Health Of Athletes Research Articles

Exploring the Sport–Alcohol Relationship: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study of Student-Athlete Drinking Following the Transition out of University

The purpose of this study was to provide new knowledge about the temporal and contextual aspects of the alcohol–sport relationship. Eight U.K. student-athletes completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in their final year at university, 18 months, and 30 months after graduation. They also completed semistructured interviews about their drinking motives, behaviors, and life circumstances. Results showed that participants reduced their alcohol consumption after leaving university, but despite the onset of some adult responsibilities, most were still drinking at hazardous levels. After university, drinking took place with old friends, new colleagues, and new sporting teammates. At all time points, social drinking motives were the most prevalent. Findings demonstrate a relationship between alcohol and sport that is cemented at university but continues beyond it. Targeted interventions to reduce the role of alcohol in the social experience of sport are needed to support long-term athlete health.

The Impact of Sleep on Athletes Performance and Injury Risk

Introduction and purposeSleep is a critical component of an athlete's health, significantly influencing injury risk, performance, and recovery. It plays a vital role in the healing process, contributing to growth, repair, regeneration, and immunity. Current literature suggests that sleep quality impacts various aspects of athletic performance, including physical and cognitive abilities, recovery, injury risk, and mental well-being. This narrative review aims to explore the impact of sleep on the musculoskeletal system of athletes, particularly focusing on injury risk, performance, and recovery. It seeks to synthesize existing research to highlight the importance of sleep quality and duration in maintaining and enhancing athletic performance.Description of the state of knowledgeThe findings indicate that less than 7 hours of sleep is consistently associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury, with athletes experiencing a 1.7 times higher risk if this sleep pattern persists for at least 14 days. Some studies also highlight that athletes obtaining fewer than 6 hours of sleep per day show significant performance declines and higher injury rates.SummaryWhile evidence clearly links certain sleep behaviors to increased musculoskeletal injury and pain, it is crucial to consider sleep as one aspect of an athlete's overall health and well-being. Adequate sleep is essential for optimal athletic performance, injury prevention, and recovery. Tailored sleep strategies should be integrated into training and recovery protocols to enhance the overall health and performance of athletes.

Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes: Magnitude, Causes, and Prevention Strategies - A Literature Review

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, though rare, is the leading cause of exercise-related mortality and poses significant concern due to the symbolic health and vitality of athletes. This review examines the epidemiology, causes, and prevention strategies of SCD in athletes. SCD, defined as sudden death presumed to be of cardiac origin within one hour of symptom onset, affects athletes variably depending on age, race, and type of sports. Key causes include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in younger athletes, and coronary artery disease (CAD) in older athletes. Ion channelopathies and structural heart diseases also contribute significantly. Preparticipation screening (PPE) involving ECGs, lifestyle adjustments, and medical interventions are critical in prevention. Continuous research and adaptive guidelines are essential for safeguarding athletes against these fatal events. Keywords: sudden cardiac death, athletes, sports, exercise, cardiovascular diseases, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, ion channelopathies, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, preparticipation screening, electrocardiogram (ECG), risk factors, prevention strategies.

Assessment of entropy accumulation in human subjects when exposed to low energy availability

Background & aimsAdequate energy availability is essential for the body to maintain its physiological functions and achieve optimal health, especially among athletes. Unfortunately, low energy availability (LEA) is common among athletes, and it has been associated with impairments in health and performance. In contrast, an energy-restricted diet has been linked to longevity, but it is unclear how LEA affects athletes’ lifespans. The goal of the present study was to assess the impact of LEA thermodynamically on the lifespan of athletes. MethodsData from seven healthy young endurance-trained athletes (24 ± 4 years) who underwent short-term low energy availability (125 (kJ/day) per kg FFM) once with low protein content (LEA-LP; 0.8 g/kg) and with high protein content (LEA-HP; 125 (kJ/day) per kg FFM, 1.7 g/kg), as well as a control diet (CON; 230 (kJ/day) per kg FFM, 1.7 g/kg), were used in the calculations. The athletes followed each diet for five days and expended 67.5 (kJ/day) per kg FFM. entropy generation-based thermodynamic calculations were performed based on the metabolic activity of the athletes, which was determined from oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production rates. ResultsLow energy availability was successfully induced during LEA-LP (62 ± 8 (kJ/day) per kg FFM; 95%Cl: 53–70) and LEA-HP (64 ± 8 (kJ/day) per kg FFM; 95%Cl: 56–71) diets. Despite of achieving energy deficit of −6658 ± 2110 kJ/day (95%Cl: 8609-(−) 4707) (LEA-LP), −5781 ± 623 (95%Cl: 26591-(−)4707) (LEA-HP) and excessive energy of 772 ± 1915 (95%Cl: 845-2388) (CON) statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in lifespan estimations among diets (CON: 72 ± 8 years (95%Cl: 65–79), LEA-LP: 74 ± 7 years (95%Cl: 68–80), and LEA-HP: 73 ± 11 (95%Cl: 62–83)). ConclusionsThis study suggests valuable insights into the intricate relationship between energy availability, entropy generation, and lifespan among athletes. Whereas entropy generation levels and the lifespan of athletes remained stable depending on diets, the distinguished differences in energy deficiency and energy availability underline the need for a profounder investigation of underlying physiological mechanisms to improve the health and performance of athletes.

