DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE
Jet Lag Impacts Teams
It's officially been proven: a new study that followed Major League Baseball teams showed that jet lag has a direct impact on players, diminishing their chances of winning.
Posted: June 11, 2008
Sleep Study
Members of the Stanford University men's and women's swimming teams recently participated in a sleep study that showed just how much some extra Z's can improve athletic performance.
Posted: June 10, 2008
Film Probes Steroid Use
A former steroids user debuted his documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster this weekend. The film offers an inside look at the prevalence of steroid use in sports.
Posted: June 9, 2008
Olympic Experience
This Illinois doctor, who volunteers his services to area high school teams during the school year, is one of only about 20 U.S. physicians who will work with the nation's Olympic teams.
Posted: June 6, 2008
Higher Injury Rates
Michael Sokolove, author of Warrior Girls, spoke with the Washington Post about his new book, which takes a look at why girls suffer higher injury rates than boys when it comes to overtraining and elite competition.
Posted: June 5, 2008
After the Concussion
A study in the June edition of the Journal of Athletic Training examined brain function of post-concussion athletes related to their activity levels. The highest levels of activity after suffering a concussion showed the most impaired brain function.
Posted: June 4, 2008
Doping With Baking Soda?
A study tracking middle-distance runners who ingested baking soda (through a tasteless bicarbonate capsule) before running found that it boosts performance. But the side effects of ingesting baking soda can be severe.
Posted: June 3, 2008
Baseball Injuries
A researcher at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus says that while high school baseball injuries have declined overall, the severity of the sport's injuries are increasing and more protective gear is needed.
Posted: June 2, 2008
Loss of Height?
A study presented at this week's American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting says that because of repeated blocking with heavy equipment, which can compress the spine, football players may experience a temporary loss of height.
Posted: May 30, 2008
Heat Illness Death
A North Carolina A&T State University football player died earlier this week from heat illness-related complications after a morning practice session, though at the time, the temperature was only 77 degrees with a relative humidity of 58 percent.
Posted: May 29, 2008
Fuel For Trouble?
A recent study has found a possible connection between aggressive, high-risk behavior and the consumption of energy drinks in teenagers and young adults.
Posted: May 28, 2008
Pole Vault Injuries
In a study that followed 140 Wisconsin high school pole vaulters over two years, it was found that the group's injury rates were similar to contact sport athletes.
Posted: May 27, 2008
Daily Dose
The NATA has announced it is on board with the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association's "Exercise is Medicine" program, which encourages physicians to "prescribe" exercise to their patients.
Posted: May 23, 2008
Beating The Odds
This high school football, basketball, and track and field athlete broke the scaffold bone in his wrist last year. He was told there was a one-in-10 chance the wrist would heal, and after seven months in a cast and bone stimulation therapy every day, he's back on the field.
Posted: May 22, 2008
To Peak or Not?
Triathletes have found it is next to impossible to peak at all three sports—swimming, biking, and running—at once, and that peaking at one event can actually hurt performance in another.
Posted: May 21, 2008
Steroid Testing Out In Fla.
After one year of testing its high school athletes for steroids, the Florida High School Athletic Association has been forced to discontinue the testing program after the Florida Legislature cut its funding.
Posted: May 20, 2008
Future Athletes Here Now?
Is it possible that an Olympic athlete who will compete in Beijing is participating in genetic engineering modifications? A scientist who genetically modified a mouse to run twice as long as an average mouse says yes.
Posted: May 19, 2008
Ankle Sprains a Year Later
A new study in the American Journal of Medicine reviewed 31 previous studies of patients who suffered ankle sprains, and found that while most patients had substantially less pain in two weeks, almost a third still had some pain a year later.
Posted: May 16, 2008
"Plumbing" For The Knee
A new product to aid in torn knee cartilage repair just received FDA approval for use in humans. The BioDuct is implanted in the knee and acts as a transporter of cells and blood from the outer ligament to the site of the tear.
Posted: May 15, 2008
Right To Know?
If female athletes are more susceptible to suffer injuries than their male counterparts, is it the coach and athletic trainer's responsibility to inform them of this fact?
Posted: May 14, 2008
As Athletes Age
Does an injury to joint cartilage eventually lead to osteoarthritis? Researchers are trying to figure out exactly how the cells surrounding the injured joint react to the trauma.
Posted: May 13, 2008
Master Lifters
The number of bodybuilders over 60 years old is substantially increasing. The World Natural Sports Organization—an organizer of drug-free competitions—had only two athletes over 60 compete in 2000, but over 40 senior citizens last year.
Posted: May 12, 2008
Starting Sports Medicine
This New Jersey two-year community college is in the process of adding a sports medicine program to its offerings, giving its students interested in athletic training a jump start before transferring to an athletic training-accredited four-year college.
Posted: May 9, 2008
Asthma Answers?
More than 2,000 Olympic athletes are involved in a large study that is collecting data on the prevalence of asthma and its triggers.
Posted: May 8, 2008
Policy Specifics
In the aftermath of a Georgia Tech University baseball player's death from an overdose, the Atlanta Journal Constitution takes a look at the huge discrepancies in NCAA schools' drug testing programs.
Posted: May 7, 2008
UNI Opens Performance Center
The University of Northern Iowa opened its Human Performance Center over the weekend, which came to fruition with the help of many medical groups cooperating together.
Posted: May 6, 2008
Orthodics Bad for Knees?
Athletes may want to think twice about putting orthodics into their sneakers and cleats as it turns out that the arch support provided by over-the-counter orthodics may actually increase the force placed on knee joints, not help decrease it.
Posted: May 2, 2008
A Positive Catch
Failing a random NCAA drug test was probably the best thing that ever happened to Chris Lofton. The University of Tennessee men's basketball player tested positive due to cancer and the early diagnosis helped him recover in time for the Volunteers' record-breaking season.
Posted: May 2, 2008
Going High Tech
The Ohio State University's sports medicine department is using computer animation to analyze its athletes' performance. The athletes wear sensors recorded by a camera, which are then fed into a computer that displays the movements.
Posted: May 1, 2008
Protecting Soccer Heads
Although there is no solid evidence that says they work and they are not required, more soccer players are sporting headgear than ever before.
Posted: April 30, 2008
Testing Chest Protectors
The MIT Sports Innovation program and Rawlings are teaming up to develop a testing system for baseball catchers' chest protectors, and the baseball team is helping to test out different equipment designs.
Posted: April 29, 2008
On-Campus Rehab Open
Indiana State University has opened the doors to its own on-campus rehabilitation clinic, making rehab for its student-athletes, students, and employees more convenient than ever.
