Search

Undergraduate programs related to allied health are often pursued by students to prepare for entrance into professional programs, but many students also ask about what types of employment options they may have upon completion of the bachelor's degree. This experiential learning course in cardiovascular and sleep technology was designed to provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on clinical skills that could help them to enter professional programs or to find employment in an allied health field such as cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, cardiovascular technology, or sleep technology. The prerequisites for this course were the completion of two semesters of anatomy and physiology. This course was based on experiential learning and was structured into three modules: clinical exercise physiology, autonomic physiology, and sleep physiology. As part of the course students completed a 4-page scientific report for one designated topic within each of the modules. The two exams in the course were essay based. The design of this course required students to review key topics from anatomy and physiology, to comprehend peer-reviewed manuscripts, to gain hands-on experiences with sophisticated physiological equipment, to work as individuals and in groups, and to become better oral and written communicators. The sleep physiology module included an introduction to electroencephalography (EEG) and a student-led nap study, which may be an effective way to introduce students to sleep medicine. We are hopeful that the summary of this course will be useful to physiology educators as they work to provide the most meaningful experiences to their undergraduates in the health sciences. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Experiential learning in clinical exercise, autonomic regulation, and sleep physiology is an impactful way to train undergraduate biomedical students to enter a variety of careers in healthcare, graduate programs in the health professions, or traditional research graduate programs. A hands-on course such as Cardiovascular and Sleep Technology provides a way, in addition to or independent of original research, to provide clinically relevant training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID–19 pandemic has impacted undergraduate and graduate student research. With the uncertainty right now, it is a challenge for faculty to offer clear guidance for how students can proceed with their research and capstone projects. In this brief editorial, we offer suggestions for moving student research forward during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep deprivation has been linked to hypertension, and recent evidence suggests that associations between short sleep duration and hypertension are stronger in women. In the present study we hypothesized that 24 h of total sleep deprivation (TSD) would elicit an augmented pressor and sympathetic neural response in women compared with men. Resting heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were measured in 30 healthy subjects (age, 22 ± 1; 15 men and 15 women). Relations between spontaneous fluctuations of diastolic arterial pressure and MSNA were used to assess sympathetic baroreflex function. Subjects were studied twice, once after normal sleep and once after TSD (randomized, crossover design). TSD elicited similar increases in systolic, diastolic, and mean BP in men and women (time, P < 0.05; time × sex, P > 0.05). TSD reduced MSNA in men (25 ± 2 to 16 ± 3 bursts/100 heart beats; P = 0.02), but not women. TSD did not alter spontaneous sympathetic or cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivities in either sex. However, TSD shifted the spontaneous sympathetic baroreflex operating point downward and rightward in men only. TSD reduced testosterone in men, and these changes were correlated to changes in resting MSNA (r = 0.59; P = 0.04). Resting HR, respiratory rate, and estradiol were not altered by TSD in either sex. In conclusion, TSD-induced hypertension occurs in both sexes, but only men demonstrate altered resting MSNA. The sex differences in MSNA are associated with sex differences in sympathetic baroreflex function (i.e., operating point) and testosterone. These findings may help explain why associations between sleep deprivation and hypertension appear to be sex dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social technology is extensively used by young adults throughout the world, and it has been suggested that interrupting access to this technology induces anxiety. However, the influence of social technology restriction on anxiety and autonomic activity in young adults has not been formally examined. Therefore, we hypothesized that restriction of social technology would increase state-anxiety and alter neural cardiovascular regulation of arterial blood pressure. Twenty-one college students (age 18-23 yr) were examined during two consecutive weeks in which social technology use was normal or restricted (randomized crossover design). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were measured at rest and during several classic autonomic stressors, including isometric handgrip, postexercise muscle ischemia, cold pressor test, and mental stress. Tertile analysis revealed that restriction of social technology was associated with increases (12 ± 2 au; range 5 to 21; n = 7), decreases (-6 ± 2 au; range -2 to -11; n = 6), or no change (0 ± 0 au; range -1 to 3; n = 8) in state-anxiety. Social technology restriction did not alter MAP (74 ± 1 vs. 73 ± 1 mmHg), heart rate (62 ± 2 vs. 61 ± 2 beats/min), or MSNA (9 ± 1 vs. 9 ± 1 bursts/min) at rest, and it did not alter neural or cardiovascular responses to acute stressors. In conclusion, social technology restriction appears to have an interindividual influence on anxiety, but not autonomic activity. It remains unclear how repeated bouts, or chronic restriction of social technology, influence long-term psychological and cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental stress consistently induces a pressor response that is often accompanied by a paradoxical increase of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) by examining the relations between spontaneous fluctuations of diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) and MSNA. We hypothesized that sympathetic BRS would be attenuated during mental stress. DAP and MSNA were recorded during 5 min of supine baseline, 5 min of mental stress, and 5 min of recovery in 32 young healthy adults. Burst incidence and area were determined for each cardiac cycle and placed into 3-mmHg DAP bins; the slopes between DAP and MSNA provided an index of sympathetic BRS. Correlations between DAP and MSNA were strong (>0.5) during baseline in 31 of 32 subjects, but we evaluated the change in slope only for those subjects maintaining a strong correlation during mental stress (16 subjects). During baseline, the relation between DAP and MSNA was negative when expressed as either burst incidence [slope = -1.95 ± 0.18 bursts·(100 beats)-1·mmHg-1; r = -0.86 ± 0.03] or total MSNA [slope = -438 ± 91 units·(beat)-1 mmHg-1; r = -0.76 ± 0.06]. During mental stress, the slope between burst incidence and DAP was significantly reduced [slope = -1.14 ± 0.12 bursts·(100 beats)-1·mmHg-1; r = -0.72 ± 0.03; P < 0.01], indicating attenuation of sympathetic BRS. A more detailed analysis revealed an attenuation of sympathetic BRS during the first 2 min of mental stress (P < 0.01) but no change during the final 3 min of mental stress (P = 0.25). The present study demonstrates that acute mental stress attenuates sympathetic BRS, which may partially contribute to sympathoexcitation during the mental stress-pressor response. However, this attenuation appears to be isolated to the onset of mental stress. Moreover, variable MSNA responses to mental stress do not appear to be directly related to sympathetic BRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare lactate thresholds (LT) and maximal aerobic capacities (VO2 max symbol does not display correctly in the abstract online, so was changed to an italic V. It appears correctly in the body of the paper.) during sport-specific skating (on ice) and cycle ergometry (off ice) in collegiate hockey players. We hypothesized that VO2 max and LT would be higher on ice. We also sought to determine if on-ice and off-ice VO2 max values were correlated. Twelve collegiate hockey players performed both graded exercise protocols in randomized order to fatigue. Both protocols included 80 s of work during each stage, followed by 40 s of rest to allow for blood lactate sampling. VO2 max was significantly higher on ice (46.9 ± 1.0 mL·kg-1·min-1) than off ice (43.6 ± 0.9 mL·kg-1·min-1; p < 0.05). Maximal heart rate (HRmax) was also higher on ice (192.2 ± 1.8 beats·min-1) than off ice (186.0 ± 1.5 beats·min-1; p < 0.01). LT was drastically higher on ice than off ice as a percentage of VO2 max (85.9% ± 1.9% vs. 69.7% ± 1.3%; p < 0.01) and HRmax (90.1% ± 1.3% vs. 79.4% ± 1.6%; p < 0.01). Finally, no correlation existed between VO2 max values off ice and on ice (r = -0.002; p = 0.99). Our results indicate that off-ice VO2 max and LT are not adequate predictors of on-ice VO2 max and LT in collegiate hockey players. These findings challenge the use of cycle ergometry to assess aerobic capacity at events such as the National Hockey League Entry Draft combine. We suggest that hockey players be tested in a sport-specific manner, regardless of whether those tests are performed on ice or off ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine lactate threshold (LT) and maximal aerobic capacity with a sport-specific skating protocol throughout a competitive season in collegiate hockey players. We hypothesized that maximal aerobic capacity and skating velocity at LT would increase as the season progressed. Sixteen Division I college hockey players performed a graded exercise skating protocol to fatigue at 3 different times (pre-, mid-, and postseason). Subjects skated for 80 s during each stage, followed by 40 s of rest to allow for blood lactate sampling. Velocity at LT was similar during preseason (4.44 ± 0.08 m·s-1) and postseason (4.52 ± 0.05 m·s-1) testing, but was significantly elevated at midseason (4.70 ± 0.08 m·s-1; p < 0.01), compared with preseason. In contrast, LT as a percentage of maximal heart rate (HRmax) was unchanged throughout the season. HRmax remained constant throughout the season, at approximately 190 beats·min-1. Preseason maximal aerobic capacity (48.7 ± 0.8 mL·kg-1·min-1) was significantly higher than that at postseason (45.0 ± 1.1 mL·kg-1·min-1; p < 0.01). In conclusion, skating velocity at LT improved from pre- to midseason, but this adaptation was not maintained at postseason. Additionally, maximal aerobic capacity was reduced from pre- to postseason. These findings suggest a need for aerobic training throughout the college hockey season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sympathetic neural responses to mental stress are well documented but controversial, whereas sympathetic neural responses to emotional stress are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate neural and cardiovascular responses to emotional stress evoked by negative pictures and reexamine the relationship between muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and perceived stress. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), MSNA, and perceived stress levels were recorded in 18 men during three randomized trials: 1) neutral pictures, 2) negative pictures, and 3) mental stress. MAP and HR increased during mental stress (Δ14 ± 2 mmHg and Δ15 ± 2 beats/mm, P < 0.001) but did not change during viewing of negative or neutral pictures. MSNA did not change during viewing of neutral (Δ1 ± 1 burst/mm, n = 16) or negative (Δ0 ± 1 burst/mm, n = 16) pictures or during mental stress (Δ1 ± 2 burst/mm, n = 13). Perceived stress levels were higher during mental stress (3 ± 0 arbitrary units) than during viewing negative pictures (2 ± 0 arbitrary units, P < 0.001). Perceived stress levels were not correlated to changes in MSNA during negative pictures (r = 0.10, P = 0.84) or mental stress (r = 0.36, P = 0.23). In conclusion, our results demonstrate robust increases in MAP and HR during mental stress, but not during emotional stress evoked by negative pictures. Although the influence of mental stress on MSNA remains unresolved, our findings challenge the concept that perceived stress levels modulate MSNA during mental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the research on the existence of gender differences for ventilatory threshold (VT), lactate threshold (LT) and Vo2max during on-ice skating in college hockey players. The study shows that ventilatory threshold in women occurred at a higher percentage of maximal heart rate (HRmx) than in men. In addition, competitive female hockey players have a lower Vo2max and higher VT compared to their male counterparts.

Introduction: Previous investigators have developed prediction equations to estimate arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) for blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise. Most equations have not been validated and are designed for use with expensive cuff systems. Thus, their implementation is limited for practitioners. Purpose: To develop and validate an equation to predict AOP in the lower limbs when applying an 18 cm wide thigh sphygmomanometer (SPHYG18cm). Methods: Healthy adults (n = 143) underwent measures of thigh circumference (TC), skinfold thickness (ST), and estimated muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) along with brachial and femoral systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. Lower-limb AOP was assessed in a seated position at the posterior tibial artery (Doppler ultrasound) using a SPHYG18cm. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to determine predictors of AOP. The best set of predictors was used to construct a prediction equation to estimate AOP. Performance of the equation was evaluated and internally validated using bootstrap resampling. Results: Models containing measures of either TC or thigh composition (ST and CSA) paired with brachial blood pressures explained the most variability in AOP (54%) with brachial SBP accounting for majority of explained variability. A prediction equation including TC, brachial SBP, and age showed good predictability (R2 = 0.54, RMSE = 7.18 mmHg) and excellent calibration. Mean difference between observed and predicted values was 0.0 mmHg and 95% Limits of Agreement were ± 18.35 mmHg. Internal validation revealed small differences between apparent and optimism adjusted performance measures, suggesting good generalizability. Conclusion: This prediction equation for use with a SPHYG18cm provided a valid way to estimate lower-limb AOP without expensive equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute alcohol consumption is reported to decrease mean arterial pressure (MAP) during orthostatic challenge, a response that may contribute to alcohol-mediated syncope. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) increases during orthostatic stress to help maintain MAP, yet the effects of alcohol on MSNA responses during orthostatic stress have not been determined. We hypothesized that alcohol ingestion would blunt arterial blood pressure and MSNA responses to lower body negative pressure (LBNP). MAP, MSNA, and heart rate (HR) were recorded during progressive LBNP (-5, -10, -15, -20, -30, and -40 mmHg; 3 min/stage) in 30 subjects (age 24 ± 1 yr). After an initial progressive LBNP (pretreatment), subjects consumed either alcohol (0.8 g ethanol/kg body mass; n = 15) or placebo (n = 15), and progressive LBNP was repeated (posttreatment). Alcohol increased resting HR (59 ± 2 to 65 ± 2 beats/min, P < 0.05), MSNA (13 ± 3 to 19 ± 4 bursts/min, P < 0.05), and MSNA burst latency (1,313 ± 16 to 1,350 ± 