Impact of Skipping Rope Exercises on Cardiovascular Health and Coordination in Athletes

Skipping rope, often considered a childhood pastime, has gained significant recognition in recent years for its myriad benefits, particularly in the realm of athletic training. This simple yet effective exercise involves jumping over a rope swung under the feet and over the head in a continuous motion. Despite its apparent simplicity, skipping rope is a potent cardiovascular workout that can enhance various aspects of an athlete's physical health and performance. This paper delves into the impact of skipping rope exercises on cardiovascular health and coordination in athletes, underscoring the fundamental aspects, historical evolution, and critical importance of this exercise in contemporary athletic training. Additionally, it identifies existing research gaps and elucidates the necessity of this study.

The Enhanced Games: Prohibition, harm reduction & the future of sport

The Enhanced Games (TEG) has generated significant discussion around doping in sport, with reference to notions of athlete harm, ‘fairness’, and the normalisation of IPED use. This commentary draws on Richardson (2024) in unpacking each of these elements in turn, to offer an overview of the potential positives TEG can offer our understanding of anti-doping in sport.TEG frames itself around athlete health rather than prohibitionist policies. This commentary unpacks the limits to anti-doping as a form of prohibition, and explores how harm reduction policies may be beneficial to prioritise in the sporting realm if we are concerned with athlete health, reflecting developments in our understanding of drug policy in the non-sporting world.The commentary then unpacks ideas of ‘fairness’ in sport, and critiques the notion of the ‘level playing field’. This is followed by discussion of therapeutic and medical use of IPEDs, and some of the inconsistencies and limitations relating to TUEs at present. A discussion of technological enhancement, centred around the polyurethane swimsuit controversy, equipped powerlifting and para athletes then points to further opportunities for TEG to explore.Following this, the extent to which TEG might normalise IPED use in comparison to other factors such as social media and aesthetics culture is considered, with counter-evidence relating to the harms that stigmatising IPED use presents also developed.To conclude, this commentary suggests that TEG offers a real opportunity for us to examine how doping and anti-doping policy operate and are conceptualised, and offers a positive appraisal of the potential for this controversial proposed Games.

The Effects of Dry-Needling Therapy on the Quality of Life in Athletes with Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Repeated Measures Design Study.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of dry-needling treatment on the quality of life in athletes with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Methods: The participants included in the study were 50 athletes (38 males and 12 females) diagnosed with MPS. The treatments were carried out in four sessions, 5/7 days apart on 55 muscles in total. A 36-item health survey (SF-36) was implemented to determine the participants' quality of life. The chi-square test was used to determine the differences between measurements. Results: Dry-needling treatment has a positive influence on self-perspective of physical functioning (p = 0.011, on average), physical problems (p = 0.001, on average), emotional problems (p = 0.004, on average), social functioning (p = 0.001, on average), pain (p = 0.001, on average), and mental health and vitality (p = 0.001, on average) in athletes with MPS. The only quality-of-life dimension not influenced by the dry-needling treatment is the general health perception (p = 0.340, on average). Conclusions: Dry-needling therapy has positive effects on the perception of quality of life in athletes with MPS.

