Translational sports medicine最新文献

This study examined rapid weight loss (RWL) habits across combat sports (CS) and how common usage of different methods was related to the magnitude of RWL. Competitors (N = 256) from CS including boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay thai/kickboxing (MT/KB), wrestling, mixed martial arts (MMA), judo, taekwondo, and karate participated in the study. Athletes completed an online survey which included questions on their regular weight loss habits, including magnitudes of weight loss over different time periods and types of methods utilised. Athletes typically started losing weight in their early 20s and engaged in RWL on average three times a year. Magnitudes of weight loss were greater in MT/KB and MMA than other cCS examined (d between 0.63 and 1.54). Wrestlers demonstrated higher prevalence of skipping meals or fasting than other CS (d between 0.7 and 1.29). Athletes at higher competitive levels engaged in larger magnitudes of RWL (d between 0.49 and 0.57). The usage of methods of body fluid manipulation such as fluid restriction, water loading, and sauna were associated with greater amounts of weight loss within 2 weeks and 24 h of weighing in (d between 0.36 and 0.45). Findings indicate that larger weight cuts are linked to strategies involving higher risk, such as sauna, and may be more common among athletes who begin RWL practices at a younger age. Use of certain high-risk methods were associated with increased likelihood of disordered eating behaviours. To reduce reliance on these practices, practitioners and regulators should emphasise the use of smaller weight cuts and to begin losing weight further out from competition.

Introduction: Students engage in one or more lifestyle-related risk behaviours that may predispose them to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Whilst student athletes (St-A) are often perceived as having healthier lifestyles compared to nonathlete students (NAS), it is unclear whether they exhibit better risk profiles. This study compares the prevalence and clustering of these lifestyle-related risk behaviours among NAS and St-A at a South African university. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and physical inactivity using a screening questionnaire. Differences between gender and athletic status were analysed using chi-square tests. Cluster analysis was employed to identify patterns of co-occurring risk behaviours within the combined cohort. Results: One hundred and forty-five St-A (n = 91 male, n = 54 female) and 143 NAS (n = 90 male, n = 53 female) were included. Similar alcohol use patterns were observed between St-A and NAS (p=0.737), but females consumed less alcohol than men (p=0.025). Smoking was less prevalent among St-A (18.6% vs. 32.2% NAS, p=0.020). Less than 10% of participants met fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, with females consuming more than males (p=0.002). St-A met the moderate activity guidelines more often (73.0% vs. 44.3%, p < 0.001) and the vigorous physical activity guidelines more often (71.5% vs. 37.1%, p < 0.001) than NAS. The cluster analysis identified a higher risk group (34.6% St-A) with multiple risk behaviours, and a healthier group (all meeting vigorous activity goals and none smoking). Conclusions: Both St-A and NAS engage in lifestyle-related risk behaviours. Further investigation into the interconnections of these behaviours and the implementation of university-based interventions is warranted.

Background: Runners have not benefited from the same reduction in injury rates seen in injury prevention studies conducted in other sports. Objectives: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map injury risk reduction practices for running-related injury (RRI), methods of delivery and understand the views of experts and runner's preferences in reducing RRI. Design: Scoping review. Methods: We conducted systematic database searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus from 2000 to April 2024. Eligible studies included injury prevention strategies for RRI. Data synthesis was conducted according to PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews using Joanna Briggs Institute framework methodology. Extracted data were mapped and coded from intervention studies, expert opinions and reviews, and inductive thematic analysis created subthemes and themes from prospective cohorts, qualitative studies and surveys. Results: A total of 3777 studies were identified, and 106 studies met the inclusion criteria. In intervention studies, supervision and support appeared critical for better effect. Key injury prevention topics were strengthening, gait re-education and wearables, graduated running programmes, footwear, recovery and educational advice. A multifactorial approach considering individual risk profiles was recommended by experts, but there was a disparity in what runners do to reduce injury risk compared to expert advice, with actions appearing to be related to self-efficacy rather than avoidance. Conclusion: This scoping review highlighted runners require individualized, supported and multifactorial approaches for injury risk reduction, and runners seek knowledge on purpose. We found runners injury risk reduction practices should begin early with youth runners and facilitating this through coaching supervision is likely to support behaviour change. Strategies such as gait retraining, wearables and recovery need further exploration but provide promising strategies runners may engage with more. As runners are likely to choose familiar options minimally impacting lifestyle and running, they should be provided with education but need support with their choices to influence beliefs.

