Sport specialization in youth: A literature review

Objective: Youth participation in sport is reviewed to include its history, current growth patterns, reasons behind sport specialization, and the implications of sport specialization. The effects of early skill acquisition, and the sociological, psychological, and physical/physiological aspects to help develop safeguards to meet the needs of young athletes are discussed. Study Design and Selection: A review of the research and scholarly literature related to the youth population in the United States was performed. This included accessing the Mayo Clinic Library database, MANTIS, and Index Medicus. Results and Discussion: Specialization in a single sport, although not new to society, has become increasingly popular. Sport specialization training can begin as early as at the age of 5 or 6. The training is throughout the year and may take up to four hours every day. Some in the sports community find sport specialization to be a reflection of a highly developed society and see the skill acquisition and enhancement as beneficial to success in a given sport; the potential for a collegiate athletic scholarship or making a varsity, elite, or even professional level team. Regular physical activity and sport, together with a balanced diet, are essential to promote optimal growth and maturation, sufficient physical fitness and mental vigor, as well as psychological and social benefits that help in coping with stress and anxiety. However, too much or too specific involvement with a sport or activity can be potentially dangerous, involving physiological/physical, psychological, and sociological risks to youth. Despite the importance of this topic, there is a lack of a substantial reference base pertaining specifically to sport specialization. The results were often limited to a non-specific age range within the youth population and primarily of United States youth as opposed to a worldwide population. Also, a majority of the references contained more physiological results as opposed to psychological and sociological findings. The results and conclusions drawn from this sampling cannot be generalized to all sports or athletes as a whole. Conclusion: Sport specialization by youth is a contentious issue that needs to be fully understood by all involved in sport. The potential health, psychological, and sociological risks must be weighed against the benefits of obtaining sharper skills, which may enhance playing time, possibly bringing scholarship opportunities, or reaching to an elite level of play

Eyewear protection

Sports-related eye injuries increased more than 100% in the last three years. More significant is the fact thai nearly 90% could have been prevented had the athletes been wearing protective eyewear. A key to getting athletes to wear proper and protective eyewear is education. Educating not only the athletes, but coaches, parents and others involved in athletic activities is of paramount importance by the sports practitioner, because an eye injury can be very serious and have permanent consequences

Comparing lumbopelvic stabilization exercises and yoga on functional stability and low back pain in young, non-elite, female gymnasts

BACKGROUND: It is beneficial for gymnasts to train key lumbopelvic musculature to decrease or prevent low back injury. This study compares lumbopelvic exercises and yoga on lumbar muscle endurance, lumbopelvic stabilization, abdominal strength and balance in adolescent female gymnasts and the effect on low back pain. MATERIAL/METHODS: 13 participants were randomly allocated to a lumbo-pelvic or yoga group intervention and performed specific exercises for 6 weeks. Biering-Sorensen Test, Lumbopelvic Control Test, Side Bridge Test, and Star Excursion Balance Test were conducted on the participants before and after the 6-week intervention and low back pain logbooks were completed. RESULTS: The Biering-Sorensen Test was significantly greater results for the lumbopelvic group compared to the yoga group. Both groups had significant changes over time with the Lumbopelvic Control Test but no group difference. Both groups had significant improvement with the Side Bridge with the yoga group benefitting more on the left. Out of the six fully completed logbooks, the yoga group showed less occurrence of low back pain compared to the lumbopelvic group. CONCLUSIONS: Yoga and lumbopelvic stabilization exercises are equally effective in developing lumbar muscle endurance, lateral stability and front-on stability for young non-elite gymnasts. This is important as they are under-represented in research but overrepresented in participation. This study sets the basis for further research on the incidence of low back pain in young gymnasts and the effects of age-appropriate exercises as a preventative matter

