Lack Of Physical Fitness Research Articles

Fit club: Outcomes from 35-minute daily exercise program for autistic adolescents

BackgroundAutistic children and adolescents have academic performance challenges and are often reluctant to participate in physical activities. Executive function (EF) abilities generally remain stable or worsen as autistic children get older and obesity and lack of physical fitness are frequent concerns experienced by these individuals. Finding ways to address these concerns has the potential to improve outcomes in autistic youth. MethodWe conducted a 12-month, repeated-measures study to examine the effectiveness of a mandatory 35-minute daily school physical activity intervention involving low to moderate exertion for autistic adolescents (n = 29). Changes in fitness, EF, social responsiveness, and restrictive and repetitive behaviors were examined. ResultsSignificant improvements were seen in fitness, EF areas (specifically cognitive flexibility and planning/organizing), restrictive and repetitive behaviors and social responsiveness. ConclusionFindings suggest that participation in a mandatory daily 35-minute physical activity program with low to moderate exertion is feasible and may contribute to improved EF, fitness, restricted and repetitive behavior, and social responsiveness in autistic adolescents.

Literature Review on Fabrication of Quad Cycle for Handicapped Person

Abstract: In our daily life, we have seen various types of tri-cycles and tri-wheeled vehicles used by the disabled peoples for their locomotion from one place to another. There are several newly developed tri-wheeled vehicles for physically challenged people, which will be operated by manual, electrical and motorized modes. The most commonly used handicapped wheelchair are driven by the manual mode of operation by the use of pedal, but this vehicle provides discomfort to the handicapped persons through weakness in their body and due to their lack of physical fitness in all period of time. Hence, in order to reduce those difficulties various types of moped and modified scooter like vehicles are introduced, which are in the form of semi or fully automated mode of construction and working for their better increase in the comfort for their transportation. This paper overviews the implementation of new conceptual ideas and technologies on handicapped vehicles for the betterment in the preexisting vehicle models for differently abled people and we hope this will be helpful for the further manipulation in developments and provide the guide line for the new innovations in automotive for the physically challenged people.

Lifestyle Behaviors of Childhood and Adolescence: Contributing Factors, Health Consequences, and Potential Interventions

In this narrative review, we summarized evidence from peer-reviewed articles, published before February 2024, that investigated lifestyle behaviors among children (≤12 years) and adolescents (13-18 years) representing different geographic descents. These behaviors included dietary patterns, screen time, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, oral hygiene, unsafe sex, and sleep duration and quality. We documented the significant impacts of parental, school, and sociodemographic factors on the adoption of numerous lifestyle behaviors in this age category. Several health consequences could be attributed to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors during childhood and adolescence. For example, poor dietary habits can lead to a higher risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Physical inactivity contributes to the development of musculoskeletal and psychological disorders. Excessive screen time is associated with visual acuity problems, poor sleep, and psychological and behavioral problems. Tobacco use poses a significant risk for severe respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Risky sexual behaviors are related to sexually transmitted infections and exposure to violence. Short sleep duration is associated with a lack of physical fitness and poor cognitive function. However, potential interventions, such as school-based health programs, community outreach initiatives, and national health policies and regulations, can improve lifestyle behaviors among children and adolescents.

ANALISIS TINGKAT KEBUGARAN FISIK MAHASISWA PENDIDIKAN OLAHRAGA MELALUI LATIHAN WEIGHT TRAINING

Students of the Sports Education Study Program experience problems of fatigue, lack of concentration, and inmotivation during theoretical lectures and practical activities that require endurance and flexibility. These observations indicate that a lack of physical fitness may affect academic performance and active participation in physical activity. The study aims to analyze the physical fitness of students through Weight training to improve their strength, endurance, and flexibility. This study used quantitative descriptive method by applying Weight training Exercise as an intervention. Analysis of the level of physical fitness showed that the strength aspect reached the high category by 60%, the endurance aspect reached the high category by 50%, and the flexibility aspect reached the high category by 40% of the total number of students. Weight training with exercise intensity, duration, regular diet, and adequate rest can effectively increase the strength, endurance, and flexibility of Sports Education Study Program students. This is very relevant to the purpose of sports education that wants to improve the physical abilities of students, both for the benefit of sports and health in general.

