Persistent and reversible cardiac dysfunction among amateur marathon runners.

AIMS: Transient systolic and diastolic abnormalities in ventricular function have previously been documented during endurance sports. However, these described alterations may be limited by the techniques applied. We sought, using less load-dependent methods, to characterize both the extent and the chronology of the cardiac changes associated with endurance events. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed prior to, immediately after, and approximately 1 month after completion of the 2003 Boston Marathon in 20 amateur athletes. TTE included two-dimensional, spectral and tissue Doppler (TD) and flow propagation velocity (V(p)). After completion of the marathon, global measures of left ventricular (LV) systolic function were unchanged (EF 59 +/- 6 vs. 61 +/- 4% post, P = 0.14), whereas TD-derived measures of LV systolic function [septal strain -23 +/- 5 vs. -17 +/- 4%, P = 0.007; septal strain rate (SR) -1.5 +/- 0.3 vs. -1.1+/- 0.2 s(-1), P = 0.007] and right ventricular (RV) systolic function (RV apical strain -33 +/- 4 vs. -27 +/- 5%, P = 0.001; RV apical SR -2.4 +/- 0.7 vs. -1.8 +/- 0.5, P = 0.002) were reduced. Significant changes in transmitral velocity (E/A ratio 2.0 +/- 0.5 vs.1.3 +/- 0.3, P = 0.005) and TD indices of LV and RV diastolic function (E(a) septal 9.5 +/- 1.8 vs. 8.1 +/- 1.2 cm/s post-marathon, P = 0.01) were also observed, indicating an inherent alteration in LV relaxation. Although all indices of LV and RV systolic function had returned to normal on follow-up, there were persistent diastolic abnormalities (RV E(a), 11.5 +/- 1.5 cm/s pre-marathon vs. 10.0 +/- 1.6 cm/s follow-up, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Marathon running leads to transient systolic and more persistent diastolic dysfunction of both the LV and the RV.     

Intra-rater Reliability of a Qualitative Landing Scale for the Single-Hop Test: A Pilot Study

BackgroundThe test battery classically used for return-to-sport (RTS) decision-making after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) may not be sufficient, as it does not include a qualitative analysis of movement. Therefore, the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scale was adapted to a primary functional test in the typical RTS test battery: the single leg hop for distance (SHD).Hypothesis/ PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the intra-rater reliability of the LESS scale adapted to the SHD (SHD-LESS scale) in healthy young athletes.Study DesignReliability analysisMethodsNineteen healthy individuals (14 men, 5 women; mean age: 22.4 years) participated in the study. Participants performed the SHD tasks on both limbs (dominant and non-dominant) using a standardized protocol in two sessions that were one week apart (single reviewer; 2-dimensional video). Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC2,1) were used to measure the reproducibility of the scale in the dominant (dom) and non-dominant (nondom) limbs. Additionally, limb data (dom and nondom) were pooled and evaluated collectively with intra-class correlation coefficients. The Kappa coefficient was used to assess the reproducibility of each individual item of SHD-LESS scale.ResultsThe intra-rater reliability was good (ICCdom = 0.77; ICCnondom = 0.87; ICCpooled = 0.87) for the overall SHD-LESS scale scores. Agreement of SHD-LESS individual items ranged from 62% to 100%. Dorsiflexion at initial contact (97% agreement; kappa value=0.79) and knee valgus after landing (88% agreement; kappa value=0.65) had excellent agreement and kappa values.ConclusionThe newly-adapted SHD-LESS scale showed good intra-rater reliability overall. Further studies should evaluate the impact of using the SHD-LESS scale within the RTS test battery on outcomes in patients after ACLR.Level of Evidence3     

OSG-Distorsion: Konservative Therapie der lateralen Bandläsion

Ankle sprains are among the most frequent injuries seen within a sportsmedical practice. Consequently, questions such as optimal treatment options (surgical vs. non-surgical), planing of specific physiotherapeutic therapies and timing of return to competition represent major challenges for the physician in charge. Therefore, immediate therapeutic management should focus on lace-up bracing, manual therapeutic joint mobilisation and sensorimotor training. In case of grade III-IV lesions or persistent instability after six month of non-surgical treatment surgical intervention might be re-evaluated. In order to make use of alternative non-surgical procedures such as PRP- or hyaluronic acid injections further research is needed.     

The growing role of football as a vehicle for interventions in mental health care

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of football as a vehicle for mental health interventions. This paper outlines some of the ways that mental health service providers have begun to develop strategies with football clubs, the Football Association and government departments that involve playing or watching football and placing mental health services in football clubs. The paper also looks at how some attempts are being made at regional and national levels to develop and bring together services that use football as a vehicle for mental health service delivery.     

初中生心理健康状况与运动关系的研究

目的评价初中生心理健康状况,并了解运动与心理健康的关系。方法采用《心理健康诊断测验》和运动干预研究,对313名初中学生进行测查。结果初中生心理健康状况呈现问题多、程度轻的状态;重点中学初中生情绪焦虑的发生率为44.30%,但程度重;普通中学初中生情绪焦虑的发生率为58.33%,但程度较轻。运动对于减轻心理问题的发生有显著作用,运动前后所测得分差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。结论无论是普通中学还是重点中学的初中生焦虑问题不容忽视。体育锻炼有助于学生释放心理压力。     

田径运动员的赛前焦虑及调控

本文研究了田径运动员赛前心理焦虑产生的原因，分析了相应的调控方法。希望通过本研究能给田径教练员理论支持，同时对运动员赛前保持良好心理状态提供一定的帮助。