Asian Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume:11 Issue: 4, Dec 2020

There have been numerous articles about the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). But there has been no specific article describing ACL in Asian countries.

This study aims to provide the publications about ACL in Asian countries in the last 10 years.

We searched English full text with keywords “ACL” OR “Anterior Cruciate Ligament” AND “injury” OR “tear” OR “rupture” that were published from January 1st 2010 to December 31st 2019 on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. We included articles with at least one author affiliation in an Asian country. We analyzed the number of published articles per year, top 10 journals with the highest number of publications, top 5 authors with the highest number of published articles in the first order author, top 10 countries with the highest number of published articles, and the type of study.

A total of 821 articles were analyzed, of which 821 were included. Analysis of the number of articles by year revealed that 2019 was the highest number of published articles (n = 150; 18.3%). Study type analysis revealed that clinical research (n = 398; 48.5%) was the most frequent study type. Cohort studies were the most frequent type of clinical research (n = 169; 42.5%). The journal of knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy (KSSTA) had the highest number of publications in general (n = 108; 13.2%). Jung Ho Noh (n = 8) was the top author with the highest number of published articles in the first author order, and Ryosuke Kuroda (n = 24) was the top author with the highest number of published articles. Japan was the top country with the highest number of published articles (n = 203; 24.7%). Most of the studies (n = 395; 48.1%) were published in high index journals with an impact factor > 1.0.

There has been an increase in the ACL publications among Asian authors over the past 10 years with the high impact journal publishers. This article demonstrates the increased interest in the ACL topic and could be used as a basis for future studies.

Aging has been associated with negative changes in the neuromuscular system, significantly impairing the performance of daily life activities. A number of studies have validated functional tests (e.g. timed-up-and-go, gait speed) for the assessment of daily activity performance in the elderly. Thus, it is critical to understand the role of exercise training in this context. The practice of resistance training (RT) has been found to promote muscle strength in the elderly; however, we cannot safely state that any of these resistance exercise protocols would lead to improved performance of functional parameters (e.g. timed-up-and-go, gait speed, getting out of a chair) of this population. To assess the effects of RT on functional parameters of the elderly and to undertake a detailed assessment of the exercise protocols surveyed.

PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and PEDro databases were used to search the literature. A total of 917 articles were initially selected, of which 10 peer-reviewed articles met the search criteria.

In the included studies, the positive effects of RT on the functional parameters of the elderly were observed. The training protocols presented the following characteristics: duration of 12 – 16 - 24 - 36 - 60 - 72 sec and 96 sessions; frequency of 1 - 3 sessions per week; training volume of 2 - 5 sets of 4 - 15 repetitions; 40 - 60 - 90 - 120 - 180 sec rest interval between sets; 40 - 60 - 90 - 120 - 180 sec rest interval between exercises; 24 - 48 - 72 hour rest interval between sessions; 40 - 85% intensity of one maximum repetition; isotonic contractions, contraction velocity (as fast as possible-1 - 2 - 3 seconds to concentric and 2 - 3 seconds to eccentric phases).

Although the benefits of RT were observed, it was not possible to determine that any of these resistance exercise protocols would lead to improved performance of functional parameters (e.g. timed-up-and-go, gait speed, getting out of a chair) of this population, given the limitations we found in the research papers reviewed.

To date, the mechanisms of post-exercise cardiac troponin elevation are debatable. Previous studies have reported that oxidative stress happens after extended exercise.

This study purposed to establish the association between the elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a marker of oxidative stress, and cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I) after prolonged cycling.

Ninety-two males in Indonesian cycling tours participated in the present study. Baseline and post-exercise blood specimens were obtained to define MDA and cTn-I levels. The elevations of MDA and cTn-I were determined as positive differences of post-cycling MDA and cTn-I levels to the baseline, respectively.

Eighty-eight participants (age, mean = 45.3 years old, [SD]:11.47; body mass index (BMI), mean=24.2 kg/m2 , [SD]: 3.03) finished the cycling tours. Subjects’ characteristics were comparable based on the touring category, except for the family history of coronary artery disease, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, neutrophil count, resting heart rate, exercise intensity, and cTn-I elevation. MDA significantly escalated at the level of 210.90 µmol/mL at post-exercise, from 190.18 µmol/mL at baseline. cTn-I also increased at the level of 13.65 ng/dL from 5.16 ng/dL. The elevation of MDA was related to the elevation of cTn-I. Elevation of cTn-I after prolonged cycling was contributed by elevation of MDA and exercise intensity.

The present findings support existing confirmation that cTn-I elevation after prolonged exercise is related to oxidative stress and exercise intensity

Extreme dieting is a well-known phenomenon in combat sports, and still, little research has explored the link between extreme dieting and confidence levels among martial artists.

In this cross-sectional study, extreme dieting and sport-specific self-confidence among 111 Swedish athletes practicing mixed martial arts (MMA) or Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) were examined. Athletes completed an online survey containing the Eating Disorder Examination questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Trait Sport-Confidence inventory (TSCI).

The results showed that MMA athletes dieted in more extreme ways than BJJ athletes, primarily via restricted eating. They also had higher sport-specific self-confidence, which was positively correlated with weight loss. BJJ athletes used less restrictive eating than MMA athletes, but those who did diet in extreme ways experienced lower self-confidence compared to MMA athletes.

