Oral health among Dutch elite athletes prior to Rio 2016

Objectives: Elite athletes are at high risk for poor oral health. A screening program to assess oral health and create dental awareness can improve oral health among elite athletes but has not been performed in the Netherlands before. We summarize the first results from such a screening conducted in Dutch elite athletes of the Nederlands Olympisch Committee*Nederlandse Sport Federatie (NOC*NSF, Dutch Olympic Committee). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 800 Dutch athletes eligible for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016 were invited to a costless and voluntary oral examination. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth-index (DMFT), the basic erosive wear examination (BEWE) and the Dutch Periodontal Screening-index (DPSI) were used to evaluate athlete’s oral health. Information on sociodemographic variables and sport performance were collected in questionnaires. Results: In total, 116 Dutch elite athletes were included in the study. The median (90%-range) DMFT-score was 3.0 (0.0–16.0), the median BEWE-score was 2.0 (0.0–10.0), and the mean± SD DPSI-score was 2.0 ± 0.73. Oral health-related quality of life was generally high, although only 28.2% of the athletes reported never having problems with their dentition or mouth. In 43% of the athlete’s clinical findings were reported which needed a direct referral to the general dentist. Conclusion: Oral health in this subsample of Dutch elite athletes was surprisingly affected as almost half of them needed dental treatment. Further research is needed to allow conclusions about oral health in Dutch elite athletes more broadly. However, regular screening of oral health incorporated into the general preventive health care of elite athletes is necessary to ensure athletes are fully healthy during competitions like the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Long-term cardiac follow-up of athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2 after resumption of elite-level sports

OBJECTIVE: Longitudinal consequences and potential interactions of COVID-19 and elite-level sports and exercise are unclear. Therefore, we determined the long-term detrimental cardiac effects of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the highest level of sports and exercise.METHODS: This prospective controlled study included elite athletes from the Evaluation of Lifetime participation in Intensive Top-level sports and Exercise cohort. Athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2were offered structured, additional cardiovascular screenings, including cardiovascular MRI (CMR). We compared ventricular volumes and function, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T1 relaxation times, between infected and non-infected elite athletes, and collected follow-up data on cardiac adverse events, ventricular arrhythmia burden and the cessation of sports careers.RESULTS: We included 259 elite athletes (mean age 26±5 years; 40% women), of whom 123 were infected (9% cardiovascular symptoms) and 136 were controls. We found no differences in function and volumetric CMR parameters. Four infected athletes (3%) demonstrated LGE (one reversible), compared with none of the controls. During the 26.7 (±5.8) months follow-up, all four athletes resumed elite-level sports, without an increase in ventricular arrhythmias or adverse cardiac remodelling. None of the infected athletes reported new cardiac symptoms or events. The majority (n=118; 96%) still participated in elite-level sports; no sports careers were terminated due to SARS-CoV-2.CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study demonstrates the safety of resuming elite-level sports after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The medium-term risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and elite-level sports appear low, as the resumption of elite sports did not lead to detrimental cardiac effects or increases in clinical events, even in the four elite athletes with SARS-CoV-2 associated myocardial involvement.</p

Dim light, sleep tight, and wake up bright:Sleep optimization in athletes by means of light regulation

Despite an elevated recovery need, research indicates that athletes often exhibit relatively poor sleep. Timing and consolidation of sleep is driven by the circadian system, which requires periodic light–dark exposure for stable entrainment to the 24-hour day, but is often disturbed due to underexposure to light in the morning (e.g. low-level indoor lighting) and overexposure to light in the evening (e.g. environmental and screen-light). This study examined whether combining fixed sleep schedules with light regulation leads to more consolidated sleep. Morning light exposure was increased using light-emitting goggles, whereas evening light exposure was reduced using amber-lens glasses. Using a within-subject crossover design, twenty-six athletes (14 female, 12 male) were randomly assigned to start the intervention with the light-regulation-week or the no light-regulation-week. Sleep was monitored by means of sleep diaries and actigraphy. Due to low protocol adherence regarding the fixed sleep-wake schedules, two datasets were constructed; one including athletes who kept a strict sleep-wake schedule (N = 8), and one that also included athletes with a more lenient sleep-wake schedule (N = 25). In case of a lenient sleep-wake schedule, light regulation improved self-reported sleep onset latency (Δ SOL = 8 min). This effect was stronger (Δ SOL = 17 min) and complemented by enhanced subjective sleep quality in case of a strict sleep-wake schedule. None of the actigraphy-based estimates differed significantly between conditions. To conclude, light regulation may be considered a potentially effective strategy to improve subjective sleep, but less obtrusive methods should be explored to increase protocol compliance.</p

