Dual-task testing (DT) using laboratory equipment has shown to detect post-concussion deficits even after traditional measures such as neuropsychological and balance tests returned to normal. However, the efficacy of a clinically feasible DT as a concussion evaluation tool remains questionable. Purpose of the study was to compare the clinically feasible DT outcomes between concussed and control participants. Tandem gait (TG) was used as a motor task and the Auditory Pure Switch Task (APST) was used as a cognitive task to compose a clinically feasible DT.   This study was prospective cohort study. Nine concussed athletes diagnosed by a physician and nine control participants with matched characteristics (sex, age, height, weight, and shoe size) from local high schools and a university participated this study. The concussed group completed data collections 7-10 days post-concussion (subacute) and after return to play (RTP). Control group completed the same protocol with a matched timeline. Local high school athletic training rooms and/or university laboratories were used for data collection. TG completion time (sec) was collected as an outcome and the mean of the two trials was utilized for analysis. Mixed-model ANOVA (time x group) was used with an alpha level of p < 0.05.    Concussed group walked significantly slower than control during DT at subacute and after RTP (p = 0.01). This group difference was not indicated during ST (p = 0.11). DT TG was associated with learning effect (p = 0.013), and there was no time by group interaction (ST: p = 0.44, DT: p = 0.51). Our findings suggest that the TG combined with APST detected the group difference that TG alone could not. Concussed athletes took approximately 5 seconds longer to complete DT TG than control even after RTP. A Clinically feasible DT should be considered as an adjunct concussion evaluation to assess the post-concussion deficits and readiness for return to daily and sports activities.

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The purpose of this study was to examine epidemiology of injury in a male collegiate volleyball team in Japan during 2019 season. Thirty-six collegiate male volleyball players were followed during 2019 season. Injuries that required more than 24 hours to recover were classified as Time Loss (TL) injury, and those that required less than 24 hours were classified as Non-Time Loss (NTL) injury. Exposure was calculated by total number of players and hours of participation. Then, we computed injury rate per 1000 Player Hour (PH) and 1000 Athlete Exposure (AE) as outcome measures. A chi-square test was utilized to statistically compare. Eighteen injuries occurred and the overall injury rate was 1.28/1000PH and 2.05/1000AE, respectively. Of which, 11 cases were NTL injuries (0.78/1000PH, 1.26/1000AE) and 7 cases were TL injuries (0.50/1000PH, 0.80/1000AE). Within the 7 TL injuries, 5 (0.36/1000PH, 0.57/1000AE) were of minor severity. Most TL injury were classified as chronic in nature (n=5, 0.36/1000PH, 0.57/1000AE). There was no statistically significant difference between injury rate of match (n=2, 1.33/1000PH, 2.88/1000AE) and training (n=16, 1.27/1000PH, 1.98/1000AE). The most frequently injured body part in training was lower back (n=7, 0.56/1000PH, 0.87/1000AE). In match, highest injury rate was observed in ankle (n=2, 1.33/1000PH, 2.88/1000AE). In conclusion, our results showed relatively low injury rate, and majority of reported injuries were categorized as minor severity. Our study also demonstrated injury characteristics of Japanese male collegiate players that lower back injuries were prevalent in training, and acute ankle injury rate was highest in match.

After the occurrence of the Tohoku Region Pacific Coast Earthquake, many people suggested it was not the time for sports activity. However, there were concerns for the development of pulmonary embolism among the evacuees, and also children at the shelters felt stress due to the lack of exercise. Under these circumstances, the purpose of this study was to research the possibility of introducing a new generation electric system; vibration-driven energy harvesting through sports. The results showed that exercise for five minutes generated enough electricity to light a LED lamp for 1 minute. In conclusion, it is valuable to introduce a new generation electric system; vibration-driven energy harvesting through sports, at the shelters.