EFEITOS DO TREINAMENTO FUNCIONAL SOBRE A QUALIDADE ATLÉTICA DOS PRATICANTES DE AERÓBICA

ABSTRACT Introduction: Athletes’ level of physical fitness has become the basis for achieving their sports ability. The lack of physical fitness can generate a great impasse in the quality of movements and the performance of the athletes. Objective: Study functional training research on aerobics athletes’ athletic quality. Methods: The content of functional training applications in competitive aerobics and fitness was analyzed through a literature review. Research methods of mathematical statistics were used to analyze the collected data and contrast it with the current scientific literature. Volunteers for the research were athletes from the aerobics team at the Institute of Physical Education. They were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental group (n=9) and the control group (n=9). Functional training was added only to the experimental group; all performed the standard training. Results: In the mean total score of the FMS functional movement screening test, the athletes in the experimental group from 9.22 points before the experiment to 15.65 points after the experiment. The control group athletes improved from 9.83 points before the experiment to only 11.23 points after. Conclusion: It was evidenced a dominant improvement in the movement of the athletes who executed the suggested training, acquiring greater coordination gain through functional training. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

APLICAÇÃO DO TREINAMENTO FUNCIONAL NA APTIDÃO FÍSICA DO FUTEBOL

ABSTRACT Introduction Although Chinese soccer has experienced many updates in its methods, there is still a large gap in players’ physical endurance compared to the world powers. Therefore, strengthening soccer players’ physical endurance through specific training methods is important in optimizing current performance. Objective Study the application of functional training in soccer players’ physical conditioning. Methods 20 junior soccer physical education student-athletes in colleges and universities were selected as the research object. The global functional training was divided into three stages: practice, adaptation, and promotion. Data were compared, integrated, and analyzed before and after the intervention. Results Conducting targeted functional training for soccer players can effectively increase athletes’ physical endurance, reducing sports injuries and improving overall fitness scores at the technical and stability level. Conclusion From the research of this article, it can be seen that there is a lack of physical fitness and technical strength in Chinese soccer today. The performance of targeted functional training is relevant and should be applied to soccer training. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

The perception of injury risk and prevention among football players: A systematic review.

Football is associated with a certain risk of injury, leading to short- and long-term health consequences. However, the perception of football players about injury risk and prevention strategies is poorly documented. The present article reviewed the literature about perceptions, beliefs, attitudes and knowledge toward injury risk and prevention strategies in football players. An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and APA PsychINFO until July 2022. Studies were eligible if they included the perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about injury risk and prevention in football players from any competitive level. The risk of bias was assessed in included studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist. A total of 14 studies were included. Most football players agreed that their risk of injury is high and prevention strategies are important, however they do not intend to use some of these strategies. The most frequent perceived injury risk factors were low muscle strength, lack of physical fitness, fatigue, excessive training and type and condition of surfaces. The most frequent perceived injury prevention factors were warm-up, workload monitoring and strength and conditioning training. It is essential to acknowledge perceived injury risk factors, as well as a better understanding of how coaching and medical departments' perceptions match with players' perceptions, and a modification in the perceptions of the several stakeholders at different levels of action.

A ENFERMAGEM NAS LESÕES DE TORNOZELO COM BASE NO EXERCÍCIO DE APTIDÃO FÍSICA

ABSTRACT Introduction Ankle injury is an acute soft tissue pathology where the ankle ligaments are distended, lacerated, or ruptured due to violence during sport. This joint is also one of the most vulnerable in sports. After an injury, immediate and adequate care is significant in reducing pain and complication. Objective Statistically analyze the sports injuries of the ankle cases, determining the principal reasons for injury and outlining preventive measures. Methods A statistical investigation on the sports injuries of 275 Qiqihar higher education students was performed with questionnaires and teaching practice methods. The research was focused on the injured structures and the injury causes analysis. In parallel, corresponding proposals aimed at preventing these sports injuries were raised. Results Joint injuries and ankle sprains followed by hematomas represented the most significant proportion of ankle injuries. The reasons are lack of physical fitness, lack of awareness of self-protection, inadequate preparation in the sporting environment facilities, and performing tasks outside what the superior specified was specified. Conclusion Medical work needs to increase dissemination so that people realize the causes of sports injuries. At the same time, it helps people master the care measures before and after the injury. This reduces the incidence of sports injuries and reduces the occurrence of complications. Evidence level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the results.

