Timothy J. Michael

Comparisons of cubed ice, crushed ice, and wetted ice on intramuscular and surface temperature changes

CONTEXT Many researchers have investigated the effectiveness of different types of cold application, including cold whirlpools, ice packs, and chemical packs. However, few have investigated the effectiveness of different types of ice used in ice packs, even though ice is one of the most common forms of cold application. OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the cooling effectiveness of ice packs made with cubed, crushed, and wetted ice on intramuscular and skin surface temperatures. DESIGN Repeated-measures counterbalanced design. SETTING Human performance research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Twelve healthy participants (6 men, 6 women) with no history of musculoskeletal disease and no known preexisting inflammatory conditions or recent orthopaedic injuries to the lower extremities. INTERVENTION(S) Ice packs made with cubed, crushed, or wetted ice were applied to a standardized area on the posterior aspect of the right gastrocnemius for 20 minutes. Each participant was given separate ice pack treatments, with at least 4 days between treatment sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Cutaneous and intramuscular (2 cm plus one-half skinfold measurement) temperatures of the right gastrocnemius were measured every 30 seconds during a 20-minute baseline period, a 20-minute treatment period, and a 120-minute recovery period. RESULTS Differences were observed among all treatments. Compared with the crushed-ice treatment, the cubed-ice and wetted-ice treatments produced lower surface and intramuscular temperatures. Wetted ice produced the greatest overall temperature change during treatment and recovery, and crushed ice produced the smallest change. CONCLUSIONS As administered in our protocol, wetted ice was superior to cubed or crushed ice at reducing surface temperatures, whereas both cubed ice and wetted ice were superior to crushed ice at reducing intramuscular temperatures.

Childhood obesity prevention: an intervention targeting primary caregivers of school children.

Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) was used to design and evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally relevant, science‐based intervention for the prevention of childhood obesity in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a US Commonwealth in the western Pacific. This cognitive behavioral lifestyle intervention, Project Familia Giya Marianas (PFGM), was offered during the 2005–2007 school years in all CNMI public elementary schools over eight sessions to primary caregivers of 3rd grade children (N = 407). A crossover design was utilized with half of the schools offering the intervention in the Fall term, while the other half delivered the sessions in the Spring term. The primary outcome measure was change in BMI z‐score. There was an intervention‐dependent effect on BMI z‐score, with program impact being a function of baseline BMI and the number of lessons attended. This effect was most apparent in students whose baseline BMI z‐score was in healthy range (≥5 to <85 percentile). In both Asian and Pacific Island groups, children whose caregivers completed 5–8 lessons experienced a significant change in BMI z‐score as compared to those with 0 lessons (P < 0.05). Research that integrates multidisciplinary and multimethod approaches is effective in identifying and/or devising solutions to address a complex condition such as childhood obesity. PFGM demonstrated that community participation can be successfully utilized in the development and implementation of childhood obesity prevention programs.

Response similarities between cycle and rowing ergometry

Abstract Objective . The purpose of the current study was to confirm the unexpected similarities among progressive oxygen uptake (VO 2 ), heart rate (HR), and lactate ( L a ) responses between cycle and rowing ergometry. Design . Eight recreationally active adults performed two progressive submaximal testing protocols, separated by 2–7 days. Subjects completed 3-min stages at 50, 100, and 150W on both a cycle and rowing ergometer. VO 2 and HR were recorded every 30 s. At the conclusion of each 3-min stage, blood lactate was measured. Main outcome measures . For each variable, a repeated measures two-way (mode by intensity) factorial ANOVA was used to determine main effects for mode, intensity, and interaction. Results . There was no significant main effect ( p >0.05) for mode on VO 2 (cycle M =25.88±2.96mlkg −1 min −1 , rowing M =25.94±2.74), HR (cycle M =136.75±10.27bmin −1 , rowing M =135.30±9.08), or L a (cycle M =4.34±1.06mmoll −1 , rowing M =3.78±98). Conclusions . Results of the current study provide evidence that cycling and rowing exercise may be used interchangeably during rehabilitation.

