The congested International Match Calendar in football : views of 1055 professional male players

BACKGROUND : The International Match Calendar congestion affects players recovery. The views of a worldwide cohort of professional football players is shared in this communication. METHODS : A cross-sectional observational study recruited players through Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnel’s national members. An electronic survey was shared in English, French, Italian and Spanish with 1055 players consenting and completing it anonymously in November 2021. RESULTS : A total of 42% of respondents believe back-to-back matches should be limited to three. Most respondents (69%) felt off or in season breaks are infringed by clubs or national teams and 83% believe regulations should protect them. A total of 55% of players believed they sustained one or more injuries due to the overload and it has affected 52% of respondents’ mental state. CONCLUSION : The congested International Match Calendar poses a risk to professional footballers physical and mental health. Poor recovery between matches may affect player availability and performance. Players should be represented by active players when International Match Calendar scheduling decisions are made. Administrators should seek medical guidance regarding the effects of overload on performance prior to making decisions. This study allows the opportunity for a larger national team player sample to be studied.https://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.comhj2023Sports Medicin

Recommendations for athletes and COVID-19 vaccinations: A South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) position statement – Part 3

The COVID-19 pandemic initially led to the shutdown of all sport at a high cost to both the economy and athlete health. As risk-mitigating protocols evolved and were implemented, the playing of sport returned slowly to normal. The introduction of COVID-19 vaccinations enhances the means of protection and risk management for all. This South African Sports Medicine Association position statement provides recommendations for the vaccination of athletes

Recommendations for the return of spectators to sport stadiums: A South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) position statement – Part 4

All sports were discontinued in 2020 with the arrival of COVID-19. Since then most have been reinstated, albeit without spectators. However, several countries have put together a number of different risk-mitigating strategies to allow spectators back into stadiums. This position statement gives an outline of the minimum requirements that should be considered upon the return of spectators at live sporting events

Incidence of injury and illness in South african professional male soccer players : a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND : Medical illnesses and sports-related injuries both have an effect on athlete health and performance. Epidemiology of injury and illness has been extensively researched during international soccer tournaments and the European soccer season. Reports on injury location and severity differ across geographical regions, and there is limited information on injury epidemiology in African soccer leagues. No studies have investigated the illness burden in soccer in Africa. METHODS : This was a prospective cohort study involving two soccer teams over the 10-month duration of the 2015/16 Premier Soccer League in South Africa. Team medical staff recorded daily soccer exposure, illness and injuries. Team-based match and training exposure was calculated and used to determine injury and illness incidence and burden over the soccer season. RESULTS : Overall injury incidence was 2.2/1000 hours, with match injury incidence of 24.8/1000 hours and training injury incidence of 0.9/1000 hours. Time loss injuries accounted for 33 of the 44 injuries recorded. The most common time loss injury location was the knee (14 injuries, 42%). There were 7 minimal, 4 mild, 12 moderate and 10 severe injuries. Sprain/ligament injury (8 injuries) was the most common type, followed by meniscus/cartilage injury (7 injuries). Eleven illnesses were reported during the season, with an incidence of 0.7/1000 player days, and most were minimal in severity (8/11). The illness burden was 1.7/1000 player days. The respiratory (46%) and gastrointestinal (36%) systems were most commonly affected. CONCLUSIONS : The incidence of injury was comparable with data reported internationally and mirrors the increased risk of injury during matches versus training. The nature of injury differed in that the knee was more frequently affected than the ankle or thigh, joint injuries were more common than muscle injuries, and there was a larger proportion of severe injuries. The illness burden was very low.The FIFA Legacy Trust.http://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/sports-med-physical-fitness2019-06-01hj2018Sports Medicin

COVID-19 considerations and strategy for a safe return to international football competitions : an African perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of life worldwide—educational, economic, cultural, social and sporting. To limit the spread of COVID-19, initial containment strategies included proper mask wearing, respiratory and hand hygiene, social/physical distancing and different levels of lockdown to limit social interaction. While competitive sport has also been impacted by these measures, risk mitigation protocols have allowed competitions at the national, international and professional levels to resume in some countries around the world. However, additional barriers exist on the African continent to safely resume sport that may not exist elsewhere. These include cost and resource limitations to facilitate player and staff education, safe team transport, hotel and club sanitisation, regular COVID-19 PCR testing with short result turnaround times and access to vaccinations. This commentary outlines practical recommendations for a scientifically valid COVID-19 risk mitigating strategy to enhance safety for teams and spectators at African football competitions that accommodate regional challenges.http://bjsm.bmj.comhj2023Sports Medicin

South African Institute of Drug-Free Sport Position Statement on CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have become easily available to athletes over the years. Using these substances may inadvertently expose an athlete to the possibility of an adverse analytical finding (a ”positive” test) and a sanction. Athletes need to understand the risk of an antidoping rule violation or adverse analytical finding should these products be used, especially if no therapeutic use exemption exists. This position statement attempts to clarify the use of CBD and THC and their associated risks with Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV) in the athletic population. The South African Sports Medicine Association supports this position statement

Determination of the prevalence of knee and hip clinical osteoarthritis in the active professional male footballer and its association with pain, function, injury and surgery

