Moira McPherson

Establishing the Test-Retest Reliability & Concurrent Validity for the Repeat Ice Skating Test (RIST) in Adolescent Male Ice Hockey Players.

In this study the authors examine the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Repeat Ice Skating Test (RIST). This was an on-ice field anaerobic test that measured average peak power and was validated with 3 anaerobic lab tests: (a) vertical jump, (b) the Margaria–Kalamen stair test, and (c) the Wingate Anaerobic Test. The participants (n = 14) were 11- to 12-year-old males selected from a Peewee “A” level ice hockey team (Thunder Bay, Canada). The results of the test–retest reliability estimation showed that the RIST was a reliable test at measuring average peak power in watts (R = .99, C.I.95% = 0.97 to 0.99) and watts per kilogram (R = .98, C.I.95% = 0.94 to 0.99). The RIST was also a valid test when correlated with the 3 anaerobic lab tests for measuring peak power in watts: vertical jump (r = .86, C.I.95% = 0.72 to 0.94), Margaria–Kalamen stair test (r = .66, C.I.95% = 0.39 to 0.83) and Wingate Anaerobic Test (r = .86, C.I.95% = 0.72 to 0.93). The test is considered promising because it does not require any specific equipment, and is a sport-specific, on-ice test, that can be administered during a regular ice hockey practice session.

Relationships among Risk Factors for Concussion in Minor Ice Hockey

There is increasing concern among parents, coaches, and officials about injury risk in youth ice hockey, particularly in light of recent evidence suggesting that incidence of serious injury is considerably under reported. However, an adequate method for ascertaining injury risk for concussion does not yet exist. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among variables measuring exposure and head impact forces in a group of representative level bantam aged hockey players. Across an entire hockey season, trained research assistants attended games and recorded the duration of time spent on the ice for each player (i.e., exposure time) and total number of body contacts using time-on-task software designed specifically for this study. A body contact included any intentional or incidental contact between two players. Collectively, these variables provide a simple, easily administered measure of head injury risk for researchers collecting data in this area. However, their relationship to actual brain trauma is unknown. To this end, head acceleration data were also collected using helmet-based accelerometers that provide measures of linear accelerations experienced by each player. These data were collected by telemetry methods and represent data that are likely very useful for injury researchers but not without sufficient costs. Results demonstrated low associations among the data sources. A method based on combining data sources (through an examination of their potential relationships) is proposed to maximize the potential to identify at-risk youth in minor hockey.

Paediatric sports-related mild traumatic brain injury

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common but relatively understudied childhood injury that can impact cognitive functioning and development. The present report describes a case study of a 14-year-old boy who sustained two consecutive sports-related mTBIs within a 24 h period. Neurocognitive functioning at 2, 6, 8, 55 and 225 days after injury is compared to baseline prior to injury assessment on the same measures. Results from Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), Conner Continuous Performance Test 2 (CPT-II) and the Attention Network Test (ANT) revealed decreased performance in attention, visual memory functioning and impulsivity, with some measures still not returning to baseline at 225 days post injury. The results are discussed with respect to return to normal activities at 4 days post injury. This case study highlights the need for increased research regarding the clinical management of mTBI in the paediatric population, particularly the potential deleterious effects of cumulative injuries.

Statistical Analysis of Athlete Variability Applied to Biomechanical Analysis of Ski Jumping

Traditionally data processing in applied biomechanics has relied on descriptive approaches. Although these are effective exploratory techniques, they may not provide an understanding of the interaction between the variables that describe the event across repeated sampling. Factor analysis is a statistical process that allows the researcher to extend prediction beyond a univariate model to a structural equation in which dependent variables are processed against latent factors. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the application of factor analysis in the reduction of input variables to minimize inter-subject variance in structural equation modelling in biomechanics and specifically competitive ski jumping. Applying a systematic method of data processing, variables that lacked robustness were omitted; while variables that maintained homogeneity of variance across the mid-flight phase of the jump were selected. Based on this analytical approach, the final model is less influenced by confounding from the implicit variance that arises when using sequences of random variables (heteroscedasticity) within a set of predictor variables. Therefore, the final model is expected to maintain the characteristics of homoscedasticity and minimize stochastic effects.

Evaluating the Wizards of Motion Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Module

This study evaluated the level of change in students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward healthy lifestyle behaviors and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) following implementation of a Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Module in Grade 5 science classes. Two classes of students (n 1 = 39) were identified as the intervention group and two classes (n 2 = 31) were designated as controls. The intervention group participated in the module initially, whereas the control groups participated after the data collection was completed. A two-group, pre–post comparison design was used to evaluate results on both a knowledge test and an attitude questionnaire. The results indicated that although both the intervention and the control groups began with similar knowledge and attitudes toward CVD and healthy behaviors, the intervention group demonstrated an improved level of knowledge and attitudes. Further research is needed to determine whether this CVD module could provide a sustained impact on adoption of healthy behaviors among adolescents.