17 ms, P < 0.05) compared with placebo (group × treatment interactions, P < 0.05). During progressive LBNP, a pronounced decrease in MAP was observed after alcohol but not placebo (group × time × treatment, P < 0.05). In contrast, MSNA and HR increased during all LBNP protocols, but there were no differences between trials or groups. However, alcohol altered MSNA burst latency response to progressive LBNP. In conclusion, the lack of MSNA adjustment to a larger drop in arterial blood pressure during progressive LBNP, coupled with altered sympathetic burst latency responses, suggests that alcohol blunts MSNA responses to orthostatic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binge alcohol consumption elicits acute and robust increases of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), yet the impact of evening binge drinking on morning-after MSNA is unknown. The present study examined the effects of evening binge alcohol consumption on polysomnographic sleep and morning-after MSNA. We hypothesized that evening binge drinking (i.e. 4-5 drink equivalent in <2 h) would reduce sleep quality and increase morning-after blood pressure (BP) and MSNA. Following a familiarization night within the sleep laboratory, 22 participants (12 men, 10 women; 25 ± 1 yr) were examined after simulated binge drinking or fluid control (randomized, crossover design). Morning MSNA was successfully recorded across both conditions in 16 participants (8 men, 8 women) during a 10-min baseline and three Valsalva's maneuvers (VM). Binge drinking reduced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (15 ± 1 vs. 20 ± 1%, P = 0.003), increased stage II sleep (54 ± 1 vs. 51 ± 1%, P = 0.002), and increased total urine output (2.9 ± 0.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1 liters, P < 0.001) but did not alter morning-after urine specific gravity. Binge drinking increased morning-after heart rate [65 (54-72) vs. 58 (51-67) beats/min, P = 0.013] but not resting BP or MSNA. Binge drinking elicited greater sympathoexcitation during VM (38 ± 3 vs. 43 ± 3 bursts/min, P = 0.036). Binge drinking augmented heart rate (P = 0.002), systolic BP (P = 0.022), and diastolic BP (P = 0.037) reactivity to VM phase IV and blunted cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity during VM phases II (P = 0.028) and IV (P = 0.043). In conclusion, evening binge alcohol consumption disrupted REM sleep and morning-after autonomic function. These findings provide new mechanistic insight into the potential role of binge drinking on cardiovascular risk. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic binge alcohol consumption is associated with future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in both men and women. In addition, binge alcohol consumption is known to disrupt normal sleep quality during the early morning hours, coinciding with the morning sympathetic surge. In the present study, an evening of binge alcohol consumption increased baseline morning heart rate and cardiovascular reactivity during the Valsalva maneuver (VM) strain. Specifically, muscle sympathetic nerve activity and phase IV hemodynamic responses increased during VM the morning after binge alcohol consumption. The autonomic dysfunction and increased cardiovascular reactivity during VM suggests a contributing mechanism to CVD risk present in individuals who binge drink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Eccentric leg cycling (cycle ergometry adapted to impose muscle lengthening contractions) offers an effective exercise for restoring lower-body muscular function, maintaining health, and improving performance in clinical and athletic populations.Purpose: We extended this model to the upper body and evaluated the effectiveness of a 7-week eccentric arm cycling (ECCarm) intervention to improve upper-body muscular function. We also explored whether ECCarm would alter arterial function.Methods: Participants performed ECCarm (n = 9) or concentric arm cycling (CONarm; n = 8) 3×/week while training intensity increased (5-20 min, 60-70% upper-body peak heart rate). Maximum elbow extensor strength, upper-body concentric power, and peripheral and central arterial stiffness were assessed before and after training.Results: During training, heart rates and perceived exertion did not differ between groups (~68% upper-body peak heart rate, ~12 Borg units, both P > 0.05), whereas power during ECCarm was ~2× that for CONarm (122 ± 43 vs. 59 ± 20 W, P < 0.01). Muscle soreness for ECCarm was greater than CONarm (P = 0.02), however, soreness was minimal for both groups (<0.50 cm). Following training, ECCarm exhibited greater changes in elbow extensor strength (16 ± 10 vs. 1 ± 9%, P = 0.01) and upper-body power (6 ± 8 vs. -3 ± 7%, P < 0.01) compared to CONarm. Peripheral and central arterial stiffness did not change for either group (both P > 0.05).Conclusion: Upper-body eccentric exercise improved dynamic muscular function while training at low exertion levels. Results occurred with minimal soreness and without compromising arterial function. ECCarm findings parallel eccentric leg cycling findings and indicate that eccentric cycle ergometry offers a robust model for enhancing upper-body muscular function. ECCarm could have applications in rehabilitation and sport training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R6192 --> 893.8 --> Reactivity to mental stress has been linked to cardiovascular risk, and is shown to negatively influence aortic wave reflection for up to an hour after acute mental arithmetic. It has been postulated that sympathetic catecholamine release during the stressful task drives the sustained elevation in wave reflection. In the present study we sought to determine how muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) reactivity influence post mental stress aortic augmentation index (AIx). Twenty‐seven volunteers (25±1 years) with resting blood pressure ≥120/80 mmHg participated in the present study. Baseline pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity recordings were assessed on participants after 10 minutes of supine rest. Participants were then instrumented for measurements of MSNA (microneurography), beat‐to‐beat blood pressure (finger plethysmography), and heart rate (3‐lead ECG). Subsequently MSNA, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured during a 5‐minute baseline, 5‐minute mental stress task (serial subtraction), and 5‐minute recovery. Finally, aortic wave reflection (i.e. AIx) was reassessed 10 minutes after completion of mental stress. Statistical analyses included paired t‐tests to compare MSNA, MAP, heart rate (HR), and perceived stress during baseline and mental stress. We used standard multiple regression with change in AIx as the dependent variable and changes in MSNA, MAP, and perceived stress as the independent variables. Means were considered significantly different when p<0.05. The mental stress task significantly increased HR (Δ15±2 beats/minute), MAP (Δ14±1 mmHg), and perceived stress (Δ1.9±0.1 a.u.), while MSNA was not significantly increased. There was however a range of changes in MSNA from ‐13 to +20 bursts/minute. The change in MAP during mental stress was a significant predictor (ꞵ=0.47; p=0.03) of the change in AIx (post‐stress vs. baseline). Changes in MSNA and perceived stress were not predictors of mental stress‐related changes in AIx. Our results indicate that the aortic wave reflection responses to mental stress appear to be linked to the pressor response, but not sympathetic or perceived stress responses. This is novel preliminary data that suggests there may not be a direct link between sympathetic activation and aortic wave reflection following cognitive stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R4030 --> 755.8 --> Heavy alcohol consumption, including binge drinking, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk There is consistent evidence for increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) after acute alcohol consumption, and recent evidence for augmented sympathetic reactivity the morning after evening binge drinking. Given well documented differences in neural cardiovascular control between men and women, we hypothesized that women would exhibit augmented morning cardiovascular and sympathetic neural reactivity to cold stress following evening binge alcohol consumption. Thirty volunteers (15 women, 15 men; 25±1 years; 27±1 kg/m2) participated in the present study. Utilizing a randomized, cross‐over design, participants visited the laboratory for fluid control and alcohol sessions separated by ~1 month. The alcohol dose was based upon biological sex and body weight (1 g/kg dose in men and 0.85 g/kg dose in women). Beverage consumption occurred at 8:00pm and 9:00pm to simulate binge alcohol consumption (i.e., 4‐5 drink equivalent), with lights out at 11:00pm. An 8‐hour sleep opportunity was allotted from 11:00pm to 7:00am for overnight polysomnography (NATUS, Middleton, WI). Following lights on, twenty‐two (10 women, 12 men) participants were instrumented for a morning autonomic study with measurements of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography), beat‐to‐beat blood pressure (finger plethysmography), and heart rate (electrocardiogram). MSNA, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured during a 3‐minute baseline, 2‐minute cold pressor test (CPT), and 3‐minute recovery. MSNA was scored and confirmed by one trained investigator (JR Carter). Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA with condition and time as within subject factors and sex as a between subject factor (α = 0.05). Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were reduced following binge alcohol consumption in both sexes (condition: p < 0.05), but women had more frequent arousals following alcohol consumption (condition × sex: p = 0.008). During CPT, women exhibited an augmented pressor response via mean arterial pressure following evening binge alcohol consumption compared to fluid control, while men did not (condition × time × sex: p = 0.010). MSNA burst frequency was elevated during CPT following evening binge alcohol consumption compared to fluid control (condition × time: p = 0.033), but this was not different between sexes. Heart rate reactivity was not different across conditions (condition × time: p = 0.405) or between sexes (condition × time × sex: p = 0.818). In conclusion, our results indicate that evening binge drinking results in augmented cardiovascular reactivity in women compared to men, but these differences do not appear to be mediated via sympathetic neural reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Available methods for screening anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk are effective but limited in application as they generally rely on expensive and time-consuming biomechanical movement analysis. A potentially efficient alternative to biomechanical screening is skilled movement analysis via visual inspection (ie, having experts estimate injury risk factors based on observations of athletes' movements). Purpose: To develop a brief, valid psychometric assessment of ACL injury risk factor estimation skill: the ACL Injury Risk Estimation Quiz (ACL-IQ). Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 660 individuals participated in various stages of the study, including athletes, physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, exercise science researchers/students, and members of the general public in the United States. The ACL-IQ was fully computerized and made available online (www.ACL-IQ.org). Item sampling/reduction, reliability analysis, cross-validation, and convergent/discriminant validity analyses were conducted to refine the efficiency and validity of the assessment. Results: Psychometric optimization techniques identified a short (mean time, 2 min 24 s), robust, 5-item assessment with high reliability (test-retest: r = 0.90) and high test sensitivity (average difference of exercise science professionals vs general population: Cohen d = 2). Exercise science professionals and individuals from the general population scored 74% and 53% correct, respectively. Convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated. Scores on the ACL-IQ were best predicted by ACL knowledge and specific judgment strategies (ie, cue use) and were largely unrelated to domain-general spatial/decision-making ability, personality, or other demographic variables. Overall, 23% of the total sample (40% of exercise science professionals; 6% of general population) performed better than or equal to the ACL nomogram. Conclusion: This study presents the results of a systematic approach to assess individual differences in ACL injury risk factor estimation skill; the assessment approach is efficient (ie, it can be completed in <3 min) and psychometrically robust. The results provide evidence that some individuals have the ability to visually estimate ACL injury risk factors more accurately than other instrument-based ACL risk estimation methods (ie, ACL nomogram). The ACL-IQ provides the foundation for assessing the efficacy of observational ACL injury risk factor assessment (ie, does simple skilled visual inspection reduce ACL injuries?). The ACL-IQ can also be used to increase our understanding of the perceptual-cognitive mechanisms underlying injury risk assessment expertise, which can be leveraged to accelerate learning and improve performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focuses on a study conducted to determine the most effective squat depth in relation to muscle activation for male and female collegiate cross country runners. Joint angles, squat loads and hamstrings to quadriceps ratios were calculated during a training session. No significant differences were found between females and males with respect to joint angles.

Ebben, WP, Wurm, B, VanderZanden, TL, Spadavecchia, ML, Durocher, JJ, Bickham, CT, and Petushek, EJ. Kinetic analysis of several variations of push-ups. J Strength Cond Res 25(10): 2891-2894, 2011-Push-ups are a common and practical exercise that is used to enhance fitness, including upper body strength or endurance. The kinetic characteristics of push-ups and its variations are yet to be quantified. Kinetic quantification is necessary to accurately evaluate the training load, and thus the nature of the training stimulus, for these exercise variations. This study assessed the peak vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) of push-up variations including the regular push-up and those performed with flexed knee, feet elevated on a 30.48-cm box, and a 60.96-cm box, and hands elevated on a 30.48-cm box and a 60.96-cm box. Twenty-three recreationally fit individuals (14 men, 9 women) performed each of the 6 push-up variations in a randomized order. Peak GRF and peak GRF expressed as a coefficient of subject body mass were obtained with a force platform. Push-ups with the feet elevated produced a higher GRF than all other push-up variations (p <= 0.05). Push-ups with hands elevated and push-ups from the flexed knee position produced a lower GRF than all other push-up variations (p <= 0.05). No gender differences in response to these push-up variations were found (p > 0.05). Additionally, subject height was not related to the GRF for any of the push-up conditions (p > 0.05) other than the condition where hands were elevated on a 60.96-cm box (p <= 0.05; r = 0.63). These data can be used to progress the intensity of push-ups in a program and to quantify the training load as a percentage of body mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study which investigated the the peak vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) of several versions of the push-up exercise, including push-ups with flexed knees, elevated feet, or elevated hands. A discussion of the push-up's usefulness in a physical fitness program is included, along with details of the experimental protocol.