Identifying Risk Factors for Incautious Use of Non-Prescription Drugs Among Higher Education Institutions' Students in Emirates

Objective: The aim of this research is to identify risk factors for incautious use of oral non-prescription drugs (ONPD) and inform recommendations that promote cautious ONPD use among HEI students in the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted with 2875 students in three randomly selected UAE universities between January and April 2014. Results: More than half (1348; 57) of participants reported using of ONPD in the past 90 days before study commencement. Of 1348 participants reported using ONPD, one-quarter (1348; 22.2) of ONPD was classified as incautious ONPD usage. Analgesic/antipyretic (84.9), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (1028; 76.3), and cough and cold drugs (562; 41.7) were reported by the majority of participants as the most commonly used ONPD. 10 risk factors were identified for incautious ONPD use. Participants with age group of 21 years and older (OR=0.554, 95; CI=0.373-0.823; p<0.001), female (OR=0.339, 95; CI=0.236-0.486; p<0.001), and students from medical schools (OR=0.619, 95; CI=0.435-0.882; p=0.008) had lower odds of being incautious users compared to lower age group, males, and students from non-medical schools. Furthermore, participants with a polypharmacy behavior had higher odds of being irresponsible ONPD user than monopharmacy users (OR=1.400, 95; CI=1.030- 1.02; p<0.001). Conclusion: One of five students is an incautious ONPD user. There is a need for an educational and behavioral intervention to motivate students to be cautious users. © 2017 The Authors

Active stretching and length-tension relationship of the hamstring muscles

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto agudo de una rutina de estiramientos estático activos para la extremidad inferior, con parámetros de la carga contextualizados respecto a la realidad físico-deportiva, sobre la relación tensión-longitud excéntrica de la musculatura isquiosural. 49 deportistas recreativos completaron tres sesiones de evaluación, una inicial defamiliarización y dos experimentales (control y estiramientos). Inmediatamente después de ambos tratamientos (control y estiramientos), se valoraron los parámetros isocinéticos pico de fuerza máxima excéntrico, ángulo de fuerza máxima excéntrico y trabajo total excéntrico empleando para ello una posición de tendido prono. Si la modificación de la curva tensión-longitud excéntrica puede ser utilizada como factor de riesgo primario de distensiones de la musculatura isquiosural, los hallazgos de este estudio sugieren que el estiramiento estático activo podría no alterar el riesgo relativo de lesión de la musculatura isquiosural.The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of an active lower limb stretching routine with sports-related training load on the eccentric length-tension relationship of the hamstring. 49 recreational athletes completed three assessment sessions, an initial familiarization session and two experimental sessions (control and stretching in random order). Immediately after both interventions (stretching or control), eccentric isokinetic peak torque, angle of peak torque and total work were measured in prone position. If the modification on the eccentric length-tension relationship can be used as indexes of the risk of hamstring muscle strains, the findings of the present study tentatively suggested that static stretching may not alter the relative risk of hamstring strains

The effect of varying plyometric volume on stretch-shortening cycle capability in collegiate male rugby players

The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of low and high volume plyometric loads on developing stretch shortening cycle capability in collegiate rugby players. A between- group repeated measures design was used. Thirty six subjects (age 20.3 ±1.6 yrs, mass 91.63 ±10.36kg, stature 182.03 ±5.24cm) were randomly assigned to one of three groups, a control group (CG), a low volume plyometric group (LPG) or a high volume plyometric group (HPG). Data were collected from a force plate, and measures of reactive strength index (RSI) and leg stiffness were calculated from jump height, contact time and flight time. A significant between group × time (F = 4.01, P <0.05) interaction effect for RSI was observed. Bonferroni post hoc analysis indicated that both the LPG training group (P = 0.002) and HPG training group (P = 0.009) were significantly higher than the control group. No significant interaction effect between time × group were observed for leg stiffness (F = 1.39, P = 0.25). The current study has demonstrated that it is possible to improve reactive strength capabilities via the use of a low volume plyometric program. The low volume program elicited the same performance improvement in RSI as a high volume program whilst undertaking a lower dose. This suggests that strength and conditioning coaches may be able to benefit from the ability to develop more time efficient and effective plyometric programs

Optimized versus corrected peak power during friction-braked cycle ergometry in males and females

The aim of this study was to compare optimization and correction procedures for the determination of peak power output during friction-loaded cycle ergometry. Ten male and 10 female sports students each performed five 10- s sprints from a stationary start on a Monark 864 basket- loaded ergometer. Resistive loads of 5.0, 6.5, 8.0, 9.5, and 11.0% body weight were administered in a counterbalanced order, with a recovery period of 10 min between sprints. Peak power was greater and occurred earlier, with less work having been done before the attainment of peak power, when the data were corrected to account for the inertial and frictional characteristics of the ergometer. Corrected peak power was independent of resistive load ( P > 0.05), whereas uncorrected peak power varied as a quadratic function of load ( P > 0.001). For males and females, optimized peak power ( 971 +/- 122 and 668 +/- 37 W) was lower ( P < 0.01) than either the highest ( 1074 +/- 111 and 754 +/- 56 W respectively) or the mean ( 1007 +/- 125 and 701 +/- 45 W respectively) of the five values for corrected peak power. Optimized and mean corrected peak power were highly correlated both in males ( r = 0.97, P < 0.001) and females ( r = 0.96, P < 0.001). The difference between optimized and mean corrected peak power was 37+ 30 W in males and 33 +/- 14 W in females, of which approximately 15 W was due to the correction for frictional losses. We conclude that corrected peak power is independent of resistive load in males and females

