Sport Modality Research Articles

Lesões relacionadas ao desporto competitivo e não competitivo em idosos do sexo masculino

Objective: To verify the sociodemographic profile and the frequency of musculoskeletal injuries in elderly people who practice competitive and noncompetitive sports activities in the city of Pelotas, RS. Methods: Descriptive study, including 29 male subjects, aged 65 years or older, who practiced sports modalities in a competitive and noncompetitive way, in the city of Pelotas, in 2015. Data collection was performed through the application of a questionnaire with questions addressing economic, sociodemographic, nutritional and behavioral issues, and injuries sustained in sports activities. Statistical analysis was performed by calculating measures of central tendency for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables. Results: The current practice of competitive sports was described by 58.6% (n=17) of the subjects, and the most practiced sports were 7-a-side football (53.0%, n=9), tennis (23.5%, n=4) and swimming (23.5%, n=4). Noncompetitive sports were practiced by 44.8% (n=13), and tennis was the most popular sport played (92.3%, n=12). The frequency of injuries among individuals practicing competitive and noncompetitive sports was, respectively, 35.3% (n=6), and 38.5% (n=5). The most frequent injuries wereepicondylitis (50.0%, n=3) and meniscus injuries (60.0%, n=3), and the most affected body regions were knee (27.3%, n=3), elbow (27.3%, n=3), and shoulder (18.2%, n=2). The injuries occurred during the sports activities, and the dominant side was the one affected in 63.6% (n=7). Conclusion: This study verified that the occurrence of injuries in elderly individuals who practice sports is relevant, even among those who practice them noncompetitively, with epicondylitis as the most frequent among them, whereas meniscus injuries are the most frequent among those who practice competitive sports.

Television viewing habits and their influence on physical activity and childhood overweight

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of television (TV) viewing habits and their association with childhood sedentary lifestyle and overweight in 8‐year‐old children, from a cohort in a city in Southern Brazil. MethodsA prospective cohort study with hospital screening of all births that occurred from September of 2002 to May of 2003. This study refers to a cross‐sectional analysis of data collected during the cohort's follow‐up conducted at 8 years of age. To evaluate the level of physical activity, a physical activity questionnaire for children and adolescents was used (PAQ‐C), during the consultation at 8 years of age. ResultsOf the 616 interviewed children, a prevalence of sedentary lifestyle > 70% was found, as well as the habit of watching TV for more than two hours a day in 60% of the sample, regardless of gender (p=0.30), income (p=0.57), or family socioeconomic level (p=0.90). The daily time spent watching TV was inversely associated with physical activity (p<0.05) and positively associated with excess weight (p<0.01). Regarding physical activity, running was the most frequently practiced sports modality among the population. ConclusionsConsidering the high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and children who watch TV for an excessive period of time, it is necessary to motivate such individuals to perform interactive activities, as well as promote a more active lifestyle, by decreasing the time children spend in front of the TV.

A socio-sports model of disordered eating among Brazilian male athletes

The objective of this study was to develop a socio-sports model of disordered eating (DE) in Brazilian male athletes. Three hundred and twenty one athletes over 12 years of age from 18 different sports modalities were investigated. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was applied to evaluate DE. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was used to evaluate athlete dissatisfaction with body fat levels. The Muscularity Concern subscale of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) was used to evaluate athlete dissatisfaction with muscularity levels. To investigate the influence of sociocultural factors on body image, the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) was applied. Body fat was estimated by skinfold measurement. Demographic data were collected (competitive level and training regimen). Structural equation modelling was conducted to analyse the relationships between research variables and the factors that mediate them. The results indicated that the sociocultural factors and body fat dissatisfaction adhered to socio-sports model of DE (X2 = 18.50, p = .001, RMSEA = .069, GFI = .97, AGFI = .91, TLI = .93). The BSQ accurately predicted the relationship between SATAQ-3 and EAT-26 (R2 = .08, p = 0.001) scores. A direct relationship between the SATAQ-3 and EAT-26 (R2 = .07, p = 0.01) and BSQ (R2 = .10, p = 0.001) scores was identified. No relationship was found between structural equation model and Muscularity Concern (R2 = .02, p = 0.14), competitive level (R2 = .01, p = 0.19), training regimen (R2 = .03, p = 0.11) or body fat (R2 = .02, p = 0.14). The results suggest that sociocultural factors and body fat dissatisfaction follow the socio-sports model of DE in Brazilian male athletes.

