Asian Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume:9 Issue: 1, Mar 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of two different forms of high intensity training i.e. power CrossFit and intermittent swimming, on body composition markers, max strength and resting energy expenditure.
This pre-post trial was conducted on twenty three subjects (14 female, 9 male; mean age = 31.74 ± 7.46 years; BMI = 23.665 ± 2.994 kg/m2). They were assigned into interventions of CrossFit training or swimming (CrossFit/Swimming: 10/13) for 8-weeks (60 min, 3 times per week). Using dual X-ray energy absorptiometry (DXA), we measured body mass composition markers such as body weight, total free fat mass, total fat mass, arms and legs free fat mass, and percentage of android and gynoid fat mass. Also muscle strength and resting energy expenditure were measured at baseline and immediately after 8 weeks of training intervention. Feasibility measures of recruitment and injury were also assessed. These variables were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks and compared within and between groups, using paired t-tests and linear regression models, to detect significant changes.
Between groups, data comparisons (pre-post intervention training) demonstrated a significant effect of CrossFit on gynoid fat (β = -1.42%; CI 95% -2.81; -0.03; P = 0.047), and suggestive but not significant variations in decreasing for total fat mass (β -1427 g, CI 95%: -2861, 7, 31; P = 0.051) and android fat (β = -2.64%, CI 95%: -5.36, 0.08; P = 0.056).
This study showed the potential benefits of high intensity training in improvement of body composition markers. In particular, CrossFit is more effective than swimming in losses of total fat mass, specifically of gynoid and android fat mass. Further research is needed to understand the potential of CrossFit training on health.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of two different methods (clustering and multi-sets) on resistance training on heart rate variability (HRV) in young adults. A total of 31 volunteers were randomly divided into three groups: clustering (GCL), multi-sets (GMS) and control group (CG). Group and time interaction was identified (F(3, 28) = 36.71, P

Lumbopelvic stability training (LPST) and massage therapy are common therapies used for pain reduction and management of low back pain. However, the effects of LPST and sports massage therapy (SMT) for management of chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) among elite weightlifters have never been studied before.
The current study investigates the therapeutic effects of LPST and SMT on pain intensity (PI), pain pressure threshold (PPT) and tissue blood flow (TBF) among elite weightlifters with CLBP.
A total of 16 female athletes training for the international and Olympic weightlifting competitions participated in a randomized balanced cross-over study. The athletes were randomized into three sessions of LPST and SMT with a time interval of 24 hours within sessions and a wash out period of 4 weeks between the sessions. The PI, PPT and TBF were measured before and after each session repeatedly in both groups of interventions. The changes in the PI, PPT and TBF within and between the groups were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance [ANOVA].
The results demonstrated a reduction of PI (P = 0.01), increase in PPT (P = 0.01) and improvement of TBF (P = 0.01) among the participants in both groups of interventions. The SMT group showed a trend of greater therapeutic benefits when compared to LPST group especially in PI (P = 0.001).
The findings suggest positive evidence on the therapeutic effects of LPST and SMT for management of CLBP among elite weightlifters with improvement in PI, PPT and TBF. Coaches, clinicians, and athletes may consider LPST and SMT as useful interventions for management of CLBP among elite weightlifters.

Soccer is one of the most popular worldwide sports and performance is dependent upon many factors including technical, biomechanical, tactical, psychological and physiological aspects. Previous investigations have identified that the frequency of goals increases as matches progress, however, previous research in this area is limited as it is based on data from very few competitions.
The aim of the present study was to examine the goal scoring patterns between two major international tournaments, the 2016 European championship and the 2016 Copa America.
The sample consisted of 83 games: 51 games from the 2016 European Championship and 32 from the 2016 Copa America.
A total of 197 goals scored in 83 games were analysed. Analyses revealed that a significantly greater percentage of total match goals were scored in the first half Copa America matches compared to the European championship (47.8% vs. 39.3%, P = 0.02). No differences were found in the second half between tournaments. There was a significantly higher goal scoring frequency in the second half (60.7%) compared to the first half (39.3%) in the European championship (P = 0.02), but no differences were found between halves for the Copa America. Chi square analysis revealed a significantly (P The findings of this study indicate that South American nations appear to take an offensive approach in the first 15 minutes which is indicative that there may be a country-related style of play related to goal scoring patterns in major international tournaments. Future studies need to extend this research across several international tournaments and/or between club versus country to determine if there is a country-related style of play element to goal scoring patterns between European and South American international tournaments.

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are currently used by many athletes for skeletal muscle development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AAS use among bodybuilder athletes in Iran at 2015.
In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study 384 bodybuilders filled the study questionnaire evaluating age, education, and age at AAS use as underlying variables; pattern of AAS use as independent variable; and knowledge about AAS side effects and the relation between mental health and AAS use as dependent variables. Data was analyzed by SPSS using frequency tables, mean and standard deviation, chi-2, t-test, analysis of variances and regression.
Among 920 participants, 104 (11.3%) were current users, and 210 (22.8%) had the history of usage. Physical attraction was reason of use in 57.6% and increasing power and ability to enter professional sport were reasons for use in 44 participants each (21.2%). The marital status, age and education level did not have significant effects on AAS use. Friends (76.7%) and coaches (67.4%) had significant correlation with AAS use in participants (P The participants had little knowledge about AAS side effects, therefore educating adolescents and youth in high schools and universities, and also in sports clubs is necessary. Periodical assessment of coaches and athletes with regard to AAS use, and proper law enforcement in this regard is important.

