Influenza A Outbreaks in Two Professional Ice Hockey Teams during COVID-19 Epidemic

Influenza A outbreaks occurred in two professional hockey teams just after two games they played against each other. Thirteen players and two staff members fell ill during 17–20 April 2022, while COVID-19 was prevalent. Altogether, seven players missed an important game due to influenza. The rapid diagnosis permitted effective pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical control of the outbreaks.     

Nonoperative treatment ofacromioclavicular joint injuries

Nonoperative treatment is generally the choice for Type I and II acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries. The situation issomewhat more controversial when Type III AC dislocations are considered, particularly with respect to athletes and heavy laborers. A number of recent studies have supported conservative treatment in these groups. There is general consensus as to the need for surgical intervention for Type IV, V, and VI AC injuries. Integral to any form of management, nonoperative or operative, is a rehabilitation program that addresses range of motion, strength, and neuromuscular control. We describe our program, which is divided into four phases: (1) Pain control and immediate protected range of motion and isometric exercises; (2) strengthening exercises using isotonic contractions and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises; (3) Unrestricted functional participation with the goal of increasing strength, power, endurance, and neuromuscular control; and (4) return to activity with sport specific functional drills. An athlete is ready to return to competitive sports once the following criteria are met: full range of motion (ROM), no pain or tenderness, satisfactory clinical exam, and demonstration of adequate strength on isokinetic testing. The unique considerations in a throwing athlete with an AC injury are also addressed. The primary goal of the nonoperative treatment protocol is to return the athlete to full activities as quickly and as safely as possible.     

Eating disorders and associated symptoms among adolescent Swimmers

The article reports on two studies investigating the frequency of eating disorders among swimmers. The first study was a screening based on self-report only and the second was a controlled study with a clinical interview of alle subjects. In the screening study, 28% of men and 3.5% of women had suspected eating disorder symptoms. No significant relationship was found between risk levels and competitive levels. In the controlled study, no indications of anorexia nervosa were found. Among Swimmers, 3.2% satisfied the DSM-III-R criteria for bulimia nervosa, and 9.7% had partial bulimic conditions. The results did not support the hypothesis of an increased frequency of clinical or partial eating disorders in elite athletes. The presence of symptoms was more related to being a woman rather than being a swimmer. Suggestions for further research are outlined to determine the causal relationship between sports and eating disorders.     

大花红景天对悬吊大鼠和职业运动员的防护作用

红景天是一种适应原样的药物,具有增强机体非特异性耐力的功能。我国大约有七十多种红景天,主要分布在西北、华北和东北地区。部分红景天的药理作用已有不少报导,但涉及大花红景天的较少。本文介绍大花红景天两方面的研究结果:1.大花红景天对模拟失重条件下(尾吊大鼠)动物机体的部分生理反应的影响;2.健康人(职业运动员)服用后对心肺功能等指标的影响。实验结果表明,大鼠在连续7天悬吊后出现了体重降低,腓肠肌萎缩,胸腺萎缩,腓肠肌蛋白含量降低等不良反应,能被大花红景天明显地纠正。健康人连续服用75天后,提高他们运动成绩,改善了在自动跑台上作功总量,显著提高运动时的最大耗氧量和分钟通气量,而且没有发现不良反应。这表明该药安全无毒,是一种对机体有良好效用的草药。它应该有更广泛的应用前景,特别在提高航天员对多种环境不良因素耐力方面具有应用可能性。     

Recovery of extensor muscle strength in athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