Integration of innovations into the sports training system: analysis of Ukrainian experience and global trends

This article explores the integration of innovations into sports training systems with a focus on the Ukrainian context compared to global trends. The relevance of this research lies in the constant evolution of the sphere of improving sports performance, which demands a comprehensive study of how innovations are integrated into training methodologies. Through detailed examination, this study reveals diverse approaches applied both in Ukraine and worldwide, analyzing the effectiveness and consequences of such integration. The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis of the integration of innovations into the sports training system, considering both Ukrainian experience and global trends, identifying key trends and opportunities for improving athletes' performance and training process efficiency. The research results are substantial. Firstly, it highlights a diverse spectrum of innovations encompassing technological advancements, psychological techniques, and strategic methodologies in sports training. Secondly, it presents a comparative analysis of how these innovations are implemented in the Ukrainian sports training system and how they correspond to or differ from global practices. Such comparison provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the Ukrainian approach, aiding a better understanding of areas needing improvement. Conclusions drawn from this research emphasize the key role of innovations in optimizing sports training regimes. Despite significant efforts by the Ukrainian system to integrate innovations, areas requiring improvement remain, especially concerning the adoption of technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration. The research also underscores the importance of adaptation to specific contexts, recognizing that the applicability of global trends may vary across different sports systems and infrastructures. The prospects for further research are extensive. Future studies could delve into a more detailed analysis of specific innovations and their impact on athletes' productivity and health.

Thrombosis and Thrombotic Risk in Athletes.

The hemostatic system is characterized by a delicate balance between pro- and anticoagulant forces, and the smallest alteration can cause serious events such as hemorrhages or thrombosis. Although exercise has been shown to play a protective role in athletes, several factors may increase the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), including hemoconcentration induced by exertion, immobilization following sports injuries, frequent long-distance flights, dehydration, and the use of oral contraceptives in female athletes. Biomarkers such as D-dimer, Factor VIII, thrombin generation, inflammatory cytokines, and leukocyte count are involved in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), although their interpretation is complex and may indicate the presence of other conditions such as infections, inflammation, and heart disease. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity is needed for the screening and early diagnosis of thromboembolism. Recent evidence about the correlation between the intensity of physical activity and VTE is divergent, whereas the repeated gestures in sports such as baseball, hockey, volleyball, swimming, wrestling, or, on the other hand, soccer players, runners, and martial art training represent a risk factor predisposing to the onset of upper and lower DVT. Anticoagulant therapy is the gold standard, reducing the risk of serious complications such as pulmonary embolism. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview about the interplay between physical exercise and the risk of thromboembolism in athletes, focusing on the main causes of thrombosis in professional athletes and underlying the need to identify new markers and therapies that can represent a valid tool for safeguarding the athlete's health.

A Study on the Causes of Abnormal Sports Fan Culture and Practical Governance Paths

In recent years, abnormal fan culture has gradually infiltrated the sports industry, severely affecting its development. The deviance of sports fan culture not only undermines the dissemination of sportsmanship but also threatens the sustainable development of sports. This paper analyzes the characteristics and connotations of sports fan culture in terms of groups, organizations, and behaviors, exploring the reasons for its deviance. Finally, targeted governance measures are proposed, utilizing a mechanism of multi-agent collaborative governance involving government, online media, society, schools, and families. Through coordinated efforts such as the formulation of corresponding laws and regulations, online regulation, legal education, and positive publicity, it aims to regulate sports fan culture, protect the physical and mental health of athletes, help young people establish correct idol views, and promote the positive development of social sports culture, thus maintaining a healthy sports fan ecology.

Comparison of the incidence and causes of injuries in stand-up and ground combat-sport fighters – a narrative review

Injuries in combat sports can happen to any athlete, regardless of gender, age, training experience or whether he or she is an amateur or a professional. The range of injuries varies from superficial, short-term damage to severe injuries with serious consequences, including death. There are many types of combat sports, each with different rules and specific injuries. Amongst various divisions of combat sports, one of the basic ones is the division into ground and stand-up sports. In the following work, using the available literature, we wanted to present the specifications of several of the most popular combat sports and compare their most common locations of injuries, types of injuries and mechanisms of their formation, paying attention to which of these categories a given sport belongs to. We also discuss differences in the rate of injury for different age, genders, prevalence of injuries during situations of practice and competition. In the end, it is presented what are the possible long-term complications of injuries in combat sports and which actions such as protective gear, bans on certain techniques or behavioural changes might reduce the injury rate to protect the athletes health, well-being and decrease the economic burden on healthcare systems.

