How University Athletics Can Impact Mental Health among Student Athletes at the University of Evansville

In recent years, the NCAA student athlete population in the United States has surpassed 500,000, and is continuing to rise each year [1]. These student athletes work their entire lives academically and athletically to reach the ultimate goal: competing in university athletics. However, when these athletes reach university, they are met with non-stop training, homework, exams, and evolving social lives. We have conducted a study at the University of Evansville evaluating how participation in university athletics may impact mental health status among these student athletes, as well as measuring players’ awareness of accessible mental health resources. Over fifty percent of participants reported experiencing at least one mental health condition while competing in their sport;eighty percent reported having knowledge of the mental health resources available to them on campus, however, nearly thirty percent of those knowledgeable reported not knowing how to access these resources. This has indicated a gap in awareness and utilization of mental health resources among student athletes at the University of Evansville.

Effects of Fiber Supplementation for Four Weeks on Athletic Performance in Japanese College Athletes: A Case Study—Measurement of the Athletic Performance, Salivary Biomarkers of Stress, and Mood, Affect Balance

Aim: In this study, we explored the effects of dietary fiber on athletic performance. Methods: Twenty healthy college athletes (male/female, 1/1) consumed 6 grams of dietary fiber (Fiberpro, Taiyo Lab Inc., Tokyo) daily for four weeks and were evaluated for their athletic performance, salivary biomarkers of stress (α-amylase activity pre-post exercise, cortisol, melatonin, and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels), and mood/affect using the Profile of Mood State 2nd edition (POMS 2®). Measurements were taken at baseline (before supplementation), at Week 4 (after 4 weeks of supplementation), and at Week 8 (4 weeks after the completion of supplementation). Results: Results showed that athletic performance and exercise-induced elevation in salivary α-amylase activity improved with Fiberpro supplementation in both men and women. Further, the Anger-Hostility scale in POMS was significantly elevated in men;in women, an increase in Vigor-Activity score, a single index of positive mood, was noted. These findings suggest that Fiberpro may induce differential affective responses in men and women. Meanwhile, Fiberpro did not affect the normal diurnal changes in salivary melatonin and SIgA levels, but it appeared to augment the normal circadian patterns of cortisol, an effect that persisted for a month without Fiberpro intake. We propose that boosting fiber intake in young, healthy athletes may improve gut microbiota and confer resilience against stress.

Athletic Participation and Academic Achievement of High School Students: A Longitudinal Study of Athletic and Non-Athletic Participants

The majority of extant research studies have established that high school students’athletic participation is positively associated with several educational outcomes,including academic performance.However,the effect of long-term athletic participation on academic performance remains unclear.Using a longitudinal data of 220 students from a high school in eastern Massachusetts of the United States,this study has revealed that athletic participants in this school started with a statistically significant higher GPA than non-participants in the first year of study,and have continued to be higher in the following two years,lag behind significantly,however,in academic achievement growth from their nonparticipation counterparts.The results of the study call for thoughtful decision-making regarding sports programs and athletic policies,proper guidance and adequate support for athletes and an optimal sport-academic culture in American high schools.

Ultimate Olympics Records in Athletics Using Extreme Value Theory

Extreme value theory provides methods to analyze the most extreme parts of data. We used the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution to predict the ultimate 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 4 × 100 m relay, and long jump records of male gold medalists at the Olympics. The diagnostic plots, which assessed the accuracy of the GEV model, were fitted to all event records, validating the model. The 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 4 × 100 m, and long jump records had negative shape parameters and calculated upper limits of 9.58 s, 19.18 s, 42.97 s, 36.71 s, and 9.03 m, respectively. The calculated upper limit in the 100 m (9.58 s) was equal to the record of Usain Bolt (August 16, 2009). The 100 m and 200 m world records were close to the calculated upper limits, and achieving the calculated limit was difficult. The 400 m and 4 × 100 m relay world records were almost equal to the calculated upper limits and the 500-year return level estimate, and slight improvement was possible in both. At the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021, in the 100 m, 200 m, and 4 × 100 m, in one year the probability of occurrence for a record was about 1/30. In the 400 m and long jump, it was about 1/20. In the 100 m, 200 m, and 4 × 100 m relay, more difficult records show that a fierce battle has taken place.