Musculoskeletal Health and Physical Fitness Assessment among Hairdressers in Belagavi City, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hairdressers are a group of workers whose working ability and health condition may be affected by specific work related activities. They are also at risk of developing Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) and lack of physical fitness due to working condition and work related exposures. Prevalence of WRMSDs and level of physical fitness in hairdressers is lacking in Indian population. Hence, present study aimed to find prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and levels of physical fitness among hairdressers. It was a cross-sectional observational study. A total of 161 hairdressers were recruited by cluster sampling with samples representing south and north regions of Belagavi city, India. The participants were assessed for WRMSDs using Nordic questionnaire while physical fitness levels were assessed for strength and flexibility of upper and lower limbs along with cardio-vascular endurance. Out of 161 hairdressers, prevalence of WRMSDs was among 101 (62.11%). Lower back was the most affected body region with 56.5% followed by neck 11.8%. 101 hairdressers had first experience of musculoskeletal discomfort after becoming a hairdresser. When assessed for physical fitness, it was noted that the strength of upper limb was affected in 129 (80%) hairdressers while flexibility of lower limb was affected in 130 (80.7%) hairdressers. There is a high prevalence of WRMSDs in hairdressers of Belagavi city, India with lower back and neck being the most affected body regions. In terms of physical fitness, strength of upper limb and flexibility of lower limb were the most affected.

Травмування під час тренування у спортивній секції з боксу пов`язане з недостатньою фізичною підготовленістю курсантів

Анотація. Мета: дослідити травмування під час тренування з боксу пов`язане з недостатньою фізичною підготовленістю курсантів. Матеріал і методи . У дослідженні брали участь курсанти спортивної секції з боксу Дніпропетровського державного університету внутрішніх справ. Секційні заняття з курсантами проводяться тричі на тиждень протягом 2015-2019 років. За поточний період з 01.09.2017 по 01.10.2018 року у медико-санітарній частині, що знаходиться на території ДДУВС було виявлено 34 випадків травмування пов`язанні з залученням працівників постійного та перемінного складу університету до занять секції з боксу. Аналізуючи випадки травматизму з керівником секції було прийнято рішення створити окрему групу для менш фізично підготовлених курсантів. Загальна фізична підготовленість курсантів досліджувалась за наступними нормативами: комплексна силова вправа (разів за 1 хв.), біг 100м., біг 1000м., човниковий біг 10х10. Щодо оцінки спеціальної фізичної підготовленості були проведені нормативи: удари по мішку за 8с., удари по мішку за 3хв., поштовх ядра 4кг.: сильнішою рукою, слабкішою рукою. Для ефективного проведення аналізу отриманих результатів всі показники тестування заносились до протоколів, після чого проводилась статистично-математична обробка. Порівняння проводилося по кожному окремому руховому тесту. Отримані результати оброблялись на персональному комп’ютері. Методи дослідження: узагальнений теоретичний матеріал з питань спеціальної підготовки спортсменів у боксі; узагальнений практичний досвід фахівців у області спортивних єдиноборств та травмування; педагогічне тестування; педагогічний експеримент; методи математичної статистики . Результати: За результатами дослідження за всіма показниками відбулись позитивні зрушення. Знизився ризик травмування курсантів на 60 % . Зменшилась кількість візитів до медико-санітарної частини за період з 01.10.2018 по 01.10.2019 року з причин травмування під час відвідувань секції з боксу. Висновки: було проаналізовано кількості випадків травмування під час тренування з боксу, які пов`язані з недостатньою фізичною підготовленістю курсантів та студентів та з’ясовано пряму взаємозалежність методу поділу груп та зменшенню кількості випадків травмування під час тренування з боксу, які пов`язані з недостатньою фізичною підготовленістю спортсменів (курсантів, студентів). Ключові слова: бокс, курсант, фізична підготовка, фізична підготовленість, травмування

Distress, problems, referral wish, and\xa0supportive health care use in\xa0breast cancer survivors beyond the\xa0first year after chemotherapy completion

