scholarly journals Sex Differences in Time to Return-to-Play Progression After Sport-Related Concussion

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Stone ◽  
Bobby Lee ◽  
J. Craig Garrison ◽  
Damond Blueitt ◽  
Kalyssa Creed
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
American Football ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
History Of

Background: Recently, female sports participation has increased, and there is a tendency for women to experience more symptoms and variable presentation after sport-related concussion (SRC). The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex differences exist in time to begin a return-to-play (RTP) progression after an initial SRC. Hypothesis: After initial SRC, female athletes (11-20 years old) would take longer to begin an RTP progression compared with age-matched male athletes. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 579 participants (365 males [mean age, 15.0 ± 1.7 years], 214 females [mean age, 15.2 ± 1.5 years]), including middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes who participated in various sports and experienced an initial SRC were included and underwent retrospective chart review. The following information was collected: sex, age at injury, sport, history of prior concussion, date of injury, and date of initiation of RTP progression. Participants with a history of more than 1 concussion or injury sustained from non–sport-related activity were excluded. Results: Despite American football having the greatest percentage (49.2%) of sport participation, female athletes took significantly longer to start an RTP progression after an initial SRC (29.1 ± 26.3 days) compared with age-matched male athletes (22.7 ± 18.3 days; P = 0.002). Conclusion: On average, female athletes took approximately 6 days longer to begin an RTP progression compared with age-matched male athletes. This suggests that sex differences exist between athletes, aged 11 to 20 years, with regard to initiation of an RTP progression after SRC. Clinical Relevance: Female athletes may take longer to recover after an SRC, and therefore, may take longer to return to sport. Sex should be considered as part of the clinical decision-making process when determining plan of care for this population.

Sex differences in outcome following sports-related concussion

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 856-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna K. Broshek ◽  
Tanya Kaushik ◽  
Jason R. Freeman ◽  
David Erlanger ◽  
Frank Webbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Baseline Levels ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Females comprise an increasing percentage of the athlete population across all age groups, and analysis of recent literature reveals that they sustain more concussions in collegiate sports. Results of human and animal studies indicate that females may have poorer outcomes after traumatic brain injury; however, no return-to-play guideline takes sex or other individual differences into account. In the present study the authors evaluated the influence of patient sex on objective neurocognitive performance and subjective reporting of symptoms following sports-related concussion. Methods. According to preseason baseline neurocognitive computerized testing in 2340 male and female high school and collegiate athletes, individuals who sustained sports-related concussions (155 persons) were reevaluated using an alternate form of the cognitive test. Sex differences in the magnitude of cognitive change from baseline levels and the subjective experience of symptoms were analyzed. To account for the possible protective effects of helmets, comparisons were performed among females, males with helmets, and males without helmets; none of the female athletes wore helmets. Female athletes had significantly greater declines in simple and complex reaction times relative to preseason baseline levels, and they reported more postconcussion symptoms compared with males. As a group, females were cognitively impaired approximately 1.7 times more frequently than males following concussions. Furthermore, females experienced more objective and subjective adverse effects from concussion even after adjusting for the use of helmets by some groups of male athletes (for example, in football). Conclusions. Return-to-play decisions and concussion management must be objective and made on an individual basis, including consideration of factors such as patient sex rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all guideline.

Low Bone Mineral Density in Male Athletes Is Associated With Bone Stress Injuries at Anatomic Sites With Greater Trabecular Composition

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam S. Tenforde ◽  
Allyson L. Parziale ◽  
Kristin L. Popp ◽  
Kathryn E. Ackerman
Keyword(s):  
Bone Health ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Anatomic Site ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Bone Stress ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sport Type ◽  
History Of

Background: While sports participation is often associated with health benefits, a subset of athletes may develop impaired bone health. Bone stress injuries (BSIs) are a common overuse injury in athletes; site of injury has been shown to relate to underlying bone health in female athletes. Hypothesis/Purpose: This case series characterizes the association of type of sports participation and anatomic site of BSIs with low bone mineral density (BMD), defined as BMD Z-score <–1.0. Similar to female athletes, it was hypothesized that male athletes who participate in running and sustain BSIs in sites of higher trabecular bone content would be more likely to have low BMD. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Chart review identified 28 male athletes aged 14 to 36 years with history of ≥1 lower-extremity BSI who were referred for evaluation of overall bone health, including assessment of lumbar spine, hip, and/or total body less head BMD per dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. BMD Z-scores were determined via age, sex, and ethnicity normative values. Prior BSIs were classified by anatomic site of injury into trabecular-rich locations (pelvis, femoral neck, and calcaneus) and cortical-rich locations (tibia, fibula, femur, metatarsal and tarsal navicular). Sport type and laboratory values were also assessed in relationship to BMD. The association of low BMD to anatomic site of BSI and sport were evaluated with P value <.05 as threshold of significance. Results: Of 28 athletes, 12 (43%) met criteria for low BMD. Athletes with a history of trabecular-rich BSIs had a 4.6-fold increased risk for low BMD as compared with those with only cortical-rich BSIs (9 of 11 vs 3 of 17, P = .002). Within sport type, runners had a 6.1-fold increased risk for low BMD versus nonrunners (11 of 18 vs 1 of 10, P = .016). Laboratory values, including 25-hydroxy vitamin D, were not associated with BMD or BSI location. Conclusion: Low BMD was identified in 43% of male athletes in this series. Athletes participating in sports of running and with a history of trabecular-rich BSI were at increased risk for low BMD.