Posted: April 28, 2008
More Pregnancy Legislation
NCAA Division II is following Division I's lead in adopting emergency legislation that will prohibit member schools from reducing or canceling athletics-related financial aid to a student-athlete who becomes ill or pregnant and cannot participate in their sport.
Posted: April 25, 2008
ACL Tear Prevention
We now know female athletes are more susceptible to ACL tears than male athletes, but there are preventative methods that have been documented to work, including preventative taping techniques and plyometrics training that teaches athletes not to be "ligament dominant."
Posted: April 24, 2008
Benefits of PRP
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is being heralded as a great alternative to surgery. Stanford football player James McGillicuddy recently had the growth-stimulating plasma injected into his torn tendon.
Posted: April 23, 2008
Guarding Against Bacteria
The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee is recommending several rules changes be approved before next season to stop the tracking of bacteria among athletes.
Posted: April 22, 2008
Finding Their Power
Wisconsin high schoolers of all sizes are flocking to their school's competitive powerlifting programs. They are finding the sport to be fun and a great way to stay in shape during their primary sport's off-season.
Posted: April 21, 2008
Cheerlader Collapses, Dies
A cheerleader at a 63-team contest in Massachusetts collapsed during her team's routine, and later died. Medical officials first thought she was having an allergic reaction, but her lungs had collapsed and she had apparently been kicked in the chest.
Posted: April 18, 2008
Smooth Transition
Everyone has heard of after-workout shakes, but how about a smoothie? Incorporating ingredients like cherries for their anti-inflammatory quality or cranberries for antioxidants are a few of the best choices.
Posted: April 17, 2008
New Partnership
The newly-formed Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention in Indianapolis will soon be taking over operations of the NCAA's Injury Surveillance System, which currently contains 25 years of data.
Posted: April 16, 2008
Concussion Education
An Oregon pediatrician has formed the Oregon Concussion Awareness and Management Program to help make the state's coaches, educators, parents, athletic directors, and athletic trainers more aware of the signs of a concussion.
Posted: April 15, 2008
Female Injuries Increase
While more girls and women are participating in organized sports than ever before, more are being injured as well. Female-dominated sports like gymnastics and cheerleading have incredibly high rates of injury.
Posted: April 14, 2008
Congrats Jenny Moshak!
When Tennessee celebrated its NCAA Division I women's basketball title, a local car dealership had a present for athletic trainer Jenny Moshak: a Mercedes roadster. A T&C editorial board member, Moshak helped Candace Parker return from a dislocated shoulder.
Posted: April 11, 2008
Long Road
This University of Utah football player has spent more of his college career with athletic trainers and doctors than his coaches. He tore his patella tendon his freshman year, sprained his neck the next season, and had back surgery last year.
Posted: April 10, 2008
New Guidelines
The American Academy of Pediatrics' new guidelines on youth strength training caution for more in-depth medical evaluation before children are cleared to work with weights.
Posted: April 9, 2008
Daily Dose
Weightlifting study participants that took daily doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen showed a substantial increase in muscle mass and strength gains over a three-month period.
Posted: April 8, 2008
Spring Football Injuries
An NCAA study involving data from that past 16 years says men's spring football has the highest injury rate of all NCAA sports—9.6 injuries per 1,000 players. And a Big 10 Conference study showed that the NCAA's rules changes in 1998 that limited practices and scrimmages did nothing to slow injuries.
Posted: April 7, 2008
Heart Screens in NC
More than 2,000 student-athletes in this North Carolina school district have been given access to a free heart screening, thanks to volunteers and donations.
Posted: April 4, 2008
H.S. Pole Vaulter Dies
A Washington high school senior pole vaulter has died from injuries sustained from a pole vault accident during practice earlier this week.
Posted: April 3, 2008
On The Fast Track
When this athletic trainer became frustrated with the conservative approaches used in many rehabilitation clinics, he opened his own gym.
Posted: April 2, 2008
Increased Risk
Research from the Mayo Clinic says that 82 percent of retired NFL players under age 50 have more abnormal narrowing and blockages to arteries than the general public of the same age.
Posted: April 1, 2008
Jump To It
Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Council says jumping rope places much less stress on muscles than jogging, giving athletes a lower impact aerobic option to add to their repertoires.
Posted: March 31, 2008
Lawsuit Names ATC
A former Eastern Kentucky University volleyball player is claiming negligence in a lawsuit she filed against the team's former athletic trainer. She says severe burns on her legs—and a MRSA infection that was consequently contracted—were the result of a hot pack being applied improperly.
Posted: March 28, 2008
Innocent After All?
A common genetic variation could be responsible for false-positive testosterone doping test results, says a study from Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.
Posted: March 27, 2008
Mouthguards a Must
A recent statement from the Michigan Association of Endodontists confirmed that sport-related injuries are the leading cause of missing teeth in youth athletes, but most spring sport student-athletes in the state are still playing without mouthguards.
Posted: March 26, 2008
Mound Height At Fault?
A study from the Medical College of Wisconsin says that compared to flat ground, the standard 10-inch height of a baseball mound causes pitchers greater stress to their shoulders, including more rotator cuff and labrum tears.
Posted: March 25, 2008
H.S. Injury Study
T&C blogger Dawn Comstock is featured on the NCAA Web site this week, thanks to her work tracking high school injuries.
Posted: March 24, 2008
Late Light, Early Workouts
By exposing athletes to bright light at night, these scientists pushed the athletes' lowest core body temperatures—typically experienced between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.—to later in the morning so the athletes could exercise at a cooler temperature, eliminating overheating.
Posted: March 21, 2008
Parent Classes
Two sport psychologists at the University of Washington suggest that parents need a lot more education in how to support their athletic children.
Posted: March 20, 2008
Apparel Boost
Can certain athletic clothing really improve muscle strength and help blood flow? Several clothing manufacturers say their lines do indeed boost performance.
Posted: March 19, 2008
Questioning HGH
Is human growth hormone beneficial to athletes? A group of 27 Stanford studies involving 440 participants says HGH does not help an athlete's performance at all, and may even hinder it.
Posted: March 18, 2008
No More Testing?
The Washington Supreme Court ruled that random drug testing of students involved in extracurricular activities violates the state constitution. In response, school districts are suspending their testing programs.
Posted: March 17, 2008
Olympians Question Air Quality
Prospective competitors in the 2008 Beijing Olympics are raising concerns about air pollution in the city. Some have said they will wear masks while competing, and others are withdrawing from certain events entirely out of fears for their respiratory health.
