Prevalence and profiling: hazing among college students and points of intervention

OBJECTIVE: To examine university students' attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs related to hazing. METHODS: A random and representative sample of students completed a web-based survey regarding team-building and initiation behaviors (N=736). RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of the respondents participated in hazing. Greeks, males, varsity athletes, leaders, and upperclassmen were more likely to engage in hazing. Students who engaged in hazing were more likely to engage in positive team-building activities. CONCLUSIONS: Hazing is occurring on campus, although not always recognized as such by students. Various factors that would enable someone to stop a hazing situation are addressed.     

Deaths linked to bullying and hazing

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of news reports of deaths associated with bullying and hazing among young people over a period of 57 years. This study was based on a survey of death events linked to bullying or hazing reported in English newspapers from January 1, 1950 through December 31, 2007. The search was based on the review of major United States and world publications, written in English, using the terms "bullying, hazing, ragging, and death." In the last 57 years, at least 250 reported cases of deaths were linked to bullying, hazing, or ragging, reported in English language newspapers from around the world. Of these news stories (n = 121), 76% contained an alleged history that the victim was bullied. Twenty-two per cent (n = 55) of these reports were associated with suspected hazing or ragging. In only four cases (2%), those who died had a history of bullying others. The majority of the reports of bullying related deaths (62.3%) originated in Europe, with most of them (93%) occurring in the United Kingdom. Sixty-seven percent of bullying-related deaths were reported during the last 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The significant increment in news reports concerning deaths associated with bullying may be the result of a rise in public awareness about the lethal aspects of this type of maltreatment. An urgent global public health need exists to ascertain the regional mortality prevalence related to bullying and hazing, along the lifespan.     

Nutrition knowledge and food practices of high school athletes

The purpose of this study was to analyze the food practices and nutrition knowledge of high school athletes currently participating in interscholastic sports and to evaluate differences in terms of selected sports variables. The data for the study were obtained by a questionnaire administered to a sample of 943 athletes from randomly selected high schools in Connecticut. The stated hypotheses were tested statistically using analysis of variance, t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients where appropriate. The results of the study indicated that the female athletes had better knowledge of nutrition but poorer food practices than the male athletes. There were also significant relationships between sport forms, seasons, and nutrition knowledge and food practices. High school athletes perceived their best source of nutrition knowledge to be their parents. Results on the nutrition knowledge component of the instrument showed that out of 48 possible answers, the mean correct was 26.4, while out of a possible score of 5, the mean score for food practices was 2.2. Because a positive relationship existed between the number of sport seasons and nutrition knowledge and food practice scores, sport participation may be a catalyst for learning about nutrition.     

Disordered eating and menstrual irregularity in high school athletes in lean-build and nonlean-build sports

The authors' purpose was to determine the prevalence and compare associations of disordered eating (DE) and menstrual irregularity (MI) among high school athletes. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and a menstrual-history questionnaire were administered to 423 athletes (15.7 +/- 1.2 y, 61.2 +/- 10.2 kg) categorized as lean build (LB; n = 146) or nonlean build (NLB; n = 277). Among all athletes, 20.0% met the criteria for DE and 20.1% for MI. Although the prevalence of MI was higher in LB (26.7%) than NLB (16.6%) athletes (P = 0.01), no differences were found for DE. For both sport types, oligo/amenorrheic athletes consistently reported higher EDE-Q scores than eumenorrheic athletes (P < 0.05). Athletes with DE were over 2 times as likely (OR = 2.3, 95%CI: 1.3, 4.2) to report oligo/amenorrhea than athletes without DE. These data establish an association between DE and MI among high school athletes and indicate that LB athletes have more MI but not DE than NLB athletes.     

Sports-related injuries among high school athletes--United States, 2005-06 school year

Participation in high school sports helps promote a physically active lifestyle. High school sports participation has grown from an estimated 4 million participants during the 1971-72 school year to an estimated 7.2 million in 2005-06. However, despite the documented health benefits of increased physical activity (e.g., weight management, improved self-esteem, and increased strength, endurance, and flexibility), those who participate in athletics are at risk for sports-related injuries. High school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations annually. To date, the study of these injuries has been limited by inabilities to calculate injury rates, compare results among groups, and generalize findings from small, nonrepresentative samples. During the 2005-06 school year, researchers at a children's hospital in Ohio used an Internet-based data-collection tool to pilot an injury surveillance system among athletes from a representative national sample of U.S. high schools. This report summarizes the findings of that study, which indicated that participation in high school sports resulted in an estimated 1.4 million injuries at a rate of 2.4 injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures (i.e., practices or competitions). Surveillance of exposure-based injury rates in a nationally representative sample of high school athletes and analysis of injury patterns can help guide activities aimed at reducing these injuries.     

