Asian Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume:10 Issue: 1, Mar 2019

  Dear Editor, Playing football is associated with a significant risk of injuries which is higher than many other contact or collision sports (1). Young football players are susceptible to injuries, which will have impacts on their whole athletic life if not end them early. The rate of injuries in higher ages within young players is not different than senior players (2). Considering musculoskeletal injuries, while the most prevalent injuries among male football players are to their ankles, it is not the case in female athletes and knee injuries are more prevalent among them (3). Knee injuries are also the leading musculoskeletal injuries among young female football players (1). Concussions are also fairly prevalent among football players. Accumulative consequences of repetitive concussions in youth football players is a concern. There have been calls for prevention programs among youth football players targeting coaches (4), training programs (5) and policymakers (1). while there is a considerable amount of evidence regarding young male football players (even a systematic review on it) (6), young female football players have been less of concern of researchers. We recommend more research among young female football players to be performed. Recent studies targeting the evaluation of the previously suggested risk factors of ACL injuries in female football players reported that neither the postural control measures, balance measures (7) nor generalized joint hypermobility are risk factors for ACL injuries in elite female soccer players (8). Female football is more technical and less physical than male football, this difference requires a different paradigm for prevention programs. Just as an example, Focusing on technical training in female football players can be more effective in preventing injuries than male football players that general physical training for preventing injuries in a fast and contact sport is required. Technical training intervention can be more effective if it is started at grass-roots level, so it highlights the need for interventions for injury prevention among young female players in a younger age than male football players. There is strong evidence supporting the preventive effect of neuromuscular training programs on female football players, especially when implemented in younger ages (9, 10). When it comes to other aspects of health in young female players such as psychological issues, our knowledge is still lacking (11). A recent study reported that male football players had significantly lower average depression and anxiety scores than female football players. The depression scores were similar to the general population, but male players showed lower anxiety scores in comparison to the general population. While playing football may have a protective role against anxiety in male players, there is no such effect reported for female players (12). Eating disorders are thought to be less common in female football players compared to other sports, but with the increasing number of female players participating in football, we are facing more dieting and eating disorders among female football players (13); although the data, in this case, is still lacking. As this problem is prone to being missed easily and early diagnosis and intervention could easily protect the player’s health from long-term consequences, it is very important to be aware of the problem (14, 15).

There is a shortage of longitudinal surveys in highly trained adolescent table tennis athletes reporting typical changes in performance related, hematological, and biochemical parameters.

The purpose of the study was to: (1) examine yearly variations of performance related parameters, and (2) report the variability of selected hematological and biochemical markers utilized to ascertain health status, and training influences in a group of young Arab table tennis athletes.

Data were collected from ten male adolescent players with a mean age of 14.2 ± 1.3 years and a mean table tennis training experience of 6 years. Physical and biochemical measures were carried out at three important time points throughout the training season: a baseline measure (PRE - September); a mid-season (transition) measure (MID - February); an end of season measure (END - May).

Performance related parameters tended to significantly improve over time (P = 0.05), with lowest values displayed during PRE-measure. Hematocrit (P = 0.05), serum testosterone (P = 0.01), mean cell volume (MCV) (P = 0.001) and reticulocytes (RET) (P = 0.017) significantly increased at the END training period compared to PRE. Moreover, 25(OH)D levels (P = 0.001) showed a drop during MID to then significantly increase at the END whilst sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG; P = 0.005) decreased at the END period compared to MID.

In conclusion, based on our findings, changes in certain physical parameters and, hematological and biochemical markers, take place during the training period. Therefore, coaches, sports scientists and nutritionists should take into consideration these fluctuations and plan and alter their training programs accordingly.

Chronic Kidney Disease in children is one of the most important topics in public health imposing a great burden on the patient’s family and the health organizations. Several parameters including cardiovascular impairment, muscle wasting, anemia, and physical inactivity lead to exercise intolerance in these patients. There is a lot of evidence in favor of the positive effect of regular exercise training in improvement of muscle function, exercise capacity and life quality in the subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Understanding the barriers, motivators and benefits of exercise may aid us to design the CKD-specific behavior change programs to improve their physical activity. To achieve the greatest benefit from exercise in children with CKD, exercise should be prescribed individually for them based on disease condition, physiological and psychological parameters and the patient’s limitations.

