Study Design Controlled laboratory study using a cross-sectional design. Objectives To evaluate knee joint dynamics in elite volleyball players with and without a history of patellar tendinopathy, focusing on mechanical energy absorption and generation. We hypothesized that tendinopathy would be associated with reduced net joint work and net joint power. Background Patellar tendinopathy is a common, debilitating injury affecting competitive volleyball players. Methods Thirteen elite male players with and without a history of patellar tendinopathy (mean ± SD age, 27 ± 7 years) performed maximum-effort volleyball approach jumps. Sagittal plane knee joint kinematics, kinetics, and energetics were quantified in the lead limb, using data obtained from a force platform and an 8-camera motion analysis system. Vertical ground reaction forces and pelvis vertical velocity at takeoff were examined. Independent sample t tests were used to evaluate group differences (α = .05). Results The tendinopathy group, compared to controls, demonstrated significant reductions (approximately 30%) in net joint work and net joint power during the eccentric phase of the jump, with no differences in the concentric phase. Positive-to-negative net joint work and net joint power ratios were significantly higher in the tendinopathy group, which had a net joint work ratio of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.24) versus 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.88) for controls, and a net joint power ratio of 1.62 (95% CI: 1.15, 2.10) versus 1.00 (95% CI: 0.80, 1.21) for controls. There were no significant differences in net joint moment, angular velocity, or range of motion. Peak vertical ground reaction forces were lower for the tendinopathy group, while average vertical ground reaction forces and pelvis vertical velocity were similar. Conclusions Patellar tendinopathy is associated with differences in sagittal plane mechanical energy absorption at the knee during maximum-effort volleyball approach jumps. Net joint work and net joint power may help define underlying mechanisms, adaptive effects, or rehabilitative strategies for individuals with patellar tendinopathy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(9):568–576. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3313

Background:Despite prominent public attention, data on life span health and exercise outcomes among elite, competitive athletes are sparse and do not reflect the diversity of modern athletes.Hypothesis:Life span exercise behavior differs between National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student athletes and a nonathlete control group. Sustained exercise is associated with improved cardiopulmonary health outcomes.Study Design:Cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiology study.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:A total of 496 students and alumni (age range, 17-84 year) at a large, NCAA Division I university, including student athletes and an age- and sex-matched nonathlete control group, completed anonymous, self-report health and exercise questionnaires. Age-stratified, cross-sectional analysis evaluated previous week’s total exercise volume (ExVol), self-rated exercise importance (ExImp), and compliance with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise guidelines for healthy adults. The association of ACSM guideline compliance with lifetime cardiopulmonary health outcomes was also assessed.Results:Current student athletes reported significantly greater ExVol (P < 0.001. Cohen d = 0.99, probability of clinically important difference [pCID] >99.5%), ExImp (P < 0.001, d = 1.96, pCID = 96%), and likelihood of compliance with ACSM guidelines (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 30.6, 11.0-84.6) compared with nonathletes. No significant differences were found between alumni student athletes and nonathletes. Alumni student athletes demonstrated substantially lower ExVol (P < 0.001, d = –0.94, pCID >99.5%) and guideline compliance (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.05-0.19) compared with current student athletes, whereas nonathletes had similar exercise behavior across the life span. Among alumni, ACSM guideline compliance was associated with significant attenuation of cardiopulmonary health concerns (P = 0.02, d = –0.50, pCID = 14%) independent of intercollegiate athletic participation.Conclusion:Although current NCAA Division I student athletes demonstrated significant, clinically important differences in exercise behavior compared with nonathletes, no group differences were evident later in life. Irrespective of collegiate athletic status, healthy exercise behavior among alumni was associated with cardiopulmonary health benefits.Clinical Relevance:To realize life span health benefits, it is imperative that student athletes maintain consistent patterns of healthy exercise beyond retirement from competitive sports.

Context: Competitive sports are recognized as having unique health benefits and risks, and the effect of sports on life-span health among elite athletes has received increasing attention. However, supporting scientific data are sparse and do not represent modern athletes.Objective: To assess holistic life-span health and healthrelated quality-of-life (HRQL) among current and former National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes (SAs).Design: Cross-sectional study. Conclusions: The SAs demonstrated significant, clinically meaningful evidence of greater joint health concerns later in life, comparable cardiopulmonary health, and differences in life-span psychosocial health and HRQL profiles compared with NAs. These data provide timely evidence regarding a compelling public issue and highlight the need for further study of life-span health among modern athletes.Key Words: athletes, quality of life, questionnaires, National Collegiate Athletic Association Key PointsCompared with their nonathlete peers, former National Collegiate Athletic Association intercollegiate studentathletes demonstrated a greater risk for joint health concerns later in life, similar life-span cardiopulmonary health, and different age-related profiles of psychosocial health and health-related quality of life. These findings highlight the need for additional research studies and proactive, evidence-based intervention programs addressing holistic, life-span health, and wellness outcomes among modern competitive athletes.

These data suggest that the TLC Health Survey is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing lifetime and recent health, exercise, and HRQL, among elite competitive athletes. Generalizability of the instrument may be enhanced by additional, larger-scale studies in diverse populations.

Background: Diagnostic methods are important in modern medicine. Among the most well-known methods are histological and immunohistochemical. Each of the listed methods is used for diagnostics of various human neoplasms, in particular, tumours of the salivary glands. Thus, most sources and scientific articles attempt to evaluate and carry out the diagnosis of tumours of the salivary glands (pleomorphic adenomas) by only one immunohistochemical criterion, while a complex approach is used only in individual cases. The purpose of the research was to conduct a comprehensive immunohistochemical evaluation of pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands.Materials and Methods: Diagnostic methods are important in modern medicine. Among the most well-known methods are histological and immunohistochemical. Each of the listed methods is used for diagnostics of various human neoplasms, in particular, tumours of the salivary glands. Thus, most sources and scientific articles attempt to evaluate and carry out the diagnosis of tumours of the salivary glands (pleomorphic adenomas) by only one immunohistochemical criterion, while a complex approach is used only in individual cases. The purpose of the research was to conduct a comprehensive immunohistochemical evaluation of pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands. Results:The analyses of the research showed that the parotid salivary gland was affected in most of the patients with pleomorphic adenomas. Among the viruses that were present-19 (67.85%) patients had HPV type 16, and 8 (28.57%) patients had the Epstein-Barr virus dominating. Among the hormones, the distribution was as follows: 3 (10.7%)-progesterone, 2 (7.14%)-oestrogen. PLAG1 had the highest expression in the parotid salivary gland tissues-24 (88.88%). Conclusion:The complex evaluation of the immunohistochemical parameters of the pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands (mainly in the parotid salivary glands) has established the presence of 5 markers: ER (oestrogen), PR (progesterone), HPV type 16, EBV, and PLAG1.