Posted: March 14, 2008
Youth Injury Guidelines Announced
New guidelines from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine say youth athletes with suspected neck injuries should be treated the same as their older counterparts: keep the helmet and shoulder pads on during transport, and remove once in a controlled setting.
Posted: March 13, 2008
The Next HGH?
Researchers are currently experimenting with a drug that would suppress a chemical in the body in order to spur muscle growth in muscular dystrophy patients. Some athletes, however, see the hard-to-detect drug as a non-steroid way to grow healthy muscle tissue.
Posted: March 12, 2008
Closing The Gap
About 90 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims are male, the average age of athletes dying from it is 18, and more than half of the victims are African American. That's why the Black Coaches and Administrators and various physicians in the U.S. are joining to educate the public through its "Close the Gap" program.
Posted: March 11, 2008
Surgery Best For Dislocation
For young athletes who suffer a first-time shoulder dislocation, a study has shown that arthroscopic surgery is the best approach, resulting in less future dislocations than patients who take the conservative approach of rest and immobilization in a sling.
Posted: March 10, 2008
Better Beverages
As soda sales continue to decline in the U.S., companies are turning to healthier drink options. The Coca-Cola Company has set up headquarters in Beijing to study traditional Chinese medicine for health benefits that could be incorporated into its beverages.
Posted: March 7, 2008
A Better Steroids Test?
A new steroids test based on a technique using high pressure environments to see the chemical structure of a sample (previously used in oil exploration expeditions) may be the most sensitive test to date.
Posted: March 6, 2008
NATA Issues Position Statement
A new position statement from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association provides recommendations for understanding and working with athletes who have exhibited patterns of disordered eating.
Posted: March 5, 2008
Foul On The Play
A study debuting in February's issue of Injury Prevention says a large percentage of high school student-athlete injuries are directly related to illegal play.
Posted: March 3, 2008
GAIN with Gambetta
Vern Gambetta, a frequent contributor to T&C, has recently announced a special educational opportunity called the Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network (GAIN) Apprentorship.
Posted: March 3, 2008
Legal ... But Safe?
Forget steroids, this health expert warns that youth athletes are subject to long term health issues stemming from sometimes-dangerous uppers found in candy and energy drinks.
Posted: February 29, 2008
Hard Knock Life
Dr. Bennet Omalu's newly published book, Play Hard Die Young: Football Dementia, Depression, and Death, is due out this weekend. The book studies the long-term effects of repeated concussions on football players.
Posted: February 28, 2008
After The (Flu) Bug Bites
It's the height of flu season, and athletes are not immune to getting sick, but when is it safe to return to play?
Posted: February 27, 2008
Understanding the Triad
Diane Israel, the producer of "Beauty Mark," a documentary that takes a close look at exercise addiction, suffered from the female athlete triad until she was almost 30 years old. Israel says the triad is an epidemic.
Posted: February 26, 2008
Enrolled in Aerobics
This Oklahoma high school is offering aerobics as an elective for girls who aren't currently involved in athletics. Students do Tae Bo and other aerobic activities, listen to guest speakers, and viewed the documentary, Super Size Me.
Posted: February 25, 2008
New Knee Option?
Youth athletes with torn knee ligaments have a new option for surgery since standard ACL repair surgery can affect a youth's growth plates. The new procedure involves drilling several small holes in the bones to anchor repaired tendons.
Posted: February 22, 2008
Lacrosse Concussions
When hearing the word "concussion," football usually comes to mind. But US Lacrosse is stepping up to the plate to research lacrosse-specific concussions related to the sport's helmets.
Posted: February 21, 2008
HS Hoops Tragedy
Standout New Orleans high school basketball player Shannon Veal collapsed and died on the court Monday night after it has been assumed she suffered cardiac arrest, possibly from hypertropic cardiomyopathy.
Posted: February 20, 2008
On Your Own
Could at-home physical therapy soon be coming to rehab patients near you? Two orthopedic surgeons have developed a DVD so patients can do just that, but experts warn that it's not a complete replacement for therapy.
Posted: February 19, 2008
ACL Debates
A recent spike in ACL tears in youth athletes is shedding a light on the debate over a surgical vs. non-surgical approach to treatment. Surgery poses a greater risk for children than adults because their growth plates are not fully formed.
Posted: February 18, 2008
Adult Injuries In Youths
Injuries that used to be seen only in fully matured adult athletes are moving down the line to younger and younger athletes—cutting both playing time and careers way too short.
Posted: February 15, 2008
Hazing Handbook
The NCAA's new handbook, "Hazing Prevention in College Athletics," with information for administrators, coaches, and student-athletes on how to prevent hazing situations on campus, is now mailing to member institutions.
Posted: February 14, 2008
Recall Alert
Chattem Inc., the makers of Icy Hot, is recalling its heat therapy products "Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat" (one for the back, and another for the arm, neck, and leg) due to reported burns and skin irritation.
Posted: February 13, 2008
Quick Thinking
Dr. Les Bisson was on the NHL Buffalo Sabres' bench Sunday night when Richard Zednik's carotid artery was slashed by a teammate's skate. His decision to squeeze off the artery may have saved Zednik's life.
Posted: February 12, 2008
Extreme Measures
Dr. Brian Krabak, a professor of orthopedics and sports medicine at the University of Washington and Children's Hospital in Seattle and medical director for several desert races, talks about his research on training extreme athletes.
Posted: February 11, 2008
Test of Time
It was revolutionary surgery that has since saved many athletes' careers. The Boston Globe takes a look back at Tommy John surgery and the patient and doctor that first performed it.
Posted: February 8, 2008
ATC Honored
Longtime Utah State University Athletic Trainer Dale Mildenberger was honored Saturday as the Dale Mildenberger Sports Medicine Complex was officially unveiled.
Posted: February 7, 2008
Runner's Yoga
Runners needn't run from practicing yoga—a new form of yoga specific to running athletes can help improve stamina and perfect a stride.
Posted: February 6, 2008
Lifting Four State Titles
Girls in Florida have caught on to weightlifting as a high school sport, and one school in particular has dominated the scene, winning four state titles.
Posted: February 5, 2008
Next Up: Delaware
Delaware is the latest to consider steroid testing its high school student-athletes. The House passed a resolution last week that will create a task force to study the cost and issues related to testing.
Posted: February 4, 2008
Mouthguards in Soccer
Many of Virginia Beach's soccer players and their parents are opposed to the possibility of a new rule requiring soccer athletes to wear mouthguards this spring—one player started an online petition against the rule that has over 500 signatures.
Posted: February 1, 2008
The Extra Edge
To achieve the dream of landing an athletic scholarship, more high school student-athletes are seeking out the help of personal trainers.