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : All statistical analysis data are available as supplementary material. Raw data can be requested from the corresponding author, at reasonable request.SUPPLEMENTARY FILE A: Designed questionnaire.SUPPLEMENTARY FILE B: KOOS-PS.SUPPLEMENTARY FILE C: HOOS-PS.SUPPLEMENTARY FILE D: PROMIS-GH.STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS 24032023.T22066-Statistical-Analysis-Total Final.OBJECTIVE : To comment on and explore (1) the prevalence of clinical knee and hip os- teoarthritis (OA); (2) the association between pain or function and clinical knee or hip OA; (3) the association between injury or surgery and clinical knee or hip OA. METHODS : Participants were recruited from FIFPRO members. A total of 101 footballers consented to answer (1) a developed questionnaire, (2) patient-reported outcome measures, and (3) be evaluated by their team physician for clinical knee or hip OA. RESULTS : Of the 53% evaluated for clinical knee and hip OA, a prevalence of 9.43% and 7.55% of knee and hip OA, respectively, was found. There was a significant and strong association between knee (p = 0.033; Cramers v Value = 0.523) and hip pain (p = 0.005; Cramers v Value = 0.602) and clinical OA. A significant association existed between Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome short form Scores and clinical OA of the hip (p = 0.036). The odds of clinical knee OA were 1.5 and 4.5 times more after one or more injuries or surgeries, respectively. There was no association between playing position and clinical OA. CONCLUSION : There is a low prevalence of a clinical knee or hip OA in the active professional male footballer. Pain may be a valid symptom to predict or monitor knee or hip OA. Validated assessment tools should be utilised to identify a negative effect on function. The odds of developing clinical OA in the knee with the number of injuries or surgeries. The hip presents with earlier clinical signs of OA compared to the knee.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sportshj2023Sports Medicin

South African Institute of Drug-Free Sport position statement on CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have become easily available to athletes over the years. Using these substances may inadvertently expose an athlete to the possibility of an adverse analytical finding (a ”positive” test) and a sanction. Athletes need to understand the risk of an antidoping rule violation or adverse analytical finding should these products be used, especially if no therapeutic use exemption exists. This position statement attempts to clarify the use of CBD and THC and their associated risks with Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV) in the athletic population. The South African Sports Medicine Association supports this position statement.https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sajsm/indexhj2023Sports Medicin

Sport during the COVID-19 bio-bubble: Wellness and opinions in South African elite football

Background: COVID-19 imposed challenges on professional sport, with restrictions leading to the delay in the completion of the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL). Creating a biologically safe environment (BSE) provided a solution enabling the 2019/2020 season to be completed. Objectives: Evaluating the impact that the BSE had on player wellness and what coping mechanisms were used in the BSE. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to PSL teams on the final weekend in the BSE. It consisted of three validated psychology questionnaires. An additional section focused on the impact and coping strategies during the PSL’s BSE. Results: A total of 37 completed questionnaires were analysed. General anxiety (4.7±4.2) and depression levels (4.8±3.9) were at an overall low. The health of the players, as well as separation from and concerns about family, were the greatest contributors to anxiety. Electronic communication with family and friends, social interactions with others in the BSE and time spent on self-reflection were important coping mechanisms for players. As time progressed, they adapted to the BSE. Conclusion: The BSE did not have a negative impact on the anxiety and depression levels of the respondents, with a variety of coping mechanisms key helping them adapt in the BSE

Nowhere to hide : the significant impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures on elite and semi-elite South African athletes

OBJECTIVES : To describe the perceptions of South African elite and semi-elite athletes on return to sport (RTS); maintenance of physical conditioning and other activities; sleep; nutrition; mental health; healthcare access; and knowledge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). DESIGN : Cross- sectional study. METHODS : A Google Forms survey was distributed to athletes from 15 sports in the final phase (last week of April 2020) of the level 5 lockdown period. Descriptive statistics were used to describe player demographic data. Chi-squared tests investigated significance ( p < 0.05) between observed and expected values and explored sex differences. Post hoc tests with a Bonferroni adjustment were included where applicable. RESULTS : 67% of the 692 respondents were males. The majority (56%) expected RTS after 1–6 months. Most athletes trained alone (61%; p < 0.0001), daily (61%; p < 0.0001) at moderate intensity (58%; p < 0.0001) and for 30–60 min (72%). During leisure time athletes preferred sedentary above active behaviour ( p < 0.0001). Sleep patterns changed significantly (79%; p < 0.0001). A significant number of athletes consumed excessive amounts of carbohydrates (76%; p < 0.0001; males 73%; females 80%). Many athletes felt depressed (52%), and required motivation to keep active (55%). Most had access to healthcare during lockdown (80%) and knew proceedings when suspecting COVID-19 (92%). CONCLUSIONS : COVID-19 had physical, nutritional and psychological consequences that may impact on the safe RTS and general health of athletes. Lost opportunities and uncertain financial and sporting futures may have significant effects on athletes and the sports industry. Government and sporting federations must support athletes and develop and implement guidelines to reduce the risk in a COVID-19 environment.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jsam2021-07-01hj2020Sports MedicineStatistic