Novel electronic refreshers for cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCurrently the American Red Cross requires that individuals renew their cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification annually; this often requires a 4- to 8-hour refresher course. Those trained in CPR often show a decrease in essential knowledge and skills within just a few months after training. New electronic means of communication have expanded the possibilities for delivering CPR refreshers to members of the general public who receive CPR training. The study’s purpose was to determine the efficacy of three novel CPR refreshers - online website, e-mail and text messaging – for improving three outcomes of CPR training - skill retention, confidence for using CPR and intention to use CPR. These three refreshers may be considered “novel” in that they are not typically used to refresh CPR knowledge and skills.MethodsThe study conducted two randomized clinical trials of the novel CPR refreshers. A mailed brochure was a traditional, passive refresher format and served as the control condition. In Trial 1, the refreshers were delivered in a single episode at 6 months after initial CPR training. In Trial 2, the refreshers were delivered twice, at 6 and 9 months after initial CPR training, to test the effect of a repeated delivery. Outcomes for the three novel refreshers vs. the mailed brochure were determined at 12 months after initial CPR training.ResultsAssignment to any of three novel refreshers did not improve outcomes of CPR training one year later in comparison with receiving a mailed brochure. Comparing outcomes for subjects who actually reviewed some of the novel refreshers vs. those who did not indicated a significant positive effect for one outcome, confidence for performing CPR. The website refresher was associated with increased behavioral intent to perform CPR. Stated satisfaction with the refreshers was relatively high. The number of episodes of refreshers (one vs. two) did not have a significant effect on any outcomes.ConclusionsThere was no consistent evidence for the superiority of novel refreshers as compared with a traditional mailed brochure, but the low degree of actual exposure to the materials does not allow a definitive conclusion. An online web-based approach seems to have the most promise for future research on electronic CPR refreshers.

Over-the-counter performance enhancing mouthguards are unable to decrease blood lactate and improve power output during a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT)

Background/Objective Mouthguards are the primary mode of protection against maxillofacial injuries in contact sports, but recent research has also linked performance enhancement to this piece of equipment. The purpose of this study was to test the claims of the Under Armour ArmourBite (UAAB) mouthguard to decrease blood lactate concentration ([BL]) and increase power when compared to a generic over-the-counter mouthguard (OTC) and no mouthguard (NOMG) during an anaerobic performance test. Methods Seventeen recreationally active males (23.4 ± 2.7 years; 179.6 ± 7.4 cm; 83.0 ± 14.0 kg) were tested using the 30 s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) during three separate testing sessions. Results There were no differences in [BL] between any of the conditions immediately or 5 min posttest. There were also no differences in peak, relative or average power, or fatigue index during the WAnT. The UAAB mouthguard was therefore unsuccessful in improving anaerobic performance. Conclusion It is likely that more expensive, custom-fit dental mouthguards may be necessary for individuals to see any benefits to athletic performance.

The Relationship between Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children

Objective To determine the number of coronary artery disease risk factors and the individual coronary artery disease risk factors that have a negative influence on carotid intima‐media thickness in children. Study design One hundred and nineteen children (mean age 10.51 ± 0.52 years; 51% female) participated. Each subject was assessed for carotid intima‐media thickness, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), glucose, body mass index (BMI), and resting blood pressure. Surveys assessed family history of cardiovascular disease, and physical activity. Ultrasound assessment was completed on the right and left common carotid arteries. Statistical analyses included the t test, χ2 test, one‐way ANOVA, and stepwise regression. Results An increase in carotid intima‐media thickness was observed with 2 vs 0 coronary artery disease risk factors for left carotid intima‐media thickness (P < .001). With 3+ vs 0 coronary artery disease risk factors, increases in left (P < .001) and combined left and right carotid intima‐media thickness (P < .05) were observed. BMI independently predicted carotid intima‐media thickness (r = 0.410; P < .01), but HDL‐C did not. However, HDL‐C was significantly inversely related to BMI (r = −0.534; P < .01). Combining BMI and HDL‐C provided the strongest prediction of carotid intima‐media thickness (r = 0.451; adjusted R2 = 0.190). Compared with children with a healthy and overweight BMI, children in the obese category had greater right (P < .00), left (P < .001), and combined right and left carotid intima‐media thickness (P < .001). Conclusions Carotid intima‐media thickness is negatively influenced by 2+ coronary artery disease risk factors. Weight status appears to have the greatest negative impact on carotid intima‐media thickness in children. These findings support the need for strategies to lower BMI in children.