Africa’s Star Rises in Athletics

ON the evening of August 12, the 30th London Summer Olympic Games came to a close when the flame at the Olympic Stadium was extinguished as each country received one of the cauldrons 204 copper petals. In this year＇s Olympics, 10,500 athletes, including nearly 900 African athletes, participated in 302 medal events in all 26 sports.

Management and prevention of acute and chronic lateral ankle instability in athletic patient populations

Acute and chronic lateral ankle instability are common in high-demand patient populations. If not managed appropriately, patients may experience recurrent instability, chronic pain, osteochondral lesions of the talus, premature osteoarthritis, and other significantlong-term disability. Certain populations, including young athletes, military personnel and those involved in frequent running, jumping, and cutting motions, are at increased risk. Proposed risk factors include prior ankle sprain, elevated body weight or body mass index, female gender, neuromuscular deficits, postural imbalance, foot/ankle malalignment, and exposure to at-risk athletic activity. Prompt, accurate diagnosis is crucial, and evidence-based, functional rehabilitation regimens have a proven track record in returning active patients to work and sport. When patients fail to improve with physical therapy and external bracing, multiple surgical techniques have been described with reliable results, including both anatomic and nonanatomic reconstructive methods. Anatomic repair of the lateral ligamentous complex remains the gold standard for recurrent ankle instability, and it effectively restores native ankle anatomy and joint kinematics while preserving physiologic ankle and subtalar motion. Further preventative measures may minimize the risk of ankle instability in athletic cohorts, including prophylactic bracing and combined neuromuscular and proprioceptive training programs. These interventions have demonstrated benefit in patients at heightened risk for lateral ankle sprain and allow active cohorts to return to full activity without adversely affecting athletic performance.

Posterior shoulder instability in the athletic population: Variations in assessment, clinical outcomes, and return to sport

Posterior instability of the shoulder is becoming an increasingly recognized shoulder injury in the athletic population. Diagnostic elements, such as etiology, directionality, and degree of instability are essential factors to assess in the unstable athletic shoulder. Concomitant injuries and associated pathologic lesions continue to be a significant challenge in the surgical management of posterior shoulder instability. Return to sport and previous level of play is ultimately the goal for every committed athlete and surgeon, thus subpopulations of athletes should be recognized as distinct entities requiring unique diagnostic, functional outcome measures, and surgical approaches.

Heart Failure Prediction in Athletic Heart Remodeling among Long Distance Runners

Background: Physical activity has a cardinal role in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the changes that occur to the cardiac muscle in athletes is still doubtful whether it is only an adaptation to exercise or a concealed pathological condition. Most of these changes are well documented in apparently healthy heart and characterized by cardiac enlargement with Brady-arrhythmias specially individuals participating in long distance runners with exercise capacity without signs of cardiovascular disease. Methods: The study searched the subclinical myocardial necrosis by comparing two groups of young marathon runners, both groups were chosen from Al Gizera youth center in January 2018. First group included adults above the age of 18 years and ran for 12 km. and the second was under 18 years and ran for about 8 km. Both groups were volunteered for this study. They are monitored carefully with blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate and their blood samples were collected pre- and post-race immediately for assessment of cardiac markers NTproBNP, Galectin-3 and cTnI. Results: All cardiac markers were elevated post exercise compared to that achieved in pre-exercise regardless age of athletes. Also, pre-exercise adult results were higher in galectin-3 and cTnI but not in proBNP while there is no difference in the acute response in both groups. These results revealed micro cardiac necrosis due to long run exercise with possible bad prognosis. Conclusions: It is important to develop risk assessment and prediction methods for screening the young athletes and consider the term athletic heart as a subclinical disorder rather than physiological adaptation.