Concussion in Sport

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Kontos ◽  
Jamie McAllister-Deitrick
Keyword(s):  
Structural Damage ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
American Football ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Cognitive Balance ◽  
History Of ◽  
Clinical Profiles ◽  
Rehabilitation Strategies

Concussions affect millions of athletes of all ages each year in a variety of sports. Athletes in certain sports such as American football, ice hockey, rugby, soccer, and combative sports like boxing are at higher risk for concussion. Direct or indirect mechanical forces acting on the skull and brain cause a concussion, which is a milder form of brain injury. Conventional neuroimaging (e.g., computerized tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) for concussion is typically negative. Concussions involve both neurometabolic and subtle structural damage to the brain that results in signs (e.g., loss of consciousness [LOC], amnesia, confusion), symptoms (e.g., headache, dizziness, nausea), and functional impairment (e.g., cognitive, balance, vestibular, oculomotor). Symptoms, impairment, and recovery time following concussion can last from a few days to weeks or months, based on a variety of risk factors, including younger age, female sex, history of concussion, and history of migraine. Following a concussion, athletes may experience one or more clinical profiles, including cognitive fatigue, vestibular, oculomotor, post-traumatic migraine (PTM), mood/anxiety, and/or cervical. The heterogeneous nature of concussion warrants a comprehensive approach to assessment, including a thorough clinical examination and interview; symptom inventories; and cognitive, balance, vestibular, oculomotor, and exertion-based evaluations. Targeted treatment and rehabilitation strategies including behavior management, vestibular, vision, and exertion therapies, and in some cases medication can be effective in treating the various concussion clinical profiles. Some athletes experience persistent post-concussion symptoms (PCS) and/or psychological issues (e.g., depression, anxiety) following concussion. Following appropriate treatment and rehabilitation strategies, determination of safe return to play is predicated on being symptom-free and back to normal levels of function at rest and following exertion. Certain populations, including youth athletes, may be at a higher risk for worse impairment and prolonged recovery following concussion. It has been suggested that some athletes experience long-term effects associated with concussion including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). However, additional empirical studies on the role of concussion on CTE are needed, as CTE may have multiple causes that are unrelated to sport participation and concussion.

Collegiate Athletes’ Gendered Perceptions of a Hypothetical Male and Female Coach

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-55
Author(s):  
Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth ◽  
Cindra S. Kamphoff ◽  
Jon Lim
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Head Coach ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Head ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Female Coaches

Historically, the world of sport is considered a masculine domain characterized by power, aggression, and physical contact (Hall, 1996). The exclusionary elements of the male culture of sport have created gender inequities in participation (Birrell & Theberge, 1994), and a gendered perception of male and female coaches (Frankl & Babitt, 1998; Weinberg, Reveles, & Jackson, 1984). The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of male and female collegiate athletes of a hypothetical male and female coach, and to determine if female coaches are more accepted compared to Weinberg et al.’s study investigating male and female athletes’ perceptions of a hypothetical coach. The Attitudinal Questionnaire (Weinberg, Reveles, & Jackson, 1984) was utilized to determine athletes’ attitudes about a hypothetical coach. A 2 × 2 MANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the gender of a hypothetical head coach and the gender of an athlete, and a significant main effect for gender. Univariate ANOVA results indicate that males and females differed in their attitudes and perceptions of both a hypothetical male and female head coach. The female athletes, compared to male athletes, were more likely to be accepting of coaches regardless of the coaches’ gender. Furthermore, male athletes were less accepting of female coaches. In addition, when comparing the means of the current study to Weinberg et al.’s (1984) study, results indicate that female coaches were not more accepted than in 1984.