Performance of entero-insular axis in an athletic population: diet and exercise influence

The relationship between physical exercise and appetite regulation can lead to improved competitive performance of athletes. Mediators of the entero-insular axis generate neurohumoral signals that influence on the appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. Determine the influence of diet and prolonged exercise on intestinal peptide, ghrelin, resistin, leptin, and incretins (GLP-1 and GIP) in an athlete population. It is a prospective intervention study, conducted from October 2012 to March 2013. 32 healthy semiprofessional rugby players, aged 13-39 years were included. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were taken at time 0 and after six months of study. Athletes were randomized to a protein diet (PD) or Mediterranean diet (MD) and plasma levels of intestinal peptide, ghrelin, resistin, leptin, and incretins were calculated. In the PD group, GLP-1 and GIP plasmatic levels showed a significant decrease (p <0.03; p <0.01 respectively). GLP-1 and ghrelin plasmatic concentration demonstrated a significant decrease (p <0.03 respectively) in those who experienced gain of muscle mass (MM). Finally, the athletes related to the PD who showed increased total weight and muscle mass presented significantly decreased GLP-1 concentration (p <0.03 and p<0.002, respectively). GLP-1 plasmatic concentration was decreased, with the PD suggesting to be more beneficial for the athletes in order to avoid hypoglycemia. Furthermore, muscle mass and total weight gain, linked to the PD, could enhance athletic performance in certain sport modalities.

¿Es compatible el deporte en edad escolar con otros roles sociales? Un estudio a través de la Teoría de la Autodeterminación (It is compatible the sport in scholar age with other social roles? A study through Self-Determination Theory)

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue examinar la relación entre la percepción de conflicto o utilidad del deporte respecto a otros papeles sociales y el nivel de autodeterminación en jóvenes deportistas, indagando sobre las diferencias que existen entre estas variables en función del género. Para ello, se utilizó una muestra de 1897 jugadores de diferentes disciplinas deportivas, 1378 de género masculino y 519 de género femenino. Los participantes rellenaron un cuestionario para medir el nivel de autodeterminación y otro para valorar el conflicto entre roles sociales. Los resultados mostraron que la utilidad del deporte se relacionaba positiva y significativamente con la motivación autoderminada mientras que el conflicto entre roles se relacionaba de esta misma forma con la desmotivación. Asimismo, los chicos mostraron puntuaciones elevadas en todos los tipos de motivación que abarca la teoría de la autodeterminación, siendo los que mayor incompatibilidad percibían entre el deporte y otros papeles sociales propios de su etapa de crecimiento. Como conclusión se destaca la necesidad de crear motivos de práctica intrínsecos en ambos géneros para favorecer el compromiso con la actividad deportiva y evitar el abandono que se puede producir por las exigencias de otros contextos que rodean al joven deportista. Palabra clave: conflicto entre roles, autodeterminación, práctica deportiva, edad escolar, género.Abstract: TThe main aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perception of conflict or utility of the sport regarding other social roles and self-determination level in young athletes, focusing on differences among these variables with respect to sex. Hence, we used a sample size of 1897 players from different sport modalities, 1378 male and 519 female. Participants filled a questionnaire to assess self-determination level and other to measure conflict between social roles. Results showed that utility of sport was positive and significantly associated with self-determined motivation, whereas conflict between roles was related with amotivation. Moreover, male athletes showed higher scores in all types of motivation that refer Self-Determination Theory, being the group that perceived the greater incompatibility between sport and other social roles according to their growth age. As a conclusion, we emphasize the necessity to promote intrinsic motives of practice in both sex to increase commitment with the sport activity, and avoid sport dropout that might be happened because of the demands of other contexts that surround young athletes.Key words: Conflict between roles, self-determination, sport practice, scholar age, genre.