Posted: January 31, 2008
Only 24 Hours In a Day
Researchers say sleep deprivation is rampant in high school and college students, and it affects them more than they know.
Posted: January 30, 2008
AEDs Granted to High Schools
A group of Missouri high schools will be receiving 10 automatic external defibrillators for their athletic trainers to use at contests if necessary. The AEDs were supplied through a grant from a local health group.
Posted: January 29, 2008
Bad Sports?
A Penn State University study says the aggressive culture linked to sports like football and wrestling make both their participants and participants' male friends violent in nature.
Posted: January 28, 2008
Educating the Community
Athletic trainers in New Hampshire talk about their work to educate local communities on their profession.
Posted: January 25, 2008
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Two newer techniques to rotator cuff repair are using double instead of single rows of sutures and using a patient's own blood in patches to support the repaired rotator cuff as it heals.
Posted: January 24, 2008
Texas Picks Tester
The National Center for Drug Free Sport will run Texas's high school steroid testing program for at least two years. Testing is scheduled to begin in less than a month.
Posted: January 23, 2008
Shaky Workout?
While gaining a lot of attention as a new training method, vibration training with machines like the Power Plate still has many skeptics.
Posted: January 21, 2008
New Strain of MRSA
A new strain of MRSA called USA300 spreads more easily through skin-on-skin contact and because it can lead to a flesh-eating form of pneumonia, it has been labeled deadly.
Posted: January 18, 2008
Spine Treatment Questioned
Doctors discuss the role of hypothermia in treating a spinal chord injury, which was used on Buffalo Bills football player Kevin Everett.
Posted: January 17, 2008
Undue Stress
UCLA researchers are trying to figure out how athletes can conduct hard training without risking stress fractures. In a five-year study of UCLA track and field team members, 37 of the athletes suffered more than 60 stress fractures.
Posted: January 16, 2008
Illinois To Test
The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors voted Monday to begin testing athletes for performance enhancing substances in the 2008-09 school year.
Posted: January 15, 2008
Form of Flexibility
The importance of stretching has come under scrutiny in recent years, but experts say the key to getting any benefit is stretching the right way at the right time.
Posted: January 14, 2008
Texas Testing
Texas officials are still waiting for approval from the Texas Education Agency, but the University Interscholastic League has given the nod to the new steroid testing program and a vendor to administer the tests has been chosen.
Posted: January 11, 2008
Heart Of The Issue
Since 1985, a registry set up by Dr. Barry Maron of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation has tallied almost 2,000 reports of sudden death in competitive athletes—most were due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Posted: January 10, 2008
Reduced Neck Pain
A new study on neck pain has found that general exercise only reduces pain slightly, while targeted strength training exercises made a significant difference.
Posted: January 9, 2008
Ultrasound Gaining Support
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is gaining support from patients and doctors looking to diagnose and treat soft tissue injuries. One doctor says it can cut down on cortisone injections and reduce testing and surgeries.
Posted: January 8, 2008
Overly Specialized
The trend shows no signs of slowing down: more younger athletes are looking for sport specialized training. Will the trend of overuse injuries continue, too?
Posted: January 7, 2008
MRSA Quick Test Approved
The FDA has approved a new blood test for detecting MRSA—results take only two hours instead of several days.
Posted: January 4, 2008
Bad Claims
Leading orthopedic surgeon James Andrews has agreed to pay almost a half million dollars to the United States government after being accused of submitting false claims to the government and issuing illegal kickbacks to referring physicians.
Posted: January 3, 2008
Titanium Necklace Sales Rise
Can a titanium necklace really keep an athlete from getting tired and help them recover from a tough practice or game faster? A growing number of athletes think so.
Posted: January 2, 2008
A Matter Of Genes?
Researchers say there are more than 92 genes greatly responsible for a person's athletic abilities, and there is also a specific DNA region that may tell scientists if a person is predetermined to be an elite level athlete.
Posted: December 28, 2007
ATCs for Advertising
More high schools are contracting with hospitals for their athletic trainers, offering on-campus sign advertising in exchange for the service.
Posted: December 27, 2007
High Altitude a Plus
A study recently documented that high-altitude soccer teams have a great advantage over low-altitude teams when hosting a game.
Posted: December 26, 2007
Older, Younger
Sports medicine practices have recently branched out even more to encompass caring for older athletes, but the services and training strategies aimed at the older age group can actually help younger athletes, too.
Posted: December 21, 2007
Calif. to Test?
Is California the next state that will test its high school athletes for steroids? There are several state legislators in California considering submitting legislation that would deter anabolic steroid use in high schools.
Posted: December 20, 2007
Athletes with Diabetes
The National Athletic Trainers' Association has released a new position statement on working with athletes with diabetes. There are currently 21 million diabetics in the United States.
Posted: December 19, 2007
Screening Catches Heart Condition
Because of a regular echocardiogram screening all University of Tennessee athletes are given, this sophomore men's basketball player is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Posted: December 18, 2007
Trickle Down Effect
Penn State Professor Charles Yesalis says the Mitchell report will not deter high school athletes from using steroids, but rather confirm that the drugs are necessary for elite level performance.
Posted: December 17, 2007
Youth vs. Pro
The California Athletic Trainers Association says youth athletes today are suffering from the same injuries as professional athletes. An athletic trainer for a California high school, club soccer team, and the WNBA, answers related questions in this article.
Posted: December 14, 2007
Injury Reporting
A Massachusetts resident has refiled a bill that would have medical professionals report sports injuries in elementary, middle, and high school athletes statewide.
Posted: December 13, 2007
Cornhusker Strength Coach Resigns
Dave Kennedy, Head Strength Coach at the University of Nebraska, resigned from his post after three years on the job. His leaving comes just two weeks after football coach Bill Callahan was let go.
Posted: December 12, 2007
More Comfort, Better Fit
A former major league baseball player has designed a new protective cup that he says fits better and is more comfortable than conventional cups.
Posted: December 11, 2007
A Small Impact
Three articles in the journal Neurosurgery report data showing almost any impact can cause a concussion--and often the ones that seem like they should actually don't.
Posted: December 10, 2007
Pushing Through Limits
Recent studies have shown that by using a tactic called dissociation, athletes can mentally ignore the grind of a grueling physical event, allowing their bodies to push through self-imposed limits.
Posted: December 7, 2007
New ACL Research
A Swedish researcher says operating on an ACL injury can actually lead to more damage and arthritis later on. He says many ACL-injury patients are treated only for a meniscus tear when there are often other issues.