Respiratory problems in rowers: outcomes from a systematic assessment of an elite squad

ObjectivesTo characterise the respiratory health of elite rowers using a systematic screening approach to assess respiratory health (SARAH) and identify the associations between SARAH findings and acute respiratory illness (ARI)...

Assessing the Incidence of Head Trauma in Australian Mixed Martial Arts: A Retrospective Analysis of Fight Outcomes.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is experiencing a surge in popularity in Australia. Previous research has suggested knockout (KO) and technical knockout (TKO) are frequent outcomes during competition, raising concern about the brain health of athletes. This study aims to describe fight outcomes in Australian MMA and to explore differences in fight-ending outcomes between male and female athletes, amateur and professional competition, and different weight classes. There is no difference in the incidence of KO/TKO between level of competition, sex, and weight class. Descriptive epidemiology study. Level 3. Retrospective analysis of 143 Australian MMA events from 2020 to 2023 was conducted using video replay to assess fight outcomes between sex and level of competition. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine relationships between weight class and KO/TKO fight outcomes. Male competition (34%) had a significantly greater number of KO/TKO secondary to head strikes fight outcomes compared with female competition (23%) (P = 0.01). The KO/TKO rate secondary to head strikes for amateur and professional male competition was 16.6 and 18.7 per 100 athlete-exposures (AEs), respectively. The amateur and professional female rate was 12.6 and 7.4 per 100 AEs, respectively. Amateur male light heavyweight and heavyweight, and professional male heavyweight were at greater odds of a KO or TKO compared with other weight classes in their equivalent level of competition. There is a sex and professional level disparity in the incidence of fight-ending head trauma in Australian MMA. The study findings highlight the urgent need for targeted safety protocols and medical oversight, particularly for men in heavier weight classes. This study highlights the need for enhanced safety protocols and medical oversight in Australian MMA, particularly for male athletes in heavier weight divisions.

How can we better engage female athletes? A novel approach to health and performance education in adolescent athletes

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of a video series versus online pamphlets/blog posts on Female Athlete Triad (Triad) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) knowledge in high school female runners.MethodsRunners...

The Underestimated Role of the Sports Psychiatrist in Athletic Performance Restoration, Maintenance, and Enhancement in Sports

ABSTRACTIn competitive and elite sports, mental health and athletic performance cannot be considered separately. Mental disorders in sports are bidirectionally associated with reduced athletic performance. A decline in performance, both within and outside of sport, can be a sign of mental disorder. Additionally, poor athletic performance is a potential risk factor for mental disorders in athletes. The central role sports psychiatrists play in the mental health of athletes is well‐established. However, their role in athletic performance is less well‐described and more controversial, perhaps due to a perception that performance is purely a secondary outcome of good mental health. This paper discusses the role that sports psychiatrists can play in athletic performance within competitive and elite sports. Performance can be distinguished into three key focus areas for sports psychiatrists: (i) performance restoration, (ii) performance maintenance, and (iii) performance enhancement. These should be considered throughout the continuum of mental health care, from prevention, treatment, to ongoing care for mental disorders. When reduced performance is due to a mental disorder, psychiatric treatment should purposefully aim to restore functioning and performance as part of management. Maintenance of performance is, similarly, an important element of the prevention, psychiatric treatment, and ongoing care of mental disorders. Holistic sports psychiatrists may also choose to aim for athletic performance enhancement beyond the context of mental health symptoms and disorders, to help athletes flourish and achieve their goals.

Study on ECG Signal Classification and Athlete Health Analysis Based on Attention Mechanism

Abstract In the training and competition process of athletes, their bodies are subjected to various levels of load and stress. As an important diagnostic tool, ECG signals can provide deep insights into the cardiac function of athletes, including heart rate, rhythm, and changes in cardiac electrical activity. By conducting a thorough examination of ECG readings, we are able to quickly identify possible heart conditions or irregularities, which is essential for preserving the heart health of athletes. However, ECG signals are highly complex and multidimensional. To accurately classify these signals, it is necessary to select the most representative and discriminative features. However, this is not an easy task, and the selection of effective features remains a pressing issue. To address this problem, this paper proposes the CSNet classification network model. This framework eradicates disruptions in electrocardiogram signals, performs attribute extraction via a direct network configuration, and combines channel focus mechanisms and spatial focus mechanisms to enhance attribute representation and categorization capabilities. Furthermore, to retain the temporal information of ECG signals, we introduce the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), which helps to better capture temporal patterns and dependencies in the signals, thus enabling more accurate classification of ECG signals.