We investigated the effects of the use of different autograft materials on the early postoperative recovery of extensor muscle strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Reconstruction was performed in 172 athletes with ACL-deficient knees; in 32, a quadriceps tendon-patellar tendon substitute (QTS) was used; in 79, semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (STG) were used; and in 61, a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (BTB) was used. For QTS and STG autografts, a ligament augmentation device was used. Each group received the same accelerated rehabilitation program. Muscle strength was measured periodically 3–18 months after the operation, using a Cybex II dynamometer (Cybex Division of Lumex, Ronkonkoma, NY, USA). Knee extensor strength was evaluated, using the side-to-side ratio and the body weight ratio, to give a precise assessment of permissible sporting activity. After a period of 1 year, the percentage of athletes who recovered their extensor muscle strength at a level more than 80% of that in the uninvolved knee was 15.6% for those with QTS grafts, 41.0% for those with BTB grafts, and 77.9% for those with STG grafts (P<0.001 between QTS and STG,P<0.05 between QTS and BTB, andP<0.001 between BTB and STG). The body weight ratio in men showed that, after reconstruction, recovery of extensor muscle strength sufficient for participation in vigorous sport required 6 months for STG grafts, 12 months for BTB grafts, and 18 months for QTS grafts.     

Diagnostic imaging of elbow injuries inthe throwing athlete

The elbow is a complex joint that connects the arm with the forearm. Injuries to the elbow in the throwing athlete aregenerally caused by acute trauma or repetitive stress. Diagnostic imaging of the elbow ranges from plain radiographs to magnetic resonance/arthrography. Because of the complex nature of the joint, a good history of the patient and physical exam should be obtained in an attempt to tailor the imaging workup for each individual. Most acute traumatic injuries can be diagnosed with plain radiographs. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (± intra-articular contrast) are generally obtained to confirm suspected pathology from the patient's history and physical exam. This article will discuss several pathologic conditions and will attempt to show the findings seen on the appropriate imaging modality. Where it is possible, the mechanism of injury will be described and correlated with the imaging findings.     

Wrist disorders in the young athlete

In the young athlete, forced dorsiflexion causes most wrist injuries. Sudden dorsiflexion from a fall onto theoutstretched hand results in fractures, ligament tears, and joint disruptions. Repetitive dorsiflexion, which occurs in activities such as weightlifting or gymnastics, leads to overuse injuries including physeal stress fractures, bone stress fractures, triangular fibrocartilage complex tears, impingement syndromes, progressive laxity and arthritic degeneration. Wrist braces have not been successful in preventing fractures. Wrist taping or bracing is inadequate to prevent wrist overuse injuries in gymnasts. Treatment of wrist injuries involves rest, splinting or casting, and both open and arthroscopic surgical techniques.     

Classic neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome in a competitive swimmer: A true scalenus anticus syndrome

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is caused by compression of the lower branchial plexus usually by a cervical rib or a fibrous band. We describe a 16-year-old girl with weakness and wasting of her right hand, which progressed over the ensuing years. She had been a competitive long distance freestyle and butterfly swimmer since age 8 years. A neurological exam at age 20, revealed severe atrophy and weakness of all intrinsic right hand muscles, more so of the thenar muscles, and hypesthesia along the ulnar aspect of the hand and forearm. EMG, which showed a severe chronic axon loss lower trunk brachial plexopathy with minimal fibrillations, was typical for classic neurogenic TOS. Chest and cervical spine X-rays and MRI of the cervical spine were normal. A supraclavicular exploration confirmed the absence of a cervical rib or band. The lower trunk was thickened under the scalenus anticus which was sectioned. Neurolysis was also done. She was advised to abandon swimming. A clinical and EMG follow-up 2.5 years later showed no significant changes. This is the first case of true neurogenic TOS caused by scalenus anticus compression occurring in a competitive swimmer.© 1995 John Wiley &Sons, Inc.     

对参芪补剂升血色素和抗疲劳作用的研究

用参芪补剂对小白鼠连续灌胃１５日，实验结果表明，此补剂可明显延长其游泳持续时间，具有较强的抗疲劳作用。在此基础上，又让自行车运动员连续服用补济６周，观察到参芪补剂能升高血色素；降低运动后尿蛋白，心率和舒张压。参芪补剂中各成份的综合功效能提高运动能力和比赛成绩。对服用者赛前药检结果呈阴性，表明补剂不含兴奋剂成份，服用安全可靠。