Posted: December 6, 2007
Study Supports Soy
At a recent conference of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, one researcher presented results of his study that shows soy protein works just as well as whey protein as a recovery food.
Posted: December 5, 2007
ACSM Predictions
The American College of Sports Medicine has released its fitness predictions and trends expected in the coming year.
Posted: December 4, 2007
ATC Steps In
When the athletic director at Bluefield College in Virginia quit unexpectedly last week, Head Athletic Trainer Ewell Vernon was asked to take on the job. He will continue to oversee athletic training as well.
Posted: December 3, 2007
Preventing ACL Injuries
A look at the growing incidence of ACL injuries among young female athletes and some of the strategies sports medicine professionals are turning to for injury prevention.
Posted: November 30, 2007
Reducing Insurance Costs
In hiring a certified athletic trainer, Benzie Central High School in Beulah, Mich., is hoping to see a decrease in the number of claims against its athletic insurance policy by parents who already have insurance.
Posted: November 29, 2007
Gatorade Inventor Dies
Dr. Robert Cade, the inventor of Gatorade, has passed away at the age of 80. Cade originally formulated the drink over 40 years ago to help the University of Florida football team stay hydrated.
Posted: November 28, 2007
Advice from the Pros
A group of athletic training students from Burlington County Institute of Technology recently received a unique behind-the-scenes look at some Philadelphia area pro sports teams.
Posted: November 27, 2007
Drug Testing Success
The Washington Township (N.J.) School District implemented random steroid testing for its athletes four sports seasons ago, and Athletic Director Kevin Murphy now hails the program as an effective deterrent.
Posted: November 26, 2007
MRSA Database?
A Baltimore congressman has introduced a bill titled the Community and Healthcare Associated Infections Reduction Act of 2007 that calls for the formation of a national database of reported MRSA cases.
Posted: November 21, 2007
Bailey Will Be Missed
Friends and colleagues remember former Long Beach State University Head Athletic Trainer Dan Bailey, who died of a heart attack Friday, Nov. 16. Bailey, 60, had just retired this summer after 36 years at Long Beach State.
Posted: November 20, 2007
Drug Testing Policies
The Salt Lake Tribune is running a special section in its paper about drug use by college athletes, taking a look at the large discrepancies in institutions' policies.
Posted: November 19, 2007
A Fractured Finish
At the Ohio high school cross country championships, Claire Markwardt suffered multiple stress fractures to her tibia before her fibula broke 45 feet from the finish line. Markwardt crawled across the line, finishing in 67th place and only 18 seconds behind her personal best.
Posted: November 16, 2007
From ATC to AD
Mentor (Ohio) High School didn't have to look far for a replacement when its athletic director resigned last week. After 17 years as the school's Head Athletic Trainer, Jeff Cassella will become the athletic director.
Posted: November 15, 2007
Football Chin Straps Recalled
Nike has recalled its Cool-Vent Football Chin Straps saying it has received 18 reports of straps breaking resulting in five injuries. The recall covers about 235,000 straps bought from April 2006 through October 2007.
Posted: November 14, 2007
Yoga Not Always Best
Practicing yoga has been touted as a great way to relieve back pain, but for sufferers with instability, hypermobility, or mechanical spine issues, yoga could be detrimental instead of helpful.
Posted: November 13, 2007
Catcher Injuries
Little League has taken the advice of Dr. James Andrews and Glenn Felsig of the American Sports Medicine Institute, who found that catchers have the second-most overuse arm injuries, and will not allow a player who leaves the gave as a pitcher to go back in as a catcher.
Posted: November 12, 2007
Giving Back
In announcing his retirement from professional hockey, Eric Lindros also announced his $5 million donation to sports medicine professionals at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic.
Posted: November 9, 2007
Numb To The Pain
A study in Italy found that athletes who thought they were receiving morphine injections, but in fact a placebo, still exercised longer under painful conditions.
Posted: November 8, 2007
Rx for Fitness
Earlier this week, the American College of Sports Medicine and American Medical Association launched their program called Exercise is Medicine, which encourages physicians to write prescriptions for physical exercise as treatment.
Posted: November 7, 2007
Treating Club Team Athletes
Yale University's club team athletes are claiming the sports medicine staff has been giving them the cold shoulder when it comes to treating injuries, and that there are no clear guidelines on where they're supposed to go for treatment.
Posted: November 6, 2007
Hundreds of Heart Screens
About 800 Stanford student-athletes were voluntarily screened for heart defects in September, as researchers try to find out if the cost of screenings is justified.
Posted: November 5, 2007
New Stem Cell Found
Researchers say they have discovered a unique stem cell in menstruation flow that could one day be used to treat serious illnesses and even be customized for sports medicine treatments.
Posted: November 2, 2007
Safer Football Helmet?
A former Harvard quarterback has invented a safer football helmet with special shock absorbers. It has received certification from NOCSAE, and will be making its debut on several college teams, including the Crimson, next season.
Posted: November 1, 2007
Stretching for Endurance
While some strength and conditioning coaches have curtailed the use of static stretching, a new study has found that a regular stretching program may in fact enhance performance by increasing endurance.
Posted: October 31, 2007
An Obsession to Lose
There are more athletes with eating disorders than many would guess. This article tells the story of a high school field hockey and basketball player struggling with the disorder.
Posted: October 30, 2007
No Physical Form
Bigfork High School was fined $50 by the Montana High School Association for allowing a player to participate in football practice without having turned a in physical examination form. The player in question collapsed on the first day of practice on Aug. 13 and died a week later.
Posted: October 29, 2007
Newbie Guidelines
For young athletes, finding a coach that emphasizes good form and getting the basics down pat first will reduce the new athlete's risk of sustaining an injury during their playing career.
Posted: October 26, 2007
USF Helps Out
Polk County, Fla. is in the midst of an orthopedic surgeon shortage. So the University of South Florida has expanded its college of medicine orthopedic residency program to include two of the county's hospitals.
Posted: October 25, 2007
Older & Wiser
Sports medicine is aging with its clientele. The new physical activity guidelines included those specific to an older generation for the first time ever, the University of Pittsburgh recently opened a wellness center for athletes over 40, and researchers are branching out to the older generation in their studies.
Posted: October 24, 2007
Breathing Easier
Less than a quarter of collegiate sports medicine programs have a pulmonolgist on staff, but those that do are much more likely to correctly meet and follow NATA guidelines on working with athletes that have asthma.
Posted: October 23, 2007
Heart Screenings
Beginning in June, Pennsylvania middle and high school student-athletes will fill out a 50-question personal and family health history form as part of a more comprehensive screening to identify those at risk for sudden cardiac death.
