Asian Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume:4 Issue: 1, Mar 2013

Hamstring injuries are common among football players. There is still disagreement regarding prevention. The aim of this review is to determine whether static stretching reduces hamstring injuries in football codes. A systematic literature search was conducted on the online databases PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane, Web of Science, Bisp and Clinical Trial register. Study results were presented descriptively and the quality of the studies assessed were based on Cochrane’s ‘risk of bias’ tool. The review identified 35 studies, including four analysis studies. These studies show deficiencies in the quality of study designs. The study protocols are varied in terms of the length of intervention and follow-up. No RCT studies are available, however, RCT studies should be conducted in the near future.

: anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse for improving physical appearance and performance in body builders are common and have been considered responsible for serious cardiovascular effect. Due to disagreement about cardiovascular side effects of these drugs in published articles, this case control study was designed to evaluate the echocardiographic finding in body builder athletes who are current and chronic abuser of these drugs. body builder athletes with continues sport for preceding two years and at least twice weekly training selected and divided into AAS abuser and non user and compared with age and BMI matched non athletic healthy volunteers(15 cases in each group). There was no significant difference in left ventricular size or function either systolic or diastolic in comparison of cases and control groups. The only difference was in diastolic size of septum and free wall but observed differences were only significant (P value=0.05) between first (athletic with AAS abuser) and third group (non athletic and nonuser). The difference between the above mentioned indexes were not significant between two groups of athletics. Observed differences in diastolic size of septum and free wall is in favor of that long term abuse of anabolic steroid results in accentuation of physiologic hypertrophy due to long term sport most probably due to higher rate pressure product. Furthermore long term abuse and supra pharmacologic doses does not have significant effect in size and left ventricular function.

The present study investigated the changes in single skinfold thicknesses and body fat during an ultra-endurance cycling race. One hundred and nineteen ultra-endurance cyclists in the ‘Swiss Cycling Marathon’ covering a distance of 600 km were included. Changes in skinfold thickness, fat mass, skeletal muscle mass and total body water were estimated using anthropometric methods. The subjects were riding at a mean speed of 23.5±4.0 km/h and finished the race within 1,580±296 min. During the race, body mass decreased by 1.5±1.2 kg (P<0.001), and fat mass decreased by 1.5±1.1 kg (P<0.001). Skeletal muscle mass and total body water remained unchanged (P>0.05). The decrease in body mass correlated to the decrease in fat mass (r= 0.20, P=0.03). The skinfold thicknesses at pectoral (-14.7%), abdominal (-14.9%), and thigh (-10.2%) site showed the largest decrease. The decrease in abdominal skinfold was significantly and negatively related to cycling speed during the race (r= -0.31, P<0.001). Cycling 600 km at ~23 km/h led to a decrease in fat mass and in all skinfold thicknesses. The largest decrease in skinfold thickness was recorded for pectoral, abdominal, and thigh site. The decrease in abdominal skinfold thickness was negatively related to cycling speed. The body seems to reduce adipose subcutaneous fat during an ultra-endurance performance at the site of the thickest skinfold.

The aim of this work was to investigate the metabolic and muscle damage responses after the level-1 Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIRT) in young football players. Fifteen male football players (17.42 ± 0.2 yrs, 69.91 ± 4.4 kg, 178.64 ± 3.8 cm; mean ± SD) participated in this study. Fasting blood samples for various biochemical parameters (i.e. lactate (Lac), glucose (GLC), triglycerides (Tri), creatine kinase (CK), uric acid (UA)) collected from a forearm vein after 5-min of seated rest and 3-min after the test. Moreover, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and maximal heart rate during and after the YYIRT were recorded. Mean levels of the selected biochemical markers were raised after the YYIRT exercise (P<0.001 for the other markers). Moreover, lipid parameters increased significantly after the test (P<0.01 for Tri and P<0.001 for HDL). These findings confirm the higher metabolic demand of aerobic as well as anaerobic metabolism and reflect a significant mobilization of purine cycle during the YYIRT. The increase of muscle damage markers also reflects the higher anaerobic solicitation. From these findings, we can conclude the importance of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during soccer-specific endurance performance (i.e. YYIRT, soccer match).

