Author and graduation date: Dustin Alexander ROBINSON, February, 1999

Committee members: Jeanne F. Nichols (Chair), Michael J. Buono, Patricia Dintrone

Thesis title: Retraining of a Competitive Masters Athlete Following Traumatic Injury: A Case Study

Very little is known on the timecourse of detraining and retraining of athletes following injury. This is a case study of which the purpose is to examine the timecourse of retraining in a female masters athlete following 32 days of detraining. Baseline data were collected 2 days prior to the injury (right clavicular fracture), as part of another research study. Follow up data were collected at 0, 14, 28, 42, and 77 days of retraining. The outcome variables examined were aerobic capacity (VO2max), lactate threshold (LT), muscular resistance to fatigue at 110% of peak power output (PPO110), and body composition (% fat and fat free-mass FFM) measured by hydrodensiometry. The data demonstrated decreases of 23.73% in VO2max, 16.675 in LT, and 16.55% in PPO110. Return to pre-injury values occurred after 28 days of retraining for VO2max and LT. PPO110 returned to pre-injury values after 77 days of retraining. The subject's percent body fat increased 2.1% and remained 0.6% higher than pre-injury values after 77 days of retraining. Overall, approximately 6 weeks of retraining were required to return to the athlete to pre-injured state.

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