The Influence of HeartMath® on Resilience and Empowerment in Female College Athletes

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the influence of HeartMath® on female college athletes’ abilities to holistically care for self as assessed through resiliency and power. Design: The descriptive design used mixed methods and was approved by the university’s institutional review board. The purposive sample was female college student athletes who were currently enrolled in a university program of study and played in a National Collegiate Athletic Association sanctioned sport. Method: There were eight weekly sessions where the holistic intervention HeartMath® was taught and reinforced. Participants completed two tools to measure resilience and power Weeks 1, 4, and 8: the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale and the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool. At Session 8, a focus group interview was conducted to explore perception of how HeartMath® influenced caring for self as a student athlete. Findings: Although no statistical significance, emergent themes support that with HeartMath®, participants experienced an increase in resilience and power influencing their holistic caring for self. Conclusions: Findings support the need for additional research on the influence of HeartMath® on student athlete resilience and power in any team on and off the playing field.

BODY MASS INDEX, PROTEIN INTAKE AND HAND GRIP STRENGTH AMONG YOUTH

Hand Grip Strength (HGS) is an indicator of muscle strength tha has been a predictor of physical capacity and long-term health. There has been a a decrease in HGS among youth and is related with several factors such us body mass index (BMI) and protein intake, but the available researches are still inconsistent. This cross sectional study examined the level of HGS and it’s relationship with BMI and protein intake among female college student of UHAMKA Jakarta. HGS were measured by Smedley Dynamometer and were carried out according to the Southampton Protocol. Anthropometric measurements and self 3-day food records were performed to obtain BMI and total protein intake. Chi square test was performed to reveal the difference proportion of low HGS among various groups. The results showed that the average HGS score was 21.70 ± 7.09 kg, of which 48.7% of respondents were classified as low HGS. There was no significant difference of low HGS proportion between normal BMI and abnormal BMI (less and more) (P value = 0.481). However, the proportion of low HGS was significantly higher among those who had deficit protein intake compared to normal (P value = 0,000). Therefore, an adequate protein intake is needed to maintain muscle strength among youth. Keywords: Muscle strength, hand grip strength, BMI, protein intake, youth

Adult case of giant sacrococcygeal teratoma: case report

Background Sacrococcygeal teratomas are tumors originating from pluripotent embryonic germ cell layers located in the fetal coccyx. These tumors are highly vascular if they undergo malignant transformation. Typically, they are found in infants and children and occasionally can be diagnosed prenatally. Adult cases are very rare, and represent tumors present since birth with delayed detection. Case presentation We describe a case of a giant sacrococcygeal teratoma in a 25 years old female college student presenting with right gluteal swelling of 4 months’ duration. In addition to the huge disfiguring mass on the perineal area, she also had lower abdominal pain, urinary complaints, and difficulty with ambulation. Discussion Pre-operative impression was of a sacrococcygeal mass and histopathology following complete surgical excision revealed a sacrococcygeal teratoma. She recovered well after surgery with no radiologic evidence of recurrence at six months. Conclusion Although rare, sacrococcygeal teratoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis for female adults presenting with perineal and/or pelvic masses. Complete surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MYOFASCIAL RELEASE OVER STRETCHING ON PAIN AND RANGE OF MOTION AMONG FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENT WITH PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME

Title: The Effectiveness of Myofascial Release over Stretching on Pain and Range of Motion among Female College Students with Piriformis Syndrome.Background & Aim: Piriformis syndrome is a painful neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the piriformis muscle irritates and/or compresses the proximal sciatic nerve. Prolonged sitting position is the foremost cause of piriformis tightness in sedentary population that may eventually leads to piriformis syndrome. The incidence of piriformis has been reported to be six times more prevalent in female than in males. Piriformis tightness will cause reduced in range of motion as well as limitations in walking, sitting and even running. Moreover, individuals will also feel pain at their butt muscles which could be frustrating. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release over stretching on pain and range of motion among female college students with piriformis syndrome.Methods: twenty subjects aged between 19 to 25 years old with tight piriformis muscle for 4 weeks will make a part of the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects are divided and will undergo myofascial release and stretching treatment for 4 weeks twice in a week. At the beginning before the session the pain score and goniometer measurements will be recorded.Conclusion: Group 1 and Group 2 are beneficial in reducing pain and range of motion. Therefore, there are no significant effect of myofascial release over stretching between the two groups.Keywords: Myofascial release, college students, piriformis syndrome, stretching, goniometer, pain score.