Du fitness au combat : Associations entre la motivation à l\u27entraînement et la prévalence des blessures dans le Muay Thai, le K-1 et le Kickboxing - Résultats d\u27une enquête nationale suisse: Results of a nationwide Swiss survey

Martial arts such as Muay Thai, K-1, and kickboxing carry a high risk of injury, particularly under conditions of intensive training and competition. This exploratory, cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the extent to which injury risk is associated with individual training motivation and whether this risk differs between training and competition contexts. A nationwide survey in Switzerland was conducted with N = 440 martial artists using a questionnaire that covered training motivation, injuries, mouthguard usage, and competition participation. A total of N = 419 participants were included in the final analysis. Of those surveyed, 65.4% reported having sustained at least one injury during training, with male athletes being significantly more affected than female athletes (P < 0.001). Individuals practicing martial arts as their primary occupation (93.8%, N = 30) and those who regularly participated in competitions (87.5%, N = 73) were particularly at risk. The most frequently injured body part during training was the leg (74.8%), whereas injuries to the head were most common during competitions (68.1%). Most injuries involved soft tissue damage. While 75% of participants reported using a mouthguard during training, only 11.5% used a professionally manufactured one. Dental injuries occurred across all groups, regardless of the type of mouthguard used. The results of this study indicate that injury risk was associated with training motivation, gender, and training intensity.Muay Thai, K-1 und Kickboxen gehören zu den kontaktintensivsten Kampfsportarten und haben ein hohes Verletzungsrisiko. Die Trainingsmotivation steht in engem Zusammenhang mit der Trainingsintensität und dem Risikoverhalten, was das individuellen Risikoprofil beeinflussen könnte. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, das Verletzungsrisiko in Abhängigkeit der Trainingsmotivation und weiteren Faktoren wie Geschlecht und Erfahrung im Muay Thai, K-1 und Kickboxen in der Schweiz zu analysieren.Le Muay Thai, le K-1 et le kickboxing font partie des arts martiaux les plus intensifs en contacts et sont associés à un risque élevé de blessures. La motivation à l’entraînement est étroitement liée à l’intensité de la pratique et au comportement à risque, pouvant ainsi influencer le profil individuel de vulnérabilité aux blessures. L’objectif de cette étude était d’analyser l’incidence des blessures en fonction de la motivation à l’entraînement ainsi que d’autres facteurs tels que le sexe, l’équipement de protection et l’expérience dans la pratique du Muay Thai, du K-1 et du kickboxing en Suisse

Acknowledgements 2024

In this editorial, we look back at 2024 and want to acknowledge and thank all those who have contributed to the European Journal of Health Communication by reviewing submissions, serving as editors, or submitting their work

Effet du pansement parodontal sur la cicatrisation des plaies après gingivectomie : essai contrôlé randomisée en aveugle chez l\u27homme: a randomized, blinded, controlled pilot study

