CLICK ON RESEARCH TITLES TO GO TO ABSTRACT

SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF CLINICAL SIGNS FOR ASSESSMENT OF DEHYDRATION IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES. McGarvey J, Thompson J, et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2010;44:716-719

The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic accuracy of five commonly used clinical signs/symptoms to detect dehydration greater than 3% of body

weight. The five signs were altered skin turgor, dry oral mucous membranes, sunken eyes, an inability to spit and the sensation of thirst. The body weight of 606 competitors in a full marathon was measured before and immediately after the event and the five clinical signs/symptoms were assessed immediately after the marathon. Three clinical signs were associated with greater percentage weight loss: sunken eyes; decreased skin turgor and the sensation of thirst. The ability to spit and dry oral mucous membranes were unrelated to percentage weight loss. No signs/symptoms showed acceptably high validity for detecting a weight loss equal to or greater than 3% of body weight.

sportEX comment Although there was a signpost with the three signs, overall the five were not much

help in detecting dehydration. It’s probably safer to make the assumption that the athletes are dehydrated and treat accordingly.

EFFECT OF WATER IMMERSION METHODS ON POST-EXERCISE RECOVERY FROM SIMULATED TEAM SPORT EXERCISE. Ingram J, Dawson B, et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2010;44:767-770

In a randomised, controlled study, cold immersion following exhaustive simulated team sports exercise improved recovery (48 hours later) by reducing soreness, and reducing loss in muscle strengthThe research question was does hot/cold contrast water immersion (HEAT/COLD) or cold-water immersion (COLD) improve recovery following exhaustive simulated team sports exercise when compared with no recovery treatment (CON)? All the subjects, 11 male team-sport athletes (27.5±6.5 years) were assessed and performed baseline measures of performance 10m × 20m sprints) and muscle strength (isometric – quadriceps, hamstrings and hip flexors). They then completed three 3-day testing trials, each separated by 2 weeks. Each test consisted of 80 min of simulated team sports exercise followed by a 20m shuttle run test to exhaustion and upon completion and 24 h later, participants performed one of the postexercise recovery procedures for 15 min: no recovery treatment (CON); cold water immersion (COLD); and hot/ cold contrast water immersion (HEAT/COLD). Blood samples (inflammatory markers), muscle soreness ratings, sprint ability and muscle strength were assessed before and immediately after post-exercise, and at 24 and 48 h post-exercise. There were smaller decrements in isometric leg extension and flexion strength 48 h after the exercise in the COLD group. There was a more rapid return to repeated sprint performances in the COLD group.

sportEX comment Sorry chaps, the ice baths work. Grin and bare it.

Patients with muscle pain complaints are commonly seen by clinicians treating pain, especially of a musculoskeletal origin. Patients with myofascial

pain syndrome present primarily with painful muscle(s) and restricted range of motion of the relevant joint. If undiagnosed, the patients tend to be over investigated and under treated, which leads to chronic pain syndrome. Palpable painful taut bands are named trigger points and are the main and pathognomonic finding on physical

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A SIMPLE FIELD TEST TO ASSESS ENDURANCE IN INEXPERIENCED RUNNERS. Schnitzler C, Heck G, et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

2010;24(8):2026-2031

The test consisted of 10 x 3-minute running bouts, separated by 30-second passive recoveries (3’30” ECT). The first five bouts were performed at 75% of

maximal aerobic speed (MAS, which was previously determined), and the last five were at a self-selected speed. The result of this test is a speed called Vend, expressed in km·h−1 and calculated as the mean speed for the last five bouts. The critical

velocity (CV)

and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT)

were also determined. It was performed by 12 relatively well-trained

athletes and then another 17 moderately trained athletes then participated in a test- retest procedure to assess the reproducibility of the 3’30” ECT. The results showed that Vend was correlated with all studied parameters.

sportEX comment Vend is a very useful tool because it

is easy to apply, highly reproducible, can be done in one session and its non-invasive.

EFFECT OF TREATMENT ON TRIGGER POINTS. Majlesi J, Unalan H. Current Pain and Headache Reports 2010 Jul 23

examination. Eliciting local twitch response and referred pain requires experience and examination skills. It may be useful to classify the patient as having acute or chronic pain, and as having primary or secondary, myofascial pain so the decision on the details of treatment can be curtailed to the needs of each patient. Effective treatment modalities are local heat and cold, stretching exercises, spray-and-stretch, needling, local injection, and high-power pain threshold ultrasound.

sportEX comment For those of us in sports therapy this is

stating the obvious but, note its origin. This is a clinical journal specialising in headaches. The recognition that myofascial problems may be the root cause of such presentations is a major step forward in recognising that soft tissue problems are not just pulled muscles. Better still look at the treatment modalities; the first ones are well within the scope of practise of a soft tissue therapist.

sportEX dynamics 2010;26(Oct):4-6