33 research outputs found
Common injuries in cycling: prevention, diagnosis and management
No Abstract. South African Family Practice Vol. 47(7) 2005: 14-1
Prevalence of androgenicanabolic steroid use in adolescents in two regions of South Africa
Objective. To determine the prevalence of androgenicanabolic steroid (AAS) use among schoolchildren in two geographically separate regions of South Africa.Design. Self-reported questionnaire.Population. Standard 10 schoolchildren (16 - 18 years) were selected, 1 136 from region A and 1 411 from region B.Results. The prevalence of AAS use in the overall populationwas 14.4/1 000. There were significant diHerences in prevalence of AAS use between the two regions (5.9/1 000 v. '22.7/1 000; P < 0.0005). There was significantly higher use in males (28.2/1 000) compared with females (0.7/1 000) (p < 0.005). Gymnasia were the most common source of AAS. Although there were regional diHerences in general knowledge about AAS, general knowledge scores were low across all the groups. Male sports participants who used AAS experienced significantly higher pressure to perform than their non-user counterparts in both regions.Conclusions. Regional differences in AAS use and general knowledge about AAS need to be considered before a meaningful programme can be implemented to reduce the use of AAS by South African schoolchildren
International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement: Molecular Basis of Connective Tissue and Muscle Injuries in Sport
Tendon and ligament injures cause significant loss of performance in sport and decreased functional capacity in the workplace. Many of these injures remain difficult to treat, and many individuals have long-term pain and discomfort. Animal studies of growth factor and cell-based therapies have shown promising results, but these treatments also can be misused to enhance athletic performance. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) now has high-level scientific advisors who can advise the IOC as to the use and abuse of these technologies
The COL5A1 gene and musculoskeletal soft-tissue injuries
Background. It has been shown that there is an association between various genetic variants and Achilles tendon injuries as well as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. Among other variants the BstUI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) within the COL5A1 gene has been shown to be over-represented in asymptomatic participants when compared with those with chronic Achilles tendinopathy, and in asymptomatic female participants when compared with those with ACL ruptures. The male asymptomatic control participants in the ACL study, which were 10 years younger than previously investigated cohorts, had a distinctly different genotype frequency. Aim. The aim of this study was therefore to determine whether the distribution of the COL5A1 BstUI RFLP in the combined asymptomatic participants without any known history of tendon injuries is age dependent, particularly among males. Results. When the 265 male asymptomatic participants from all studies were pooled and divided into age-group tertiles, there was a significant linear increase in the CC genotype frequency (p=0.032) among the male age groups, with the youngest group having the lowest frequency (CC genotype frequency, 13%) and the oldest group having the highest (CC genotype frequency, 27%) frequency. There was however a similar CC genotype content in all three female (N=231) age groups (CC genotype frequency, 24 - 27%; p=0.795). Conclusion. The practical implication is that the selection of asymptomatic groups is of critical importance when future studies of this nature are designed. Future research investigating this genetic variant as a risk factor for soft-tissue injuries should consider these findings when selecting asymptomatic participants
An evidence-based review of the pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of exercise-associated muscle cramps
Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are common
and frustrating for athletes and the physically active. We
critically appraised the EAMC literature to provide evidencebased
treatment and prevention recommendations. Although
the pathophysiology of EAMCs appears controversial, recent
evidence suggests that EAMCs are due to a confluence of
unique intrinsic and extrinsic factors rather than a singular
cause. The treatment of acute EAMCs continues to include
self-applied or clinician-guided gentle static stretching until
symptoms abate. Once the painful EAMCs are alleviated, the
clinician can continue treatment on the sidelines by focusing on
patient-specific risk factors that may have contributed to the
onset of EAMCs. For EAMC prevention, clinicians should
obtain a thorough medical history and then identify any unique
risk factors. Individualizing EAMC prevention strategies will
likely be more effective than generalized advice (eg, drink more
fluids).https://meridian.allenpress.com/nataam2023Sports Medicin
Sport, sex and age increase risk of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days
OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiology of illness at the
Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.
METHODS A total of 3657 athletes from 78 countries,
representing 83.5% of all athletes at the Games,
were monitored on the web-based injury and illness
surveillance system (WEB-IISS) over 51 198 athlete days
during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Illness
data were obtained daily from teams with their own
medical support through the WEB-IISS electronic data
capturing systems.
RESULTSThe total number of illnesses was 511, with an
illness incidence rate (IR) of 10.0 per 1000 athlete days
(12.4%). The highest IRs were reported for wheelchair
fencing (14.9), para swimming (12.6) and wheelchair
basketball (12.5) (p<0.05). Female athletes and older
athletes (35–75 years) were also at higher risk of illness
(both p<0.01). Illnesses in the respiratory, skin and
subcutaneous and digestive systems were the most
common (IRs of 3.3, 1.8 and 1.3, respectively).
