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Biomedical subjects

P Fricker

Publications and source records attributed to P Fricker.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Reversal in fatigued athletes of a defect in interferon gamma secretion after administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and impaired performance in athletes is well recognised and has been loosely linked to "overtraining". Reduced concentration of IgA in the saliva and increased shedding of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) have been associated with intense training in elite athletes. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether athletes presenting with fatigue and impaired performance had an immune defect relevant to defective containment of EBV infection, and whether a probiotic preparation (Lactobacillus acidophilus) shown to enhance mucosal immunity in animal models could reverse any detected abnormality. RESULTS: The fatigued athletes had clinical characteristics consistent with re-activation of EBV infection and significantly (p = 0.02) less secretion of interferon (IFN) gamma from blood CD4 positive T cells. After one month of daily capsules containing 2 x 10(10) colony forming units of L acidophilus, secretion of IFNgamma from T cells had increased significantly (p = 0.01) to levels found in healthy control athletes. A significant (p = 0.03) increase in salivary IFNgamma concentrations in healthy control athletes after the one month course of L acidophilus demonstrated in man the capacity for this probiotic to enhance the mucosal IFNgamma concentration. CONCLUSION: This is the first evidence of a T cell defect in fatigued athletes, and of its reversal following probiotic therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, CNS stimulants and sport.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 1 to 10% of children and is characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Over one-half of children with ADHD have associated conditions, including learning disabilities, conduct disorders, poor coordination, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and bipolar disorders. CNS stimulant medication used in the management of ADHD is not permitted for use in competition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and this poses a problem for the physicians of patients with ADHD. On the one hand, attention and concentration are improved by stimulant medication and fine motor coordination and balance are improved after methylphenidate administration, but these therapeutic and sport-related benefits are not available to the athlete with ADHD who wishes to compete under IOC rules. It has been suggested that treatment with methylphenidate may be suitable for athletes with ADHD, as cessation of therapy 24 hours before competition is usually adequate to allow drug clearance which should avoid a positive result being returned on drug testing. More research is needed to establish whether stimulant medication for athletes with ADHD provides an unfair advantage in competition.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1999

The young athlete.

BACKGROUND: It is very much part of the Australian lifestyle to encourage children and adolescents to participate in sport and exercise. As a result the general practitioner is often presented with injuries in younger patients. OBJECTIVE: This article presents an overview of the growth and development of the musculoskeletal system, and discusses relevant aspects of conditioning and training and the nature of injuries seen in the younger athlete. DISCUSSION: The range of common musculoskeletal problems seen in young children and adolescents is outlined with some recommendations made for an approach to management of the commoner conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Injuries to elite gymnasts over 10 yr.

This retrospective study of 42 male and 74 female elite (artistic) gymnasts at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) reviews all the injuries reported between 1982 and 1991 (inclusive). The injuries were categorized according to type of injury and their specific anatomical distribution. The study also analyzes the incidence of stress fractures in the gymnasts and the prevalence of spondylolysis. Although it is noted from the literature that gymnastics can be a hazardous sport, this study demonstrates an absence of catastrophic injuries and a low number of severe injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Bone density of élite female athletes with stress fractures.

To investigate whether stress fractures occurring in élite female athletes are related to reductions in bone mineral density (BMD), we measured BMD in nine athletes with such fractures and nine athletes without fractures who were matched for age, weight, height and sport. BMD was measured in three regions: upper limbs (distal radius), axial skeleton (lumbar spine) and lower limbs (femoral neck) by photon absorptiometry. The number of menses per year was significantly less (P less than 0.04) and the age of menarche was significantly delayed (mean +/- SD; 16.1 +/- 0.4 v. 14.4 +/- 1.5 years, P less than 0.02) in the fracture group compared with the non-fracture group. There was no significant difference in BMD between the two groups at any of the measurement sites. Moreover although the fractures occurred mainly in lower limb bones, at sites characterised by predominantly cortical bone, all athletes had femoral neck BMD values within the 95% confidence limits for normal non-athletic women. We conclude that stress fractures in élite female athletes are largely independent of BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