PurposeWe examined distress levels, problems, referral wish, and supportive health care use in a cross-sectional group of breast cancer survivors at two-time points with a 1-year time interval. Also, factors related to continuing elevated distress were explored.MethodsBreast cancer survivors, 1–5 years after chemotherapy completion, filled in the Dutch Distress Thermometer/Problem List (DT/PL) and questions on background characteristics at study inclusion (T1). DT/PL responses and health care use were discussed during semi-structured interviews. One year later, re-assessment took place (T2). The data were analyzed by descriptive and univariate analyses. Continuing elevated distress was defined as a DT score ≥ 5 at T1 and T2.ResultsSeventy-three survivors completed all questionnaires (response = 84.6%). Eighteen (25%) experienced continuing elevated distress. Fatigue (T1 N = 48 (66%); T2 N = 41 (56%)) and lack of physical fitness (T1 N = 44 (60%); T2 N = 36 (49%)) were most often reported. Time since diagnosis, health care use, and practical, social, emotional and physical problems were significantly associated with continuing elevated distress. Between diagnosis and T1, N = 49(67%) used supportive healthcare services, mostly a psychologist and/or a physical/lymphedema therapist, and between T1 and T2, 39 (53%) did. At T1, 8 (11%) expressed a referral wish and at T2, 11 (16%) did.ConclusionsScreening and management of distress, problems, and referral wish are important, even years after chemotherapy completion as a substantial proportion of breast cancer survivors continue to report elevated distress and problems. Special attention should be paid to survivors reporting physical problems, especially fatigue and lack of physical fitness, since these problems are most strongly related to continuing elevated distress.

Fat mass predicts food-specific inhibitory control in children

Background/objectivesImpaired inhibitory control has been associated with obesity, high blood pressure and lack of physical fitness. These impairments are thought to be related to decreased cognitive control over excessive food consumption and may start in childhood. However, previous studies in children have examined inhibitory control deficits using general (non-food-specific) tasks and relied on body mass index, which does not distinguish the amount of fat mass. As fat mass, hypertension and physical fitness have been shown to play a role in cognition, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between these variables and food specific inhibitory control in children. Subjects/methodsChildren's (n = 48; Age 10.7 ± 0.6 years) general characteristics, fat mass, cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure and performance on a food-specific inhibitory control task (Go/No-go) were measured across two sessions. ResultsFat mass and sex were associated with inhibitory control performance, while no associations were found for cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure and other potential confounding variables (i.e. age, pubertal timing, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, scholar test performance and heart rate). Linear regression analyses showed that only fat mass predicted poorer food-specific inhibitory control (β = 0.36; ΔR2 = 0.04; p < .05) and sex predicted inhibitory control for toys (control condition) (β = 0.42; ΔR2 = 0.11; p < .01). Neither blood pressure nor cardiorespiratory fitness predicted food specific inhibitory control. ConclusionThese findings suggest that fat mass is an independent predictor of inhibitory control for food in children.

Role of exercise in the treatment of gambling disorder

Gambling disorder(GD)is a behavioral addiction recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5th version and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases 10th version (ICD-10). GD according to the ICD-10 is characterized by maladaptive and recurrent pattern of gambling behavior that persists despite the negative consequences for the individual and his family. GD is a rising global health issue, and its consequences are family problems, substance abuse, suicide ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, and criminal behaviors such as theft and drug trafficking to raise money for gambling activities. Mood disorders such as major depressive disorder, anxiety, obsessions, and personality disorders are comorbid with GD. Papers were searched using key terms indicating addiction, exercise, physical activity, and GD on PubMed, Science Direct, Psych INFO, Medline, and Google Scholar database. Exercise is effective in the prevention and treatment of depression in addition to psychotherapy and antidepressant drug therapies. Pathological gamblers who are not physically active are expected to have poor cardiovascular and mental health, lack of physical fitness, and low quality of life compared to healthy controls who exercise regularly. There is a need to include a standard exercise program in support of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment of GD because of the benefits of regular exercise in the improvement of cardiovascular and mental health, lifestyle modification, and in the primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases. Exercise was found to be effective as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of GD and co-occurring psychiatric disorders.

