J B Feland, R Hager, R M Merrill

Objective: To observe the differences in performance variables of the sit to stand transfer (as measured on the NeuroCom Balance Master) in a population of senior athletes.

Method: A convenience sample of 173 subjects aged 50 years and older. Data were obtained from voluntary participation in a health fair offered at the annual Huntsman World Senior Games in St George, Utah, USA. All sit to stand tests were performed on the NeuroCom Balance Master. The measured parameters were weight transfer time (WTT), rising power (force exerted to rise), and centre of gravity sway (COG sway) during the rising phase.

Results: A significant difference was found between stratified age groups (50–64 and 65+ years) on rising power. There was also a sex difference in rising power. No significant differences were found in weight transfer time or COG sway.

Conclusion: While rising power decreases with increasing age in senior athletes, WTT and COG sway remain similar regardless of age or sex. The maintenance of these other two variables (WTT and COG sway) may be attributable to physical activity and/or participation in sport.

(Br J Sports Med 2005;39:e39) http://bjsm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/39/9/e39

P Curtin, C Taylor, J Rice

A fracture of the normal humerus in a healthy young adult most commonly results from significant direct trauma. Throwing sports have become increasingly popular outside of North America and bring with them a novel injury mechanism for clinicians. A 21 year old woman sustained a "thrower’s fracture" of the distal humerus and radial nerve palsy while throwing a softball. She was treated by internal fixation. Her fracture united, and radial nerve neurapraxia resolved after 8 weeks. Clinicians should be aware of this entity so that prodromal symptoms can be recognised early and thrower’s fractures are not investigated unnecessarily.

(Br J Sports Med 2005;39:e40) http://bjsm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/39/9/e40