This study evaluated the effect of periodontal dressing on the healing of gingival tissue following external bevel gingivectomy. Participants aged 18 to 60 years indicated for external bevel gingivectomy in the anterior maxillary with a band of keratinized gingiva greater than 3 mm were enrolled. The patients underwent gingivectomy using the external bevel surgical technique on the vestibular gingiva of sextant 2. Subsequently, the gingival epithelium was removed. Participants were randomized into two groups: with or without periodontal dressing. Gingival index, healing area, presence of visible plaque, and patient satisfaction were assessed. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, 7, 14, and 21 days after the procedure. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and Mann-Whitney test. The sample included three men (12%) and 22 women (88%). Thirteen patients (52%) were allocated to the periodontal dressing group and 12 (48%) to the no-dressing group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of sex (p = 0.531), age (p = 0.682), gingival index (p = 0.400), pain level (p = 0.799), healing area (p = 0.277), and satisfaction with the outcome (p = 0.265). Within-group analysis showed a significant reduction in the healing area (p < 0.001) for both groups. The periodontal dressing does not affect the healing of gingivectomy wounds.Introduction: Il existe un débat considérable concernant la véritable nécessité et les bénéfices de l\u27utilisation de pansements parodontaux pour les plaies de gingivectomie avec biseau externe. Actuellement, il n\u27existe pas d\u27études cliniques de haute qualité sur ce sujet. Par conséquent, cette étude visait à évaluer l\u27effet des pansements parodontaux sur la cicatrisation des tissus gingivaux après une gingivectomie avec biseau externe. Matériels et methodes: Des participants âgés de 18 à 60 ans, indiqués pour une gingivectomie avec biseau externe dans la région antérieure du maxillaire, avec une bande de gingive kératinisée supérieure à 3 mm, ont été inclus dans l\u27étude. Les patients ont subi une gingivectomie à l\u27aide de la technique chirurgicale du biseau externe sur la gingive vestibulaire du sextant 2. Ensuite, l\u27épithélium gingival a été retiré. Les participants ont été répartis au hasard en deux groupes : avec ou sans pansement parodontal. L\u27index gingival, la surface de guérison, la consommation d\u27analgésiques, la présence de plaque visible et la satisfaction des patients ont été évalués. Les évaluations ont été réalisées au départ, puis à 7, 14 et 21 jours après la procédure. Les données ont été analysées à l\u27aide du test du chi carré et du test de Mann-Whitney. Résultats: L\u27échantillon comprenait trois hommes (12 %) et 22 femmes (88 %). Treize patients (52 %) ont été affectés au groupe avec pansement parodontal, et 12 (48 %) au groupe sans pansement. Il n\u27y avait aucune différence statistiquement significative entre les groupes concernant le sexe (p : 0,531), l\u27âge (p : 0,682), la consommation d\u27analgésiques (p : 0,641), l\u27index gingival (p : 0,400), le niveau de douleur (p : 0,799), la surface de guérison (p : 0,277) et la satisfaction vis-à-vis du résultat (p : 0,265). L\u27analyse intra-groupe a montré une réduction significative de la surface de guérison (p < 0,001) dans les deux groupes. Discussion: Les deux groupes ont rapporté de faibles niveaux de douleur. Cette faible intensité de la douleur est probablement liée à la faible complexité de la procédure chirurgicale réalisée (16) et à l\u27utilisation d\u27analgésiques par les patients. Dans les deux groupes, une amélioration significative de l\u27index gingival et une réduction significative de la surface de guérison ont été observées. Ce résultat suggère qu\u27à mesure que la réparation des tissus