The results are consistent with previous studies showing rapid weight loss in MMA athletes and suggest that some martial artists are at a particular risk of extreme dieting and possible sequelae. There is a link between self-confidence and weight loss, but it seems to allude to a comprehensive explanation and is in need of further research.

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 are anabolic hormones that play a vital role in the growth of various physical organs. Exercise is one of the stimuli that affect GH and IGF-1 secretion.

This study aimed to compare the effect of two types of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on plasma levels of GH and IGF-l in overweight nurses.

In this study, 27 nurses were voluntarily selected and randomly assigned to three groups (9 participants for each group): 1. HIIT (type 1), including eight seconds of spring running and 12 seconds of active recovery, 2. HIIT (type 2), including a 40-meter shuttle run with maximum speed, 3. control. HIIT (type 1) was performed for four weeks, three sessions per week, each session 6 - 9 min with more than 90% HRmax. HIIT (type 2) was applied for four weeks, three sessions per week, with more than 90% HRmax. The control group did not participate in any training protocol. The serum value of GH and IGF-1 were compared in three groups. The data were analyzed by the dependent t-test and ANOVA. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the intergroup data at P h 0.05.

The results showed that HIIT (type 1) and (type 2) significantly increased plasma GH (P = 0.032 in group 2 and P = 0.010 in group 1) and IGF-l (P = 0.004 in group 2 and P = 10.013 in group 1) levels in nurses. The results showed a significant difference in the variables (GH and IGF-l) among HIIT (type 1), HIIT (type 2), and control groups.

It can be concluded that four weeks of adverse intermittent exercises are effective in increasing the concentration of GH and IGF-1 serum and decreased percentage body fat in young nurses with overweight, and proportional to the intensity of the exercise protocol response rate is different.

Millions of South African youths participate in team sports, with netball and rugby being two of the largest worldwide. This increased participation and professionalism has resulted in an increase in the number of musculoskeletal injuries.

This study examined the extent to which sport coaching knowledge translates to the injuries and prevention of injuries in adolescents participating in netball and rugby.

Thirty-four South African sport coaches participated in the study. Eighteen netball coaches and 16 rugby coaches with varying levels of coaching experience were selected to participate. An adapted version of Nash and Sproule’s questionnaire was used to investigate the coaches’ knowledge with regards to sport specific common injuries, injury prevention, fitness/conditioning, individual technique development, training programs, mental training, and preparation of players. The analysis of data was carried out using a number of different techniques, outlined by Nash and Sproule (2012). These techniques were determined by the type of data. Descriptive data was used to provide statistical analysis. Quantitative data was used to determine the educational framework and knowledge of sport coaches on injury prevention. Numerical data was obtained through questions on sport injuries, as well as coaches’ sport knowledge level. Participants’ knowledge was measured using a standardized scoring system.

For the 0-4 years of netball coaching experience, 76.4% of the coaches had knowledge and experience and 33.3% appropriate first aid knowledge, while for the 9-12 years and 13-16 years, 100% of the coaches had knowledge and experience and first aid knowledge. For the 0 - 4 years in rugby coaching experience, 59.1% had knowledge and experience and 71% the appropriate first aid knowledge, for the 17 - 20 years 100% had knowledge and experience and first aid, while for higher or equal to 25 years, 45.5% had knowledge and experience. In netball, 90% of injuries consisted of ankle injuries, followed by 70% for knee, 50% for shoulder, 20% for lower leg, and 15% for finger injuries. In rugby, 81% of the injuries occurred at the knee, followed by 50% for shoulder, 40% for ankle, 31% for head and neck, and 25% for hamstring injuries. Six hours of training resulted in a 13% chance of injuries in netball and a 32% chance in rugby. For 10 hours of training, the injury prevalence was 10% in netball and 17% in rugby, while 15 hours resulted in an injury incidence of 58% in netball players and a 25% chance in rugby players.

This study highlights the need for coaches to improve their knowledge in relation to injuries and injury prevention, along with factors that act as a preventative measure and promote players’ well-being

This study aims to categorize the adaptation strategies of Muslim athletes who fast during Ramadan and proposes a self-coping strategy questionnaire as a complementary assessment tool. A total of 109 Jordanian Muslim athletes (mean age 20.0 ± 8.5 years) were surveyed by completing a self-coping questionnaire designed to classify an individual athlete’s level of adaptation. This study was conducted during the month of Ramadan 2019 and developed based on the training, nutritional, psychological, self-control, and recovery dimensions. Seventy percent of athletes found that they developed good or very good coping mechanisms. Coping strategies vary from one dimension to another, but in general, athletes often had a positive perceived coping. Athletes expressed that they are shifting the training hours with a preference for quality training rather than quantity and associated with a longer rest time. In addition, they were in favor of food hygiene associated with a strategy of sharing meals and providing water. The majority (59%) of the athletes said they were psychologically prepared for the potential effects of fasting. This research shows that athletes develop self-adjusting strategies to counter the effects of fasting. The questionnaire on the self-coping strategies provides important and precise information on the level of coping achieved by the athletes.