Design and Simulation of an Automated Road Safety Enhancement System by Testing the Physical Fitness of Driver

Most of the road mishaps occurred due to the mistakes of driver. The lack of physical fitness is one of the reasons for these kinds of accidents. Alcohol consumption and sleeping during driving also leads to accidents. The biological signals such as ECG, EEG and Heart Rate are considered to be good indicators to check physical fitness. To avoid the road mishaps, a micro-controller based system to sense the above mentioned parameters and to make a decision based on the sensed data is proposed in this paper. It consist of various sensors to detect biological signals, sleeping attitude and presence of alcohol in the blood of the driver. The micro-controller is programmed to make decision based on the sensed data. If the physical fitness of the driver is tested and verified successfully, can drive the vehicle. If not, the system automatically locks the engine and a message will be delivered to the control centre via wireless technology. The design and real time simulation of the proposed system is carried out in Proteus® and the micro controller programming is done in mikroC®.

A (in)satisfação da imagem corporal e aptidão física em escolares do primeiro ciclo estudantil

OBJETIVO: Verificar os níveis de aptidão física e a percepção da imagem corporal em escolares, investigando se existe possíveis associações entre essas variáveis.MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 364 escolares das séries iniciais do ensino fundamental, de ambos os sexos (9,20 anos ±0,82). Para a verificação da aptidão física foi utilizado a bateria de testes Projeto Esporte Brasil (PROESP-BR) e para o inquérito da imagem corporal a escala de silhuetas para crianças. Os resultados foram descritos em mediana, intervalo interquartil, frequência absoluta e relativa, sendo analisados pelos testes de Mann-Whitney para amostras independentes e associação de qui-quadrado.RESULTADOS: Os dados indicaram baixa aptidão física, tanto para o contexto de saúde como para o desempenho motor em ambos os sexos. A percepção da imagem corporal revelou que a maioria das crianças está insatisfeita por excesso de peso. Todavia, quando isso é relativizado por sexo, os meninos desejam engordar e as meninas emagrecer. Foram verificadas associações significativas entre a imagem corporal com índice de massa corporal (IMC), resistência muscular localizada e aptidão cardiorrespiratória.CONCLUSÕES: Escolares da rede pública das séries iniciais do ensino fundamental podem apresentar quadros de insuficiência na aptidão física e insatisfação com a imagem corporal, estando essas variáveis associadas ou não.

Medical and biological factors affecting mortality in elderly residential fire victims: a narrative review of the literature.

For older people (aged over 65 years), the risk of dying in a residential fire is doubled compared to the general population. Obvious causes of death mainly include smoke inhalation and burn injuries. That older people are more fragile and have more concurrent diseases is inherent, but what is it that makes them more vulnerable? It is known that the number of elderly people is increasing globally and that the increased risk of death in fires can be explained, at least in part, by physical and/or cognitive disabilities as well as socioeconomic and behavioural factors. The possibility that medical illnesses and an aging organism/tissues might explain this increased risk has not been shown to the same extent. Therefore, this narrative literature review focuses on medical and biological explanations. An initial search using the terms ‘elderly’, ‘fatal’, ‘residential’ and ‘fire’ yielded some interesting articles. Using a broader snowball search also accepting grey literature, several additional risk factors could be identified. Cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerotic heart disease, greatly increases the vulnerability to, for example, carbon monoxide and probably also other asphyxiating gases. Cardiovascular diseases and lack of physical fitness may also increase vulnerability to heat. Burned elderly patients are also at a higher risk of death than younger patients, but it is controversial whether it is age itself or the pre-existing illnesses that come with age that increase the risk. Immunosenescence, malnutrition and female gender are other risk factors for poorer outcome after burns, all of which are common among older people.

Overcoming the Last-Mile Problem with Transportation and Land-Use Improvements: An Agent-Based Approach