Introduction: Endurance athletes often utilize low-intensity training, commonly defined as Zone 2 (Z2) within a five-zone intensity model, for its potential to enhance aerobic adaptations and metabolic efficiency. This study aimed at evaluating intra- and interindividual variability of commonly used Z2 intensity markers to assess their precision in reflecting physiological responses during training. Methods: Fifty cyclists (30 males and 20 females) performed both an incremental ramp and a step test in a laboratory setting, during which the power output, heart rate, blood lactate, ventilation, and substrate utilization were measured. Results: Analysis revealed substantial variability in Z2 markers, with the coefficients of variation (CV) ranging from 6% to 29% across different parameters. Ventilatory Threshold 1 (VT₁) and maximal fat oxidation (Fat_Max) showed strong alignment, whereas fixed percentages of HR_max and blood lactate thresholds exhibited wide individual differences. Discussion: Standardized markers for Z2, such as fixed percentages of HR_max, offer practical simplicity but may inaccurately reflect metabolic responses, potentially affecting training outcomes. Given the considerable individual variability, particularly in markers with high CVs, personalized Z2 prescriptions based on physiological measurements such as VT₁ and Fat_Max may provide a more accurate approach for aligning training intensities with metabolic demands. This variability highlights the need for individualized low-intensity training prescriptions to optimize endurance adaptations in cyclists, accommodating differences in physiological profiles and improving training specificity.

Background: The treatment of unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis (OA) in young, active individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency is a debatable topic. The objective, radiological, and functional results of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) combined to ACL reconstruction and those of isolated UKA are compared in the present study. Methods: Twelve patients with medial OA and ACL incompetence were suitable for combined UKA and ACL reconstruction (Group A). A control group consisted of 24 patients who underwent isolated UKA within the same time frame and were matched for age, body mass index, and male/female ratio (Group B). The Oxford Knee Score (OKS), the Knee OA Outcome Score (KOOS), the WOMAC index of OA, and standard X-rays were used for clinical and radiologic evaluation. Results: The mean KOOS score, OKS, and WOMAC index improved 10 years after surgery, demonstrating a statistically significant change (p < 0.001). At follow-up, there was no significant between-groups difference concerning KOOS, OKS, or WOMAC scores (p=n.s.). One female patient in Group A underwent revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) 3 years after the first surgery because OA in the lateral compartment had developed and the patient's discomfort persisted. There were no signs of pathologic radiolucent lines or radiographic signs of implant loosening at the most recent follow-up, which occurred at an average of 7.9 years for Group A and 9.1 years for Group B. Conclusion: Ten years after surgery, UKA combined to ACL reconstruction provides clinical and radiographic results similar to UKA without increasing the incidence of complications.

Introduction: Epidemiological studies on elite female ice hockey players are lacking but needed to tailor preventive efforts in this growing group of athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the incidence, prevalence, and burden of health problems in elite female ice hockey players. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we asked all Swedish Women's Hockey League (SWHL) players (N = 207) to report their health status on the OSTRC-H2 weekly throughout the 2022/2023 season (28 weeks). Reported problems were categorized as injuries (acute or overuse) or illnesses and presented as incidence per player season and mean weekly prevalence. Results: A total of 129 players (62% of all SWHL players) provided 2286 health reports with a mean weekly response rate of 67%. Mean weekly prevalence of health problems was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19-23) (injuries: 15% [95% CI: 14-17] and illnesses: 6% [95% CI: 5-8]). Injury incidence was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.8-2.4) per player season (acute: 1.2 [95% CI: 1.0-1.5] and overuse: 0.8 [95% CI: 0.7-1.1]). Illness incidence was 1.3 per player season (95% CI: 1.1-1.6). Most reported health problems were acute injuries (59.4% of reported injuries). Most common among acute injuries where to the shoulder (15%), head (13%), and knee (11%). The hip/groin was the most reported (35%) and burdensome (49% of severity score) region among overuse injuries. Reported illnesses were mostly represented by respiratory infections (75%). Conclusions: In average, one in five elite ice hockey players reported a health problem at any given time during the season. Results of this study highlight the need to develop and test primary prevention strategies for shoulder, head, and knee injuries and secondary prevention strategies for hip and groin problems.

Menstrual dysfunction (MD) in female athletes might be indicative of the syndrome of relative energy deficiency in sports (REDs), associated with, e.g., impaired bone health, an increased risk of injury, and decreased performance. In the present study, we investigated differences in objective indicators of REDs, bone mineral density (BMD), and blood-based biomarkers in female elite athletes with self-reported MD or eumenorrhoea (CON) from mixed sport disciplines. Athletes reporting < 9 menstrual bleedings within the last year were recruited in the MD group, whereas eumenorrheic athletes with no symptoms of eating disorders were recruited for CON. Of the 24 athletes included, 19 completed the examinations (9 MD; 10 CON, mean age ± SD: 24.8 ± 5.5 years). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess body composition and BMD. Fasted rested blood sampling was performed to assess blood-based biomarkers of bone and endocrine status. Two MD athletes were excluded from the analysis due to suspected polycystic ovary syndrome. Results showed that MD was associated with lower BMD Z-scores across several sites compared to CON (between-group differences ± SE); whole-body Z-score: -1.4 ± 0.5, p=0.03; lumbar spine Z-score: -1.4 ± 0.6, p=0.03; proximal femur: -1.6 ± 0.6, p=0.02). However, no between-group differences in biomarkers of bone turnover were observed. MD was associated with lower plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (p=0.02), prolactin (p < 0.001), and free T ₃ (p=0.01). In conclusion, the present data indicate impairment in bone health and endocrine homeostasis in female elite athletes with current MD and underline the importance of MD as a potential indicator of REDs in female elite athletes. Furthermore, these findings call for regular screening of symptoms for early identification of athletes at risk in all sport disciplines and more education of athletes, coaches, and medical staff regarding this issue.

