94 research outputs found
High-Performance Vision Training Improves Batting Statistics for University of Cincinnati Baseball Players
Purpose: Baseball requires an incredible amount of visual acuity and eye-hand coordination, especially for the batters. The learning objective of this work is to observe that traditional vision training as part of injury prevention or conditioning can be added to a team’s training schedule to improve some performance parameters such as batting and hitting. Methods: All players for the 2010 to 2011 season underwent normal preseason physicals and baseline testing that is standard for the University of Cincinnati Athletics Department. Standard vision training exercises were implemented 6 weeks before the start of the season. Results are reported as compared to the 2009 to 2010 season. Pre season conditioning was followed by a maintenance program during the season of vision training. Results: The University of Cincinnati team batting average increased from 0.251 in 2010 to 0.285 in 2011 and the slugging percentage increased by 0.033. The rest of the Big East’s slugging percentage fell over that same time frame 0.082. This produces a difference of 0.115 with 95 % confidence interval (0.024, 0.206). As with the batting average, the change for University of Cincinnati is significantly different from the rest of the Big East (p = 0.02). Essentially all batting parameters improved by 10 % or more. Similar differences were seen when restricting the analysis to games within the Big East conference. Conclusion: Vision training can combine traditional and technological methodologies to train the athletes ’ eyes an
Long-term efficacy of botulinum toxin A for treatment of blepharospasm,hemifacial spasm, and spastic entropion: a multicentre study using two drug-dose escalation indexes
PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effectiveness and safety of botulinum
neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) treatment in patients with blepharospasm (BEB), hemifacial
spasm (HFS), and entropion (EN) and to use for the first time two modified indexes, 'botulin toxin escalation index-U' (BEI-U) and 'botulin toxin escalation
index percentage' (BEI-%), in the dose-escalation evaluation. METHODS: All
patients in this multicentre study were followed for at least 10 years and main
outcomes were clinical efficacy, duration of relief, BEI-U and BEI-%, and
frequency of adverse events. RESULTS: BEB, HFS, and EN patients received a mean
BoNT-A dose with a significant inter-group difference (P<0.0005, respectively).
The mean (+/-SD) effect duration was statistically different (P=0.009) among
three patient groups. Regarding the BoNT-A escalation indexes, the mean (+/-SD)
values of BEI-U and BEI-% were statistically different (P=0.035 and 0.047,
respectively) among the three groups. In BEB patients, the BEI-% was
significantly increased in younger compared with older patients (P=0.008). The
most frequent adverse events were upper lid ptosis, diplopia, ecchymosis, and
localized bruising. CONCLUSIONS: This long-term multicentre study supports a high
efficacy and good safety profile of BoNT-A for treatment of BEB, HFS, and EN. The
BEI indexes indicate a significantly greater BoNT-A-dose escalation for BEB
patients compared with HFS or EN patients and a significantly greater BEI-% in
younger vsolder BEB patients. These results confirm a greater efficacy in the
elderly and provide a framework for long-term studies with a more flexible and
reliable evaluation of drug-dose escalation
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