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The predominate noncombat medical issue was musculoskeletal injury. NG Soldiers improved their body composition, strength, and endurance but experienced significant declines in aerobic fitness while deployed. These data document the association between declining aerobic fitness and increased utilization of medical resources.

Physical education once was a cornerstone to higher education, with some 97 percent of institutions requiring it in their respective curricula. Over the twentieth century, that percentage held steady with some 84-87 percent of institutions requiring physical education well into the late 1960s. During the next four decades, the number of institutions requiring physical education dropped steadily, to where some 39.5 percent of institutions of higher education were requiring it. However, the data from those studies came from surveys and thus had limitations. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of physical education in Colorado’s colleges and universities by examining the specific requirements of each institution to get as detailed and as accurate results as possible. The results indicated that only 22 percent of four-year institutions and 7 percent of two-year schools, 15.6 percent overall, require physical education in their curricula for graduation. On a positive note, however, some 85 percent of Colorado’s colleges and universities offer some type of physical education course for credit. We are hopeful that this study can serve as a model for the Western Society of Kinesiology and Wellness’s membership to gather similar data for all states within its region. Ultimately, perhaps national data such as this can be collected and published.

Currently, there is a paucity of literature that describes physical fitness levels in deploying service members. There has been no data collected that evaluate the Army National Guard or Reserves. This descriptive study will provide physical fitness data for soldiers in the Arizona National Guard (AZNG), allowing for a comparison between the active and reserve components. Sixty soldiers from the AZNG were tested before deployment. Body composition was measured by using air displacement plethysmography. Flexibility testing included the sit and reach (SNR), trunk extension (TE), and shoulder elevation (SE) assessments. Muscular strength was determined by the completion of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and back squat. Muscular endurance was determined by the completion of the Army push-up (P/U) and sit-up (S/U) test. Muscular power was assessed by the completion of the Wingate cycle test and the standing broad jump (SBJ). Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by the completion of a VO2peak test. The AZNG soldiers demonstrated a fat mass of 22.7 ± 8.9%, SNR, TE, and SE of 30.0 ± 8.9, 117.1 ± 25.2, and 145.5 ± 50.3 cm, 1RM bench press and back squat of 82.2 ± 29.9 and 104.6 ± 29.0 kg, P/U and S/U of 50 ± 18 and 53 ± 14 reps, peak power of 660.9 ± 177.8 W, SBJ of 191.8 ± 28.4 cm, and VO2peak of 48.9 ± 8.8 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1). This is the first study that provides descriptive data for physical fitness in a reserve component. The data demonstrate that these AZNG soldiers are relatively fit and have comparable results to their active duty counterparts. This descriptive data will provide military leadership a better understanding of the condition of soldiers before deployment and will assist them in better preparing soldiers for future conflicts.

Amid COVID-19, many institutions deployed vast resources to test their members regularly for safe reopening. This self-focused approach, however, not only overlooks surrounding communities but also remains blind to community transmission that could breach the institution. To test the relative merits of a more altruistic strategy, we built an epidemiological model that assesses the differential impact on case counts when institutions instead allocate a proportion of their tests to members' close contacts in the larger community. We found that testing outside the institution benefits the institution in all plausible circumstances, with the optimal proportion of tests to use externally landing at 45% under baseline model parameters. Our results were robust to local prevalence, secondary attack rate, testing capacity, and contact reporting level, yielding a range of optimal community testing proportions from 18% to 58%. The model performed best under the assumption that community contacts are known to the institution; however, it still demonstrated a significant benefit even without complete knowledge of the contact network.

Clinical Scenario: Concussions are a prevalent topic in medicine. Concussion symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and cognitive impairments, the persistence of which is referred to as postconcussion syndrome. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proposed and evaluated as an additional treatment of these symptoms. HBOT is an innovative approach that has been considered by many but has received both criticism and acceptance. Clinical Question: Is HBOT an effective means of reducing symptoms for individuals suffering from postconcussion syndrome (persistence of symptoms for >3 mo)? Summary of Search: The literature was searched for studies that were relevant to the clinical question. Literature provided 5 level 1 studies that were relevant enough to be considered. Clinical Bottom Line: Based on the research that is available, the authors conclude that there is more evidence to refute the use of HBOT for postconcussion syndrome than to support it. Strength of Recommendation: Four studies disprove the use of HBOT; 1 study supported the use of HBOT. These 5 studies are the same level of evidence (level 1) and provide significant findings in their studies. The strength of this recommendation is a B according to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Keywords: therapeutic modality, atmospheric pressure, mild traumatic brain injury Clinical ScenarioConcussions are a prevalent topic in medicine. Researchers and clinicians are striving to improve the treatment, care, and side effects of concussions. Concussion symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and cognitive impairments. The persistence of these symptoms for more than 3 months is known as postconcussion syndrome. 1 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proposed and evaluated as a viable treatment for postconcussion syndrome.The theoretical basis behind the use of HBOT resides in a damaged cell's need for oxygen. 2 Under ideal circumstances the red blood cells in the blood stream are nearly 100% saturated with oxygen. The plasma also has oxygen-carrying capacity but typically carries very little. 3 A hyperbaric chamber treatment, consisting of an increase in atmospheric pressure while breathing 100% oxygen, can force oxygen into the plasma, resulting in greater oxygen delivery to the tissues. 4 With greater amounts of oxygen available, the damaged cells can theoretically heal faster. 2 HBOT is an innovative approach for postconcussion syndrome that has been considered by many but has received equal amounts of criticism and acceptance. Focused Clinical QuestionIs HBOT an effective means of reducing symptoms for individuals suffering from postconcussion syndrome?Summary of Search, "Best Evidence" Appraised, and Key Findings Clinical Bottom LineBased on the research reviewed, we conclude that more studies refute the use of HBOT for postconcussion syndrome than support it, so the clinical use of HBOT to treat postconcussion symptoms/syndrome should be questioned. The comparison of the article...

Cryotherapy is a common component of acute and sub-acute therapy in certain settings, but the use of cryotherapy is controversial and not well understood. The theory for cryotherapy use in an acute setting centers on decreasing secondary injury and thus total tissue damage. Opponents of this therapy cite a lack of evidence to support the use of cryotherapy and that cryotherapy delays the inflammatory processes. Neither argument has conclusive evidence to support their claims. The data to substantiate or refute the use of cryotherapy exists in the various settings that use cryotherapy on a daily basis and needs to be collected, analyzed, and discussed.

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