ABIM Sports Medicine flashcards

34 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

VO2max

Maximal rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise, reflecting aerobic capacity. It is the strongest single predictor of endurance performance and is calculated as cardiac output times arteriovenous oxygen difference.

Eccentric contraction

Muscle lengthening under tension while producing force. It generates higher force than concentric contraction, causes delayed-onset muscle soreness, and is used in deceleration and landing tasks.

Lactate threshold

Exercise intensity at which blood lactate begins to rise sharply. It occurs around 50-60% of VO2max in untrained individuals and 70-80% in trained endurance athletes.

Therapeutic use exemption

A WADA authorization allowing an athlete to use a prohibited medication when medically necessary. It requires documented diagnosis and treatment justification and is reviewed before competition.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Red flags include exertional syncope, family sudden death, and a harsh systolic murmur that changes with Valsalva.

Commotio cordis

Ventricular fibrillation triggered by a precordial blow during the vulnerable repolarization window, about 15-30 ms before the T-wave peak. Prompt defibrillation is the definitive treatment.

Exercise-associated hyponatremia

Dilutional low serum sodium from excessive fluid intake during endurance events. Symptomatic cases are treated with hypertonic 3% saline rather than free water or isotonic fluids.

Relative energy deficiency in sport

A syndrome from low energy availability that impairs bone health, menstrual function, metabolism, and performance. It overlaps with the female athlete triad and affects male and female athletes.

Sickle cell trait

Carriage of one sickle hemoglobin gene. It raises risk of exertional rhabdomyolysis and collapse, especially in heat, altitude, and high-intensity conditions; screening is targeted, not universal.

Anterior shoulder dislocation

The most common shoulder dislocation type. The axillary nerve is assessed by deltoid sensation and contraction; recurrence risk is highest in young athletes.

Scaphoid fracture

A wrist fracture with risk of avascular necrosis of the proximal pole. Anatomic snuffbox tenderness warrants immobilization and imaging, even when initial radiographs are normal.

Skier's thumb

Rupture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal ulnar collateral ligament. A Stener lesion, with ligament displacement over the adductor aponeurosis, requires surgical repair.

Little leaguer's shoulder

Proximal humeral physeal widening from repetitive throwing in a skeletally immature athlete. It causes lateral shoulder pain and is managed with rest and throwing restriction.

Lachman test

The most sensitive clinical test for anterior cruciate ligament injury. The knee is flexed about 20-30 degrees and the tibia is translated anteriorly, assessing endpoint quality.

Achilles tendon rupture

A complete tear of the Achilles tendon. A positive Thompson test shows no plantar flexion when the calf is squeezed, and a palpable gap may be present.

Jones fracture

A fifth metatarsal fracture at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction. It has a high nonunion risk due to poor blood supply and often requires surgical fixation in athletes.

Femoroacetabular impingement

Hip impingement from cam or pincer morphology causing groin pain. The FADIR (anterior impingement) test is positive, and imaging confirms the bony abnormality.

Spondylolysis

A stress fracture of the pars interarticularis, most often at L5. Pain is provoked by extension and single-leg hyperextension, and imaging confirms the defect.

Cervical cord neurapraxia

Transient bilateral motor or sensory deficits after a cervical mechanism, with no fracture or dislocation. It is a functional cord disturbance and requires imaging before return to play.

Burner or stinger

Transient unilateral upper extremity paresthesia from brachial plexus traction or cervical root compression. Bilateral symptoms suggest cord injury and require further evaluation.

Meyerding classification

A grading system for spondylolisthesis based on the percentage of anterior vertebral translation. Grades I-V correspond to 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, 75-100%, and over 100%.

Concussion red flags

Findings requiring emergency evaluation after head injury: worsening headache, repeated vomiting, focal deficits, seizure, asymmetric pupils, or altered mental status.

Second impact syndrome

Rare catastrophic diffuse cerebral edema from a second head injury before recovery from the first. It is the rationale for strict return-to-play progression after concussion.

Return-to-learn

A stepwise reintegration into academic activity after concussion. It precedes return-to-play, and exertional progression begins only after symptoms resolve.

Orbital blowout fracture

A facial fracture of the orbital floor. Restricted upward gaze, diplopia, and cheek numbness from infraorbital nerve injury suggest entrapment and warrant urgent evaluation.

Heat stroke

Core temperature typically above 40°C with central nervous system dysfunction. Cold-water immersion is the treatment of choice; antipyretics are ineffective.

Lightning 30-30 rule

Suspend activity when thunder is heard within 30 seconds of a flash, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming play.

Anaphylaxis treatment

Intramuscular epinephrine into the anterolateral thigh is first-line therapy. Antihistamines are adjuncts and do not reverse airway or cardiovascular compromise.

Acute:chronic workload ratio

A measure comparing recent training load to longer-term load. Ratios above roughly 1.5 are associated with increased injury risk, supporting gradual load progression.

PEACE and LOVE

A recovery framework replacing RICE: protection, elevation, avoid anti-inflammatories, compression, education, then load, optimism, vascularization, and exercise.

SAID principle

Specific adaptation to imposed demands. Training adaptations are specific to the type, intensity, and duration of the imposed load, guiding exercise prescription.

Growth plate vulnerability

In children, the physis is the weakest link in the musculoskeletal unit. Physeal injuries are therefore more common than ligamentous tears in skeletally immature athletes.

Female athlete triad

The combination of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density. It overlaps with RED-S and increases stress injury risk.

Autonomic dysreflexia

A dangerous hypertensive response to noxious stimuli in athletes with high spinal cord injury. It causes headache and sweating and requires immediate removal of the trigger.