Aim: We aimed to analyze sex differences in time-limited ultramarathon participation, while also identifying trends in participation, age, and performance across different formats of events, from 1990 to 2020. Method: This is an exploratory study, using data obtained from the official event web pages. We downloaded information regarding the year of the event, athletes' year of birth, sex, race event, ranking, and mean running speed (km/h). The sex gap in participation was presented through equiplots. Regression models were fitted to analyze trends in participation, age, and performance, considering a 95% confidence interval. Results: A similar pattern of increase in participation and age was shown for athletes of both sexes until 2019. The sex gap remained, displaying different patterns across race events. A general trend of slower mean running speeds was shown. The random-effects analysis showed that sex and age played significant roles in the performance trajectory across the years, in each race event. Conclusions: Apart from the 8-day race among females, there was a decline in the performance across all race durations. Despite the trend of performance decline, future studies need to address the relevance of this decline in both theoretical and practical terms.

The study quantified total and high-intensity jump counts and assessed neuromuscular performance through countermovement jump (CMJ) force and velocity metrics by position. Twelve Division I female athletes (19.6 ± 1.3 years; 182.7 ± 6.5 cm) were included in the 16-week study using wearable microsensors to monitor daily jump loads. CMJ tests were conducted twice weekly using dual force plates to measure force and velocity metrics. There were significant main effects of position (p ≤ 0.001) for jump and force plate metrics. Middle blockers accumulated significantly more jump counts of 38.1 cm or higher (jumps 38+; 65.4 ± 39.2 counts) and jump counts of 50.8 cm or higher (jumps 50+; 39.5 ± 32.7 counts) compared to outside hitters (jumps 38+; 39.4 ± 25.9 counts and jumps 50+; 15.0 ± 15.6 counts) and opposite hitters (jumps 38+; 47.9 ± 24.1 counts and jumps 50+; 29.7 ± 18.1 counts), while setters had the fewest high-intensity jump counts (jumps 38+; 19.0 ± 16.6 counts and jumps 50+; 0.4 ± 0.8 counts). Middle blockers had the highest CMJ height (36.1 ± 6.4 cm), deepest CMJ depth (-41.7 ± 6.4 cm) and peak (2.75 ± 0.22 m/s) and average (1.49 ± 0.08 m/s) propulsion velocities (2.75 ± 0.22 m/s). Meanwhile, setters had significantly greater braking RFD (7839 ± 2617 N), average (1698 ± 223 N) and peak braking force (2061 ± 248 N), and average (1446 ± 88 N) and peak propulsion force (1994 ± 213 N), compared to all other positions. Opposite and outside hitters' data fell between setters and middle blockers. Regardless of position, neuromuscular performance fluctuates during the season and there are noticeable positional differences in jump loads and force and velocity metrics.

Background: Urine specific gravity (USG) is a commonly used assessment method to estimate the prevalence of hypohydration, typically based on a common threshold of ≥ 1.020. Some research has shown that USG can vary based on body size and composition, but the evidence to date is limited. This review examined whether an association between fat-free mass (FFM), a component of body composition, and USG could be detected among published articles that have reported these variables in athletes and physically active individuals. Methods: By searching Google Scholar, the authors identified a large number of published articles (n = 161) reporting anthropometrics and USG. Only articles reporting data on adult samples of athletes or physically active individuals were included. Given differences in body composition and FFM between men and women, articles that did not report data separately for each sex were excluded. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the association between variables. Results: In men, FFM showed a significant, weak-sized positive association with USG (ρ = 0.36, p < 0.001). Among women, FFM showed a significant, moderate-sized positive association with USG (ρ = 0.57, p=0.006). When results were combined independent of sex, the association between FFM and USG remained significant (ρ = 0.38, p  < 0.001). Conclusion: Athletes with larger amounts of FFM are more likely to have elevated USG. Protein and muscle metabolites such as creatinine, urea, and uric acid likely play some role in the observed relationships. If USG continues to be utilized in sport settings, more research is needed to determine if development of FFM-specific USG thresholds may be more appropriate for determining hydration status.