Injury and illness in short-course triathletes:A systematic review

Background:Determining the incidence and prevalence of injury and illness in short-course triathletes would improve understanding of their etiologies and therefore assist in the development and implementation of prevention strategies.This study synthesizes the existing evidence on the incidence and prevalence of injury and illness and summarizes reported injury or illness etiology and risk factors affecting short-course triathletes.Methods:This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Studies reporting health problems(injury and illness)in triathletes(all sexes,ages,and experience levels)training and/or competing in short-course distances were included.Six electronic databases(Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,MEDLINE,Embase,APA PsychINFO,Web of Science Core Collection,and SPORTDiscus)were searched.Risk of bias was independently assessed by 2 reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.Two authors independently completed data extraction.Results:The search yielded 7998 studies,with 42 studies eligible for inclusion.Twenty-three studies investigated injuries,24 studies investigated illnesses,and 5 studies investigated both injuries and illnesses.The injury incidence rate ranged 15.7-24.3 per 1000 athlete exposures,and the illness incidence rate ranged 1.8-13.1 per 1000 athlete days.Injury and illness prevalence ranged between 2%-15%and 6%-84%,respectively.Most injuries reported occurred during running(45%-92%),and the most frequently reported illnesses affected the gastrointestinal(7%-70%),cardiovascular(14%-59%),and respiratory systems(5%-60%).Conclusion:The most frequently reported health problems in short-course triathletes were:overuse and lower limb injuries associated with running;gastrointestinal illnesses and altered cardiac function,primarily attributable to environmental factors;and respiratory illness mostly caused by infection.

Oxidative Stress in Collegiate Cross Country Skiers in Mid- and Post-Seasons

Purpose: The oxidative stress (OS) hypothesis of overtraining syndrome argues that increased production of free radicals through exercise cause muscle fatigue and damage resulting in lower athletic performance. Several studies have investigated OS immediately before and after exercise bouts in a training macrocycle. Our study aimed to compare OS of endurance athletes between a competition macrocycle and the immediate post-season recovery macrocycle. In addition, we aimed to identify athletes who experienced an unexplainable drop in athletic performance during the competition season in order to compare their OS to those who experienced no drop in performance. Methods: Fifteen members of the University of Alaska Fairbanks cross country ski team volunteered for this study. Blood samples were taken in early February (“mid-season”) and late April (“post-season”). Participants completed questionnaires regarding physical activity and athletic performance at the time of the blood draws. Plasma was analyzed for 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), nitrotyrosine, nitric oxide (NOX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Significance was determined by Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Participants displayed significantly higher (p Conclusion: Signs of oxidative stress and mitigation during the post-season recovery macrocycle were higher in athletes who reported experiencing a drop in athletic performance during the competition season macrocycle.

Increased number of symptoms during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes is associated with prolonged time to return to full sports performance—AWAREⅧ

Purpose The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with prolonged time to return to full performance(RTFP)in athletes with recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.Methods Prospective cohort study with cross sectional analysis.A total of 84 athletes with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection assessed at a coronavirus disease 2019 recovery clinic gave a history of age,sex,type/level of sport,co-morbidities,pre-infection training hours,and 26 acute SARS-CoV-2 symptoms from 3 categories(“nose and throat”,“chest and neck”,and“whole body”/systemic).Data on days to RTFP were obtained by structured interviews.Factors associated with RTFP were demographics,sport participation,history of co-morbidities,pre-infection training history,and acute symptoms(type,number).Outcomes were:(a)days to RTFP(median,interquartile range(IQR))in asymptomatic(n=7)and symptomatic athletes(n=77),and(b)hazard ratios(HRs;95%confidence interval)for symptomatic athletes with vs.without a factor(univariate,multiple models).HR<1 was predictive of higher percentage chance of prolonged RTFP.Significance was p<0.05.Results Days to RTFP were 30 days(IQR:23–40)for asymptomatic and 64 days(IQR:42–91)for symptomatic participants(p>0.05).Factors associated with prolonged RTFP(univariate models)were:females(HR=0.57;p=0.014),endurance athletes(HR=0.41;p<0.0001),co-morbidity number(HR=0.75;p=0.001),and respiratory disease history(HR=0.54;p=0.026).In symptomatic athletes,prolonged RTFP(multiple models)was significantly associated with increased“chest and neck”(HR=0.85;p=0.017)and“nose and throat”(HR=0.84;p=0.013)symptoms,but the association was more profound between prolonged RFTP and increased total number of“all symptoms”(HR=0.91;p=0.001)and“whole body”/systemic(HR=0.82;p=0.007)symptoms.Conclusion A larger number of total symptoms and specifically“whole body”/systemic symptoms during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes is associated with prolonged RTFP.