The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in muscle strength and Achilles tendon strain after two plyometric training programs performed on different surfaces in children.
Thirty six children (21 girls, 15 boys) aged 9.30 ± 0.55 years were assigned into a mini-trampoline plyometric group (TPLG), a ground-plyometric group (GPLG) and a control group (CG). The training groups completed a 4-week plyometric intervention (PL) (three-times a week), consisting of hopping exercises performed either on a mini-trampoline (TPLG) or ground (GPLG). Achilles tendon strain, peak ankle plantar flexion torque (PAT), and rate of torque development (RTD) at 3 different angular positions of the ankle (15°, 0° and -15°) were measured before and after training.
The main finding of this study was that Achilles tendon strain decreased significantly after plyometric training performed on a mini-trampoline or ground surface ( 25% and 15%, for the TPLG and GPLG, respectively (P Both protocols show similar adaptations regardless of the surface of training. Training on elastic surface should be incorporated into exercise programs aiming either to enhance strength performance safely, or to achieve the target goal which is not only the safe performance but also the muscle-tendon system efficiency.

Occult (i.e., non-visible) gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a well-recognized complication that can occur during vigorous endurance physical exertion, especially in the heat.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of GI bleeding during a non-impact (cycling) prolonged race (161-km) in the heat.
Twenty-five experienced cyclists (21 males and 4 females, 49 ± 9 y, 83.7 ± 14.8 kg) were completed a summer 161-km cycling event. Following the race, participants were given a fecal occult blood test and were instructed to retrieve their first bowel movement.
Mean race dry air and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) were 36.0 ± 5.2°C, and 31.8 ± 3.6°C, respectively. Of the 25 subjects, two (8%) produced positive results for fecal occult blood while an additional two (16%) experienced constipation, hard stools, diarrhea or vomiting.
These data showed a low incidence of GI complaints and occult bleeding during a prolonged cycling event in the heat, indicating the low-impact exercise such as cycling may lessen some of the occult GI bleeding previously reported in distance running in the heat.

Ovariectomy (OVX) in female rats leads to increased adiposity that may result in the emergence of obesity-related diseases. Adiposity index has been used in analyses and discussions endeavoring to elucidate the deleterious effects of increased adiposity and possible effects of resistance training (RT) as a treatment capable of preventing fat accumulation induced by OVX.
Investigate the effects of RT on adiposity index and the percentage of visceral fat in intact and ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats were distributed in four experimental groups (n = 10 per group): intact sedentary (INT-SED) and trained (INT-RT) groups; ovariectomized sedentary (OVX-SED) and trained (OVX-RT) groups. The rats performed RT for 12 weeks on a vertical ladder with a session performed every 72 hours. Intra-abdominal fat deposits including mesenteric (MES), urogenital (URO) and retroperitoneal (RET) were analyzed. Adiposity index was performed using a gravimetric method and percentage of fat (%) = (∑ (fat depots)/body mass) X 100).
RT in OVX animals decreased relative mass of RET and MES tissues compared to OVX-SED (P Resistance training was able to decrease the adiposity index and percentage of visceral fat RET, MES and URO tissue of OVX rats. Resistance training may be a beneficial, non-pharmacological treatment of obesity, specifically after ovarian hormone deprivation.

A strong performance from the quadriceps muscle has been associated with improved dynamic stabilization of the knee and a lower risk of injuries. Therefore, techniques that improve quadriceps muscle activity are often used in physiotherapy programs.
To evaluate the effect of Kinesio tape (KT) on the isokinetic parameters, in physically active women, 24 hours after being applied to the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis oblique and vastus lateralis longus muscles.
A randomized, crossover and double-blind study with 16 women (31.5 ± 5.6 years old) was conducted. The quadriceps muscle performance was evaluated through the use of an isokinetic dynamometer (concentric-concentric at 60°/s) 24 hours before and after the application of KT on the dominant limb. The following variables were evaluated: peak torque; maximum repetition of the total work; work fatigue; agonist/antagonist ratio; deceleration time; and the time to reach the peak torque.
There were no statistically significant differences and no clinically relevant differences between the placebo and the KT groups on the outcome variables studied (0.362 Application of KT for 24 hours was insufficient to improve the knee extensor torque in physically active women.