Motivaciones para la práctica deportiva en escolares federados y no federados (Motivations for practicing sports in federate and non-federate students)

En este artículo se analiza el perfil motivacional hacia la práctica de ejercicio físico entre los escolares de varios centros educativos a través de la Teoría de la Autodeterminación de Deci y Ryan, diferenciando los resultados en función del sexo, el modo de la práctica deportiva (federado vs. no federado) y el deporte practicado; así como conocer la influencia de la implantación de una unidad de iniciación en el ámbito escolar en la práctica de este deporte en horario extracurricular. Un total de 306 alumnos/as de 5º de primaria a 4º de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) con edades comprendidas entre los 9 y 16 años, los cuales pertenecían a centros educativos en los cuales se había dado una unidad didáctica de iniciación al piragüismo, completaron la versión en castellano del BREQ-2. Los resultados mostraron que sólo el 57.2% de los sujetos practicaban deporte federado, siendo la mayoría de ellos hombres. Se ha encontrado que los estudiantes tenían puntuaciones altas en motivación intrínseca, moderadas en regulación identificada y regulación introyectada, bajas en regulación externa y muy bajas en desmotivación, mostrando quienes practican deporte federado unos niveles más altos de motivación intrínseca y la regulación identificada que los que hacían deporte no federado. Los hombres mostraron una mayor motivación intrínseca que las mujeres. No se encontraron diferencias en función de la modalidad deportiva practicada. El fútbol fue el deporte más practicado, seguido del piragüismo y el baloncesto.Palabras clave: deporte, deporte federado, adolescentes, autodeterminación, ejercicio físico, piragüismo.Abstract: This paper analyzes the motivational profile in physical exercise among students from various schools with the Deci &amp; Ryan’ self-determination theory. The results were divided according to sex, mode of sport (federated vs non-federated) and the sport modality, as well as know the influence of the implantation of an initiation unit in the school in the practice of this sport in extracurricular schedule. A total of 306 male / female students from Elementary 5th to 4º ESO, with ages between 9 and 16, who belonged to schools in which there had been teaching a didactical unit of initiation to canoeing, completed the Spanish version of the BREQ-2. The results showed only a 57.2% of the students did federate sport, most of them being men. Students had high scores in intrinsic motivation, moderate scores in identified regulation and introjected regulation, low scores in external regulation, and very low scores in demotivation. Federated sport practitioners showing higher levels of intrinsic motivation and identified regulation than those who did not federated sport. Men showed greater intrinsic motivation than women. No differences were found depending on the sport modality practiced. Football is the most popular sport, followed by canoeing and basketball.Key words: sport, federated sport, teenagers, self-determination, physical exercise, canoeing.

Television viewing habits and their influence on physical activity and childhood overweight

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of television (TV) viewing habits and their association with childhood sedentary lifestyle and overweight in 8-year-old children, from a cohort in a city in Southern Brazil. MethodsA prospective cohort study with hospital screening of all births that occurred from September of 2002 to May of 2003. This study refers to a cross-sectional analysis of data collected during the cohort's follow-up conducted at 8 years of age. To evaluate the level of physical activity, a physical activity questionnaire for children and adolescents was used (PAQ-C), during the consultation at 8 years of age. ResultsOf the 616 interviewed children, a prevalence of sedentary lifestyle>70% was found, as well as the habit of watching TV for more than two hours a day in 60% of the sample, regardless of gender (p=0.30), income (p=0.57), or family socioeconomic level (p=0.90). The daily time spent watching TV was inversely associated with physical activity (p<0.05) and positively associated with excess weight (p<0.01). Regarding physical activity, running was the most frequently practiced sports modality among the population. ConclusionsConsidering the high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and children who watch TV for an excessive period of time, it is necessary to motivate such individuals to perform interactive activities, as well as promote a more active lifestyle, by decreasing the time children spend in front of the TV.

Caffeinated Energy Drinks Boost Physical Performance In Several Sport Modalities: Should They Be Considered By Antidoping Authorities?

Juan Del Coso1*, Beatriz Lara1, Francisco Lopez-Munoz2,3,4 1Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Camilo Jose Cela University, Madrid, Spain 2Chair of Genomic Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences, Camilo Jose Cela University, Madrid, Spain 3Department of Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology Area), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcala, Madrid, Spain 4Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, “Hospital 12 de Octubre” Research Institute, Madrid, Spain

Kinesio Taping does not decrease swelling in acute, lateral ankle sprain of athletes: a randomised trial.