Eating-disordered behaviors and personality characteristics of high school athletes and nonathletes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether high school athletes are at risk for an eating disorder, whether personality characteristics differentiate athletes from nonathletes, and whether high levels of perfectionism put athletes at risk. METHOD: 318 high school athletes were randomly matched to 360 nonathletes. Comparisons were made by means of the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), Restraint Scale, Risk Symptom Checklist, Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ), and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Athletes did not have higher levels of disordered eating behaviors and attitudes than their nonathletic counterparts. Athletes had less negative views of life than nonathletes. However, perfectionistic tendencies may put some athletes at risk. DISCUSSION: High school athletes are not at greater risk for the development of an eating disorder than other students. Athlete's positive outlook on life and high self-efficacy may serve as protective factors. Alternatively, athletes may not be at risk until they train for one particular sport in a highly competitive environment.     

双桶热熏微型计算机控制脊柱牵引床的研制

目的：研制一种具有中医汽雾透皮熏蒸功能和脊柱牵引功能的双桶热熏微型计算机控制脊柱牵引床，该产品可使患者在治疗过程中同时完成中医汽雾透皮熏蒸和脊柱牵引双重功效。方法：利用现代汽雾透皮原理，将中药有效成分直接作用于患者的治疗部位透皮吸收，并在人体脊柱牵引力的实时闭环控制过程中采用PID增量式算法和人工智能中的模糊控制理论，通过实验和实践，制定出该产品符合实际治疗需要的温度和牵引力控制等的标准，使产品的治疗总有效率达到96％，并未出现一例副作用的合并症，结果：温度控制设定范围在35℃～55℃，其控温误差、温度显示误差、温度的均匀性和波动性等4项指标均小于2℃；牵引力控制设定范围在98．067～784．532N（10～80kgf），它的“动”、“静”态和整机测试指标均小于19，613N（2kd），整机性能可满足临床实际需要。结论：该产品从中医推拿等治疗脊柱疾病的保守治疗技术发展考虑．运用中医汽雾透皮熏蒸原理新技术，采用PID增量式算法和人工智能中的模糊控制理论来实现“机电一体化实时闭环控制”．．实践证明，该产品不仅适用于中医推拿的临床需要，也适合于创伤科、骨科、理疗科、康复科等科室的使用。     

Factors related to return to play after knee injury in high school football athletes

Purpose

American football is played by over 1 million high school athletes in the United States, and knee injuries are the third most common injury. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence return to play after knee injuries in high school football athletes and whether return to play differs for varsity and nonvarsity football players.

A prospective study of injury incidence among North Carolina high school athletes

Sports-related injuries are an issue of concern in high school sports athletes. A prospective cohort study of injury risk factors was conducted from 1996 to 1999 among varsity high school athletes in 12 sports in 100 North Carolina high schools. Data were collected by trained school personnel. Unadjusted and adjusted incidence rates and rate ratios were estimated using Poisson regression models. The overall rate of injury was 2.08 per 1,000 athlete-exposures (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.79, 2.41). At 3.54 per 1,000 athlete-exposures (95% CI: 2.87, 4.37), football had the highest rate of injury of all sports. The adjusted rate ratio for athletes with a history of injury, compared with those without a prior injury, was 1.94 (95% CI: 1.69, 2.22). The injury rate rose with each year of playing experience (rate ratio=1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12). In a subanalysis restricted to gender-comparable sports, boys had a higher rate of injury than did girls (rate ratio=1.33, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.79). All other factors did not appear to be independent predictors of the injury rate. The influence of prior injury suggests that proper rehabilitation and primary prevention of the initial injury are important strategies for injury control.     

Dietary status of elite female high school gymnasts: inadequacy of vitamin and mineral intake

In general, the diets of these athletes appeared to be nutritionally inadequate. Diets were judged to be inadequate for vitamins B-6, folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium in 30% to 60% of gymnasts studied. Several reasons seem to make this population somewhat more vulnerable: (a) the desire to be light, lean, and aesthetically appealing; (b) the anaerobic nature of their sport, which does not lend itself to excessive levels of energy expenditure; and (c) the fact that these athletes are teenagers, subscribing all too often to typical teenage diets. It seems clear that this is a population which could benefit from nutrition counseling.     