Confidence to Return to Play After ACL Reconstruction: An Evaluation of Quadriceps Strength Symmetry and Injury Mechanism in Male Athletes

2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110438
Author(s):  
Rachel K. Straub ◽  
Francesco Della Villa ◽  
Bert Mandelbaum ◽  
Christopher M. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Quadriceps Strength ◽  
Injury Mechanism ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
The Relationship

Background: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), diminished quadriceps strength symmetry and reduced psychological readiness to return to play (RTP) increase the risk for subsequent injury. Although the relationship between quadriceps strength symmetry and psychological readiness to RTP has been reported to be influenced by injury mechanism in female athletes, it is unclear whether such a relationship exists in male athletes. Hypothesis: Quadriceps strength symmetry would be positively associated with greater psychological readiness to RTP after ACLR, regardless of injury mechanism. Study Design: Retrospective cohort. Level of Evidence: Level 3 (cohort study). Methods: Sixty male patients completed strength testing and the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Scale (I-PRRS) at an outpatient clinical facility as part of return to sport testing after ACLR. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the I-PRRS and the independent variables of interest (quadriceps strength symmetry and injury mechanism). Results: For all patients combined, no symmetry × mechanism interaction was found ( P = 0.11). A significant positive relationship was found between quadriceps strength symmetry and the I-PRRS score ( P < 0.001, R2 = 0.31), after adjusting for time post-ACLR and injury mechanism. Conclusion: Greater quadriceps strength symmetry was associated with greater psychological readiness to RTP after ACLR in male athletes. In contrast to what has been reported in female athletes, this relationship was independent of injury mechanism. Clinical Relevance: Given the potential negative consequences of quadriceps strength deficits on one’s confidence to RTP, the need to restore quadriceps symmetry during the postoperative period is readily apparent. Low confidence or low psychological readiness to RTP may be indicative of quadriceps strength asymmetry or poor physical function in general.

scholarly journals A-14 Competitiveness and Past Nondisclosure Decreases Future Concussion Reporting Intention Among Males in High-Contact Sports

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 610-610
Author(s):  
M M Doucette ◽  
R E Wong ◽  
S Du Plessis ◽  
M Garcia-Barrera
Keyword(s):  
Past History ◽  
American Football ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Contact Sports ◽  
Canadian City ◽  
Student Version ◽  
History Of ◽  
Future Intention ◽  
Concussion Knowledge ◽  
Intention To Continue

Abstract Objective With some variability, research indicates that a high percentage (20–60%) of athletes do not report post-concussion symptoms, despite having sufficient concussion knowledge. Our study examined whether competitiveness and past reporting predicted future reporting intention in males participating in high contact sports. Method Participants included 92 male athletes (M = 19.35 years, SD = 4.35) recruited from a mid-sized Canadian city participating in high contact sports (American football, rugby, or hockey). Competitiveness was measured using the Sport Orientation Questionnaire. The Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey-Student Version was used to assess concussion knowledge and nondisclosure. Logistic regression was conducted to predict future intention of playing despite experiencing post-concussion symptoms. Age, knowledge, competitiveness, sport, and past history of concussion nondisclosure were included as predictors. Results Age, sport, and concussion knowledge were not significant predictors. Competitiveness was a significant predictor for the model, such that higher competitiveness predicted less likelihood to report post-concussion symptoms. Our findings also suggest that athletes who have not disclosed a concussion in the past are more likely to have higher intention to continue to play with symptoms of a concussion in the future. Over half (54%) of the athletes reported past history of concussion nondisclosure. Conclusions Interventions focusing on increasing general concussion knowledge are not adequate to prevent symptom nondisclosure. The results suggest that highly competitive athletes or athletes with a past history of nondisclosure are most vulnerable to future nondisclosure. These findings could help improve future interventions by targeting athletes at high-risk of concussion nondisclosure.

No Sex Differences in Risk for Lower-Extremity Musculoskeletal Injury in Concussed Amateur Rugby Players

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (20 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S12.1-S12
Author(s):  
Katelyn Costantini ◽  
Katie Hunzinger ◽  
Charles Buz Swanik ◽  
Thomas A. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injury ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ratio Test ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Rugby Players