Review and update on the management of triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries in professional athletes

Triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries are common in amateur and professional sports.These injuries are mainly caused by acute or chronic repetitive axial loads on the wrist,particularly on the ulnar side and in association with rotations or radial/ulnar deviations.In order to treat professional athletes,a detailed specific knowledge of the pathology is needed.Moreover,the clinician should fully understand the specific and unique environment and needs of the athletes,their priorities and goals,the type of sport,the time of the season,and the position played.An early diagnosis and appropriate management with the quickest possible recovery time are the uppermost goals for both the athlete and the surgeon.A compromise between conservative vs surgical indications,athletes’needs and expectations,and financial implications should be achieved.Arthroscopic procedures should be timely planned when indicated as they could allow early diagnosis and treatment at the same time.Conservative measures are often used as first line treatment when possible.Peripheral lesions are treated by arthroscopic repair,whilst central lesions are treated by arthroscopic debridement.Further procedures(such as the Wafer procedure,ulnar osteotomies,etc.)have specific indications and great implications with regard to rehabilitation.

Osgood Schlatter Disease: Study of 2 Observations in Conakry, Guinea

Introduction: OSD is a growth osteochondrosis affecting the apophyseal cartilage of the anterior tibial tuberosity of the knee, 20 to 30% of young growing athletes suffer from this pathology, described by Osgood and Schlatter in 1903. Objective: To report 2 observations and review the literature. Observation 1: This was a 14-year-old Guinean teenager, Halpoular, living in Conakry, a right-handed footballer who presented with a painful swelling of the right knee that looked mechanical, whose father had HLA B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis. X-ray of the right knee showed fragmentation of the anterior tibial tuberosities, and ossicle with edema of the patellar tendons at stage 4 according to Ehrenbord and Lagergren (1961). Thus, the disease of OSD is retained, He received 120 mg of diclofenac, 20 mg omeprazole for 1 month and the cessation of sports activity, the evolution was favorably marked by the regression of pain. Observation 2: A 16-year-old girl, initials M.L.T, Guinean, residing in Coyah (Republic of Guinea), a handball player, consulted for intense pain (VAS: 8/10) in her knees after a violent shock received when she hit the post. The physical examination found a painful, soft swelling at the anterior tibial tuberosity of the right knee, the rest of the examination was normal. The X-ray of the right knee shows fragmentation of the anterior tibial tuberosity, and ossicle with edema of the patellar tendon at stage 4 according to Ehrenbord and Lagergren 1961, thus the OSD disease is retained, the treatment instituted was 120 mg of diclofenac, the cessation of sports activity which gives a good evolution (EVA at 2/10). Conclusion: OSD is a growth osteochondrosis affecting the apophyseal cartilage of the anterior tibial tuberosity of the knee in young growing athletes, resolving at rest.

Alternative Method to Evaluate Performance Improvement Rate in Athletics Middle Distance Events