avançait, les signes cliniques de l\u27inflammation gingivale, tels que l\u27œdème, diminuaient (20), ce qui reflète une gingive cliniquement plus saine. Aucune différence n\u27a été observée entre les groupes concernant l\u27index gingival et la surface de guérison pendant les différents périodes d\u27évaluation. Cela indique que le pansement parodontal n\u27a pas eu d\u27impact physique ou chimique sur ces paramètres cliniques. Ce résultat est cohérent avec la littérature qui n\u27a également trouvé aucune interférence significative dans la séquence de réparation des sites opérés. En conclusion, le pansement parodontal n\u27affecte pas la guérison des plaies de gingivectomie.Einleitung: Es gibt eine erhebliche Debatte über den tatsächlichen Bedarf und die Vorteile der Verwendung von Parodontalverbänden bei Wunden nach einer Gingivektomie mit äußerem Schrägschnitt. Derzeit gibt es keine hochwertigen klinischen Studien zu diesem Thema. Daher hatte diese Studie das Ziel, die Wirkung von Parodontalverbänden auf die Wundheilung des Gingivagewebes nach einer Gingivektomie mit äußerem Schrägschnitt zu bewerten. Material und Methoden: Es wurden Teilnehmer im Alter von 18 bis 60 Jahren aufgenommen, die eine Gingivektomie mit äußerem Schrägschnitt im anterioren Oberkiefer bei einer Breite der keratinisierten Gingiva von mehr als 3 mm benötigten. Die Patienten unterzogen sich einer Gingivektomie mit der chirurgischen Technik des äußeren Schrägschnitts an der vestibulären Gingiva des Sextanten 2. Anschließend wurde das Gingivaepithel entfernt. Die Teilnehmer wurden zufällig in zwei Gruppen eingeteilt: mit oder ohne Parodontalverband. Der Gingivaindex, die Heilungsfläche, der Analgetikaverbrauch, das Vorhandensein von sichtbarem Plaque und die Patientenzufriedenheit wurden bewertet. Die Bewertungen erfolgten zu Beginn der Studie sowie nach 7, 14 und 21 Tagen nach dem Eingriff. Die Daten wurden mit dem Chi-Quadrat-Test und dem Mann-Whitney-Test analysiert. Resultate: Die Stichprobe umfasste drei Männer (12%) und 22 Frauen (88%). Dreizehn Patienten (52%) wurden der Parodontalverband-Gruppe zugeteilt, und 12 (48%) der Gruppe ohne Verband. Es gab keinen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied zwischen den Gruppen hinsichtlich des Geschlechts (p: 0,531), des Alters (p: 0,682), des Analgetikaverbrauchs (p: 0,641), des Gingivaindex (p: 0,400), des Schmerzlevels (p: 0,799), der Heilungsfläche (p: 0,277) und der Zufriedenheit mit dem Ergebnis (p: 0,265). Die Analyse innerhalb der Gruppen zeigte eine signifikante Reduktion der Heilungsfläche (p < 0,001) in beiden Gruppen. Diskussion: Beide Gruppen berichteten von niedrigen Schmerzlevels. Diese geringe Schmerzintensität ist wahrscheinlich mit der niedrigen Komplexität des durchgeführten chirurgischen Verfahrens (16) und der Verwendung von Analgetika durch die Patienten verbunden. In beiden Gruppen wurde eine signifikante Verbesserung des Gingivaindex und eine signifikante Reduktion der Heilungsfläche beobachtet. Dieses Ergebnis deutet darauf hin, dass mit dem Fortschreiten der Gewebereparatur die klinischen Anzeichen der Gingivainflammation, wie z. B. Ödem, abnahmen (20), was auf eine klinisch gesündere Gingiva hinweist. Es wurden keine Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen bezüglich des Gingivaindex und der Heilungsfläche über die verschiedenen Bewertungszeiträume hinweg festgestellt. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass der Parodontalverband keinen physischen oder chemischen Einfluss auf diese klinischen Parameter hatte. Dieses Ergebnis steht im Einklang mit der Literatur, die ebenfalls keine signifikante Beeinträchtigung des Reparaturprozesses an den operierten Stellen fand. Abschließend lässt sich sagen, dass der Parodontalverband die Heilung von Gingivektomie-Wunden nicht beeinflusst

