Bell Ringers: Factors Related to Concussive Events in Children Playing Tackle Football

Introduction

Sports-related concussion is a significant pediatric health risk, given the number of children involved in sports and the vulnerability of developing brains. Although most research has focused on high school/college athletes, these findings may not be applicable to younger athletes.

Right Ventricular Changes in Highly Trained Athletes: Between Physiology and Pathophysiology

Several studies have described the adaptive remodeling of the heart during exercise. In some more practiced endurance athletes, there is a disproportionate load on the right ventricle (RV), at least during exercise, and this might be the basis for a chronic pro-arrhythmic RV remodeling. Especially, in these kinds of athletes the recovery after detraining might be incomplete, in particular for RV changes. The observation of acute myocardial injury based on transient elevation of biomarkers and chronic myocardial scar, not completely reversible changes of the RV and an increased prevalence of some arrhythmias support the existence of an “exercise-induced cardiomyopathy.” The aim of this paper is to review current knowledge about changes in the right heart in highly trained athletes and how these change influence cardiac function.     

Extremity trauma: field management of sports injuries

Traumatic injuries to the extremities are common in athletic competitions. The practitioner providing coverage of sporting events must be prepared to diagnose and provide initial treatment of these injuries. A thorough history and physical examination should result in a provisional diagnosis. Many injuries will require subsequent radiographs or orthopedic consultation. Limb threatening emergencies are rare but must be promptly recognized and referred to a hospital. Early treatment can protect athletes from further injury and may hasten their return to competition. Some athletes with extremity trauma can return to the contest, but this decision must be made on an individual basis.     

Caffeine Reduces Myocardial Blood Flow During Exercise

Caffeine consumption has been receiving increased interest from both the medical and lay press, especially given the increased amounts now available in energy products. Acute ingestion of caffeine usually increases cardiac work; however, caffeine impairs the expected proportional increase in myocardial blood flow to match this increased work of the heart, most notably during exercise. This appears to be mainly due to caffeine's effect on blocking adenosine-induced vasodilatation in the coronary arteries in normal healthy subjects. This review summarizes the available medical literature specifically relating to pure caffeine tablet ingestion and reduced exercise coronary blood flow, and suggests possible mechanisms. Further studies are needed to evaluate this effect for other common caffeine-delivery systems, including coffee, energy beverages, and energy gels, which are often used for exercise performance enhancement, especially in teenagers and young athletes.     

安徽省高校大学生运动员疲劳性骨膜炎的流行病学调查

疲劳性骨膜炎又称应力性骨膜炎,是一种过度使用性损伤,在运动员和体育运动参加者中非常多见.疲劳性骨膜炎是骨的反应性炎症,在急性炎症阶段如能调整运动量,并给予适当治疗就可使炎症消退,组织修复,从而由不适应转化为新的适应,并可使负荷能力提高,否则有可能使病情进一步发展,甚至产生疲劳性骨折[1].     

Potential role of an athlete-focused echocardiogram in sports eligibility

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) of an athlete is a rare but tragic event and sport activity might play a trigger role in athletes with underlying structural or electrical heart diseases. Preparticipation screenings (PPs) have been conceived for the potential to prevent SCD in young athletes by early identification of cardiac diseases. The European Society of Cardiology protocol for PPs includes history collection, physical examination and baseline electrocardiogram, while further examinations are reserved to individuals with abnormalities at first-line evaluation. Nevertheless, transthoracic echocardiography has been hypothesized to have a primary role in the PPs. This review aims to describe how to approach an athlete-focused echocardiogram, highlighting what is crucial to focus on for the different diseases (cardiomyopathies, valvulopathies, congenital heart disease, myocarditis and pericarditis) and when is needed to pay attention to overlap diagnostic zone (“grey zone”) with the athlete's heart. Once properly tested, focused echocardiography by sports medicine physicians may become standard practice in larger screening practices, potentially available during first-line evaluation.     

Is the consumption of beverages and food associated to dental erosion? A cross-sectional study in Portuguese athletes

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study aimed to investigate if the consumption of acidic food and beverages, including energy drinks is associated with dental erosion in athletes.MethodsA questionnaire was applied in 110 athletes (swimmers, bodybuilders, football players, boxers, volleyball players and runners) to collect training and sport practice data, medical history and oral hygiene habits. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used for acidic beverages and food consumption. The Basic erosive wear examination index was used to evaluate the presence of dental erosion lesions. Participants were organized into 4 groups: swimmers who consumed or did not consume energy drinks, and athletes (except swimmers) who consumed or did not consume energy drinks.ResultsThe prevalence of dental erosion was 83.6%. Of the 110 participants, 49.1% had low risk of erosion, 6.4% had an average risk of erosion, and 0.9% presented high risk of erosion. According to the multivariate logistic analysis, red wine (OR = 1.6; P = 0.038), citrus fruit (OR = 1.3; P = 0.037), frequency of tooth brushing (OR = 2.3; P = 0.018), energy drinks consumption in swimmers (OR = 15.2; P < 0.001), and energy drinks consumption in athletes (OR = 6.3; P = 0.003) were significant risk factors of dental erosion, whereas spicy food was a protective factor (OR = 0.64; P = 0.024).ConclusionsThe consumption of energy drinks by swimmers more than doubles the chance of dental erosion (BEWE score of “at least low risk”) when compared with non-swimmer athletes consuming the same energy drinks. Athletes consuming energy drinks should be clinical and regularly supervised, especially for dental erosion.