ObjectiveTo examine sex differences between concussion and lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury (LE-MSI) in community male and female rugby players.BackgroundThere is an ∼2x elevated risk of post-concussion subsequent MSI in high school through professional athletes. However, the effect of sex on risk is inconsistent and sparse, and rugby provides an ideal population as it’s the only collision sport with the same rules for both sexes.Design/Methods1,037 rugby players (31.6 + 11.3 years, 59.1% male), with at least one year of rugby playing experience, participated in this study, completing an online injury history questionnaire to ascertain concussion (yes/no) and LE-MSI (yes/no) history. A chi-squared test was performed to determine the association between concussion and any LE-MSI; significant findings were followed up with a post hoc odds ratio test. A binary logistic regression with any LE-MSI (yes/no) as the outcome and concussion (yes/no) and sex (male/female) as predictors was performed to determine if there was a sex by concussion interaction.ResultsThere was a significant association between concussion and any LE-MSI for all groups (Overall: ?(1) =13.06, p < 0.001, OR = 2.30 [95% CI: 1.45–3.65]; Males: ?(1) =7.43 p = 0.006, OR = 2.21 [95% CI: 1.24–3.96]; and Females: ?(1) = 5.78, p = 0.016, OR = 2.48 [95% CI: 1.16–5.31]). However, there were no differences for risk of LE-MSI between males and females (p = 0.99, R2 = 0.024).ConclusionsBoth male and female community rugby players had a 2x greater risk of LE-MSI, given a history of concussion compared to those without a history of concussion, which aligns with previous studies focused on collegiate athletes. However, there was no difference in risk of LE-MSI between sexes, contrary to smaller, but more controlled studies. Future research should investigate the potential physiological mechanisms for increased risk of LE-MSI.

The Outcomes of Two Knee Scoring Questionnaires in a Normal Population

1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Demirdjian ◽  
Scott G. Petrie ◽  
Carlos A. Guanche ◽  
Kevin A. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Normal Population ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Male Subjects

The Noyes and Lysholm knee scoring questionnaires, commonly used for follow-up assessment after knee surgery, were developed based on knees with preexisting pathologic changes and have not been standardized to normal knees. We administered both questionnaires to normal subjects. Any subject reporting a history of injury or surgery to either knee, or preexisting knee pathologic changes, was excluded. From a total of 492 knees evaluated, 418 knees (253 male, 165 female) qualified for statistical analysis. The average age of the group was 17.6 years (range, 13 to 25). For male subjects, the total Noyes and Lysholm scores averaged 99.10 (range, 68 to 100) and 99.10 (range, 77 to 100), respectively. For female subjects, the average Noyes and Lysholm scores were 97.82 (range, 72 to 100) and 97.16 (range, 75 to 100), respectively. The 95% confidence interval computed for each of these groups did not contain the maximal value of 100. The female athletes reported significantly lower total scores than the male athletes on both questionnaires. For the Lysholm questionnaire, the male athletes scored significantly lower than the maximum in all categories except support and stair climbing, and the female athletes scored significantly lower than the maximum in all categories except limp and thigh atrophy. The range of scores found in this highly selected, “normal” population exemplifies the need for more accurate instruments in the evaluation of knee surgical outcomes.

scholarly journals A competition period evaluation in the long jump events in terms of seasonal Variables: Creating prediction models

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-341
Author(s):  
Berfin Serdil Ors ◽  
Işık Bayraktar
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Models ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Long Jump ◽  
History Of ◽  
Competition Period

