Greater concussion knowledge did not reduce the number of reasons that participants viewed as drivers for concussion nondisclosure. In other words, participants understood why athletes choose to hide symptoms even when they also understood the symptoms, risks, sequelae, and consequences of concussion (and potential harm of nondisclosure). Situational contexts and important stakeholder attitudes also appeared to importantly influence symptom disclosure decisions. A multifaceted approach that goes beyond current educational strategies to addresses situational, social, and athletic pressures may be needed to initiate a widespread cultural shift away from concussion nondisclosure.
Neck circumference is quick and simple to measure and thus an attractive proxy of neck strength, a putative mechanism underlying risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Research, however, is limited on the relationship of neck circumference to SRC. Our study examined differences in neck circumference based on sex, concussion history, concussions experienced subsequent to college entry, and participation in sports with high versus low risk for contact. Neck circumference was measured in incoming NCAA Division I athletes (N = 324) from a large northeastern university during athlete pre-participation physicals. Sex, sport team, and self-reported concussion history were obtained from retrospective pre-participation questionnaires and medical chart review. Concussion diagnoses during college were collected subsequent to neck measurements from medical chart review. Proportional neck circumference (normalized by body-mass index) was computed. Each sport was categorized as involving high or low risk of contact (as a proxy of risk *
Stress fractures are a frequent cause of lower extremity pain in athletes, and especially in runners. Plain imaging has a low sensitivity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bone scan scintigraphy is the criterion standard, but expensive. We present the case of a young female distance runner with left shin pain. Plain radiography was unremarkable. Ultrasound showed focal hyperechoic elevation of the periosteum with irregularity over the distal tibia and increased flow on Doppler. These findings were consistent with a distal tibia stress fracture and confirmed by MRI. Examination of our case will highlight the utility of considering an ultrasound for diagnosis of tibial stress fracture.
Body composition assessments are useful for practitioners to monitor overall athlete health and nutritional status, particularly in aesthetic and weight-class sports that emphasize ideal body weight standards. Portable and accurate measurement tools are especially important for these assessments. Ultrasound has the potential to provide portable body composition assessments, but accuracy must be further studied.
Purpose
This study aimed to assess the agreement between B-mode ultrasound and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) body composition results in preprofessional ballet dancers.
Methods
Male (n = 21, Mage = 17.2 ± 1.7 yr, MBMI = 20.5 ± 2.0 kg·m−2) and female (n = 27, Mage = 16.1 ± 1.4 yr, MBMI = 18.3 ± 1.3 kg·m−2) dancers were assessed by ADP and ultrasound to determine body fat percentage (%BF), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM). Pearson’s correlations were used to assess agreement, and paired t-tests were used to determine differences between devices (α = 0.05). Ultrasound validity was assessed using SEE and total error. Bland–Altman plots were used to identify 95% limits of agreement.
Results
Agreement was high for %BF (females, r = 0.94; males, r = 0.77), FM (females, r = 0.94; males, r = 0.73), and FFM (females, r = 0.95; males, r = 0.99). However, ultrasound overestimated %BF and FM and underestimated FFM (P < 0.05) compared with ADP in females only. In addition, there were stronger agreement and lower error for FFM compared with both %BF and FM regardless of sex.
Conclusion
There is strong agreement between ultrasound and ADP in this population. Although ultrasound may be a useful field tool to assess body composition, future research is needed to refine %BF equations in this population to reduce calculation errors.
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