Random drug testing in US public school districts

We estimated the proportion of the nation's public school districts that have high school grades in which random drug testing is conducted. We collected data in spring 2005 from 1343 drug prevention coordinators in a nationally representative sample of school districts with schools that have high school grades; of these districts, 14% conducted random drug testing. Almost all districts randomly tested athletes, and 65% randomly tested other students engaged in extracurricular activities; 28% randomly tested all students, exceeding the current sanction of the US Supreme Court.     

High school youth and suicide risk: exploring protection afforded through physical activity and sport participation

Background: Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for adolescents. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the adolescent suicide rate increased 18% between 2003 and 2004. Sport may represent a promising protective factor against adolescent suicide. This study examined the relative risk of hopelessness and suicidality associated with physical activity and sport participation. Methods: Data from the CDC’s 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analyzed. Logistic regression modeling was used to compare the odds of hopelessness and suicidality in students who engaged in various levels of physical activity to inactive students. Similar analyses were performed comparing risks of athletes to nonathletes, and the risks of highly involved athletes to nonathletes. Results: Findings showed that frequent, vigorous activity reduced the risk of hopelessness and suicidality among male adolescents. However, low levels of activity actually increased the risk of feeling hopeless among young females. Yet, for both males and females, sport participation protected against hopelessness and suicidality. Conclusion: These findings indicate that involvement in sport confers unique psychosocial benefits that protect adolescents against suicidality. Findings suggest that mechanisms other than physical activity contribute to the protective association between sport and reduced suicidality. Social support and integration may account for some of the differences found in suicidality between athletes and nonathletes.     

Use of discretionary protective equipment in high school athletes: prevalence and determinants

OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the use of discretionary protective equipment among high school athletes and to examine social and behavioral determinants contributing to equipment usage. METHODS: We analyzed data from a 3-year (1996-1999), stratified, 2-stage cluster sample of athletes engaged in 12 organized sports in 100 North Carolina high schools (n=19728 athlete-seasons) (an athlete-season represents an individual student who participates in a particular sport in a particular season). We used generalized logistic regression to model the association of social and behavioral determinants and demographic variables with discretionary protective equipment use. RESULTS: About one third of high school athletes self-reported using lower extremity discretionary protective equipment. Girls, seniors, those who played limited-contact sports, and those who played multiple sports reported higher usage. Small school size, low player/coach ratio, high proportion of team usage, and history of previous lower extremity injury were important predictors of usage. Coaches' experience, qualifications, and training, however, were not predictive of usage. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention efforts to promote use of discretionary protective equipment need to target school-level factors and should consider both team requirements and the role of peers in setting and reinforcing norms.     

Intervene: Modeling Pro-Social Bystander Behavior in College Students through Online Video

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the impact of a theory- and empirical evidence- based 20-minute video, Intervene, on college students’ intentions to intervene on behalf of others in multiple problematic situations: an alcohol emergency, emotional distress, hazing, intimate partner violence, racial bias, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. A randomized controlled trial of undergraduate and graduate students (N = 1,243) was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the video as an intervention for increasing students’ self-reported likelihood to engage in pro-social bystander behavior across these various situations. Results showed that participants who viewed the video online reported higher likelihood at 4 weeks post-viewing to intervene in situations involving hazing, intimate partner violence, racial bias, and sexual harassment than did their control group counterparts. Intervene is the first video-based bystander education intervention shown to be effective, even 4 weeks after viewing, at increasing college students’ self-reported likelihood to intervene in multiple problematic social situations. Providing access to this free online video represents a cost-effective prevention and communication strategy that can be employed by other colleges and universities.     

Nutrition knowledge of high school athletic coaches in Texas

A study was conducted by mail questionnaire to assess concepts of nutrition as related to athletes that coaches in Texas accept and are likely to disseminate. Background information included training in nutrition, sources of nutrition information, and frequency of distribution of dietary advice. Eighty-five percent of the coaches scored below 70% on knowledge of nutrition. Seventy-three percent, however, believed they were adequately informed about nutrition, and 86% dispense nutrition information regularly. Results of the study indicate a need for better nutrition education for high school athletic coaches.     

