Associations Between Jump Performance and Asymmetries with 30-m Sprint Completion Time

Asymmetries of the lower body during jumping have been examined as a method to predict risk for injury and guide training program development. Studies have primarily focused on how these asymmetries affect jump performance, but none have examined this in Division I track athletes nor how these are related to sprint performance. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between jump performance and asymmetries of the vertical and broad jumps with 30-m sprint completion times. METHODS: Twenty-five Division I Track and Field athletes (12 sprinters and 13 non-sprinters) (height = 177.21 ± 10.43 cm; weight = 78.67 ± 24.15 kg) participated in this study. These subjects performed two trials of both the vertical jump (VJ) with their hands on their hips while standing on force platforms. Subjects also performed two trials of the broad jump (BJ) while standing on force platforms and the distance of the BJ was measured using a 100-m tape measure. Following the jump tests, subjects performed two trials of 30-m sprints in which time was recorded using timing gates and the trial with the shortest completion time was used for analysis. Force data from the VJ was used to determine jump height and inter-limb asymmetries and the trial with the greatest jump height was used for analysis. Force data from the BJ was used to determine inter-limb asymmetries from each trial and the trial with the greatest jump distance was used for analysis. Asymmetries were calculated with the symmetry index equation [(high value-low value)/total*100]. Spearman rank correlations were then conducted to determine if the jump performance and asymmetries were associated with sprint completion times. Significance was set at an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: Spearman rank correlations determined that both the VJ and BJ were negatively associated with 30-m sprint completion time (rs= -0.644 p=0.001 and rs=-0.563 p=0.003, respectively). Additionally, both the VJ height and BJ distance were positively correlated (rs=0.643 p=0.001). The VJ and BJ asymmetries were not significantly correlated with 30-m sprint performance (p\u3e0.05) nor were they correlated with either the VJ height or BJ distance. CONCLUSION: The findings of study indicate that coaches may want to monitor jump performance as it is related to sprint performance. On the other hand, the asymmetries measured were not associated with jump or sprint performance and this may be due to the sample as they were highly trained individuals with low levels of asymmetries during both jumps

Reducing intrusive traumatic memories after emergency caesarean section: A proof-of-principle randomized controlled study.

UNLABELLED: Preventative psychological interventions to aid women after traumatic childbirth are needed. This proof-of-principle randomized controlled study evaluated whether the number of intrusive traumatic memories mothers experience after emergency caesarean section (ECS) could be reduced by a brief cognitive intervention. 56 women after ECS were randomized to one of two parallel groups in a 1:1 ratio: intervention (usual care plus cognitive task procedure) or control (usual care). The intervention group engaged in a visuospatial task (computer-game 'Tetris' via a handheld gaming device) for 15 min within six hours following their ECS. The primary outcome was the number of intrusive traumatic memories related to the ECS recorded in a diary for the week post-ECS. As predicted, compared with controls, the intervention group reported fewer intrusive traumatic memories (M = 4.77, SD = 10.71 vs. M = 9.22, SD = 10.69, d = 0.647 [95% CI: 0.106, 1.182]) over 1 week (intention-to-treat analyses, primary outcome). There was a trend towards reduced acute stress re-experiencing symptoms (d = 0.503 [95% CI: -0.032, 1.033]) after 1 week (intention-to-treat analyses). Times series analysis on daily intrusions data confirmed the predicted difference between groups. 72% of women rated the intervention "rather" to "extremely" acceptable. This represents a first step in the development of an early (and potentially universal) intervention to prevent postnatal posttraumatic stress symptoms that may benefit both mother and child. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02502513

Intrusive memories of trauma: A target for research bridging cognitive science and its clinical application.

Intrusive memories of a traumatic event can be distressing and disruptive, and comprise a core clinical feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intrusive memories involve mental imagery-based impressions that intrude into mind involuntarily, and are emotional. Here we consider how recent advances in cognitive science have fueled our understanding of the development and possible treatment of intrusive memories of trauma. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, selecting articles published from 2008 to 2018 that used the terms "trauma" AND ("intrusive memories" OR "involuntary memories") in their abstract or title. First, we discuss studies that investigated internal (neural, hormonal, psychophysiological, and cognitive) processes that contribute to intrusive memory development. Second, we discuss studies that targeted these processes using behavioural/pharmacological interventions to reduce intrusive memories. Third, we consider possible clinical implications of this work and highlight some emerging research avenues for treatment and prevention, supplemented by new data to examine some unanswered questions. In conclusion, we raise the possibility that intrusive memories comprise an alternative, possibly more focused, target in translational research endeavours, rather than only targeting overall symptoms of disorders such as PTSD. If so, relatively simple approaches could help to address the need for easy-to-deliver, widely-scalable trauma interventions