CONCLUSION (1) The rate of illness was lower than
that reported for the London 2012 Summer Paralympic
Games; (2) the sports with the highest risk were
wheelchair fencing, para swimming and wheelchair
basketball; (3) female and older athletes (35–75 years)
were at increased risk of illness; and (4) the respiratory
system, skin and subcutaneous system and digestive
system were most affected by illness. These results allow
for comparison at future Games
High incidence of injury at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games:a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days
ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.MethodsA total of 547 athletes from 45 countries were monitored daily for 12 days during the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Daily injury data were obtained from teams with their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes) and teams without their own medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) through electronic data capturing systems.ResultsThere were 174 total injuries reported, with an injury incidence rate (IR) of 26.5 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 22.7% to 30.8%). There was a significantly higher IR recorded in alpine skiing/snowboarding (IR of 41.1 (95% CI 33.7% to 49.6%) p=0.0001) compared to cross-country skiing/biathlon, ice sledge hockey or wheelchair curling. Injuries in the shoulder region were the highest single-joint IR (IR of 6.4 (95% CI 4.6% to 8.6%)), although total upper and lower body IR were similar (IR 8.5 vs 8.4 (95% CI 6.4% to 11.1%)). Furthermore, the IR of acute injuries was significantly higher than other types of injury onset (IR of 17.8 (95% CI 14.7% to 21.4%)).ConclusionsIn a Winter Paralympic Games setting, athletes report higher injury incidence than do Olympic athletes or athletes in a Summer Paralympic Games setting. The highest incidence of injury was reported in the alpine skiing/snowboarding sporting category. There was a similar incidence of injury in the upper and lower limbs. The joint with the greatest rate of injury reported was the shoulder joint. Our data can inform injury prevention programmes and policy considerations regarding athlete safety in future Winter Paralympic Games.</jats:sec
The incidence and patterns of illness at the Sochi 2014 winter paralympic games : a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days
OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of illness at
the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.
METHODS A total of 547 athletes from 45 countries
were monitored daily for 12 days over the Sochi 2014
Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Illness
data were obtained daily from teams without their own
medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) and teams with
their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes)
through electronic data capturing systems.
RESULTS The total number of illnesses reported was
123, with an illness incidence rate (IR) of 18.7 per 1000
athlete days (95% CI 15.1% to 23.2%). The highest IR
was reported for wheelchair curling (IR of 20.0 (95% CI
10.1% to 39.6%)). Illnesses in the respiratory system (IR
of 5.6 (95% CI 3.8% to 8.0%)), eye and adnexa (IR of
2.7 (95% CI 1.7% to 4.4%)) and digestive system (IR of
2.4 (95% CI 1.4% to 4.2%)) were the most common.
Older athletes (35–63 years) had a significantly higher IR
than younger athletes (14–25 years, p=0.049).
CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that
Paralympic athletes report higher illness incidence rates
compared to Olympic athletes at similar competitions.
The highest rates of illness were reported for the
respiratory and digestive systems, eye and adnexa,
respectively. Thus, the results of this study form a basis
for the identification of physiological systems at higher
risk of illness, which can in turn inform illness prevention and management programmes with eventual policy
change to promote athlete safety in future editions of
the Winter Paralympic Games.IOC Research Centre (South Africa) Grant, IPC Research Grant.http://bjsm.bmj.comam2016Sports Medicin
The incidence and patterns of illness at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games:a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days
OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of illness at
the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.
METHODS A total of 547 athletes from 45 countries
were monitored daily for 12 days over the Sochi 2014
Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Illness
data were obtained daily from teams without their own
medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) and teams with
their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes)
through electronic data capturing systems.
RESULTS The total number of illnesses reported was
123, with an illness incidence rate (IR) of 18.7 per 1000
athlete days (95% CI 15.1% to 23.2%). The highest IR
was reported for wheelchair curling (IR of 20.0 (95% CI
10.1% to 39.6%)). Illnesses in the respiratory system (IR
of 5.6 (95% CI 3.8% to 8.0%)), eye and adnexa (IR of
2.7 (95% CI 1.7% to 4.4%)) and digestive system (IR of
2.4 (95% CI 1.4% to 4.2%)) were the most common.
Older athletes (35–63 years) had a significantly higher IR
than younger athletes (14–25 years, p=0.049).
CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that
Paralympic athletes report higher illness incidence rates
compared to Olympic athletes at similar competitions.
The highest rates of illness were reported for the
respiratory and digestive systems, eye and adnexa,
respectively. Thus, the results of this study form a basis
for the identification of physiological systems at higher
risk of illness, which can in turn inform illness prevention and management programmes with eventual policy
change to promote athlete safety in future editions of
the Winter Paralympic Games.IOC Research Centre (South Africa) Grant, IPC Research Grant.http://bjsm.bmj.comam2016Sports Medicin