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JOURNAL WATCH Journal Watch
Effect of the glycaemic index of a pre-exercise meal on metabolism and cycling time trial performance. Moore LJS, Midgley AW et al. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 2010;13(1):182-188
This study investigated the effects of low or high glycaemic index (GI) foods consumed prior to a 40 km time trial (TT) on metabolism and subsequent
endurance performance. Ten male cyclists consumed high GI or low GI meals, providing
one gram per kilogram of body mass of carbohydrate, 45 minutes prior to the TT. The TT performance was significantly improved in the low compared to the high GI trial. Low GI carbohydrate oxidation rate was higher than the high GI carbohydrate oxidation rate. Fat oxidation rate was significantly higher for the high than the low GI trial. Insulin rose significantly following the high compared to the low GI meal but dropped significantly to similar values throughout the TT. The low GI meal led to an increase in the availability of carbohydrate and a greater carbohydrate oxidation throughout the exercise period, which may have sustained energy production towards the end of exercise and led to the improved TT performance observed
sportEX comment You are what you eat.
Treatment of magnetic resonance imaging-documented isolated grade III lateral collateral ligament injuries in National Football League athletes. Bushnell BD, Bitting SS et al. American Journal of Sports
Medicine 2010;38(1):86-91
The NFL Injury Surveillance System was used to identify all players with lateral ligament injuries of the knee from 1994 to 2004. In addition, the medical staff of all NFL clubs was surveyed about injuries during the same period. Nine players with MRI-documented isolated grade III LCL injuries were identified through this process. The medical staff for each respective player then completed a data questionnaire. Four players underwent direct surgical repair of their injuries; they missed an average of 14.5 weeks of play and did not return within the same season. Five players were managed non-operatively and missed an average of two weeks. Four of the five players in the non-operative group returned within the same season at an average of 10 days; one missed the rest of the season. All nine players were able to return to play the following season, and played for an average total of 2.8 (operative) and 4.4 (non-operative) additional seasons.
sportEX comment So it begs the question why do the
surgery? At least try the non-operative management route first.
Effect of 3 different active stretch durations on hip flexion range of motion. Ayala F Sainz de Baranda Andújar P. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2010;24(2):430-436
A total of 150 subjects (mean age 21, mean height 173.33 cm, mean weight 70.42 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four groups (three treatment groups and one control group). The three treatment groups participated in an active stretching programme three times per week for a 12 week period, holding each stretch exercise for a duration of 15, 30, or 45 seconds. The total daily dose of the stretches was 180 seconds for each group. The control group did not stretch. Passive hip flexion ROM was determined through the bilateral straight leg raise test before, during (at 4 and 8 weeks), and after the programme using an inclinometer. Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction of length of stretching programme and improvement in ROM.
All three treatment groups increased hip flexion ROM from their initial values, however the control group did not. No significant differences were found between the three treatment groups. This study indicates that 12 x 15, 6 x 30, and 4 x 45 second single durations of active stretching were equally effective at increasing hamstring length when performed three days per week for 12 weeks in this population.
sportEX comment So it seems to be total
time of stretching not the duration of the individual stretch that matters.
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