Fungal infections are one of the most common skin infections. Athletes, especially in contact sports such as wrestlers are the group at risk of fungal skin infections (FSI). The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of FSI and some effective factors in wrestlers in Tehran, Iran. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study which was conducted in 2009 and subjects were wrestlers of wrestling clubs of Tehran, Iran. In this study the prevalence of FSI and its related factors was collected based on clinical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. We also determined the rate of dermatophytic contamination of wrestling mats. The relationship between independent variables and incidence of fungal infection analyzed by Chi square test and regression analysis. In this study, out of 454 wrestlers, 111 (24.5%) subjects had suspicious fungal skin lesions on physical examination. The Prevalence of FSI was 8.2% in all of the wrestlers (34.2% of the wrestlers with suspicious lesion). Malassezia furfur (50%) and trichophyton tonsurans (30%) were the most common causative agents. Epidermophyton floccosum (7.5%), Trichophyton rubrum (5%), Candida albicans (5%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.5%) were other isolated fungi. Eleven wrestling mats (44%) were contaminated with different fungal organisms. The prevalence of fungal skin infection in Iranian wrestlers is relatively high. Appropriate preventive measures need to be prepared and implemented to reduce incidence of FSI in wrestlers.

The repetitive micro traumatic stresses placed on the athletes shoulder joint complex during the throwing motion challenge the surrounding tissues. The purpose of this study was to compare shoulder rotational strength, range of motion and proprioception between the throwing athletes and non-athletic persons. Fifteen throwing athletes and 15 non-athletes participated in a nonrandom case – control study. Strength of shoulder rotational movements was tested with a hand held dynamometer. The ranges of internal and external rotation of shoulder were measured by a standard goniometer. The ability of subjects to replicate the target position and kinesthetic sense was examined on the subjects’ right shoulder by using a continuous passive motion device. Independent and paired t tests were used to statistically analyze between and within group differences. No significant difference was detected on the range of internal rotation between throwing athletes and non-athletic candidates (P=0.3). The range of external rotation was significantly more in athletic subjects (P=0.03). The results also showed that throwing athletes demonstrated a significantly higher isometric strength of shoulder external and internal rotation than the non-athletic group (P<0.05). However, the comparison of the internal and external rotation strength of dominant side in each group showed that throwing athletes showed a significant lower isometric strength of shoulder external rotation than internal rotation (P<0.001). It was also demonstrated higher joint position acuity in the throwing athletes than non athlete subjects (P=0.01). The repetitive nature of overhead throwing and the high forces that it causes result in adaptive changes of the dominant extremity. Throwing can lead to mobility, strength and neural adaptation.

This study was designed to examine the relationship between multiple short­-passing ability [measured using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT)] and athletic performances in youth soccer players. Forty-two young soccer players (age 14.8±0.4years) performed the LSPT, the squat-jump (SqJ), the countermovement-jump (CMJ), the 30m sprints (with 5m and 20m split times also recorded), the 15m agility run (Agility-15m), the 15m ball dribbling (Ball-15m), the Illinois agility test (IAGT) and the Yo-Yo IRT Level 1 tests. LSPT total performance (LSPT TP) showed significant positive correlation with 5m, 20m, and 30m sprint times, Agility-15m, Ball-15m and Illinois agility test (r=0.60, r=0.58, r=0.49, r=0.75, r=0.71 and r=0.72; P<0.01, respectively). Significant negative correlation were found between LSPT TP and SqJ and CMJ (r=−0.62 and r=−0.64; P<0.01, respectively). It was determined that Agility-15m, Illinois agility test and Ball-15m were the most effective factors associated with LSPT TP among other factors in multiple regression analysis. This study showed that LSPT TP of young elite soccer players is determined by their agility abilities, thus enabling this test to be used for talent identification purposes.

This study tested the clinical utility and relevance of serum phosphorus and magnesium as markers possibly useful to monitor training in athletes. Phosphorus and magnesium serum concentrations of 130 elite track and field athletes (65 males and 65 females, age range 20-30 years) from the National Athletics Sports Medicine Center database in Thessaloniki, Greece were measured. Abnormal results were found in 61 (47%) athletes (32 men and 29 women). In male athletes, serum phosphate was higher than normal in 18% and decreased in 1.5%, whereas serum magnesium concentration was higher in 26%, and lower in 3%. Regarding female athletes, higher serum phosphate and magnesium levels were detected in 26% and 17% respectively, whereas decreased serum magnesium was found in 3%. The most common alterations were higher serum phosphate (29/61, 47%) and magnesium concentrations (28/61, 46%). Abnormalities of serum phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were detected in almost half of the athletes. Hyperphosphataemia and hypermagnesaemia were the most common abnormalities. The reference intervals used for general population cannot be used for athletes. Given the lack of pathological manifestations, the physio­pathological significance of these findings is uncertain. Further studies on the interpretation of reported ion concentrations in athletes should take in account the type of sport practiced and also the possible variations during the training and competition season.