Posted: October 22, 2007
MRSA Prevention
In reaction to two new cases of the MRSA infection among high school football players, school districts in Michigan are using education and prevention to help ward of any new cases.
Posted: October 19, 2007
Bat Study Results
In tracking 32 high school baseball teams in over 400 games and 9,000 at-bats, the Illinois High School Association found that injuries sustained from baseballs hit by metal bats are not statistically greater than those hit with wood bats.
Posted: October 18, 2007
Nonactive Injuries
A Sport Medicine Australia study says that non-active youth are more likely to suffer a pediatric sports injury than those who don't participate in sports.
Posted: October 17, 2007
High Ankle Injuries
Although there is little swelling and minimal physical evidence, a high ankle sprain takes much longer to recover from than a "normal" ankle sprain.
Posted: October 16, 2007
More MRSA Reported
Virginia, New York, and Ohio and among the latest states reporting staph infection breakouts, including MRSA, in their high schools.
Posted: October 15, 2007
SMART Program
The University of South Florida College of Medicine created SMART (Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma Institute) last year through a $3.5 million grant. And 10 area high schools are reaping the benefits.
Posted: October 12, 2007
Steroid Study
Despite high profile instances of elite athletes using steriods, a study published today in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition finds that the most typical steriod user is not an athlete at all.
Posted: October 11, 2007
Hit of the Week
The Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award, usually given to an Ohio State player with a memorable tackle, went this week to Athletic Trainer Doug Calland. Calland slipped on the field, went down hard, and hasn't heard the end of it since.
Posted: October 10, 2007
Tennis Back?
A recent study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found
abnormalities in the spines of 85 percent of the teenage tennis players examined.
Posted: October 9, 2007
Eyewear Debate
New York has joined four other states in adding eyewear requirements for high school field hockey players. But many coaches are not convinced the protection is needed.
Posted: October 8, 2007
At Your Service
A survey found that most Americans don't know what physiatrists (rehabilitation physicians) do, yet said they would benefit from their services after finding out that they specialize in non-surgical approaches to treating injuries and chronic pain.
Posted: October 5, 2007
Gift of Life
In lieu of gifts for their 50th wedding anniversary, this New Hampshire couple instead asked friends and family to donate money toward the purchase of an automated external defibrillator for the local high school.
Posted: October 4, 2007
Fork in the Road
Two of the country's most well-known orthopedic surgeons—Larry Lemak and Jim Andrews—are in the final stages of going their separate ways after more than 21 years in practice together.
Posted: October 3, 2007
Girls Too
It seems like the sport of football and concussions go hand-in-hand, but girls playing team sports are just as likely, and at times the numbers say more likely, than boys to suffer concussions.
Posted: October 2, 2007
Good-Bye MRSA
After 11 confirmed cases of MRSA surfaced at USC four years ago, there have been only two since then, thanks to the sports medicine department's upgraded procedures.
Posted: October 1, 2007
Sudden Death
A 14-year-old California high school cross country runner was two miles into a race when she collapsed. Despite ingesting liquids for dehydration and her coach eventually administering CPR, she died from still-unknown causes.
Posted: September 28, 2007
Small Pain, Big Problem
Overuse injuries such as stress fractures account for half of youth sports injuries. Because these types of injuries are gradually introduced, they are often diagnosed only after serious damage has already been done.
Posted: September 27, 2007
Nutritional Value
An Iowa senator has introduced a bill asking that new nutritional standards be applied to all foods and drinks sold on school grounds. Some want the standards to ban sports drinks and flavored waters because of their high sugar and sodium content.
Posted: September 26, 2007
Second Impact
One year ago, this Indiana high school football player experienced second-impact concussion syndrome and went into a coma. Today, he remains in a wheelchair.
Posted: September 25, 2007
Healthy Jets
While it's common to hear of an ex-pro football player's aching joints years after retirement, a study in next month's issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that the players on the 1968 New York Jets roster are just as healthy as their peers.
Posted: September 24, 2007
ATC Shortage
A certified athletic trainer shortage, coupled with only a $3,900 per year stipend to pay each ATC for their services, has some Maryland high schools in a bind.
Posted: September 21, 2007
Still Going Strong
ESPN.com profiles orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, a pioneer of Tommy John surgeries with more than 40,000 shoulder, elbow, and knee surgeries under his belt.
Posted: September 20, 2007
Sports Drinks Sidelined
Athletes at a Massachusetts high school have to walk a little further for their rehydration after the school banned sports drinks from its new synthetic field. The school is concerned that spilled sports drinks will hurt the surface.
Posted: September 19, 2007
Handling Food Allergies
When the Washington Capitals signed defenseman Tom Poti this season, it gave Head Athletic Trainer Greg Smith a new challenge: working with an athlete with severe food allergies.
Posted: September 18, 2007
Keeping Scholarships
Emergency legislation in NCAA Division I would prohibit institutions from reducing or canceling athletic financial aid to student-athletes because of a medical condition, including pregnancy.
Posted: September 17, 2007
Antioxidant Advantage
Researchers from the Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise journal say that a flavonoid found in certain fruits reduced upper respiratory tract infections in athletes.
Posted: September 14, 2007
Shoulders Too
When the words "arthroscopic surgery" are uttered, it's assumed one is talking about a knee injury. But the less invasive procedure is also being used to treat shoulder injuries.
Posted: September 13, 2007
A Miracle?
When Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett was taken off the field with a spinal cord injury Sunday, doctors said he would never walk again. But by administering a cold saline solution through an IV to lower Everett's body temperature, his prognosis has greatly improved.
Posted: September 12, 2007
Required Staffing
Some ares of the country are taking the initiative in requiring high schools to have certified athletic trainers on staff. Washington, D.C. and Texas are two of them.
Posted: September 11, 2007
Permanently Sidelined
The more concussions an athlete suffers, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage. In response, some athletes are now making the decision to cut their careers short instead of risking it.
Posted: September 10, 2007
Feet First
While most cases of plantar fasciitis can be treated with a conservative approach, some are testing out coblation therapy as treatment.
Posted: September 7, 2007
Accelerated Approach
Having a gash closed with staples during a timeout or undergoing keyhole surgery weeks before a can't-miss race are a few examples of athletes willing to push their bodies to the extreme. But when is it time to slow down?
Posted: September 6, 2007
Athletes with Asthma
The high rate of asthma in college athletes has become alarming. At Ohio State University, a sample of 107 varsity athletes had 42 test positive for asthma, and 36 of them had no previous history.