Purpose The aims of this study were to propose an alternative method to assess an optimal performance improvement rate(PIR)that would be used as a tool for coaches and elite athletes willing to reach their personal best,mainly those seeking for national,continental or even world record(WR)in middle-distance events.We further compared the improvement rate of women vs.men of the top-10 ranked athletes in the IAAF running these middle-distance events Method The top 10 athletes in the IAAF ranking of 800 m,1500 m,and 3000 m events for each sex were assessed for their history of race times before achieving their personal record(PR).The difference between PR(‘actual’season)and the best race time in the last season was defined as the 1st season improvement rate(1-SIR),whereas the average improvement rate in the last and preceding seasons was the multi-season improvement rate(M-SIR).1-SIR and M-SIR were calculated for each athlete.Result There were sex differences in the 1500 m with a large effect size(d=−0.746)in 1-SIR(P=0.001)and very large(d=−2.249)in M-SIR(P=0.001).Women improved more than men before the PR/WR achievements in the 800 m and 1500 m events(P=0.001)and had similar improvement rates before performing PR/WR in 3000 m events(P=0.533).Conclusion Women improve more before PR/WR achievement in 800 m and 1500 m races.However,in the 3000 m men and women have similar improvement rates in previous seasons before the PR/WR achievement.

The Influence of Swimming Athletes’ Burnout on Their Sports Participation Motivation in Hunan, China

Objective:This study aims to explore the effect of swimming athletes’burnout on their sports motivation in Hunan University,China.It seeks to understand how burnout influences various motivational factors,providing insights for optimizing swimming sports courses and enhancing student participation.Method:Employing random sampling,the study surveyed 260 swimming athletes from Hunan University.The research utilized a questionnaire divided into three parts:demographic information,the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire(ABQ),and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory(IMI).Pearson’s r correlation analysis was conducted using SPSS to examine the relationships between burnout dimensions and motivational factors.Results:The study found significant correlations between a reduced sense of accomplishment and various motivational dimensions,including“interest/enjoyment,”“perceived competence,”“perceived choice,”and particularly“perceived tension.”Physical exhaustion showed a significant correlation only with“perceived tension,”indicating a strong link between psychological stress and physical fatigue.Sports devaluation was significantly correlated with“perceived tension,”suggesting that psychological stress impacts athletes’valuation of their sport.Conclusion:The findings highlight the complex interplay between burnout and motivation in swimming athletes.Psychological stress,as indicated by“perceived tension,”emerges as a key factor influencing both the physical and emotional aspects of burnout.The study underscores the need for holistic training approaches that balance physical training with psychological well-being,personalized coaching,and supportive environments to enhance intrinsic motivation and manage stress effectively.

Longitudinal Changes in Athletic Performance in Competitive Figure Skaters

Purpose To measure changes in strength,power,and agility over consecutive seasons based on competition level in figure skaters.Methods A total of 197 competitive singles figure skaters(age range=9-25 years old)completed combines with United States Figure Skating on two consecutive seasons between 2011 and 2018.Skaters either remained in the same competitive on-ice level or increased by one level on consecutive seasons.All athletes completed the hexagon agility test,maximal verti-cal jump,timed tuck jumps,push-ups,and bent knee v-ups.Repeated-measures analyses of variance separated by sex with Tukey’s post hoc were performed for each dependent variable and Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated for all significant differences.Results Female skaters who remained in the same level demonstrated improved performance on vertical jump(3.66 cm higher),timed tuck jumps(3.77 more jumps),v-ups(1.59 more v-ups),and hexagon jump(1.17 s faster).There was an interaction for female skaters who remained in the same level(P=0.004),with senior and junior levels outperforming inter-mediate level skaters on the hexagon jump test.Female skaters who increased level demonstrated improved performance on the vertical jump(2.24 cm higher),hexagon jump(1.16 cm faster),and tuck jump(3.03 more jumps).Male skaters did not demonstrate any changes in performance except v-ups(2.86 more v-ups)for those who increased level.Conclusions The greatest changes were in lower level female skaters who remained in the same level,supporting the impor-tance of participating in strength and conditioning programs earlier in skating careers to maximize athleticism before reaching the senior level,when changes in off-ice performance plateau.