 

Firefighters have the highest risk of on duty death due to cardiovascular disease which may be caused by excessive oxidative stress (OS). Animal studies have shown that ketone bodies may reduce OS; however, human trials are needed.

To examine the effects of a supplement containing ketone salts (KS) on blood OS and cardiorespiratory responses in firefighters exercising in personal protective equipment.

Nine firefighters supplemented with KS or a calorie- and flavor-matched placebo (PLA) twice per day for 7 days in a randomized, crossover design. On the eighth day, firefighters arrived for testing after ≥ 8 hour fast and ingested the assigned supplement 35 minutes before performing the exercise task (35 minutes at 60% VO2peak intensity) wearing personal protective equipment (i.e., turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, air tank, gloves). Blood was sampled pre- and post-exercise (post periods: immediately, 30 minutes and 24 hours) and analyzed for markers of OS including red blood cell (RBC) levels of glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as plasma levels of SOD, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and glucose.

There was no treatment effect or treatment × time interaction (P > 0.05) for any of the markers of OS. However, the exercise protocol resulted in significant increases in RBC levels of SOD from pre- to immediately post-exercise and decreased RBC levels of GSH from pre- to 30 minutes post-exercise. Ingestion of KS resulted in a significant increase in ketone levels and reduction in heart rate during the exercise test.

These findings suggest that 7 days of supplementation with a KS supplement does not impact markers of OS but reduces heart rate.

  To investigate the relationship of the core power and endurance with variables of athletic performance such as T test, medicine ball throw test, vertical jump test and 40 yard dash test in random intermittent dynamic type sports (RIDS). 58 male collegiate athletes involved in RIDS with mean age of 19.41 ± 1.19 years, height of 172 ± 6.62 cm, weight of 67.41 ± 8.80 kg and BMI of 22.56 ± 2.00 participated in this correlation study. The subjects were tested for core power, core endurance and performance variables. The core endurance was measured by McGill protocol and double leg lowering test (DLL) and the core power was measured by 60 seconds maximal sit-up test. McGill protocol was positively correlated with medicine ball throw test (r = 0.688) and vertical jump test (r = 0.463). A strong negative correlation of McGill was identified with 40 yard dash test (r = -0.525) and T test (r = -0.687). At the same time DLL was positively correlated with 40 yard dash test (r = 0.374) and T test (r = 0.524). Only medicine ball throw test related significantly with the tests of core power. McGill test and DLL more significantly correlates with the performance variables such as medicine ball throw test, vertical jump test, 40 yard dash test and T test when compared with the core power measures of 60 seconds maximal sit-up test. The current study results also show that core muscle endurance is necessary for optimal performance and should not be neglected.

    The dynamics and competitiveness of squash place a high demand on the musculoskeletal system of players, thus increasing the injury risk of youth squash players. The purpose of this study was to analyze and report the musculoskeletal injury epidemiology of junior elite squash players. Twenty-one male adolescent squash players were included in this retrospective analysis of routinely collected data over a period of 6-years. Origin, location, diagnosis and incidence of all injuries are reported. A total of 212 injuries were recorded: 58% of these injuries (n = 124) were squash (on-court) related, 16% (n = 33) were because of other training activities and 26% of these injuries were (n = 55) non-squash related. Most of squash related training injuries were in the lower limbs (67%, n = 105). The most frequently reported diagnosis was “osteochondrosis” (22%, n = 34), followed by “contusion” (13%, n = 20). Time-loss injuries accounted for 103 injuries and the overall injury incidence was 4.78 per 1000 hours of training. It was established that pre-mature squash players are at greater risk of growth related injuries during their peak growth period. A significant number of injuries at junior level are found to occur outside of training time and result in periods of time loss. As a result, skill acquisition is negatively affected which in turn negatively affects development opportunities in junior athletes.