Effectiveness of Shockwave Treatment Combined With Eccentric Training for Patellar Tendinopathy:A Double-Blinded Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined treatment of focused shockwave therapy (ESWT) and eccentric training compared with sham-shockwave therapy (placebo) and eccentric training in participants with patellar tendinopathy (PT) after 24 weeks. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Sports medicine departments of a university hospital and a general hospital in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two physically active male and female participants with a clinical diagnosis of PT (mean age: 28.6 years; range, 18-45) were randomly allocated to the ESWT (n = 22) or sham shockwave (n = 30). INTERVENTIONS: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy and sham shockwave were applied in 3 sessions at 1-week intervals with a piezoelectric device. All participants were instructed to perform eccentric exercises (3 sets of 15 repetitions twice a day) for 3 months on a decline board at home. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) scores (primary), pain scores during functional knee loading tests, and Likert score (secondary) were registered at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the start with the ESWT or sham-shockwave treatment. RESULTS: No significant differences for the primary and secondary outcome measures were found between the groups. In the ESWT/eccentric group, the VISA-P increased from 54.5 ± 15.4 to 70.9 ± 17.8, whereas the VISA-P in the sham-shockwave/eccentric group increased from 58.9 ± 14.6 to 78.2 ± 15.8 (between-group change in VISA-P at 24 weeks -4.8; 95% confidence interval, -12.7 to 3.0, P = 0.150). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no additional effect of 3 sessions ESWT in participants with PT treated with eccentric exercises. The results should be interpreted with caution because of small sample size and considerable loss to follow-up, particularly in the ESWT group

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for the Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis

Background: Ankle osteoarthritis is debilitating and usually affects relatively young people, often as a result of previous ankle traumas, frequently occurring in sports. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for ankle osteoarthritis have shown no evidence of benefit over the course of 26 weeks. Previous studies on PRP for knee osteoarthritis showed that clinically significant improvements with PRP occurred between 6 to 12 months in the absence of initial benefit. No studies have evaluated the effect of PRP from 6 to 12 months in ankle osteoarthritis. Purpose: To assess the efficacy of PRP injections in ankle osteoarthritis over the course of 52 weeks. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: In this 52-week follow-up trial, 100 patients with ankle osteoarthritis were randomized to a PRP group or placebo (saline) group. Patients received 2 intra-articular talocrural injections: at inclusion and after 6 weeks. Patient-reported outcome measures were used to assess pain, function, quality of life, and indirect costs over 52 weeks. Results: Two patients (2%) were lost to follow-up. The adjusted between-group difference for the patient-reported American Orthopaedic Foot &amp; Ankle Society score over 52 weeks was −2 points (95% CI, −5 to 2; P =.31) in favor of the placebo group. No significant between-group differences were observed for any of the secondary outcome measures. Conclusion: For patients with ankle osteoarthritis, PRP injections did not improve ankle symptoms and function over 52 weeks compared with placebo injections. Registration: NTR7261 (Netherlands Trial Register).</p

Effectiveness of an e-health tennis-specific injury prevention programme : randomised controlled trial in adult recreational tennis players

BACKGROUND : Despite reported injury rates of up to 3 per 1000 hours exposure, there are no evidence-based prevention programmes in tennis. PURPOSE : To evaluate the effectiveness of an e-health prevention programme for reducing tennis injury prevalence. STUDY DESIGN : Two-arm, researcher-blinded randomised controlled trial. METHODS : Adult tennis players of all playing levels were randomised in an unsupervised programme lasting 12 weeks (TennisReady group or control group). The primary outcome was the overall injury prevalence over a 16-week period, measured at 2 weekly intervals with the Oslo Sports and Trauma Research Centre questionnaire. Estimates for the primary outcome and associated 95% CIs were obtained using generalised estimating equation models. Secondary outcome scores included prevalence of substantial injuries, overall incidence, adherence and time-loss injuries. RESULTS : A total of 579 (83%) (TennisReady n=286, control n=293) participants were included in the primary analysis. The mean injury prevalence was 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%) in the TennisReady vs 38% (95% CI 34% to 42%) in the control group (adjusted p-value 0.93). The prevalence of substantial injuries was 11% (95% CI 9% to 14%) in the TennisReady vs 12% (95% CI 9% to 15%) in the control group (p value of 0.79). Analysis of the secondary outcome scores showed no difference between groups. The mean prevalence rates between high (8%) and low (92%) adherent groups were 32% (95% CI 23% to 44%) and 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%), respectively (p value 0.36). CONCLUSION : Providing an unsupervised e-health tennis-specific exercise programme did not reduce the injury rates and should not be implemented. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER : NTR6443.http://bjsm.bmj.comhj2023Sports Medicin

