profile were predictors of satisfaction among the student-athletes who participated in the study.Conclusions: Female athletes and athletes in high-profile sports demonstrated greater satisfaction with their athletic trainer(s). Competitive level did not have a significant influence on satisfaction.