Impairment of learning and memory processes has been demonstrated by many studies using different stressors. Other reports suggested that exercise has a powerful behavioral intervention to improve cognitive function and brain health. In this research, we investigated protective effects of treadmill running on chronic stress–induced memory deficit in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=10) as follows: Control (Co), Sham (Sh), Stress (St), Exercise (Ex) and Stress and Exercise (St & Ex) groups. Chronic restraint stress was applied by 6h/day/21days and also treadmill running at a speed 20-21­m/min for 1h/day/21days. Memory function was evaluated by the passive avoidance test in different intervals (1, 7 and 21 days) after foot shock. Our results showed that: 1) Although exercise alone showed beneficial effects especially on short and mid-term memory (P<0.05) in comparison with control group, but synchronized exercise with stress had not significantly improved short, mid and long-term memory deficit in stressed rats. 2) Short and mid-term memory deficit was significantly (P<0.05) observed in synchronized exercise with stress and stress groups with respect to normal rats. 3) Memory deficit in synchronized exercise with stress group was nearly similar to stressed rats. 4) Helpful effects of exercise were less than harmful effects of stress when they were associated together. The data correspond to the possibility that although treadmill running alone has helpful effects on learning and memory consolidation, but when it is synchronized with stress there is no significant benefit and protective effects in improvement of memory deficit induced by chronic stress. However, it is has a better effect than no training on memory deficit in stressed rats

To investigate the blood pressure responses during recovery after two protocols of circuit resistance exercises (CRE) with different rest intervals (RI). Eleven normotensive males (aged 19.5 ± 1.0 yrs, height 172.8 ± 5.7 cm and weight 65.1 ± 8.1 kg) performed two CRE with RI of 30 (RI30s) and 40 (RI40s) seconds between the exercises randomly, as well as a control session without exercise. The protocols consisted of 3 circuits of 6 exercises with 10 repetitions maximum (10RM) and 2 minute rest between circuits, followed by an 80 minute recovery period. Measurements were taken before exercise and at each 10 min of post-exercise recovery. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Repeated Measures (group × time) was used to analyze data, followed by post-hoc Bonferroni test, for P≤0.05. Post-exercise hypotension of systolic blood pressure was observed after both CRE with RI30s and RI40s (at R40, R50, R60, R70 and R80), whereas diastolic blood pressure did not differ from that measured at rest. In all measured moments, there was no significant difference between exercise trials in post-exercise levels of SBP and DBP. CRE with RI30s and RI40s between the exercises can lead to occurrence of PEH similarly in magnitude and duration. Our findings suggest a potentially positive health benefit of strength training.

Our study aims to investigate the effectiveness of other treatment methods for burn related scarring and to determine the possibility of their routine administration in similar clinical settings. Through a prospective study, 66 patients were enrolled to receive either the conventional pressure garment therapy (PGT) and Silicone (control group) or exercise and physiotherapy (case group). Patients were visited regularly to be examined for the status of their scar's regression, limb's dysfunction, and joint motion. Then, these two groups were compared to determine the efficacy of exercise and physiotherapy as an alternative to the conventional treatment with PGT. After about 20 months follow-up, decreased articular range of motion (ROM) was: 16 (51.5%) cases compared to 5 (15%) of controls had mild, 11 (35.5%) of the cases compared to 13 (39.5%) of the controls had moderate; and 4 (13%) of the cases compared to 15 (45.5%) of the controls had severe decreased ROM which revealed statistically significant difference (P<0.01). At the same time, Vancouver Scar Scale score was: 15 (48%) of the cases and 6 (18%) of the controls had mild Scar Scale, 12 (39%) of the cases and 14 (42.5%) of the controls had moderate score and 4 (3%) of the cases and 13 (39.5%) of the controls had severe score which revealed a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Our study showed that physical therapy andexercise are more effective than PGT, in management of burn hypertrophic scar, hence could be an alternative in cases that conventional therapy cannot be used for any reason.

Suprascapular neuropathy (SSN) is generally thought of as a diagnosis of exclusion. However, increasing attention is being paid to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of this pathology to prevent chronic supraspinatus and infraspinatus atrophy in patients. To date, literature has only articulated variable or customized treatment and rehabilitation plans without clear standardized care. This case study provides a detailed description of the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of a collegiate baseball player’s recovery from suprascapular nerve release. A 20 year-old male baseball pitcher with right shoulder pain reported for athletic training evaluation, was treated conservatively, and due to lack of resolution was referred for further imaging and evaluation by an orthopedist. Following inconclusive magnetic resonance imaging findings the patient underwent electrodiagnostic testing which showed decreased nerve conduction velocity of the right suprascapular nerve. The patient elected for surgical intervention. Post-operative rehabilitation followed and the patient was able to pitch in 22 weeks. The patient provided positive subjective feedback and was able to return to unrestricted pitching without pain, loss of velocity, or loss in pitch control. This study demonstrates a need for further investigation into the most appropriate treatment and rehabilitation of suprascapular nerve injury.