Jones type fifth metatarsal fracture fixation in athletes: A review and current concept

Jones type fifth metatarsal fracture is a common occurrence among athletes at all levels. These fractures may occur due to several mechanisms, but inversions and twisting injuries are considered some of the leading causes in sports. However, while Jones fracture incidences are frequent in the sporting world, there is still a lack of consensus on how such fractures should be effectively managed. There are numerous treatment options for patients with fifth metatarsal Jones fractures. The role of nonoperative treatment remains controversial, with concerns about delayed union and nonunion. Surgical stabilization of metatarsal Jones fractures is therefore often recommended for athletes, as it is often associated with a low number of complications and a higher rate of union than nonoperative management. This review will focus on literature regarding the prevalence of Jones type fifth metatarsal fracture, alongside the efficacy of both conservative and surgical treatment within this population.     

Use of the Menstrual Cycle to Enhance Female Sports Performance and Decrease Sports-Related Injury

The impact of the menstrual cycle on female sports performance is a growing interest area in sports and athletics. In March 2017, the British Journal of Sports Medicine, published the article, “Sport, Exercise and the Menstrual Cycle: Where is the Research?”, highlighting the significant under-representation of women included in sport and exercise medicine research studies. Dr. Georgie Bruinvels, a research scientist, is focused primarily on menstruation in female athletes and use of the menstrual cycle to optimize training and performance, while decreasing injury. Bruinvels, states, “There is a body of research emerging that highlights that strength training is more advantageous in the first half of the menstrual cycle because the body adapts and recovers better. Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology has a place in this emerging interest area, given our level of expertise in menstruation, female physiology and the often-avoided female pubertal physiology.     

Reliability of a portable fixed frame dynamometry system used to test lower limb strength in elite Australian Football League players

ObjectivesDeficits in strength of lower limb musculature have been associated with increased injury risk in a variety of athletic populations. As medical and performance staff seek to better understand the association between hip and knee strength measures and injury risk, measurement tools with high reliability and utility are required to profile and manage athletes effectively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of a portable fixed frame dynamometry system used to assess hip and knee strength of an elite Australian Football League team.DesignCase series.MethodsMaximum voluntary isometric strength of the hip abductors, hip adductors and knee flexors of 41 elite male Australian Football League footballers (mean age = 23.7 ± 4.1 years, height = 189.2 ± 7.0 cm, weight = 88.6 ± 8.4 kg) were tested during preseason training. Tests were performed one week apart on the same training day of a standard preseason week.ResultsTest-retest reliability was very high for left hip adduction (ICC 0.958), right hip adduction (ICC 0.955), left hip abduction (ICC 0.957), right hip abduction (ICC 0.945), left knee flexion (ICC 0.927) and right knee flexion (ICC 0.923). Furthermore, standard errors of measurement in per cent (SEM%) ranged from 3.21 to 5.03%, and minimal detectable change (MDC) from 3.93 to 6.65 kg for the different hip and thigh strength measures, making it possible to determine small changes in strength at the individual level.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated very high reliability when testing maximal voluntary isometric hip and knee strength using a portable fixed dynamometry system (KangaTech) in an elite male Australian Football League setting.     

Factors predisposing to patellar chondropathy and patellar apicitis in athletes

Summary Factors predisposing to patellar chondropathy (the PC group) and inferior patellar apicitis (jumper's knee — the PA group) were sought by means of a questionnaire, detailed quantitative physical measurements and radiological examination in male athletes. There were 20 athletes in the two groups who had typical symptoms and signs of each disorder. A group of 20 high-level athletes without knee symptoms served as a control group.The factors found in the PC group which differed significantly from those in the control group included increased anterior drawer sign (p<0.05), increased passive mediolateral patellar range of movement (p<0.001) and increased hyperextension (p<0.05). More leg length inequality (p<0.001) and patella alta (p<0.05) was observed in the PA group than in the controls.There was statistically significant positive correlation between the different measurements of knee laxity (anterior drawer sign, passive mediolateral patellar movement and hyperextension) in the 60 cases. The correlation coefficient between the length of the patellar tendon and passive mediolateral patellar movement was 0.82 (p<0.001).

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Résumé On a recherché, chez des athlètes de sexe masculin, à l'aide d'un questionnaire détaillant les mensurations physiques quantitatives et les résultats des examens radiologiques, les facteurs prédisposants à la chondropathie de la rotule (groupe CR) et à l'apexite patellaire inférieure (groupe AP). Dans chacun de ces 2 groupes il y avait 20 athlètes qui présentaient des symptômes typiques de l'une de ces 2 affections. Un groupe de 20 athlètes de haut niveau, asymptomatiques, a servi de groupe de contrôle (groupe C).Les facteurs trouvés dans le groupe CR qui différaient significativement de ceux du groupe C, étaient l'augmentation du tiroir antérieur (p<0.05), de la mobilité transversale de la rotule (p<0.001) et de l'hyperextension du genou (p<0.05). Dans le groupe AP, il y avait plus d'inégalités de longueur des membres inférieurs (p<0.001) et de patella alta (p<0.05) que dans le groupe C.Statistiquement, il y avait dans les 60 cas une corrélation positive significative entre les différents tests de laxité du genou. Le coefficient de corrélation entre la longueur du tendon rotulien et la mobilité transversale de la rotule était de 0.82 (p<0.001).

     

Redox homeostasis in sport: do athletes really need antioxidant support?

ABSTRACT

Supplementation with antioxidants received interest as suitable tool for preventing or reducing exercise-related oxidative stress possibly leading to improvement of sport performance in athletes.

To date, it is difficult to reach a conclusion on the relevance of antioxidants supplementation in athletes and/or well-trained people. The general picture that emerges from the available data indicates that antioxidants requirement can be covered by dosage equal or close to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) provided by consumption of a balanced, well-diversified diet. Nevertheless, it remains open the possibility that in specific context, such as in sports characterized by high intensity and/or exhaustive regimes, supplementation with antioxidants could be appropriated to avoid or reduce the damaging effect of these type of exercise. This review will discuss the findings of a number of key studies on the advantages and/or disadvantages for athletes of using antioxidants supplementation, either individually or in combination.