Posted: September 5, 2007
The Under/Over on Hydration
On extremely hot days, overhydration can be as much of a concern as dehydration for active athletes. Warning signs are similar for both conditions, so taking careful stock of the situation is important.
Posted: September 4, 2007
When Lightning Strikes
What is your school's policy when lightning strikes? Here's a look at how some North Carolina high schools handle the situation.
Posted: August 31, 2007
New NATA Guidelines
With the start of fall sports now in full swing and children returning to school, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association has issued timely guidelines to ensure sports safety.
Posted: August 31, 2007
Screenings Next?
The death of Spanish soccer star Antonio Puerta, who suffered a heart attack on the field during a game over the weekend, has prompted FIFA's chief medical officer to ask for mandatory heart screenings of soccer players all over the world.
Posted: August 30, 2007
Free for Athletes
Through a program called Partners for Youth, New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation will provide Public School Athletic League athletes free orthopedic care at Bellevue Hospital this year.
Posted: August 29, 2007
"Heads Up" DVD Available
A 14-minute video titled “Heads Up – Reducing the Risk of Head and Neck Injuries in Football” and produced by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), is available for free from the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
Posted: August 28, 2007
How Much H2O?
The American College of Sports Medicine and USA Track & Field rely on very straightforward guidelines when it comes to hydration: drink when you're thirsty. But weight, sweat rate, diet, and outside environment are all contributing factors that complicate proper hydration for athletes.
Posted: August 27, 2007
Prevention the First Step
Some 1,200 New York high school girls playing j.v. and varsity soccer, volleyball, and basketball this year will participate in a training program designed to reduce the risk of ACL injury.
Posted: August 24, 2007
Not-So-Simple Sprain?
Sprains, strains, and contusions are the most common youth sports injuries, but because they can vary so much, they are also the most difficult to diagnose and treat.
Posted: August 23, 2007
A New Scan
San Antonio residents now have access to an extremity Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, a smaller MRI machine specifically for arm, wrist, leg, and ankle injury scans.
Posted: August 22, 2007
Tracking the Risk
It’s not uncommon for athletes with implantable cardioverter defibrillators to go against doctor’s orders and sign a waiver in order to continue playing a sport. Now, a Yale University group has begun to track these athletes and study how big the risk really is.
Posted: August 21, 2007
Food Shopping
While they are convenient, athletes don’t necessarily need to have the newest sports drink or sports bar. The right nutrition can be found on a regular old grocery store shelf, too.
Posted: August 20, 2007
MRSA Ready
Recent MRSA outbreaks in the state have these Pennsylvania athletic trainers taking extra precautions as student-athletes return to the practice fields and athletic training rooms.
Posted: August 17, 2007
Talk About It
This sports medicine physician involved in Arizona's local high school sports scene doles out advice on talking to youth athletes about steroid use.
Posted: August 16, 2007
Soft Feet
Are lighter and less rigid cleats the reason for the recent bout of foot injuries to England's top soccer players? Some sports medicine experts think so.
Posted: August 15, 2007
Florida Failing Steroid Test?
Many applauded when Florida became one of the first states to implement a statewide steroid testing program for high school athletes. But now, critics complain that the program is so underfunded, it is ineffective.
Posted: August 14, 2007
Too Hot to Practice
In response to the recent heat wave, a Mississippi judge banned outdoor school activities in six counties between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The decision, which some are calling unprecedented, has especially affected football coaches.
Posted: August 13, 2007
Stretching Review
A review article in the British Medical Journal looks at whether or not stretching helps prevent muscle soreness or reduce the risk of injury.
Posted: August 10, 2007
Relief Now, Pain Later
Intra-particular pain pump catheters inserted into the shoulder during arthroscopic surgery have been linked to Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, a painful injury that often requires ingesting pain killers for years.
Posted: August 9, 2007
Temperature Check
Are you using infrared thermometers in your athletic training room? Officials warn that the thermometers, while quick and easy to use, haven't proven to be as accurate as a regular thermometer.
Posted: August 8, 2007
After a Concussion
Can an MRI conclusively show when it's safe for a concussed athlete to return to play? University of Pittsburgh researchers say yes.
Posted: August 7, 2007
Reducing Heat Stress
One year after a Kentucky high school football player died after a preseason practice, safety measures put in place include misting fans and tents for shade, 10-minute breaks every half hour, and weigh-ins at morning and afternoon practices.
Posted: August 6, 2007
Shoulder Pain
Kevin Plancher, MD, explains how a damaged spinoglenoid ligament can cause shoulder pain that is often attributed to the rotator cuff.
Posted: August 3, 2007
Exercising Advice
The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association have released updated physical activity guidelines.
Posted: August 2, 2007
Virtual Reality Training
An Ohio rehab center is testing out a virtual training program in which an athlete wears a sensor connected to a computer displaying their movements as the athlete goes through a training program.
Posted: August 1, 2007
New Rules in NJ
New rules by the New Jersey State High School Association designed to avoid heat illness as football practices get underway are drawing mixed reviews.
Posted: July 31, 2007
Covering Club Teams
In Texas, club teams see some of the best athletic training coverage there is. Most league organizers are expected to foot the bill for coverage at games and tournaments.
Posted: July 30, 2007
Brace Yourself
This two year-long study analyzed the use of a neoprene sleeve versus a functional knee brace after ACL surgery, and found no substantial evidence that one was better than the other.
Posted: July 27, 2007
ATC Coverage Lacking
Certified Athletic Trainers are still spread thin in many areas of the country, and Florida’s high schools are no different. It often ends up that a coaching staff with no medical background is left to care for their athletes.
Posted: July 26, 2007
Shoe Shopping
Finding the right athletic shoe is no easy task. When your athletes are in the market for a new pair, they should heed this advice, including pumping the salesperson for information.
Posted: July 25, 2007
Tougher Comeback for Women?
Not only are women more susceptible to ACL tears than men, but according to a recent study, women also have a harder time recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Posted: July 24, 2007
Preseason Approaching
The time for sticky-weather preseason practices is near. Advice for athletes headed to two-a-days next week include early hydration and spending time outside to become acclimated to the heat.
Posted: July 23, 2007
Overuse in Pitchers
Youth baseball pitchers may not be in as much danger of overuse injuries as originally thought. A recent study says young players who throw often actually "maintain external shoulder rotation as they mature," reducing injury risk.
Posted: July 20, 2007
Tennis and Spinal Damage
Youth tennis players who engage in intense training early on have been found to have serious spinal damage, in part due to the demands of the heavy training during their growth spurt years.
Posted: July 19, 2007
Hernia Surgery
For those with sports hernia, surgical repair with tension-free mesh along with a great rehab program will get athletes back on track sooner than thought.