Polarization and Shared Attention among Influential Amplifiers of 2018 U.S. Primary Candidates

The spread of information on Twitter/X hinges on a relatively small set of influential accounts that shape the narrative during political events. In this paper, we identify and describe the ecosystem of influencers in the ego networks of candidates from the 2018 U.S. primaries across a large set of governor, house, and senate races. The ecosystem includes both amplifying influencers, who share tweets by candidates, as well as accounts regularly promoted by these amplifiers, whom we label ecosystem influencers. We classify these accounts with respect to their partisanship and political role. We find asymmetry across the two major parties, with Democrats receiving more formal party support than Republicans, whose amplifiers skew more towards ‘activist’ accounts that feature relatively high levels of bot or bot-like behavior. We also find that nearly all amplifying influencers share tweets from candidates representing a single political party. However, there is substantial overlap in the ecosystem influencers that these amplifiers promote, which are often journalists and news organizations, with over 30% of them retweeted by amplifiers on both sides of the political spectrum. We thus find that shared attention exists across these partisan amplifiers – far more than their promotion of candidate messages suggests – and that media accounts serve a central bridging function

Candidate Party, Gender, and the Face Mask as a Political Symbol in Campaign Advertisements

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a face mask became politicized in the United States, with politicians and reporters employing competing public safety and civil liberties frames in discussions of masking. In this research, we argue that political candidates’ decisions to speak about and depict mask-wearing in their political advertising were strategic, depending on both the candidate’s party and gender. We examine political ads run on Facebook and on television by federal candidates during the 2020 U.S. campaigns. We use Amazon’s deep learning algorithms for PPE (personal protective equipment) detection. We extract the text and audio of each ad to identify mentions of masks and use an à la Carte embedding regression model to understand how the usage of the term mask differs across covariates. We find that images of masks are much more common than mentions of masks, that there are significant partisan, but not gender, differences in the use of masks, and that there are both partisan and gender differences in the way that candidates speak about masking. This research demonstrates the utility of a novel approach to collecting data. It also suggests that public health measures can become partisan in a campaign environment, with the potential to polarize both the views and behaviors of Democrats and Republicans

Bringing content into the equation: Using a wordscores method to compare the effect of newspaper and television on vote choice in referendums

Citizens often lack policy-specific knowledge to cast a well-informed vote in a direct democratic ballot. To fill this information gap, citizens rely on the media to find policy arguments. With that in mind, this article compares the effect of newspapers and television on vote choice in a referendum. It is the first attempt to use the same method, i. e., a Wordscores content analysis, to position newspaper outlets and television format on a No–Yes scale within the same direct democratic campaign. Indeed, by linking this content analysis with a three-wave online panel survey (N = 686) this method considers the divergent influence of newspapers and television on vote choice. A panel model identifies a positive effect of newspapers on the vote choice of those who consume newspapers intensively. Alternatively, the model detects a positive effect of television content on vote choice, but only for citizens with low political awareness. In the end, this paper extends the literature on the importance of systematic reasoning in direct democratic votes

The Unforeseen Catalyst? A Qualitative Approach to Exploring the Diffusion of Telepsychotherapy through Compulsion

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of populations globally even as in-person psychotherapy sessions became increasingly challenging to conduct. This amplified the need to provide alternative treatment options, including telepsychotherapy (TPT). In the wake of the pandemic, which presented a ‘compulsory testing phase’, therapists’ opinions remain polarised. This study investigates factors influencing attitudes towards telepsychotherapy and its diffusion, thus contributing to theoretical insight into innovation diffusion due to compulsion. Drawing on theories on the diffusion of innovation and technology acceptance, we conducted explorative, semi-structured interviews with twelve German psychotherapists and identified a shift in influencing factors and decision-making processes, thus indicating the need for augmented models that describe real-world processes and drive beneficial innovations. We provide a foundation for describing diffusion processes affected by temporary compulsion, which we show has directly affected TPT’s perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, and facilitating conditions in a number of ways. Furthermore, we identify three affordances of TPT that partially explain today’s heterogenous attitudes amongst psychotherapists: the accessibility of therapy, especially for vulnerable people, its customisability, and its flexibility for therapists. Further research is necessary to investigate the influence exerted by these affordances and their application to other diffusion processes

CooRTweet: A Generalized R Software for Coordinated Network Detection

This paper introduces CooRTweet, an innovative R package designed for detecting and analyzing coordinated behavior. CooRTweet’s distinctiveness lies in its essential architecture, derived from a minimal definition of coordinated behavior that captures its core elements in an abstract way. This approach makes it possible for the tool to be applied to the widest range of cases, from mono-modal network analysis on a single social media platform, to multi-modal and cross-platform network analysis, and to any types of objects shared by a network, whether singular identical objects (e.g., the same tweet), similar objects (e.g., clusters of similar images), or complex objects (e.g., a combination of hashtags, images, and emojis). Additionally, it offers a comprehensive view of coordinated activities that include both explicit coordination and organic forms of content sharing. The comprehensive architecture of CooRTweet provides flexibility and a broad scope for analyzing coordinated activities across various digital landscapes. This positions it as a distinctive resource for researchers investigating coordinated communication online. More generally, CooRTweet provides a valuable example to methodologists and research tool developers of how software tools for research can be developed in a generalized and thus flexible way. This is particularly important for social media research, given how quickly new APIs are being released, modified, and even shut down. This paper aims to provide an introduction to CooRTweet and the analysis of coordinated behavior, demonstrating the software’s application through a case study of cross-platform coordinated behavior during the 2021 German elections