Does Kinesio Taping reduce swelling in athletes who have suffered an acute, lateral ankle sprain? Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded assessment. Thirty-six athletes who participated regularly in one of seven different sports modalities and suffered an acute ankle sprain. The experimental group received Kinesio Taping application for 3 days, which was designed to treat swelling. The control group received an inert Kinesio Taping application. For the comparison between groups, the swelling was measured via volumetry, perimetry, relative volumetry and two analyses of the difference in volume and perimetry between ankles of each participant. Data were collected immediately after the 3 days of intervention and at follow-up, which was 15 days post intervention. At 3 days after intervention, there were no differences between groups for swelling in volumetry (MD -2 ml, 95% CI -28 to 32); perimetry (MD 0.2 cm, 95% CI -0.6 to 1.0); relative volumetry (MD 0.0 cm, 95% CI -0.1 to 0.1); and the other analyses. At day 15 follow-up, there were no significant between-group differences in outcomes. The application of Kinesio Taping, with the aim of stimulating the lymphatic system, is ineffective in decreasing acute swelling after an ankle sprain in athletes. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, RBR-32sctf.

Qualitative task analysis to enhance sports characterization: a surfing case study.

The aim of this study was to develop a Matrix of Analysis for Sports Tasks (MAST), regardless of the sports activity, based on practice classification and task analysis. Being this a qualitative research our main question was: in assessing sports’ structure is it possible to make the characterization of any discipline through context and individuals’ behaviours? The sample was within a surf discipline in a competition flowing having 5 of the top 16 Portuguese surfers training together. Based on a qualitative method, studying the surf as the main activity was an interpretative study case. The MAST was applied in four phases: taxonomy; tasks and context description; task analysis; teaching and performance strategies. Its application allowed the activities’ characterization through the observation, surfer’s opinions and bibliographical support. The triangulation of the data was used as an information data treatment. The elements were classified by the challenges proposed to the practitioners and the taxonomy was constituted by the sport activities, group, modality and discipline. Surf is a discipline of surfing which is a sliding sport modality, therefore, a nature sport. In the context description, we had the wave’s components and constraints and the surfboards’ qualities. Through task analysis we obtained a taxonomy of surf manoeuvres. The structural and functional analysis allowed finding solutions for learning of surf techniques with trampoline and skateboards because these fit in sliding sports. MAST makes possible the development of strategies that benefit teaching and performance intervention.

Sport Modality Affects Bradycardia Level and Its Mechanisms of Control in Professional Athletes.

Sport Modality Affects Bradycardia Level and Its Mechanisms of Control in Professional Athletes.

High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among elite Spanish athletes the importance of outdoor training adaptation.

The discovery of vitamin D muscle receptors in the last few years suggested a significant role in muscle tissue, pointing out athletes as a special group. Specific data are scarce. The main aim of the current paper was to provide, for the first time, comparable data about vitamin D status in elite Spanish athletes by sport, age, season and training environment. Four hundred and eight elite athletes with a mean age of 22.8 ± 8.4 years were recruited from the High-performance sport centre in Barcelona for this cross-sectional study. Athletes from 34 different sports modalities were analysed. Data were available for vitamin D status, training environment, seasonality and number of medical visits. All data were analysed using SPSS version 18.0. Mean 25(OH)D of all athletes was 56.7 ± 23.4 nmol/L. Approximately 82% of the athletes were below the optimal levels, (< 75nmol/l), 45% had moderate deficient levels (< 50 nmol/L) and 6% had severe deficiency (< 27.5 nmol/L). We have observed a steady increase in 25(OH)D concentrations with increasing age (p < 0.01) Highest levels were observed in those subjects training outdoors compared with those training indoor (p.

Sport modality affects bradycardia level and its mechanisms of control in professional athletes.