Asian national teams have not performed well compared to American and European teams at international competitions in basketball, possibly due in part to anthropometric disadvantages such as shorter height and wingspan. However, although anthropometric disadvantages exist in women as well as in men, Asian women have shown better performances in international competitions than Asian men. Therefore, Asian women might have developed unique strategy and tactics which would be reflected in game-related statistics.
This study aimed to investigate whether game-related statistics which discriminate winners from losers in women’s basketball differ between Asian and European competitions.
A total of 108 games from the 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Women’s Championships were analyzed for Asian competitions, and a total of 178 games from the 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA EuroBasket Women were analyzed for European competitions. All games were classified into three types (balanced, unbalanced and very unbalanced) according to point differential by a k-means cluster analysis. A discriminant analysis was performed to identify game-related statistics which discriminate winners from losers in each game type. An absolute value of a structural coefficient (SC) equal to or above 0.30 was considered relevant for the discrimination.
Successful 2-point field goals discriminated winners from losers independent of the region or game type. Assists discriminated winners from losers except balanced games in Europe. Defensive rebounds discriminated winners from losers only in Europe.
The most notable difference between Asian and European women’s basketball was that defensive rebounds discriminated winners from losers in European but not in Asian competitions. It was suggested that losers in Asian games tended to lose ball possession before attempting field goals, and thus reducing opportunities for winners to get defensive rebounds.

Concussion causes acute, short-term brain dysfunctions. However, the impact of repetitive concussion history on brain function remains unclear.
The present study examined the effect of a history of multiple concussions on the cognitive functions and dynamic cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation in collegiate rugby football players.
Nine male rugby football players with a history of ≤ 1 concussion and nine players with a history of multiple concussions (≥ 4 concussions) participated in this study. Reaction time and working memory were assessed using a neurocognitive assessment device (CogSport; CogState Ltd., Melbourne, Australia). Arterial blood pressure and middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) were measured continuously throughout the experiment. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was examined using a thigh-cuff occlusion and release technique.
We found a significant difference in the short-term working memory between players with a history of ≤ 1 concussion and those with a history of multiple concussions (P We found a dysfunction in the short-term memory function of collegiate rugby football players with a history of multiple concussions. However, this impairment in brain function was not associated with changes in dynamic CBF regulation.

An early recovery of Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS) and single-leg heel raises after Achilles rupture is a desirable aim to favor the sport return, but is unknown if the patient’ outcomes could be defined only by the kind of treatment.
To determine the number of clusters obtained based on ATRS and number of repetitions of single-leg heel rises after 12-weeks of Achilles tenorrhaphy in patients treated with either immediate or traditional rehabilitation treatment, compare the identified clusters of short-term recovery of single-leg by heel rise repetitions and ATRS, compare the proportion of treatment and heel rise ability contained into the clusters, and compare the dimension of the ATRS between clusters.
Twenty-four patients (43.1 ± 8.2 years-old, BMI 29.2 ± 3.9 kg/m2) treated with immediate or traditional rehabilitation were included. The single-leg heel rise repetitions, the single-leg heel rise ability/disability and ATRS patient-reported outcomes were evaluated 12 weeks after Achilles tenorrhaphy.
The first cluster had high repetitions in heel rise and ATRS, principally treated by immediate rehabilitation. The second cluster had low repetitions in heel rise and ATRS, principally treated by traditional rehabilitation. The third cluster had the highest repetitions in heel rise but lower ATRS, treated only by immediate rehabilitation.
An early recovery of the heel rise capacity could be achieved after Achilles tenorrhaphy and it is more probable to achieve an faster treatment.

Kidney injury associated with the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been described. The aim of the study was to investigate new kidney injury biomarkers among bodybuilders using anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS).
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a group of AAS users (n = 28) and a group of non-users (n = 29). Blood and urine samples were collected for analysis, including kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), creatinine and cystatin.
Laboratory tests evidenced a higher creatinine level in AAS users (1.04 ± 0.17 mg/dL) in comparison to non-users (0.88 ± 0.14 mg/dL), P There is subclinical kidney injury among AAS users, evidenced by MCP-1 increase. Continuous renal function monitoring and early detection of kidney injury is very important for AAS users, and more important is patient counseling to avoid these substances use, unless otherwise prescribed for treatment of some medical condition.

The ankle arthroscopy complication rates from 7.6% to 13.6% and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is considered as a serious complication. The risk of DVT for patients with isolated foot and ankle conditions, even with plaster cast immobilization, and the possible benefits of mechanical and chemical prophylaxis are poorly studied. Nevertheless, some studies mentioned the risk factors such as injury severity, immobilization, obesity, nonweight-bearing, hindfoot surgery, and tourniquet time.
A 27-year-old male patient, smoker, and casual athlete with complaint of left recurrent painful ankle presented an anterior ankle impingement type B and a posterior impingement syndrome. In the immediate postoperative period, the patient developed a DVT as a complication of a combined ankle arthroscopy (anterior and posterior).
It seems that the use of prolonged tourniquet in addition to repositioning the patient may increase the risk of complications such as VTE (venous thromboembolism) and the combination was not included in any published protocol. The current study recommended the use of the Calder antithrombotic recommendations associated with the Caprini risk assessment model in order to cover a greater at-risk population.