Association between ACTN3 R577X genotype and risk of non-contact injury in trained athletes:A systematic review

Purpose:The aim of this study was to review,systematically,evidence concerning the link between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and the rates and severity of non-contact injuries and exercise-induced muscle damage in athletes and individuals enrolled in exercise training programs.Methods:A computerized literature search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed,Web of Science,and SPORTDiscus,from inception until November 2020.All included studies compared the epidemiological characteristics of non-contact injury between the different genotypes of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism.Results:Our search identified 492 records.After the screening of titles,abstracts,and full texts,13 studies examining the association between the ACTN3 genotypes and the rate and severity of non-contact injury were included in the analysis.These studies were performed in 6 different countries(Spain,Japan,Brazil,China,the Republic of Korea,and Italy)and involved a total participant pool of 1093 participants.Of the studies,2 studies involved only women,5 studies involved only men,and 6 studies involved both men and women.All the studies included were classified as highquality studies(≥6 points in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database(PEDro)scale score).Overall,evidence suggests there is an association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and non-contact injury in 12 investigations.Six studies observed a significant association between A CTN3 R577X polymorphism and exercise induced muscle damage:2 with non-contact ankle injury,3 with non-contact muscle injury,and 1 with overall non-contact injury.Conclusion:The present findings support the premise that possessing the ACTN3 XX genotype may predispose athletes to a higher probability of some non-contact injuries,such as muscle injury,ankle sprains,and higher levels of exercise-induced muscle damage.

Does orthotics use improve comfort,speed,and injury rate during running?A randomised control trial

BACKGROUND Running is a hugely popular sport.Unfortunately,running-related injury(RRI)rates are high,particularly amongst amateur and recreational runners.Finding ways to reduce RRI rates and maximise comfort and performance for runners is important.Evidence regarding whether orthotics can successfully improve these parameters is limited and contradicting.Further research is required to provide runners with clearer guidance on the usefulness of orthotics.AIM To investigate the effect of Aetrex Orthotics on comfort,speed and RRI rates during recreational running.METHODS One hundred and six recreational runners were recruited on a voluntary basis via running clubs and social media pages and randomised into either the intervention or control group.Participants in the intervention group ran with Aetrex L700 Speed Orthotics inserted in their usual running shoes,whilst participants in the control group ran in their usual running shoes with no orthotics.The study ran for an 8-wk period.Participants provided data relating to running comfort,distance,and time during weeks 3-6.Participants provided data relating to any RRIs they sustained during all 8 wks.Running distance and time were used to calculate running speed in miles per hour(mph).For each outcome variable,95%confidence intervals and P values were calculated to assess the statistical significance between the groups.For comfort and speed data,univariate multi-level analysis was performed,and for outcome variables with significant between group differences,multi-level multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate any confounding effects of gender and age.RESULTS Ninety-four participants were included in the final analysis(drop-out rate=11%).Comfort and speed from 940 runs and 978 injury data reports were analysed.Participants who ran with orthotics reported,on average,speeds 0.30 mph faster(P=0.20)and comfort scores 1.27 points higher(P≤0.001)than participants who ran with no orthotics.They were also 2.22 times less likely to sustain an injury(P=0.08)than participants who ran with no orthotics.However,findings were only significant for comfort and not for speed or injury rates.Age and gender were found to be significant predictors of comfort.However,the improvements in comfort reported by participants who ran with orthotics were still significant after adjusting for age and gender.CONCLUSION This study found orthotics to improve comfort and speed and prevent RRIs whilst running.However,these findings were only statistically significant for comfort.

Foodborne doping and supervision in sports

Cases of foodborne doping are frequently reported in sports events and can cause severe consequences for athletes.The foodborne doping can be divided into natural endogenous and artifi cially added foods according to the sources,including anabolic agents,stimulants,diuretics,β-blockers,β2 agonists and others.In order to control foodborne doping,chromatographic technique,immunoassay,nuclear magnetic resonance,biosensor technology,pyrolytic spectroscopy,comprehensive analysis and electrochemical analysis have usually used as analytical and inspection strategies.Meanwhile,the legislation of anti-doping,the improvement of testing standard and technology,and the prevention and control of food safety,as well as the improvement of risk perception of athletes are highly necessary for achieving the effective risk control and supervision of foodborne doping,which will be benefi cial for athletes,doctors and administrators to avoid the risks of foodborne doping test and reduce foodborne doping risks for the health of athletes.