We investigated the influence of sport modalities in resting bradycardia and its mechanisms of control in highly trained athletes. In addition, the relationships between bradycardia mechanisms and cardiac structural adaptations were tested. Professional male athletes (13 runners, 11 cyclists) were evaluated. Heart rate (HR) was recorded at rest on beat-to-beat basis (ECG). Selective pharmacological blockade was performed with atropine and esmolol. Vagal effect, intrinsic heart rate (IHR), parasympathetic (n) and sympathetic (m) modulations, autonomic influence (AI) and autonomic balance (Abal) were calculated. Plasmatic norepinephrine (high-pressure liquid chromatography) and cardiac structural adaptations (echocardiography) were evaluated. Runners presented lower resting HR, higher vagal effect, parasympathetic modulation (n), AI and IHR than cyclists (P<0.05). Abal, sympathetic modulation (m) and norepinephrine level were similar within athletes regardless of modality. The cardiac chambers were also similar between runners and cyclists (P=0.30). However, cyclists displayed higher septum and posterior wall thickness than runners (P=0.04). Further analysis showed a trend towards inverse correlation between IHR with septum wall thickness and posterior wall thickness (P=0.056). Type of sport influences the resting bradycardia level and its mechanisms of control in professional athletes. Resting bradycardia in runners is mainly dependent on an autonomic mechanism. In contrast, a cyclist's resting bradycardia relies on a non-autonomic mechanism probably associated with combined eccentric and concentric hypertrophy.

Efeito de diferentes durações do alongamento no desempenho de saltos unipodais

INTRODUÇÃO: A prática de exercícios de alongamento é muito comum como parte do aquecimento em diversas modalidades esportivas, porém, esta prática pode ser negativa para aqueles que desejam o aprimoramento da força e potência muscular, consequentemente, o rendimento dos saltos pode ficar reduzido após exercícios de alongamento, que depende do tempo de duração e intensidade do mesmo.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do tempo de permanência no exercício alongamento sobre o desempenho do drop jump unilateralmente (unipodal).MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 16 adultos jovens hígidos, com larga experiência em saltos. O protocolo de teste consistiu em realizar três drop jumps unipodais máximos a partir de uma plataforma de 15 cm sobre um tapete de salto (Hidrofit(r)), antes e após duas durações (i.e. uma série 3 min. de um lado, e 6 min. para outro, a escolha foi de forma aleatória) de alongamento dos músculos tríceps sural, utilizando uma intensidade entre 70-90% da percepção subjetiva de desconforto. A análise de variância ANOVA (2x2) foi utilizada para verificar diferenças para a altura de salto, tempo de contato e flexibilidade, utilizando um nível de significância de 5%.RESULTADOS: Apresentaram diferenças significativas entre condições pré e pós-alongamento para as durações de 3 e 6 minutos (P=0,002 e P=0,001, respectivamente), com a diminuição na altura máxima do salto. O tempo de contato foi maior apenas para a duração de 6 minutos (P=0,039).CONCLUSÃO: A realização de exercícios de alongamento do músculo tríceps sural por 3 ou 6 minutos de duração resulta na queda do desempenho do drop jumpunipodal, diminuição da altura do salto vertical (para 3 e 6 min. de duração) e tempo de contato (apenas 6' min.), reforçando a necessidade de mais debates na área sobre exercícios de alongamento antes daqueles de potência.

Heart rate response during a session with different active videogames.

Introduction: Due to technological advancement, children and young adults pass to watching television, using the computer and playing videogames more frequently, favoring physical inactivity. However, a new form of videogames comes up as a possible tool for promoting physical activity. Objective: To examine changes in heart rate in a session with different sets of active videogames (Xbox360 with Kinect) and verified the intensities affected by the percentage of maximum heart rate. Method: 8 young adults (21 ± 1.60 years, 22 ± 1.60 kg / m²) with no gaming experience, performed on the Moment 1 anthropometric measurements (weight, height), hemodynamic measurements (heart rate at rest) and measurement of oxygen consumption . At Moment 2, a session with 4 different games Kinect Sports (modalities: Boxing, Table Tennis and Volleyball) and Dance Central 3. The session lasted 72 minutes (3 min each game familiarization then played for 10 minutes and then performed a passive rest 5 minutes). Throughout the session was monitored every minute heart rate. Results: There was significant increase in heart rate at different moments during the game, reaching reached 121 bpm ± 7.99, 121 ± 6.01 bpm, 113 bpm ± 3.95, 103 ± 4.16 bpm for Kinect Sports: Boxing, Dance Central 3, Kinect Sports Volleyball and Table Tennis respectively. Discussion: The games Dance Central 3 and Kinect Sports: boxing and volleyball reached moderate intensity at different times. However, the Kinect Table Tennis game showed few significant elevations. Besides presenting moments of analysis in the intensity, range considered light. Conclusion: The games analyzed caused significant increases in heart rate, reaching levels of light to moderate.