Physiological Correlates of Volunteering

We review research on physiological correlates of volunteering, a neglected but promising research field. Some of these correlates seem to be causal factors influencing volunteering. Volunteers tend to have better physical health, both self-reported and expert-assessed, better mental health, and perform better on cognitive tasks. Research thus far has rarely examined neurological, neurochemical, hormonal, and genetic correlates of volunteering to any significant extent, especially controlling for other factors as potential confounds. Evolutionary theory and behavioral genetic research suggest the importance of such physiological factors in humans. Basically, many aspects of social relationships and social activities have effects on health (e.g., Newman and Roberts 2013; Uchino 2004), as the widely used biopsychosocial (BPS) model suggests (Institute of Medicine 2001). Studies of formal volunteering (FV), charitable giving, and altruistic behavior suggest that physiological characteristics are related to volunteering, including specific genes (such as oxytocin receptor [OXTR] genes, Arginine vasopressin receptor [AVPR] genes, dopamine D4 receptor [DRD4] genes, and 5-HTTLPR). We recommend that future research on physiological factors be extended to non-Western populations, focusing specifically on volunteering, and differentiating between different forms and types of volunteering and civic participation

Foot Orthoses Enhance the Effectiveness of Exercise, Shockwave, and Ice Therapy in the Management of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the effects of adding arch-support foot-orthoses (ASFO) to a multimodal therapeutic intervention on the perception of pain and improvement of recovery from medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) in recreational runners. Design: A prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: Sport training and medical centers. Participants: Fifty female recreational runners with MTSS were randomized into 2 groups. Interventions: Runners either received ASFO or sham flat noncontoured orthoses. Both groups received a multimodal therapeutic intervention, including ice massage, ankle muscle exercises, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Main Outcome Measures: Pain during bone pressure using a numerical Likert scale (0-10), MTSS severity using an MTSS scale, perceived treatment effect using the global rating of change scale, and quality of life using the short Form-36 questionnaire were determined at week 6, 12, and 18. Results: Pain intensity and MTSS severity were lower, and the perceived treatment effect and physical function were better in the ASFO than in the sham flat noncontoured orthoses group at week 6 and week 12. Cohen's dz effect size for between-group differences showed a medium difference. However, arch-support foot-orthoses did not add to the benefits of multimodal therapeutic intervention on pain, MTSS severity and perceived treatment effect at week 18. Conclusions: Adding ASFO to a therapeutic intervention leads to an earlier diminishment of pain and MTSS severity, and improved PF and perceived therapeutic effects

Successful return to play following adductor longus proximal tendon rupture in professional soccer without re-injury at 12 months: A case report

Treatment of total ruptures of adductor longus is challenging in professional sports. Time for return to pre-injury level as well as re-injury rates are of concern and surgical and conservative treatment approaches are debated; yet no consensus approach described for professional athletes. We present a case of a professional soccer player who experienced a rupture in his left adductor longus proximal tendon during a game and was treated conservatively. This case was followed-up during clinical assessment, imaging and strength testing until and after return to play. Primary outcome measure was the return to standard play condition at his pre-injury level without any functional deficits, measured by isokinetic testing. Second outcome measure was the recurrence. No recurrence was observed during the first year of follow-up. Total ruptures are very challenging for both the physician and the player to make a quick decision due to minimal or lack of pain. Functional outcomes are almost identical although operative treatments need longer time to return to play. This case report adds another example to the literature of a successful return to play after non-operative treatment of adductor longus rupture at elite level soccer