Hamstring muscle strains were responsible for the loss of playing time of a significant number of football players at the University of Nebraska in the early 1970s. After the acquisition of a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer, the number of injuries was noted to decrease. A retrospective study was performed over the period 1973 to 1982. Players in Group I, from 1973 to 1977, underwent a training program consisting of a supervised winter running program and self-designed year-long stretching, running, and weight lifting. Hamstring injuries were managed with rest, ice, and elevation initially and, by the third day, mild running was instituted. On the average, by the 14th day the athlete had demonstrated adequate speed and agility and was allowed to return to action. Group II consisted of players from the 1978 to 1982 period. These players received supervised winter running programs and staff-designed year-long stretching, running, and weight lifting programs. In addition, all athletes had baseline testing of hamstrings and quadriceps. Deficits were corrected to a desired ratio of 0.60. Injured players in Group II were treated with rest, ice, and elevation initially. High speed isokinetic workouts were begun on the third day with testing on the fifth day. They were allowed to begin jogging when the peak torque of hamstrings equaled 70% of baseline. Players returned to action when peak-torque reached a level of 95% of the baseline score or a hamstrings:quadriceps ratio of 0.55 or greater. Average time out of action was 2 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Three members of a university football team were evaluated because of migraine symptoms precipitated by head trauma. Analysis of the clinical data from these cases, as well as eight previously reported in athletes, reveals that the head trauma is usually minor and not associated with amnesia; and, after a symptom-free interval most often of several minutes, visual, motor, sensory, or brainstem signs and symptoms begin. These usually last for approximately 15 to 30 min and are followed by headache frequently accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In 9 of 11 cases, attacks have occurred with subsequent head trauma. Only 4 of the 11 athletes admitted to spontaneous episodes, however, the incidence may be higher since they have not been followed by a sufficient period of time. Prophylaxis with antimigrainous drugs does not appear to be indicated. The decision as to future participation in contact sports is based primarily on the results of a thorough neurologic evaluation. The possible long-term sequela of this apparent "benign" condition, particularly in those athletes with repeated episodes, is not known since the entity has only recently been recognized. A migraine attack occurring in the course of an athletic event, particularly contact sports, can simulate a serious neurologic emergency. Despite its frequency in the general population and a propensity for onset in the first three decades of life, migraine has not been appreciated in the past as a possible significant sports medicine problem.