Head impact exposure in junior and adult Australian football players

Tis study measured and compared the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts sustained by junior and adult Australian football players, respectively, and between player positions over a season of games. Twelve junior and twelve adult players were tracked using a skin-mounted impact sensor. Head impact exposure, including frequency, magnitude, and location of impacts, was quantifed using previously established methods. Over the collection period, there were no signifcant diferences in the impact frequency between junior and adult players. However, there was a signifcant increase in the frequency of head impacts for midfelders in both grades once we accounted for player position. A comparable amount of head impacts in both junior and adult players has implications for Australian football regarding player safety and medical coverage as younger players sustained similar impact levels as adult players. Te other implication of a higher impact profle within midfelders is that, by targeting education and prevention strategies, a decrease in the incidence of sports-related concussion may result

Transmittance Electron Microscopy: A Comparison of the Rotifers Asplanchna herricki and Asplanchna brightwelli

The rotifers, A. brightwelli and A. herricki were surveyed under SEM and TEM. The overall external features were compared under SEM to determine significant differences in morphology. The widths of the coronal surface and midsection were larger in A. herricki than that of A. brightwelli. A. herricki was prepared for view under E M , and integument was compared to A. brightwelli. The integument of A. brightwelli was substantially thicker than that of A. herricki, which disagreed with the hypothesis. Further studies must be conducted to determine the nature of this difference

Simulated learning in musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation education: Comparing the effect of a simulation-based learning activity with a peer-based learning activity

Background Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases are leading causes of pain, physical disability, and doctor visits throughout the world. Health professionals must be trained to assess, treat through rehabilitation and monitor patients with these disorders. Yet, due to overcrowded curricula, some health education programs struggle to accommodate more than minimal training in musculoskeletal conditions. Consequently, educators in these professions must consider how traditional instruction could be complemented effectively to enhance students’ preparation for the diverse musculoskeletal disorders and pathologies they may encounter. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits that can be obtained from laboratory practice in musculoskeletal conditions with a standardised patient, rather than a peer patient, in a condensed time frame. Methods Two groups of students were assigned to either a standardised or a peer patient condition for 2 × 2 hours musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation lab sessions. All students completed a pre-post matched questionnaire measuring their clinical knowledge, confidence in clinical skills and motivation for further learning. Their clinical skills were tested at the end. Students and standardised patients’ perceptions of the simulated learning environment to practise musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation were also elicited. Results A t-test for independent samples revealed that students working with standardised patients displayed significantly higher standards of practical clinical skills than those working with peer patients (p=0.018). Using MANOVAs with repeated measures, no interaction effect for clinical knowledge, confidence in clinical skills, and motivation for future learning were found, both groups displaying significantly enhanced cognition and motivation. Three positive and two negative themes emerged from the analysis of students’ perceptions of the simulated learning environments. These were consistent with the simulated patients’ perceptions. Conclusions The findings of this study provide support for the value of using standardised patients to enhance clinical skills in musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation when the timeframe for laboratory practice is limited. Students’ perceptions of their experience contributed to explain why confidence in clinical skills might not necessarily improve when practising with standardised patients. Suggestions are made for optimising learning with standardised patients and for addressing the economic challenge on health education programs of hiring standardised patients

Reliability and concurrent validity of an alternative method of lateral lumbar range of motion in athletes

Background: Cricket bowling involves combined spinalmovements of side bending and rotation and, consequently, injuryto the low back is a common problem. Therefore the assessmentof lumbar spine kinematics has become a routine component inpreseason screening. This includes static measurement of lateralspinal flexion as asymmetrical range of motion may predispose anathlete to low back injury.Objectives: This study examined intra-rater reliability andconcurrent validity of the fingertip-to-floor distance test (FFD)when compared to a criterion range of motion measure.Methods: Thirty-four junior-level cricket players aged 13‑16years were recruited. Lumbar spine lateral flexion was measuredsimultaneously with the fingertip-to-floor distance test and digitalinclinometry methods. Relative and absolute intra-rater reliabilitywere investigated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3,1)of agreement, standard error of measurement (SEM) estimates,Bland and Altman bias estimates and 95% limits of agreement,respectively. The concurrent validity of the fingertip-to-floordistance test, compared to digital inclinometry measures, wasexamined with Pearson correlation coefficients.Results: Intra-rater reliability demonstrated substantial agreementfor both measures (ICC3,1 > 0.84). The fingertip-to-floor distancetest SEM values ranged from 1.71‑2.01 cm with an estimatedminimum detectable change (MDC) threshold of 4.73‑5.55 cm.The inclinometry SEM values ranged from 1.00‑1.09° withminimal detectable change estimates of 2.77‑3.01°. There werestrong correlations between the index test and criterion measureoutcomes (r > 0.84, p < 0.001).Conclusions: This study’s results support the intra-rater reliabilityand concurrent validity of the finger-to-floor distance test,suggesting it to be a suitable surrogate measure for lumbar lateralflexion testin

Lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns in adolescent fast bowlers

Introduction: Adolescent fast bowlers are prone to sustaining lumbar injuries. Numerous components have been identified as contributing factors; however, there is limited empirical evidence outlining how the muscles of the lumbopelvic region, which play a vital role in stabilising the spine, function during the bowling action and the influence of such activation on injuries in the fast bowler. Methods: Surface electromyography was utilised to measure the function of the lumbar erector spinae, lumbar multifidus, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles bilaterally during the fast bowling action in a group of 35 cricket fast bowlers aged 12–16 years. Results: Two prominent periods of activation occurred in each of the muscles examined. The period of greatest mean activation in the erector spinae and multifidus occurred near back foot contact (BFC) and within the post-ball-release (BR) phase. The period of greatest mean activation for the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus occurred during phases of ipsilateral foot contact. Discussion: The greatest periods of muscle activation in the paraspinal and gluteal muscles occurred at times where vertical forces were high such as BFC, and in the phases near BR where substantial shear forces are present. Conclusion: The posterior muscles within the lumbopelvic region appear to play a prominent role during the bowling action, specifically when compressive and shear forces are high. Further research is required to substantiate these findings and establish the role of the lumbopelvic muscles in the aetiology of lumbar injury in the cricket fast bowler

The effect of the inclusion of trunk-strengthening exercises to a multimodal exercise program on physical activity levels and psychological functioning in older adults: Secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background Engaging in multimodal exercise program helps mitigate age-related decrements by improving muscle size, muscle strength, balance, and physical function. The addition of trunk-strengthening within the exercise program has been shown to significantly improve physical functioning outcomes. Whether these improvements result in improved psychological outcomes associated with increased physical activity levels requires further investigation. We sought to explore whether the inclusion of trunk-strengthening exercises to a multimodal exercise program improves objectively measured physical activity levels and self-reported psychological functioning in older adults. Method We conducted a secondary analysis within a single-blinded parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults were randomly allocated to a 12-week walking and balance exercise program with (n = 32) or without (n = 32) inclusion of trunk strengthening exercises. Each program involved 12 weeks of exercise training, followed by a 6-week walking-only program (identified as detraining). Primary outcome measures for this secondary analysis were physical activity (accelerometry), perceived fear-of-falling, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results Following the 12-week exercise program, no significant between-group differences were observed for physical activity, sedentary behaviour, fear-of-falling, or symptoms of anxiety or depression. Significant within-group improvements (adjusted mean difference [95%CI]; percentage) were observed in moderate-intensity physical activity (6.29 [1.58, 11.00] min/day; + 26.3%) and total number of steps per min/day (0.81 [0.29 to 1.33] numbers or + 16.3%) in trunk-strengthening exercise group by week 12. With respect to within-group changes, participants in the walking-balance exercise group increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (4.81 [0.06 to 9.56] min/day; + 23.5%) and reported reduction in symptoms of depression (-0.26 [-0.49 to -0.04] points or -49%) after 12 weeks of the exercise program. The exercise-induced increases in physical activity levels in the trunk-strengthening exercise group were abolished 6-weeks post-program completion. While improvements in physical activity levels were sustained in the walking-balance exercise group after detraining phase (walking only). Conclusions The inclusion of trunk strengthening to a walking-balance exercise program did not lead to statistically significant between-group improvements in physical activity levels or psychological outcomes in this cohort following completion of the 12-week exercise program