Many papers have been published on the topic of basketball players’ performance. Most of them have come from authors covering the field from USA and Europe, whereas the number of papers from the rest of the world, particularly Asia, has so far been small in numbers. Evaluate the significance of the observed parameters in relation to the game outcome (winning/losing) at the last continental championship, 2017 FIBA Asia Cup. The sample of entity consisted of 40 games played at 2017 FIBA Asia Cup. The sample of variables consisted of 13 variables registered in the manner as set out by FIBA regulations and 15 derived (relative) variables. Accordingly, two basic models of regression were formed, i.e. absolute and relative, and they had the number of total points scored as their dependent variable. The correlation between the two models was performed by means of regression and correlation analysis of the two models - stepwise regression. The obtained regression models and partial correlation indicate that winning and losing performance was heavily influenced in the absolute model, by the following: ΔFGM, ΔMFT, and ΔM3, accounting for 95.9% of difference. The second model extracted: ΔFG%, ΔTO%, ΔDR%, ΔPTS3%, and ΔFT%, accounting for 90.7% of difference between winning and losing teams. Considering the significance of shooting and defensive rebounding, basketball coaches have been strongly advised, in this and many previous works, to pay special attention to these segments of the game.

  Body composition and dietary pattern in athletes are important factors in improving performance. The athletes use a wide range of supplements, most of which are not prescribed by specialists. The aims of the present study were the assessment of body composition and food frequency questionnaire of elite Iranian soccer players in Tehran province. The type and frequency of used supplements were assessed. The study was a cross-sectional study on 10 - 34 year-old male soccer players. Body composition was measured by body impedance analyzer. Dietary pattern was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. The type and frequency of used supplements assessed was evaluated by an open-ended questionnaire with the main supplement groups. In total, 3839 soccer players from Tehran leagues participated in this study. The mean ± SD height, age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were 170.7 ± 10.6 cm, 17.8 ± 4.2 years, 61.9 ± 12.9 kg and 21.0 ± 2.8 Kg/m2, respectively. The most frequently used in the main food groups was bread in grain group (82%, 4 - 7 times/week). Skeletal muscle mass had a significant relationship with the frequency of high protein containing foods consumption (P: 0.007) (CI: 0.004 - 0.02). Energy drinks (11.4%), antioxidant and vitamins supplements (6.4%), carbohydrate supplements (6.3%) and protein supplements (5.7%) were the more frequent supplements used. The present study showed that body composition of Iranian young male soccer players had some differences in relation to that in the other countries. The soccer players should be educated in the field of healthy nutrition and best food groups and supplement selection.

  Soccer is the one of the most popular sports in the world, with more than 265 million players globally. However, this game carries with it the risk of a wide variety of injuries and illnesses, which can cause playing time losses and economic burdens to both the individual athletes and the sports organizations. This study was designed to investigate the incidences, severities, and causes of the injuries and illnesses sustained by soccer players involved in the Saudi Professional League during the 2015 - 2016 soccer season. Ten professional soccer clubs (300 total players) who participated in the Saudi Professional League were followed prospectively throughout the 2015 - 2016 season. The physicians and physical therapists from each team reported the daily occurrences of their players’ injuries and illnesses using a standardized medical report form. Out of the 386 injuries reported, 86% of the injuries were expected to result in playing time lost. Contact with another player was the most frequently reported injury cause during competition and training. Contusions, hematomas, and bruises (n = 138, 35%) were the injuries most commonly reported, followed by strains, muscle ruptures, and tears (n = 68, 17.6%). Seventy-five illnesses were reported in 63 players, with the most common diagnoses being respiratory tract infections (n = 33, 44%) and gastroenteritis (n = 14, 18%). This results of this study showed the injury and illness profiles of professional soccer players in Saudi Arabia. Contusions, hematomas, and bruises were the injuries most commonly reported, while respiratory tract infections were the most common illnesses. Contact with another player and overuse were the most common causes of the injuries. These study findings can serve as a valuable reference for understanding the nature of the injuries and illnesses of soccer players, and ultimately, the implementation of effective preventive strategies.