Psychosocial factors and eating behaviors according to the stages of change in nutrition management among elementary and middle school athletes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThis study examined the differences in psychosocial factors and eating behaviors by the stages of change (SOC) in nutrition management among elementary and middle school athletes.SUBJECTS/METHODSSubjects were young athletes recruited from the athletic clubs of 10 organizations. Subjects responded to a survey questionnaire, and data on 167 athletes were analyzed. Subjects were grouped into the pre-action or action stage in nutrition management. The χ² test, t-test, analysis of covariance, and correlation analysis were used in data analysis.RESULTSAthletes in the action stage (62.3%) compared to the pre-action stage, showed a higher self-efficacy (P < 0.01), and felt more confidence in performing specific eating behaviors (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Those in the action stage had more favorable beliefs regarding nutrition (P < 0.001) and agreed less strongly on the specific misconceptions/disadvantages of nutrition (P < 0.01) than those in the pre-action stage. Eating behaviors (P < 0.001) and subscales of the eating behaviors (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) also differed significantly by the SOC group. Place of eating dinner (P < 0.05) and the person who prepares dinner (P < 0.05) showed significant differences by the SOC group. The relationship of self-efficacy, beliefs regarding nutrition, and eating behaviors to the SOC differed by sports type. Beliefs for football athletes, self-efficacy, and beliefs for baseball athletes were correlated significantly with the SOC, whereas all 3 variables were related to the SOC for handball and other athletes.CONCLUSIONSThis study showed differences in psychosocial factors and eating behaviors between the pre-action and action stages. Nutrition education should include strategies to help young athletes modify their beliefs, mainly misconceptions/disadvantages of nutrition, increase self-efficacy, and adopt specific and desirable eating behaviors. Nutrition education might employ different strategies considering the sports type that student-athletes participate.     

Nutritional intake from food sources of high school football athletes

Male high school football athletes served as subjects (no. = 134; age = 15.0 +/- 1.2 years, range = 12 to 18 years; weight = 67.7 +/- 13.9 kg) (mean +/- standard deviation) in a dietary survey project to characterize nutritional intake from food sources. Dietary intake data were collected using the recall method for 1 weekday during the summer when athletes participated in unsupervised, informal conditioning. Subjects were grouped by age as junior high (JR-HI: 12 to 14 years) or senior high (SR-HI: 15 to 18 years) students. Absolute mean energy and nutrient intakes, except for vitamin A, were statistically greater for SR-HI relative to JR-HI (p less than .02). These findings are consistent with age-related growth on nutritional intake. Mean nutritional intakes from food sources for SR-HI met or exceeded the RDAs. For JR-HI, mean intakes met or exceeded the RDAs except for energy (94% RDA) and zinc (87% RDA). Mean intakes exceeded those of a representative sample of same-age boys in the larger American population.     

A thorough yet efficient exam identifies most problems in school athletes

A complete medical history, preferably from the student and a parent, will reveal approximately 75% of problems affecting initial athletic participation. For asymptomatic athletes with no previous injuries, a 90-second screening musculoskeletal test will detect 90% of significant musculoskeletal injuries. A routine screening need not include noninvasive cardiac testing or laboratory tests such as urinalysis, blood count, chemistry profile, lipid profile, ferritin level, or spirometry.     

Incidence and risk factors for concussion in high school athletes, North Carolina, 1996-1999

A prospective cohort study was used to quantify risk factors for sports concussions. Analysis was based on a stratified cluster sample of North Carolina high school athletes followed during 1996-1999. Clustering was by school and sport, and the sample included 15,802 athletes with 1-8 seasons of follow-up per athlete. Concussion rates were estimated for 12 sports, and risk factors were quantified using generalized Poisson regression. Concussion rates ranged from 9.36 (95% confidence interval: 1.93, 16.80) per 100,000 athlete-exposures in cheerleading to 33.09 (95% confidence interval: 24.74, 41.44) per 100,000 athlete-exposures in football, where "athlete-exposure" is one athlete participating in one practice or game. The overall rate of concussion was 17.15 (95% confidence interval: 13.30, 21.00) per 100,000 athlete-exposures. Cheerleading was the only sport for which the practice rate was greater than the game rate. Almost two thirds of cheerleading concussions involved two-level pyramids. Concussion rates were elevated for athletes with a history of concussion, and they increased with the increasing level of body contact permitted in the sport. After adjustment for sport, body mass index, and year in school, history of concussion(s) remained a moderately strong risk factor for concussion (rate ratio = 2.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 4.19). The fact that concussion history is an important predictor of concussion incidence, even in this young population, underscores the importance of primary prevention efforts, timely identification, and careful clinical management of these injuries.