What Drives Using Antibiotic without Prescriptions? A Qualitative Interview Study of University Students in United Arab Emirates

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is considered as natural phenomenon that occurs over the time due to genetic changes. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is significantly increasing in the UAE. Self-medication with antibiotics has been identified as a major factor for the development of antibiotic resistance, which is significantly increasing in the UAE.The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to the use of antibiotics without prescriptions among first year healthcare university students in UAE.Based on the findings of an earlier survey study, a qualitative interview study was designed to explore common themes related to student's knowledge, awareness, attitude, views, and perceptions. Data were analyzed thematically for the identification of themes and subthemes within the data through the use of coding.The interview study identified four main themes with multiple subthemes related to the use of antibiotics without a physician's prescription by first-year healthcare students. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes; medication habits and practices; reasons for self-medication; access to antibiotics without a prescription and gaps in students' knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance.Healthcare students in UAE are influenced by several factors including parents and friends influence, successful previous experience and investment of time and money to visit a physician. Our sample of healthcare students has a misconception about the use of antibiotics. The current interview study identified six new reasons for using antibiotics without prescriptions as compared to our earlier survey study. There is a need of multifaceted strategies to decrease unnecessary antibiotic use in our population sample

Prevalence of non-functional overreaching in elite male and female youth academy football players

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of non-functional overreaching (NFOR) and overtraining (OT) in elite male and female youth football players. Methods: Two-hundred and forty-two youth football players (n = 138 boys and n = 104 girls) aged between 12 - 17 y completed a questionnaire to identify the occurrence of NFOR/OT and associated symptoms. Results: No players experienced OT. Significant sex differences for NFOR were found between girls 9% compared to boys 27% (p <0.05). For players that experienced NFOR, 33% of girls and 60% of boys experienced multiple bouts. Compared to girls, boys completed higher volumes of football training (16.3 ± 4.5 versus 12.7 ± 5.7 hours per week, p <0.05), but training load was not a significant predictor of NFOR for either sex. In both sexes NFOR was associated with tiredness, a lack of appetite, sore or heavy muscles, feeling in a bad mood, and feeling apathetic. Conclusion: Male and female elite youth football players engaged in high training volumes and experienced similar NFOR symptoms. However, there is a much higher prevalence of NFOR in boys and in those who have suffered previous bouts of NFOR

An investigation into the gain in knowledge of, attitudes towards and confidence to deliver a games-based Physical Literacy concept in practitioners across the UK

Physical Literacy (PL) is a key consideration in the Physical Activity (PA) and learning landscape. Facilitating PL through practitioner education has emerged as a viable avenue to promote PL and subsequently PA in young people. This spoken presentation presents the first findings from an evaluative project exploring a practitioner education programme forced on PL called Boing. Current knowledge and confidence of practitioner to deliver is poor across the UK. However, workshop training was found to be effective at improving knowledge, confidence and attitude. Further research is required to established how this translates into the practitioners practice

Erratum to: What drives using antibiotic without prescriptions? A qualitative interview study of university students in United Arab Emirates

The authors acknowledge that Liz Ellis did not co-author this article and was erroneously listed as co-author. Editor’s note: COPE flowchart Changes in authorship d) (“Request for removal of author after publication”) was followed

Age-related differences in functional hamstring/quadriceps ratio following soccer exercise in female youth players: An injury risk factor

Purpose: Fatigue negatively alters dynamic knee control and the functional hamstring/quadriceps ratio (H/QFUNC) plays an important role in stabilising the joint. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of soccer specific exercise on H/QFUNC in U13, U15 and U17 year-old female soccer players. Methods: 36 female players performed concentric and eccentric actions of the hamstrings at 60, 120 and 180°/s before and after an age group specific field based soccer protocol. H/QFUNC was determined in the first 30° of knee flexion. Results: Significant angle x velocity (p = 0.001) and time x angle (p = 0.033) interaction effects were found indicating a lower H/QFUNC with increased movement velocity at 0-10° as opposed to greater knee flexion angles. Fatigue related effects were only evident near full knee extension. Probabilistic inferences indicated that changes in H/QFUNC were generally unclear in U13s, likely detrimental in U15s and very likely beneficial in U17s. Conclusions: Altered muscular control following soccer specific exercise is age dependent with players 1-year post peak height velocity at greatest risk of injury. Injury prevention and screening need to be age and maturation appropriate, should take into account the effects of fatigue, and include movements near full extension