Replacement of Doped Olympic Medalists

A summary of the outcomes of the IOC Re-Testing programme from 2008-2012 to date was recently released (1). Key outcomes include 104 offenses, of which 86 cases were related to the territory of the former Soviet Union. Russia lost 19 medals, Kazakhstan 9, Belarus 6, the Ukraine 5, Armenia and Moldova 2 each, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan 1 each. China lost 3 medals, Turkey 2, Cuba and Greece 1 medal. 5 athletes tested positive for both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games (2). However, it remains to be determined who has received or will receive these medals. This uncertainty is due to the fact that the responsibility for changing the results lies with the respective International Federation (IF) and the responsibility for redistributing the medals lies with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The most common scenario is that the next-placed athlete is moved up, although this can cause difficulties and there are precedents not to award these medals. In the 94 kg men's weightlifting competition in the 2012 London Olympic Games, the 5th, 8th and 9th ranked athletes, theoretically at least, remain in contention for the medal positions (3). With the present system, it is difficult to determine whether all of these potentially "eligible" athletes have undergone doping-control. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has published on its web site a list of all male and another of all female competitors who underwent doping control in 2012 Olympic Games and this data reveals the originally 9th and now 3rd position athlete was subject to doping control at the 2012 Olympic Games (4). Nevertheless, there is the theoretical possibility that the re-distribution of Olympic medals could lead to non-tested athletes becoming holders of medals

Validation of a new portable metabolic system during an incremental running test

We tested a new portable metabolic system, the Jaeger Oxycon Mobile (OM) at a range of running speeds. Six subjects carried out, in random order, two incremental tests on a treadmill, one of them using the OM, and the other using the Jaeger Oxycon Pro (OP). There are systematic errors in the measurements of oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) with the OM. Production of CO2 (VCO2) tends to be overestimated by the OM, although the differences are not significant. Ventilation (VE) showed very similar values in both analyzers. Data of VO2 and RER were corrected with a regression equation which minimised the differences among the devices. The portable metabolic system OM makes systematic errors in measurements of VO2 and RER which can be adjusted with a regression analysis to obtain data comparable to those obtained by fixed system

Experimental model for the study of the effects of platelet-rich plasma on the early phases of muscle healing

BACKGROUND: There is abundant evidence suggesting that growth factors may play a key role in the healing process, especially in the early stages of inflammation. Despite the reported clinical successes with the use of growth factors there is still a lack of knowledge on the biological mechanism underlying the activity of platelet-rich plasma during the process of muscle healing. The aim of this study was to analyse the early effects of platelet- rich plasma in an easily reproducible animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar male adult rats (n =102) were used in this study. The muscle lesion was created with a scalpel in the flexor sublimis muscles. Platelet-rich plasma was applied immediately after surgery. Treated, untreated and contralateral muscles were analysed by morphological evaluation and western blot assay. RESULTS: Leucocyte infiltration was significantly greater in muscles treated with platelet-rich plasma than in both untreated and contralateral muscles. The latter showed greater leucocyte infiltration when compared to the untreated muscles. Platelet-rich plasma treatment also modified the cellular composition of the leucocyte infiltration leading to increased expression of CD3, CD8, CD19 and CD68 and to decreased CD4 antigen expression in both platelet-rich plasma treated and contralateral muscles. Blood vessel density and blood vessel diameters were not statistically significantly different between the three groups analysed. DISCUSSION: The results of this study showed that treatment with platelet-rich plasma magnified the physiological early inflammatory response following a muscle injury, modifying the pattern of cellular recruitment. Local platelet-rich plasma treatment may exert a direct or, more plausibly, indirect systemic effect on healing processes, at least in the earliest inflammatory phase

Asymmetrical lower extremity loading early after ACL reconstruction is a significant predictor of asymmetrical loading at the time of return to sport

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether asymmetrical lower limb loading early after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (1 mo) can predict asymmetrical lower limb loading at the time of return to sport (6 mos) and whether other early predictors as knee joint range of motion or maximal isometric strength affect this relationship. DESIGN: Ground reaction forces were measured during a sit-to-stand task 1 mo after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and a vertical countermovement jump 6 mos after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in 58 athletes. Other early postoperative measurements were knee joint range of motion (2 wks, 1 mo, and 2 mos after surgery) and maximal isometric strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles (2 mos after surgery). Linear regression models were developed using side-to-side limb symmetry index (LSI) of countermovement jump as the dependent variable. RESULTS: LSI of sit-to-stand task 1 mo after surgery was a significant independent predictor of LSI of countermovement jump 6 mos after surgery. After accounting for deficits in knee joint range of motion and LSI of maximal isometric strength (ΔR² = 0.35, P < 0.01), LSI of sit-to-stand task predicted LSI of countermovement jump (ΔR² = 0.14 P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetrical lower extremity loading 1 mo after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is an early predictor of asymmetrical lower extremity loading 6 mos after surgery

Preparticipation medical evaluation for elite athletes : EFSMA recommendations on standardised preparticipation evaluation form in European countries

Publisher Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.Sports medicine is a medical specialty that supports the performance of professional and amateur athletes while maintaining their health. Sports medicine professionals need to ensure the safe participation of athletes in sports activities achieved through a periodical preparticipation evaluation (PPE) and a regular medical monitoring of the athletes' health in accordance with the latest recommendations regarding health condition and medical history, physical working capacity, training period and programme, recovery, nutrition, use of supplements, injuries prevention and safe return to play. In order to harmonise these national variations in the content and application of the PPE, the EFSMA Scientific and Educational Commission proposes a € gold standard' for elite athletes across Europe. Important objectives of PPE are early detection and prevention of severe complications during sports activities both in leisure time and competitive sports. The PPE should entail the following diagnostic components: health status, anthropometry, functional and exercise capacity. It is of utmost importance to develop and implement preventive strategies such as the PPE. Besides monitoring the health status of athletes, the PPE plays an important role in the selection process, bringing valuable information for coaches and supporting a personalised treatment approach. Screening of athletes through a standardised digital PPE could be beneficial for a better understanding of the impact of long-term physical activity. Furthermore, PPE leads the scientific community to a way of working closer together in the interest of the athletes.Peer reviewe

Whole body vibration of different frequencies inhibits H-reflex but does not affect voluntary activation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) at a frequency spectrum from 20 to 50 Hz on the Hoffmann (H) reflex and the voluntary motor output of ankle plantar-flexor muscles. A single-group (n: 8), repeated measures design was adopted with four conditions: standing (no vibration), 20, 35 and 50 Hz, each lasting one minute. H-reflex of the soleus muscle, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and central activation ratio (CAR) of the plantar-flexors were evaluated before, 1 and 5 min after each frequency condition. H-reflex decreased by 36.7% at 20 Hz, by 28% at 35 Hz, and by 34.8% at 50 Hz after one minute from WBV compared to baseline. Neither MVC nor CAR changed after WBV at all frequency conditions. The short-term, acute inhibition of the H-reflex after WBV at 20, 35 and 50 Hz suggested that decreased excitability of spinal motoneurons is not frequency dependent. On the other hand, the lack of vibration induced effects on MVC and CAR indicated that a 1-min WBV stimulus is not sufficient to affect the voluntary motor output