Psychological Readiness Effect on Return-to-Play in Collegiate Athletes

Psychological readiness has been studied extensively over the past 20 years.2,4,6 It is becoming increasingly important to understand completely how athletes psychologically deal with a physical injury. Current research has identified specific intrinsic and extrinsic factors that have shown to present negative effects on athletes.1,4,5 They have also identified specific psychological factors that play a major role in the rehabilitation process.2,3,5 However, current research has not studied the entire psychological experience of athletes and their determining factors. They also have not used surveys that allow for both qualitative and quantitative data to be collected. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to see what psychological extrinsic and intrinsic factors combined, do to the return to play of collegiate athletes. To identify the correlation between psychological readiness and return to play, surveys were distributed to NCAA universities within the state of Ohio. Athletic trainers then distributed the survey to all athletes who had missed sport related activities due to their injury. Quantitative results showed no statistical difference, but there were common themes found within the qualitative data. The qualitative results showed similar results to current research. Results showed that athletes tend to do more than what their athletic trainers allowed them, coaches pressured athletes to return sooner than they could, and overall athletes had a good rehabilitation experience. Despite the amount of limitations in this study, the qualitative data will help further athletic trainers knowledge about how athletes react to athletic injuries

The Role of Athletic Identity in the Etiology of Stress Fractures in Collegiate Runners

Background: The efficacy of the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) and Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) as a screening tool for identifying runners who are at high-risk for incurring a stress fracture. A screening tool that incorporates both physical and psychological risk factors may be key in preventing stress fracture incidence in collegiate runners. Methods: A descriptive survey was designed and filled out by collegiate runners to collect information about various well-known risk factors as well as age, gender, anthropometric measures, injury history, competitive training years, weekly training mileage, and history of disordered eating. The AIMS and CET were included in the survey. Results were collected and analyzed for correlations. Results: AIMS score and LESF incidence had a moderate positive correlation (r=0.44). AIMS score and LESF incidence within the past year had a weak positive correlation (r=0.38). CET score and shin splints incidence had a weak positive correlation (r=0.322). Conclusion: A correlation was seen between stress fracture incidence and AIMS scores. However, this correlation is not strong enough to predict stress fracture incidence by itself

Excluding Gluten in a Healthy Collegiate Runner

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, soy, and other grains. It cannot correctly be metabolized in those with celiac disease; therefore it remains in the intestines and ferments, causing symptoms associated with this disease; most profoundly noted, destruction of intestinal cilia. Gluten-free dieting is the only treatment known to relieve symptoms of patients with celiac disease. The general public and many athletes have learned parts of this diagnosis and related the gluten-free diet to decreasing symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract. The diet itself has become widely accepted and used in those without celiac disease. This study aims to assess the perceived and actual effects of a gluten-free diet, particularly in NCAA cross-country runners, as this is a group that is prevalent in using the gluten-free diet to enhance both gastrointestinal functioning and athletic performance. This study will include a pre-test post-test design with an intervention diet adherence to a gluten-free diet and a control diet. Quantitative and qualitative measures will be assessed to show both perceived and actual effects of the diets. This study will benefit the realm of sports specifically in that it will bridge the gap between gluten-free research and athletic performance. These results will enable the athletic training field to consult with athletes on the benefits and set backs of their diet and educate them on how to maintain their body to the best of their ability

Defective cerebellar response to mitogenic Hedgehog signaling in Down's syndrome mice

Trisomy 21 is the cause of Down's syndrome (DS) which is characterized by a number of phenotypes, including a brain which is small and hypocellular compared to that of euploid individuals. The cerebellum is disproportionately reduced. Ts65Dn mice are trisomic for orthologs of about half of the genes on human chromosome 21 and provide a genetic model for DS. These mice display a number of developmental anomalies analogous to those in DS, including a small cerebellum with a significantly decreased number of both granule and Purkinje cell neurons. Here we trace the origin of the granule cell deficit to precursors in early postnatal development, which show a substantially reduced mitogenic response to Hedgehog protein signaling. Purified cultures of trisomic granule cell precursors show a reduced but dose-dependent response to the Sonic hedgehog protein signal in vitro, demonstrating that this is a cell-autonomous deficit. Systemic treatment of newborn trisomic mice with a small molecule agonist of Hedgehog pathway activity increases mitosis and restores granule cell precursor populations in vivo. These results demonstrate a basis for and a potential therapeutic approach to a fundamental aspect of CNS pathology in DS