Sleep Difficulties in Swiss Elite Athletes.

For athletes, sleep is essential for recovery and performance. Yet, up to two-thirds of athletes report poor sleep quality. Comprehensive data across all sports disciplines on the underlying causes of sleep problems are missing. We reanalyzed a data set of N = 1004 Swiss top athletes across an extensive array of 88 sports to gain knowledge on the specific deficits in sleep health with respect to gender, sport classes, sport-related factors, and well-being. We found that 18% of athletes were affected by at least two out of five high-risk sleep factors: 9% of athletes slept less than 6 h per day, 30% were dissatisfied with their sleep, 17% showed problems falling asleep within 30 min, 18% of athletes reported difficulty maintaining sleep more than three times a week, and 6% of athletes used sleeping pills more than once a week. We found sleep health strongly linked to overall well-being and mental health (22% showed at least moderate symptoms of either depression or anxiety). Therefore, screening and treating sleep disorders might effectively improve mental health and general well-being as well as performance among athletes around the globe

Management and Outcome of Cardiac and Endovascular Cystic Echinococcosis

Cardiac and vascular involvement are infrequent in classical cystic echinococcosis (CE), but when they occur they tend to present earlier and are associated with complications that may be life threatening. Cardiovascular CE usually requires complex surgery, so in low-income countries the outcome is frequently fatal. This case series describes the characteristics of cardiovascular CE in patients diagnosed and treated at a Tropical Medicine & Clinical Parasitology Center in Spain. A retrospective case series of 11 patients with cardiac and/or endovascular CE, followed-up over a period of 15 years (1995–2009) is reported. The main clinical manifestations included thoracic pain or dyspnea, although 2 patients were asymptomatic. The clinical picture and complications vary according to cyst location. Isolated cardiac CE may be cured after surgery, while endovascular extracardiac involvement is associated with severe chronic complications. CE should be included in the differential diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in patients from endemic areas. CE is a neglected disease and further studies are necessary in order to make more definite management recommendations for this rare and severe form of the disease. The authors propose a general approach based on cyst location: exclusively cardiac, endovascular or both

Mindful self-reflection to support sustainable high-performance coaching : A process evaluation of a novel method development in elite sport

High-performance coaches (HPCs) operate in complex and unpredictable environments wherein sustainable performance and well-being are regularly challenged. The purpose of this study was to develop, through an iterative process of data collection, evaluation and action, a brief SMS-based mindful self-reflection intervention to support sustainable high-performance coaching. We present this work through the form of a process evaluation. After an initial pilot intervention, three subsequent phases of development took place with 18 HPCs from athletics and figure skating. In each phase, HPCs completed a daily or weekly brief mindful self-reflection SMS-intervention for 8 weeks prior to taking part in a focus group interview and 6-month or 12-month follow-up. The results of the process evaluation demonstrate exceptionally high fidelity, reach and perceived value of the intervention for the HPCs. The HPCs also perceived the intervention to influence key mechanisms for a sustainable profession such as greater engagement in their well-being (e.g., self-awareness, helpful perspective on vulnerability and self-compassion). Moreover, lasting behavior changes associated with sustainability were reported at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. This process evaluation reflects a rigorously developed and novel procedure for the delivery of a brief mindful self-reflection intervention and appears easy to use by HPCs in their demanding roles.Lay Summary: We present a process evaluation of a mindful self-reflection intervention developed to foster sustainable high-performance coaching. Over four development phases we refine the SMS-based intervention and report exceptionally high fidelity, reach and perceived value among the participants. At 6- and 12-month follow-ups participants reported lasting behavior changes associated with sustainability.Implications for practiceThis brief SMS-based mindful self-reflection intervention facilitated healthy perspectives on vulnerability and help-seeking behavior and prompted behavior change aligned with self-compassion and well-being at 6- and 12-months follow-ups. Hence, the SMS intervention may provide practitioners with a tool for supporting sustainability among high-performance coaches.The process evaluation presented here demonstrated exceptionally high fidelity with the simplicity of the SMS intervention seemingly key to this outcome. Moreover, receiving positive reinforcement throughout the intervention and having opportunities to share their experiences in focus group interviews influenced the participants? perceived value of mindful self-reflection over time.This user-friendly intervention offers a mechanism for self and shared understanding in sport organizations and may provide insights for a range of stakeholders regarding the value of new ways of working that promote vulnerability, openness, help-seeking and collaboration