Supply and Demand on Alt-Tech Social Media: A Case Study of BitChute

As media platforms continue to develop content moderation policies, alternative platforms have emerged as safe havens for deplatformed content. As these alternatives to major media platforms grow, the importance of understanding their role in the media ecosystem grows too. In this paper, we perform a longitudinal study of the content dynamics of one such alternative media platform, BitChute. BitChute is an alternative video-hosting site similar to YouTube. We first theorize what technological affordances may drive the supply and demand of content on BitChute. We then test those theories through an analysis of 6,363,596 videos from 82,162 channels, which were viewed 2,868,117,905 times, over 54 months. We find that BitChute’s minimal content moderation drives much of the content supply and demand. Videos which were more offensive, certain, and covered commonly deplatformed topics were most popular. In particular, we find that BitChute fills a demand gap created by moderation policies on major media platforms around COVID-19 and - to a lesser extent - elections fraud. The most popular videos on the platform were re-uploaded videos that were banned by YouTube and Facebook. As a whole, our results suggest that BitChute’s current role is less as a town square and more as a backup for deplatformed video content

Le droit d\u27accès aux codes sources des systèmes algorithmiques utilisés par l\u27administration publique: Une approche comparée franco-suisse

Cet article examine le traitement juridique de l\u27accès au code source algorithmique au sein de deux systèmes juridiques distincts. En France, le code source est défini comme un document administratif, et son accès est réglementé par le Code des relations entre le public et l\u27administration. En Suisse, le code source pourrait être considéré comme relevant des conditions légales d\u27un document officiel en vertu de la loi sur la transparence. Néanmoins, en France comme en Suisse, l\u27accès au code source est assujetti à diverses restrictions. D\u27abord, les secrets protégés par la loi limitent l\u27accès, compliquant l\u27identification de biais algorithmiques. Ensuite, l\u27accès peut être est limité par la nature intrinsèquement technique du code source. Enfin, l\u27inintelligibilité du code source pour la population restreint le droit d\u27accès, étant donné que celui-ci constitue la transcription informatique des instructions données à un programme. Malgré ces obstacles, le droit d\u27accès au code source constitue une étape importante vers plus de transparence, mais il nécessite le soutien de mécanismes complémentaires pour être pleinement efficace. -- Der Beitrag untersucht das Zugangsrecht zum algorithmischen Quellcode in zwei Jurisdiktionen. In Frankreich gilt der Quellcode explizit als Verwaltungsdokument, der Zu gang richtet sich nach dem Gesetz über die Beziehungen zwischen der Öffentlichkeit und der Verwaltung. In der Schweiz könnte der Quellcode als amtliches Dokument i.  S. d.Öffentlichkeitsgesetzes aufgefasst werden. Das Zugangsrecht unterliegt in beiden Jurisdiktionen indes verschiedenen Einschränkungen. So schränken gesetzlich geschützte Geheimnisse zunä chst den Zugang ein, wodurch die Identifikation algorithmischer Diskriminierungen erschwert wird. Sodann begrenzt die technische Natur des Quellcodes das Zugangsrecht. Da der Quellcode in einer Programmiersprache abgefasst wird, führt schliesslich die Unverständlichkeit für die breite Öffentlichkeit zu weiteren Einschränkungen. Dennoch stellt der Zugang zum Quellcode einen wichtigen Schritt zu mehr Transparenz algorithmischer Systeme dar. Um der Transparenz allerdings tatsächlich zum Durchbruch zu verhelfen, bedarf es zusätzlicher Mechanismen wie die aktive staatliche Information über den Einsatz algorithmischer Systeme sowie externe Prüfungen und Kontrollen