Aim: The purpose of training planning in performance sports is to achieve the desired performance in the target competition. Maintaining the desired performance in the major competition is the main subject of periodization. But at this point, the prediction of the season best, which will serve as a showcase for preparations, is a question as old as the history of training science for coaches. The aim of the study is to examine the variables in the competition period of female and male athletes participated in the top 100 places in the 2018 world lists in the long jump event, to compare by gender, and to create prediction models for the season best and season average performances (SPA) according to the average of first two performances (AF2P). Methods: Ages, total number of days in a season, the number of days between the competitions, total competitions, the number of competitions in which the season's best (SB) performance was achieved, the ratio of the SB to the total number of competitions, the percentages of the first, end, and average scores were analysed. Statistical comparison of female and male athletes was carried out using Independent Samples t-Test. To express the relationships between parameters Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used. Besides, polynomial regression analysis was used. Finally, the quadratic equations were used to predict SB performance and SPA according to the AF2P. Findings: SB competition, season initial, AF2P, SB, SPA and season-end variables were found to be statistically different between genders. Season initial and SB showed significant relationships for both genders (women; r=0.68; p<0.001; men; r=0.51; p<0.001). AF2P explained 54% of the SB performance for women and 48% for men. Conclusion: The prediction model found in the current study to predict SB performance was applied to the male and female athletes from 2019 season. Models predicted the actual performance with an average of 1.15%. Depending on the close estimation of the actual SB performance of the models; It is thought that the prediction models will enable the trainers to predict the performance of their athletes in target competitions at the beginning of the season.   Özet Amaç: Performans sporlarında antrenman planlamasının amacı hedef yarışmada istenilen performansı yakalamaktır. İstenen performansın da majör yarışmada gerçekleştirilmesi periyodizasyonun ana konusudur. Fakat bu noktada hazırlıkların vitrini niteliğinde olacak sezonun en iyi derecesinin gerçekleşeceği öngörüsü antrenörler için antrenman bilim tarihi kadar eski bir sorudur. Çalışmanın amacı, uzun atlama branşında 2018 dünya listelerinde ilk yüz sırada yer alan kadın ve erkek sporcuların yarışma periyodundaki değişkenleri incelemek, cinsiyetlere göre karşılaştırmak, ilk iki performans ortalamasına göre sezonun en iyi ve ortalama performansları için tahmin modelleri oluşturmaktır. Metot: Çalışmada sporcuların yarışma verileri [yaş, bir sezondaki toplam gün sayısı (SGS), bir sezondaki toplam yarışma sayısı (TYS), sporcunun sezondaki en iyi derecesi (SB), SB performansının gerçekleştiği yarışma (SBY), sporcunun sezonun ilk iki yarışmasındaki performansının ortalaması (İ2PO), sezon en iyi derecesine göre; sezon ortalama (SORT), başlangıç (SBAŞ) ve bitiriş (SBİT) derecelerinin yüzde oranları] incelenmiştir. Parametreler arasındaki ilişkiler için pearson korelasyon (r) istatistiği, ilişkilerin belirleme katsayılarının (r2) bulunmasında polinom regresyonu, cinsiyete göre İ2PO’dan SB ve sezon ortalama performanslarının tahmin modellerinde karesel regresyon modeli kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: SBY, başlangıç, İ2PO, SB, SORT ve SBİT değişkenleri cinsiyetler arasında istatistiksel olarak farklı bulunmuştur. SBAŞ değerleriyle SB performansı arasında iki cinsiyet için anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur (kadınlar; r=0,68; p<0,001; erkekler, r=0,51; p<0,001). İ2PO; kadınlarda SB performansının %54’ünü, erkeklerde; %48’ini açıklayabilmektedir. Sonuç: Çalışmada bulunan İ2PO’na göre SB tahmin modeli, 2019 yılında dünya listelerinde yer alan erkek ve kadın sporculara uygulandığında, modelin SB performansını ortalama %1,15 farkla tahmin ettiği görülmüştür. Modellerin gerçek SB performansını yakın tahmin edebilmesine bağlı olarak; tahmin modellerinin antrenörlerin sezon başında sporcularının hedef yarışmalardaki performanslarını öngörebilmelerine olanak sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

Sweat Characteristics of Cramp-Prone and Cramp-Resistant Athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin C. Miller ◽  
Brendon P. McDermott ◽  
Susan W. Yeargin
Keyword(s):  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Chloride Concentration ◽  
Conditioning Session ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
American Football ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Electrolyte Content ◽  
History Of ◽  
Electrolyte Replacement

Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are thought to be caused by dehydration and/or electrolyte losses. In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, the authors determined whether sweat rates (SRs), sweat electrolyte concentrations, or sweat electrolyte content differed in athletes with (i.e., crampers) and without (i.e., noncrampers) a history of EAMCs and whether these variables could predict EAMC-prone athletes. Male and female collegiate athletes (N = 350) from 11 sports with (n = 245) and without (n = 105) a self-reported history of EAMCs completed a typical exercise or conditioning session. SRs, calculated from body mass, and posterior forearm sweat were analyzed for sweat sodium concentration ([Na+]sw), sweat potassium concentration ([K+]sw), and sweat chloride concentration ([Cl−]sw). The authors used SRs and sweat electrolyte concentrations to calculate sweat electrolyte content lost. Within each gender, no differences in SRs (204 males, p = .92; 146 females, p = .24); [Na+]sw (191 males, p = .55; 126 females, p = .55); Na+sw content (191 males, p = .59; 126 females, p = .20); [K+]sw (192 males, p = .57; 126 females, p = .87); K+sw content (192 males, p = .49; 126 females, p = .03); [Cl−]sw (192 males, p = .94; 77 females, p = .57); and Cl−sw content (192 males, p = .55; 77 females, p = .34) occurred between crampers and noncrampers. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that sweat electrolyte content and SRs were predictive of EAMC-prone athletes in American football (area under curve = 0.65–0.72, p ≤ .005), but not in any other sport. EAMCs may not be solely caused by fluid or electrolyte losses in most athletes. Fluid and electrolyte replacement may help American footballers. Clinicians should individualize fluid and electrolyte replacement and understand different etiologies for EAMCs.

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