Transit in the United States often suffers from the problem of inability to deliver travelers all the way from their point of origin to their destination. This “last-mile” problem is thought to deter transit use among riders with auto access, even when high quality transit service is provided for the majority of the trip distance. This study explores how transportation improvements, including automated driverless shuttles between origins of trips and nearby transit stations, and physical improvements enhancing pedestrians’ and cyclists’ commute might help overcome the last-mile problem particularly as they interact with policy shifts including changing in parking and fuel costs. To conduct this study, the authors developed an agent-based model representing the commuters and their preferences for different aspects of transportation disutility, namely cost, time and safety. Commuters in the model assess their transportation options in light of their preferences, the characteristics of their environment, and the various modes available to them. The model is calibrated with data from four Chicago neighborhoods, representing four different combinations of land-use patterns and household income. Simulations suggest significant potential for the combined shuttles and urban design improvements to shift downtown commuters to non-automotive modes (between 12 and 21 percentage point reduction in driving in three out of four neighborhoods). Less dense neighborhoods were more sensitive to higher parking costs, streetscape improvements and shuttle service than the denser and more pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods. Distance from the station encouraged driving, but the presence of shuttles encouraged shifts towards transit. Streetscape improvements tended to support transit use closer to train stations. In addition to anticipating a range of likely mode choice outcomes, the agent-based modeling approach facilitates exploration of the mechanism underlying travelers’ behavior. Rather than modeling through data fitting, this approach involved formulating theory of behavior first, using data to parameterize the conceptual model, and running simulations to see how the outputs would match observations. When discrepancies arose, the authors advanced the theory and reformulated the conceptual model to explain them. In this way, the authors found that a dense bus service shuttling travelers towards the commuter train station with express service downtown was critical in encouraging transit use, and extensive bus coverage throughout another neighborhood encouraged bus use to access downtown. Bike penalties representing various difficulties inherent to this mode (e.g., lack of physical fitness, the need for showering facilities at the destination, etc.) needed to be adjusted to higher values than those typically found in the literature, suggesting greater barriers to biking in this metropolitan area. Finally, the authors had hypothesized that pedestrian and biker presence would represent an important feedback promoting shifts away from driving, but this was not the case. Further in-depth empirical research is needed to improve the conceptual models of this feedback, and to understand how policy can leverage it to encourage greater transit, pedestrian and bicycle use.

Clinical trials in patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

There is no robust evidence that any treatment can modify the natural history of patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF), although most agree that diuretics can control congestion and improve symptoms. HFpEF is often complicated by systemic and pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, obesity, chronic lung and kidney disease, lack of physical fitness, and old age that can complicate both diagnosis and management. Further trials should phenotype patients precisely and create better definitions of HFpEF based on biomarkers.

Distress screening remains important during follow-up after primary breast cancer treatment

To improve psychosocial care, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends the use of the Distress Thermometer (DT) to detect distress among cancer patients. The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of distress in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and to investigate demographic, treatment, and psychosocial variables associated with distress and problems most often reported on the problem list. Moreover, we assessed how many BCSs requested referral to a professional for additional support. In a cross-sectional study, 258 BCSs identified at an outpatient clinic of a university hospital were asked to complete the following questionnaires: DT, Quality of Life Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Illness Cognition Questionnaire. Of the 258 identified BCSs, 129 (50 %) completed all questionnaires. After a mean follow-up period of 5.6 (SD, 10) years, 47 (36 %) of these 129 BCSs experienced distress as assessed by the DT. BCSs experienced significantly more distress in the first 2 years than in the period between 2 and 5 years after surgery. Also, more distress was experienced in BCSs treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy compared to those treated with surgery only. Problems most frequently encountered were fatigue (57 %), decrease in muscle strength (47 %), and lack of physical fitness (42 %). Thirty one (69 %) of the distressed BCSs requested or considered referral to a professional. Regression analysis showed that reduced quality of life, reduced cognitive function, and fatigue were predictors of distress. The current study found that more than one third of all BCSs experienced distress. Screening remains an important part of BCSs' care. The professional should be aware of the potential problems and distress patients may experience.

Anterior cruciate ligament prevention strategies

Participation in sports is on the rise, with young athletes training year round and specializing at earlier ages, predisposing them to sports-related injuries. Once thought to be rare, injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are being seen with a greater frequency in the paediatric population. Numerous preventive training programmes have been developed. The purpose of this review is to discuss risk factors and the effectiveness of preventive programmes in the young athlete. Most ACL prevention programmes take a multifaceted approach, targeting dynamic neuromuscular and proprioceptive deficits. Focus often lies on noncontact mechanisms of injury, jump and landing techniques, and improving movement patterns during pivoting, cutting and change in direction. However, the effectiveness of these programmes in skeletally immature athletes needs to be evaluated. Early specialization and increased demand for peak performance at a time of major physiological change, lack of physical fitness and neuromuscular deficits have contributed to an increase in ACL injuries in young athletes. Various preventive training programmes have been developed, but their effectiveness is debatable. We encourage young athletes to partake in preseason training programmes focused on strengthening, neuromuscular and proprioceptive training units under the appropriate supervision of qualified personnel.