Physician Sportsmed
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Physician Sportsmed · Apr 2010
Concussion management and treatment considerations in the adolescent population.
Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in understanding concussions. Information regarding proper identification, pathophysiology, risks, outcomes, and management protocols has shifted the treatment paradigm from a generalized grading system to an individualized approach. ⋯ Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to concussions, having greater susceptibility and more prolonged recovery after sustaining an injury. This article aims to inform clinicians on how to improve symptom relief and functional outcomes for adolescent patients with concussion via immediate intervention, neuropsychological management, and pharmacological treatment.
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Physician Sportsmed · Apr 2010
Effects of commercial energy drink consumption on athletic performance and body composition.
Energy drinks are frequently marketed to individuals interested in athletics and an active lifestyle. From 2001 to 2008, estimates of energy drink use in adolescent to middle-aged populations ranged from 24% to 56%. Most energy drinks feature caffeine and a combination of other components, including taurine, sucrose, guarana, ginseng, niacin, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin. ⋯ As with any pharmacologically active substance, energy drinks are associated with adverse effects. Combining energy drinks with alcohol exacerbates safety concerns and is an increasingly common practice contributing to toxic jock identity among college-aged male athletes. Practitioners should monitor identified populations likely to consume these loosely regulated beverages.
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Physician Sportsmed · Dec 2009
Review Case ReportsSpontaneous pneumomediastinum and epidural pneumatosis in an adolescent precipitated by weight lifting: a case report and review.
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon condition in athletes. The most common cause of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is alveolar rupture into the bronchovascular sheath as a result of increased intrathoracic pressure. Epidural pneumatosis (pneumorrhachis) has been rarely associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. ⋯ To our knowledge, there have been only 5 case reports of pneumomediastinum precipitated by weight lifting. Improper breathing technique during weight lifting can increase the intrathoracic pressure and the risk of pneumomediastinum; hence, it is important that physicians and trainers who work with athletes provide instructions regarding proper breathing techniques during weight lifting. In addition to the case discussion, this article reviews spontaneous pneumomediastinum and epidural pneumatosis.
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Physician Sportsmed · Dec 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialExamining the degree of pain reduction using a multielement exercise model with a conventional training shoe versus an ultraflexible training shoe for treating plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is a common injury to the plantar aponeurosis, manifesting as pain surrounding its proximal insertion at the medial calcaneal tubercle. Pain is typically worse in the morning when getting out of bed, and may subside after the tissue is sufficiently warmed up. For running-based athletes and individuals who spend prolonged periods of time on their feet at work, plantar fasciitis may become recalcitrant to conservative treatments such as ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory medication. ⋯ Twenty-one subjects completed the program (9 FREE; 12 CON). Both groups reported significant improvements in pain by the 6-month follow-up, and the FREE group reported an overall reduced level of pain throughout the study as a result of lower mean pain scores at the midpoint and post-test compared with the CON group. The exercise regimen employed in this study appears to reduce pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis, and in doing so, the Nike 5.0 shoe may result in reductions in pain earlier than conventional running shoes.
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Physician Sportsmed · Dec 2009
ReviewExercise performance by hemodialysis patients: a review of the literature.
Hemodialysis (HD) patients exhibit poor functional capacity and reduced quality of life as a result of the complications associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A review of the literature indicates that regular physical activity can reduce the complications associated with ESRD by inducing adaptations in the cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. ⋯ Hemodialysis patients can safely participate in a variety of exercise programs with minimal adverse effects. Intradialytic exercise programs that can incorporate aerobic and resistance exercise promote exercise adherence and should be encouraged on dialysis units.