Posted: July 18, 2007
Safer Soccer
Doing a specific 20-minute warm-up during the preseason can reduce soccer players' incidence of groin injuries by 28 percent, according to a new study led by the team physician for US Soccer.
Posted: July 17, 2007
Testing for Street Drugs
The largest school district in Georgia is considering testing students for illicit drugs after its quarterback was found to have cocaine in his system the night he was killed in a car accident.
Posted: July 16, 2007
Ride 'em Cowboy
Using the World Wide Web, a Canadian researcher is asking professional rodeo cowboys from around the world to report injuries (both old and new) in an online registry similar to the NCAA's model so that he can help make the sport safer.
Posted: July 13, 2007
Soccer Headgear Results
A study in which part of a youth soccer club sported headgear during their season was recently completed, and results have been released: Risk of concussion was 2.65 times higher for the athletes not wearing the headgear.
Posted: July 12, 2007
Too Cold?
It has never been proven that ice baths speed recovery after an intense workout, and a recent study says ice bathers actually experience more pain one day after the plunge.
Posted: July 11, 2007
Keeping Youth Sports Safe
The American Academy of Pediatrics says over 3.5 million sports injuries that require medical attention occur each year. These young athletes don't have athletic trainers on the sidelines, so it's up to parents and coaches to make playing youth sports safe.
Posted: July 10, 2007
Safer Sports
Cautious rehab, educated coaches, and better safety rules and equipment are a few of the reasons why youth athletes as a whole are safer today than they have been in years.
Posted: July 9, 2007
High School Head Injuries
High school football players have three times more risk of suffering a catastrophic head injury than college players, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Posted: July 6, 2007
Analyzing Glucosamine
Many athletes with joint pain take a glucosamine supplement to ease their symptoms, but does it work? A review in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism finds varying answers.
Posted: July 5, 2007
Preventing ACL Tears
Female student-athletes at a Colorado high school are participating in an ACL-tear prevention program this week, designed by a local orthopedic and sports medicine group.
Posted: July 3, 2007
A Mile a Day
The new leaders of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association have begun an initiative encouraging physicians to prescribe exercise to all of their patients.
Posted: July 2, 2007
In Shock
Shockwave therapy may be a better treatment option—with lower recurrence rates—than a conservative treatment like physical therapy for patients with chronic knee pain.
Posted: June 29, 2007
Just Say No
The NCAA decided yesterday to reject a proposal to test student-athletes for street drugs. It will continue to test for performance-enhancing substances.
Posted: June 28, 2007
Marshall's First Athletic Trainer
Edward James Prelaz, Marshall's first athletic trainer and a former standout football player at the school, passed away last week at age 81. Prelaz taught at Marshall for 47 years.
Posted: June 27, 2007
Testing too Tedious?
As high school athlete drug testing becomes more prevalent, some wonder whether the tests actually deter drug use and are worth the cost and hassle.
Posted: June 26, 2007
Risk of Injury
Some researchers say personality and attitude have a lot to do with an athlete's chances at being hurt during play—athletes with a more aggressive mindset are at higher risk than "finesse" players who showcase their skills.
Posted: June 25, 2007
Hit the Snooze
While there is plenty of research that says sleep deprivation will hinder an athlete's game, a Stanford University study has found that extra sleep can significantly improve athletic performance.
Posted: June 22, 2007
Perfecting the Posture
Postural restoration is one form of rehab that's gaining popularity in some pockets of the country. The technique focuses on a whole-body approach to eliminating pain.
Posted: June 21, 2007
Casing Creatinine
At a Society of Sports Nutrition meeting in Las Vegas this week, discussions are focusing on creatinine, a product related to creatine but considered not nearly as safe.
Posted: June 20, 2007
Concussion Seminar
While NFL officials will hear from the nation's best concussion experts at a seminar today, skeptics wonder if the summit is a quick cover-up for negative headlines this off-season.
Posted: June 19, 2007
Equity in Testing
Some people in Florida are concerned the state's drug testing law may be gender biased. Expected to be signed Tuesday, the measure calls for testing of high school athletes only in sports that are predominantly male.
Posted: June 18, 2007
Suing Over Supplements
Pro tennis player Guillermo Coria, once ranked No. 3 in the world, is suing a New Jersey supplement manufacturer whose contaminated vitamins allegedly caused him to test positive for steroids.
Posted: June 15, 2007
Knee Injuries: All in the Head?
A new study of college athletes shows that those who sustain non-contact ACL injuries have slower brain functioning than those who do not--a result of the athletes' "chosen movement strategy," which occurs in the brain.
Posted: June 14, 2007
Don't Overlook Overweight
The American College of Sports Medicine has released guidelines for working with overweight athletes—who are more susceptible to heat illness, asthma, and sudden cardiac death.
Posted: June 13, 2007
Athlete Overdoses on Sports Cream
A high school runner in Staten Island, N.Y., who died in April, suffered a sports cream overdose according to the recently released medical examiner's report. An ingredient called methyl salicylate, or oil of wintergreen, apparently caused a fatal nighttime seizure.
Posted: June 12, 2007
Not So Safe?
A 2005 study that concluded high school football players who suffered concussions during games may be safe to return to the field later in the game is being disputed by two of the study's original five authors.
Posted: June 11, 2007
Nutrition Affects Overtraining
A new study suggests that athletes who suffer from Overtaining Syndrome (OTS) do not consume nearly enough calories or give themselves enough recovery time from workouts.
Posted: June 8, 2007
Comeback at Cal Poly
Phillip Reid battled multiple leg injuries, including stress fractures in his tibia and high right femur, during his first two years at Cal Poly before staging a comeback to make it to this week's NCAA Track & Field Championships.
Posted: June 7, 2007
Q&A With Jeff Hogan
The Head Athletic Trainer at University of California-Davis talks about keeping the Aggies healthy since 1984.
Posted: June 6, 2007
Breakfast Cereal Best?
Research presented by the American College of Sports Medicine says cereal and milk may be better for post-workout recovery than a sports drink because of the additional protein in the milk.
Posted: June 5, 2007
Concussion Connection
The University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes released a study last week that definitively links clinical depression with concussions in retired NFL players.
Posted: June 4, 2007
Adolescent Medicine Expands
Athletic trainers who work with high school student athletes may have a new partner on their team. There is a growing focus on adolescent medicine, and more physicians are specializing in it.
Posted: June 1, 2007
Domino Effect
Now that the Texas state legislature has passed a bill to authorize and fund statewide steroid testing for high school athletes, officials next door in Louisiana may be prompted to follow suit.