Web Alert

Abstract

Sport Information Resource Center: https://sirc.ca/ The Sport Information Resource Center (SIRC) web site has a wealth of evidence-based sporting information that is easily accessible with short articles and links to further research, which is ideal for a range of interested viewers. Their mission is to “empower sport organizations and individuals by sharing credible and evidence-based knowledge using relevant and innovative communication channels.” The resource topics include sport governance and leadership, athlete development, and high performance; sport science, sport medicine, and sport research; Canadian sport policy; SIRCuit series; concussion resources; and the Sport Canada Research Initiative Conference. This organization also is active on social media with frequent posts highlighting recent research in sports medicine, policy, and news related to current sporting events. Although they are not medical professionals, they do post scientific articles and connect members of the sporting community through job and event postings. Overall, this web site balances ease of access, eye-catching article titles, and evidence-based articles in an easy to read format. Cost: Free to browse and for limited articles, $495 for SIRC Resource Subscription (i.e., organization membership) including sharing resources and access to practical tools including coaching and training guidelines, webinar videos, and research on sport science. Center for Sport Psychology (University of North Texas): https://sportpsych.unt.edu/resources The University of North Texas (UNT) Center for Sport Psychology web site is very easy to navigate, providing data and resources which can help athletes “develop the skills to be confident, consistent, and mentally tough in performances.” Their group of sport psychologists can be an integral part of athlete health, as they can help athletes “enhance performance, cope with the pressures of competition, recover from injuries, keep up an exercise program, and enjoy sports.” The organization is comprised of faculty members (as well as doctoral and master’s student consultants as part of their specific training in sports psychology) from the Departments of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation and the Department of Psychology. The web site contains separate sections for resources related to athletes, coaches, and parents, as well as dedicated sections for returning to sport after ACL surgery and relating to training for and completing the Dallas Marathon. There also are news articles, videos, and sports psychology links, which provide access to many important sports psychology organizations, including the American Psychological Association — Division 47 (Society for Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology). Importantly, there also are handouts on a variety of topics including one titled “Parent’s Guide to Creating a Positive Sport Environment.” Although they do offer services for a fee, their web site is free to use and has a variety of resources. Cost: Free International Institute for Race Medicine: https://www.racemedicine.org/ In an effort to standardize race medicine, the International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM) strives to improve “research, education, and best practice in marathons and endurance road races throughout the world.” The IIRM board consists of endurance medicine leaders who are predominantly physicians, doctoral researchers, and certified athletic trainers. There are some basic, limited resources available on the free version of the web site which includes a partial copy of the IIRM Medical Manual as well as several videos on common topics including tips for the finish line, minimum requirements for medical care, command center setup, and emergency response considerations. The intention is to begin creating standards of care, data collection systems, and educational resources to be used for road race medicine. After paying a membership fee, members can access the IIRM’s journal, Endurance and Sports Medicine, additional videos and resources, and a full copy of the IIRM Medical Manual. There also is an annual IIRM Sports Medicine Conference Series for continuing education. Cost: Free, additional resources are available for US $75 for an individual membership. Guidelines for Competition in the Cold (The National Federation of State High School Associations): https://www.nfhs.org/articles/guidelines-for-competition-in-the-cold/ The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is a national leadership organization for interscholastic high school sports and performing arts activities. They develop programs, build awareness and support, distribute educational materials, improve experiences, establish standards and rules for competition for 17 sports, and publish equipment alerts and position statements related to the health and welfare of student athletes. They also publish a Sports Medicine Handbook. In 2014, the NFHS published Guidelines for Competition in the Cold. This included a description of the physiological response to cold and defining cold injuries, as well as detailing risk factors for frostbite and hypothermia, prevention tips, and field treatment of cold injuries. This topic review is easy to understand for medical providers and parents or families of high school athletes and serves as a basic resource for cold weather sporting events. Cost: Free International Federation of Sport Climbing: http://www.ifsc-climbing.org/ This nonmedical web site includes material related to past and future international competitions and prior winners in each of the categories. There are links to rules for the various types of competition climbing, including antidoping resources, as well as rankings for each of the five climbing style divisions: lead, boulder, speed, overall, and paraclimbing. The photographs on the web site demonstrate the precarious positioning that these athletes withstand and the strength, balance, and agility they possess to complete intricate routes. The organization takes pride in “promoting athletes with a disability on the same stage as other athletes” by hosting paraclimbing events and listing the results at the same time as other international competitions. Currently, the medical relevance of this web site is in the rules for sporting, including banned substances, but the information provided may help providers understand what sport climbing consists of and therefore what injuries climbers may be predisposed to, as well as how to become involved at events. This web site will become even more relevant for providers as sport climbing continues to grow, particularly because sport climbing has been added to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Cost: Free Runner’s World (UK): https://www.runnersworld.co.uk/training The Runner’s World UK web site, part of the Hearst UK well-being network of magazines, provides links to community resources with eye-catching graphics in an easily navigated format. Although the information is not strictly medical, the resources encompass a variety of topics including gear, training, health, and nutrition. The health section reports on medical literature, such as studies on injuries in women with low body mass index and how to recognize when you might need help with your mental health. The training section includes training plans and resources for new or continuing runners who may be interested in participating in races in an assortment of distances. There also are more social sections which incorporate events, news, and forums where runners can obtain advice and identify future races. However, the forums are not moderated by medical professionals, so the advice may be untested or, in fact, wrong. Overall, this is a good resource for patients who may be considering starting to train for a race, or who may be interested in connecting with others who have similar goals, but they should be advised that many of the opinions and recommendations are not based on medical evidence. Cost: Free