Mental health surveillance in elite Para athletes: early identification and follow-up of athletes at risk of mental health problems

ObjectiveThere is a lack of prospective data on mental health of elite Para athletes. The objective was to identify and follow elite Para athletes at risk of mental health problems.MethodsIn...

Identification of Injuries in Amateur Boxing Athletes in Gorontalo City: Study for Developing Prevention and Treatment Strategies

Injuries in boxing athletes often occur in the upper extremities of the body, especially the head and face, which can result in concussions, cuts and bruises. This research aims to identify the types of injuries experienced by boxing athletes in Gorontalo City and explore their causes. The method applied is a survey using questionnaires as the main data collection technique. The population of this study consisted of 50 active female boxing athletes from Gorontalo City. The results showed that the most common injuries occurring in boxing were injuries to the head and face (44%), followed by injuries to the wrist (29%), shoulders (29%), knuckles (22%), knees (16%), and ankle (16%). The main factors causing injury include conditions during training or competition (36%) and the time of injury (32%). Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that the parts of the body most frequently injured are the head and face with a percentage of 44%. These findings emphasize the importance of developing injury prevention and treatment strategies, especially to the head and face, to improve the safety and health of amateur boxing athletes in Gorontalo.

Boost Your Brainpower: 24 Daily Sleep Hacks for Active Lifestyles

Sleep is a fundamental biological process that plays a pivotal role in the health and performance of physically active individuals (PAI). Sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality can negatively impact recovery capacity, concentration, coordination, and muscular strength, thereby compromising physical performance and increasing the risk of injuries. Objectives: This narrative literature review aims to examine the scientific evidence on the importance of sleep hygiene for the health and performance of PAI. A search was conducted for studies published on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies that investigated the effect of sleep hygiene on health and performance variables in athletes were included. The literature analysis highlighted that good sleep hygiene, adequate sleep duration (7–9 h per night), high sleep quality, and a regular sleep routine are associated with a range of benefits for the health and performance of PAI, including: (1) improved post-training recovery; (2) reduced risk of injuries; (3) enhanced concentration and attention; (4) improved coordination and muscle strength; (5) better mood and mental well-being; (6) reduced risk of chronic diseases. Sleep hygiene is a key factor for the health and performance of PAI. Implementing a comprehensive and personalized sleep hygiene routine can lead to significant improvements in the quality and quantity of sleep, with positive effects on physical and mental health, and overall well-being of PAI.

Analysis of Sports Supplement Consumption of Elite Referees of the Spanish Professional Fotball League.

Sports supplements (SSs) are widely used among team sport athletes; however, evidence supporting the use of SSs among football referees at the elite level is scarce. The aim of the present study was to analyze the consumption of SSs among referees with respect to their level of competition and referee type (main referees (MRs) vs. assistant referees (ARs)). A total of 106 football referees participated in this study, with 46.2% from the First Spanish Division and 53.8% from the Second Spanish Division, representing 84.13% of the total number of referees. Each participant completed a validated questionnaire about SS consumption, with the SSs classified according to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) ABCD system: Group A has strong evidence for enhancing athlete health and performance, Group B shows potential benefits but needs more evidence, Group C has inconclusive evidence against use, and Group D includes prohibited substances. A total of 84.0% of the MRs and ARs reported the consumption of at least one SS. Differences were found only in the consumption of medical supplements between division (p = 0.016) and type of referee (p = 0.041), though no significant differences were found among the remaining AIS SS categories (p > 0.05). Sport performance (49.6%), Internet (41.0%), and dietitian-nutritionists (31.7%) were the primary reason for SS consumption, purchase location, and source of information, respectively. The most frequently consumed SS were whey protein (45.3%), followed by creatine (33.0%), sport bars and sports drinks (28.3%), and caffeine (19.8%). MRs and ARs reported a high prevalence of dietary supplement (SS) consumption, with significant differences between division and referee type observed only in medical supplement consumption.