Problem 1: Naomi is a left-handed, 18-year-old tennis player who has been training to compete in the upcoming U.S. Open. During the winter break, Naomi decided to ski with her friends. She slipped on the ice and attempted to brace for the fall by stretching both arms out. She was surprised to find that, despite landing on both arms, only her right arm was fractured.
1. What might explain why only her right arm was fractured, despite her landing on both arms with the same force? How would you test your hypothesis?
2. What are the different ways a doctor may treat her fractured bone?
3. Let's say that Naomi was a 45-year-old female approaching menopause. Would you expect her risk of having a more severe fracture to increase or decrease? Why?
4. Have you or someone you know had a fracture? How was it treated? What was the outcome?
Problem 2: Alexi is a baseball player who has been using anabolic steroids to enhance his performance.
1. What are anabolic steroids?
2. How do steroids enhance an athlete's performance?
3. What are the potential side effects of anabolic steroid use?
4. If you were coaching Alexi's team, what would you advise? What are other ways to improve athletic performance?