Asymmetry in volume between dominant and nondominant upper limbs in young tennis players

This study aimed at demonstrating the asymmetry in volume between the dominant and nondominant upper limbs in tennis players, controlled for maturity status. Upper limb volumes on both sides were calculated in 72 tennis players and 84 control subjects, using the truncated cone method. The participants’ maturity status was determined using the predicted age at peak height velocity (PHV). The results showed significant larger side-to-side asymmetry in volume in tennis groups than
in control groups. These findings suggested that, even before PHV, specific-sport adaptations occurred in the dominant upper limb in tennis players.

The effects of repetitive loading on bone mass and geometry in young male tennis players : a quantative study using magnetic resonance imaging

Pre- and early puberty seem to be the most opportune times for exercise to  improve bone strength in girls, but few studies have addressed this issue in boys. This study investigated the site-, surface-, and maturity-specific exercise-induced changes in bone mass and geometry in young boys. The osteogenic effects of loading were analyzed by comparing the playing and nonplaying humeri of 43 male pre-, peri-, and postpubertal competitive tennis players 10-19 yr of age. Total bone area, medullary area, and cortical area were determined at the mid (40-50%) and distal humerus (60-70%) of both arms using MRI. Humeral bone mass (BMC) was derived from a whole body DXA scan. In prepubertal boys, BMC was 17% greater in the playing compared with nonplaying arm (p < 0.001), which was accompanied by a 12-21% greater cortical area, because of greater periosteal expansion than medullary expansion at the midhumerus and periosteal expansion associated with medullary contraction at the distal humerus. Compared with prepuberty, the side-to-side differences in BMC (27%) and cortical area (20-33%) were greater in peripuberty (p < 0.01). No differences were found between peri- and postpuberty despite longer playing history in the postpubertal players.The osteogenic response to loading was greater in peri- compared with prepubertal boys, which is in contrast with our previous findings in girls and may be caused by differences in training history. This suggests that the window of opportunity to improve bone mass and size through exercise may be longer in boys than in girls.

Exercise dependence and elite Australian athletes

This thesis provides an examination of exercise dependence (EXD) among elite Australian athletes. The research identifies the main symptoms of EXD among elite athletes as excessive training, withdrawal, and continuance behaviours. EXD was found to be associated with irrational beliefs relating to training, low self esteem, and limited social support. The portfolio presents four case studies illustrating the use of solution focused brief counselling with athletes and drawing attention to the utility of a solution focused approach as an effective tool in sport psychology consultancy.

Recreational substance use among elite Australian athletes

Introduction and Aims.The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of illicit drug use among elite Australian athletes with a focus upon cannabis, ecstasy, meth/amphetamine, cocaine, GHB and ketamine; explore perceptions concerning the extent of drug use among this group; ascertain opinions regarding specific drugs of concern; and investigate predictors of recent drug use.
Design and Methods. Data were taken from surveys with 974 elite athletes.
Results. One-third of the sample had been offered or had the opportunity to use illicit drugs in the past year; despite this, the self-reported prevalence of all six drugs under investigation was lower than that reported by the general population. Sixteen per cent of athletes believed that there was a drug of concern in their sport, with ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol being nominated. Knowing other athletes who use illicit drugs, being offered or having the opportunity to use drugs and identifying as a ‘full-time athlete’ were significant predictors of recent drug use.
Discussion and Conclusions. The present study found that one-third of the athlete sample had been offered or had the opportunity to use illicit drugs in the past year; despite this, there was low self-reported drug use. Despite media discussion regarding alcohol use in sport, alcohol was nominated as a drug of concern only by a small proportion of athletes, and further research investigating this issue may be warranted.

Striving for success or addiction? Exercise dependence among elite Australian athletes

Exercise dependence is a condition that involves a preoccupation and involvement with training and exercise, and has serious health and performance consequences for athletes. We examined the validity of a biopsychosocial model to explain the development and maintenance of exercise dependence among elite Australian athletes. Participants were 234 elite Australian athletes recruited from institutes and academies of sport. Thirty-four percent of elite athletes were classified as having exercise dependence based on high scores on the measure of exercise dependence. These athletes had a higher body mass index, and more extreme and maladaptive exercise beliefs compared to non-dependent athletes. They also reported higher pressure from coaches and teammates, and lower social support, compared to athletes who were not exercise dependent. These results support the utility of a biopsychosocial model of exercise dependence in understanding the aetiology of exercise dependence among elite athletes. Limitations of the study and future research directions are highlighted.

Sexual harassment of Australian female general practitioners by patients

In 2010, an Australian survey was undertaken to examine the nature and extent of female general practitioners’ experience of sexual harassment by patients and how they respond to such episodes. Previous research has shown the high prevalence of sexual harassment or abuse of medical practitioners, but little is known about the nature of harassment and responses of individual practitioners.