measurement-of-healthy-and-injured-triceps-surae-morphology

Measurement of Healthy and Injured Triceps Surae Morphology

Achilles tendon injuries occur throughout the lifespan and can negatively affect quality of life and overall health. Achilles tendinopathy is generally ...

University of Delaware

We examined the association between sleep quality and quality of life (QOL) among uninjured high school athletes. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Profile 25 questionnaire. One hundred ten athletes reported poor sleep quality (mean PSQI: 6.6 ± 2.0; mean age: 15.3 ± 1.1; 62% female); 162 athletes reported good sleep quality (mean PSQI: 2.3 ± 1.3; mean age: 15.1 ± 1.7; 33% female). After adjusting for sex and age, worse sleep quality was associated with higher physical function/mobility (β = 0.034; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.007-0.060;  = .01), anxiety (β= 0.391; 95% CI = 0.263-0.520;  < .001), depressive symptom (β = 0.456; 95% CI = 0.346-0.565;  < .001), fatigue (β = 0.537; 95% CI = 0.438-0.636;  < .001), pain interference (β = 0.247; 95% CI = 0.119-0.375;  < .001), and pain intensity (β = 0.103; 95% CI = 0.029-0.177;  = .006) ratings. Poor self-reported sleep quality among adolescent athletes was associated with worse QOL ratings. Clinicians should consider assessing sleep hygiene to provide guidance on issues pertaining to reduced QOL.

Sleep Quality and Quality of Life Among Healthy High School Athletes.

Our objective was to examine the effect of current neck or shoulder pain on concussion outcomes. Variables included symptom resolution and return-to-sport time, symptom severity, amount of school missed, and sleep disturbances. Three hundred twelve patients (37% female; median age = 15.0 years; evaluated median = 9 days postinjury) reported experiencing current neck or shoulder pain at initial evaluation, and 268 did not (31% female; median age = 14.7 years; evaluated median = 8 days postinjury). Neck or shoulder pain was associated with longer symptom resolution time (β = 6.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.44, 10.31;  = .002), more severe symptoms (β = 7.06, 95% CI = 4.91, 9.21;  < .001), and greater odds of missing >5 days of school (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.23, 2.93;  = .004), and postinjury sleep problems (aOR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.51, 3.21;  < .001). Experiencing neck or shoulder pain during the initial postinjury clinical evaluation was associated with worsened clinical outcomes. Clinicians may consider referral to early rehabilitation following concussion among those who report neck or shoulder pain.

Presence of Neck or Shoulder Pain Following Sport-Related Concussion Negatively Influences Recovery.

: Pediatric primary care sports medicine physicians and pediatric sports medicine orthopedic surgeons, in conjunction with physician assistants (PAs), often manage patients with fractures. We sought to determine if pediatric patients with fractures seen by primary care sports medicine physicians had similar outcomes and satisfaction as those seen by orthopedic surgeons. : We performed a retrospective chart review of four to 18-year-old patients who were treated by a sports medicine provider (primary care or orthopedic surgeon/PA) for a fracture of the radius, ulna, tibia, or fibula. Patients or their parents completed a patient satisfaction survey (Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction [SAPS]) and an injury location-specific patient-reported functional outcome tool: the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) or the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Scale. : Fifty-seven (70%) of the 82 patients were treated by pediatric primary care sports medicine physicians and 25 (30%) were treated by a pediatric sports medicine orthopedic surgeon or surgical PA. The median time from injury to clinically confirmed healing was similar between the two groups (47 vs 60.5 days; p = 0.54), as was the patient satisfaction (SAPS median score = 26 [range = 19-28] vs 24 [range = 9-28]; p = 0.12). Patient-reported outcomes did not differ significantly between groups for the functional outcome tools. : Patients seen by pediatric primary care sports medicine physicians and sports medicine orthopedic surgeons have similar patient-reported fracture outcomes and similar satisfaction with care. Pediatric patients with fractures will likely have favorable outcomes when cared for by either of these subspecialty providers.

Comparison of pediatric sports fracture outcomes based on provider type.

Female gymnasts have a greater prevalence of back pain compared to other female athletes. There is little evidence that female artistic gymnasts with and without back pain demonstrate different movement patterns during gymnastics skills. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences in back movements during back walkovers and back handsprings among female artistic gymnasts.

Peak sagittal plane spine kinematics in female gymnasts with and without a history of low back pain.

The purpose of our investigation was to compare post-concussion symptom profiles and postural control measures among female youth artistic athletes (gymnasts and cheerleaders) relative to female ball sport athletes (volleyball or basketball).

Symptom profiles and postural control after concussion in female artistic athletes.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes among patients who did and did not report engaging in early physical activity (PA) following sport-related concussion.

Early physical activity and clinical outcomes following pediatric sport-related concussion.

To examine the effect of age on postural control outcomes among patients being seen during their initial post-concussion clinical visit.

Age is associated with postural control performance following youth concussion.

Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is a common condition in youth athletes, including those who participate in barefoot sports. Health care professionals often recommend that young athletes with Sever's disease wear heel cups in their shoes while active, but barefoot athletes are unable to use heel cups.

Comparison of Braces for Treatment of Sever's Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis) in Barefoot Athletes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

We examined perceived risk of future sports injury and athlete burnout among uninjured adolescent athletes. Uninjured high school athlete participants completed the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) and a questionnaire assessing attitudes toward likelihood of sustaining a future sport-related injury. We compared ABQ responses between injury risk perception groups: those who expected injury versus those who did not. Half of the participants reported a somewhat/very high likelihood of future sport-related injury ( = 98; 52% female; age = 15.3 ± 1.9 years), while the other half reported it was unlikely/not possible ( = 98; 45% female; age = 15.3 ± 1.3 years). A significantly greater proportion of those in the expected injury group reported a history of bone/muscle/ligament/tendon injury (56% vs 24%;  < .001). Those in the expected injury group reported higher athlete burnout scores (median = 28 [interquartile range = 25-34] vs 25 [23-30];  = .002). Adolescent athletes who reported they were likely to experience a future injury in their sport also reported greater levels of burnout.

Morgan N. Potter

Department of Physical Therapy

University of Delaware

Measurement of Healthy and Injured Triceps Surae Morphology