SCREENING ATHLETES WITH PATELLAR TENDINOSIS: CLINICAL INFORMATION TO GUIDE PREVENTIVE ATTITUDES

BackgroundPatellar tendinosis is a degenerative condition that could lead to tendon rupture. Conservative treatment is long-term and surgery may be required to enhance tissue regeneration. Therefore, the athlete could have...

“EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN ROLLER SPORTS (RS). FOUR YEARS OF STUDIES AND OBSERVATIONS ON ACCIDENTS OF ITALIAN FEDERATION (FIHP) SKATERS. PROBABLE CAUSES AND PREVENTION”

BackgroundRoller sports (RS) have continuous spreading, not only a recreational activity. There are different sports modalities, ruled by national/international organizations. We investigated at the FIHP, being the world leader for...

Phase Angle and Bioelectrical Impedance Vectors in Adolescent and Adult Male Athletes

The aim of the current study was to assess phase angle (PA) and bioelectrical impedance vectors (BIVA) in adolescent (n = 105, 12-19 y) and adult (n = 90, 20-50 y) male athletes practicing varied sports modalities. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed with a single-frequency tetrapolar impedance analyzer after the athletes had fasted overnight for 8 h. PA and BIVA were determined from BIA data. PA presented correlations (P < .01) with body-mass index (r = .58) in all athletes and also with age in adolescent (r = .63) and adult (r = -.27) athletes. Compared with adults, adolescent athletes presented lower PA and higher frequency of PA below the 5th percentile of a reference population (P < .001). The adolescents with low PA were mostly football and basketball players. The BIVA confidence ellipses of adult and adolescent athletes were different (P < .001) between them and from their respective reference populations and were closer than those of adult and adolescent nonathletes. About 80% of the athletes were in the 95th percentile of BIVA tolerance ellipses and in quadrants consistent with adequate body cell mass and total body water. The adolescent athletes outside the 95th percentile ellipse were all football and basketball players who showed indications of decreased water retention and body cell mass and of increased water retention, respectively. PA and BIVA ellipses showed that the intense training routine of the athletes changed functional and hydration parameters and that the magnitude of these changes in adolescents may depend on the sport modality practiced.

Diferencias en la ocupación del tiempo libre entre los escolares que practican deporte federado y no federado

The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of leisure by children/adolescents depending on they are federated, their sex and sport modality that they practice. A total of 306 male/female students Elementary 5th at 4° ESO, aged between 9 and 16 years, completed a questionnaire to determine how to spend their free time Monday through Friday. It was found that the students who practiced sport federated occupied more time doing physical exercise that who practiced sport not federated, occupying not federated atlhetes a large number of hours in the use of ICTs and helping with household chores. In addition, girls spend less time than boys doing sports and they spend more time listening to music and doing cultural activities. No differences were found depending on the sport modality practiced. In conclusion, as the sports physical practice must prevail over any occupation of sedentary leisure is necessary that children and adolescents into sports clubs in their respective villages or towns, so it must adapt the offer to the demands of this population.

Pre-participation gynecological evaluation of female athletes: a new proposal.

Objective To propose the inclusion of a gynecological investigation during the evaluation of athletes before competitions, using a specific instrument called the Pre-participation Gynecological Examination (PPGE).Methods The study assessed 148 athletes, mean age of 15.4±2.0 years, who engaged in eight different sports modalities, and who responded to a questionnaire named Pre-Participation Gynecological Examination (PPGE), to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (for urinary loss), and to the Eating Attitudes Test (for eating disorders).Results Fifty percent of the participants reported irregular menstrual intervals, 23.0% did not know about sexually transmitted diseases, and 72.4% denied having, at least, an annual gynecological appointment. The study identified 18.2% who had urinary loss, and 15% presented with an increased risk of eating disorders. Moreover, 89.9% were not familiar with the occurrence of urinary incontinence in athletes and did not know that they were susceptible to the female athlete triad. A total of 87.1% of them stated that would not mention these issues to their coaches even if this would improve their health or performance.Conclusion The Pre-Participation Gynecological Examination can be considered an easy-to-apply instrument that allowed the diagnosis of alterations often underestimated by the athletes themselves. After its application, the alterations were identified, and determined the athletes’ referral to appropriate evaluation and treatment.