Physician and Sportsmedicine

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of a novel post-match muscle pain map, named Muscle Pain Code (MPC), with the risk of subsequent time-loss muscle injury in a cohort of professional football (soccer) players. METHODS: The MPC classifies pain in four codes: code 0, ' no pain ;' code 1, ' generalized muscle pain ;' code 2, ' diffused site muscle pain ;' and code 3, ' specific site muscle pain .' Over four consecutive seasons, MPC was collected on the second post-match day and players were followed for occurrence of time-loss muscle injury over the next five days...

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the most common online patient questions pertaining to posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries and the quality of the websites providing information. METHODS: Four PCL search queries were entered into the Google Web Search. Questions under the 'People also ask' tab were expanded in order and 100 results for each query were included (400 total). Questions were categorized based on Rothwell's Classification of Questions (Fact, Policy, Value)...

OBJECTIVE: To understand factors associated with missed academic time after concussion to improve support for patients. Our goal was to assess patient-specific predictors of total school time lost after pediatric/adolescent concussion. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective cohort study of children and adolescents (8-18 years of age) seen within 14 days of concussion from seven pediatric medical centers across the United States. We collected outcomes via the Concussion Learning Assessment & School Survey (CLASS) and constructed a multivariable predictive model evaluating patient factors associated with school time loss...

BACKGROUND: Return to play (RTP) protocols are an important part of recovery management following a sport related concussion (SRC) and can prevent athletes from returning to competition too early and thereby avoid prolonged recovery times. To assist sporting organizations in the development of RTP guidelines, the Concussion in Sports Group (CISG) provides scientific based recommendations for the management of SRC in its consensus statement on concussion in sport. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates commonalities and differences among current RTP protocols of international sporting organizations and examines the implementation of the most recent CISG recommendations...

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to characterize the association between the timing of MRI ordering and completion for pediatric knee injuries and Social Deprivation Index (SDI), which is a comprehensive, validated, county-level, measure of socioeconomic variation in health outcomes based upon combining geography, income, education, employment, housing, household characteristics, and access to transportation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed of patients 21 years old and younger from our institution with a history of knee sports injury (ligamentous/soft tissue injury, structural abnormality, instability, inflammation) evaluated with MRI between 5/26/2017 and 12/28/2020...

BACKGROUND: Despite the numerous health benefits of distance running, it is also associated with the development of 'gradual onset running-related injuries' (GORRIs) one of which is Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS). Novel risk factors associated with a history of ITBS (hITBS) have not been described in a large cohort of distance runners. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with hITBS in distance runners. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study...

Participation in athletics is essential for the overall well-being of transgender athletes and should be included as part of gender-affirming care. Surveys show physicians and athletic trainers want to provide appropriate care for transgender athletes but lack the proper knowledge and training to do so. Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) is part of gender-affirming care, yet the effects of GAHT on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health of transgender athletes is not well-understood. The purpose of this review was to discuss important musculoskeletal and cardiovascular considerations unique to transgender athletes, improve physician understanding in caring for transgender athletes, and highlight preventative measures to reduce the incidence of injury within this population...

OBJECTIVES: Some young individuals participating in sports activities may encounter lower leg muscle pain and tightness, potentially indicating chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). While muscle pressure measurement is typically recommended for diagnosis, it is invasive and associated with low sensitivity and specificity. Thus, there is a need for novel diagnostic approaches. METHODS: This feasibility study aims to assess whether an ultrasound-guided technique can effectively measure the compressibility of the anterior tibial muscle compartment, focusing on optimal leg positioning and identifying reliable external and internal anatomical landmarks...

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated that concussions increase the risk of subsequent lower extremity musculoskeletal injury in athletes. However, the risk of upper extremity injury in athletes' post-concussion is poorly understood. METHODS: All concussed football players within a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I conference athletic database were identified between 2017 and 2021. After exclusions, each athlete experiencing their first concussion was then retrospectively reviewed for upper extremity injuries in the year prior to their concussion and in the year beginning at 90 days after their concussion...

INTRODUCTION: Groin injuries are common in soccer players and often involve adductor muscle strains. The Copenhagen Adduction Exercise (CAE) is a targeted intervention whose effectiveness in rehabilitation for these injuries warrants investigation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of a rehabilitation program, which includes the CAE, on eccentric hip adduction (EHAD) strength, hip joint range of motion (ROM), self-reported disability, and pain among soccer players with adductor-related groin pain...

BACKGROUND: Long COVID is a condition where symptoms or complications persist beyond 3 months after COVID-19 infection. Although most athletes experience mild symptoms, those involved in sports with higher cardiovascular demands can develop long COVID, which can negatively impact sports performance. This narrative review aimed to analyze the long COVID in athletes, especially cardiovascular effects; to alert medical and sporting community for the clinical aftermaths of COVID-19, focusing on physical activity; and to discuss the potential return-to-play strategies for these athletes...

OBJECTIVES: Clinical criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (ccTES) were developed for research purposes to reflect the clinical symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). The aims of this study were to 1) determine whether there was an association between the research diagnosis of TES and impaired postural balance among retired professional fighters, and 2) determine RHI exposure thresholds among both TES positive and TES negative groups in retired professional fighters when evaluating for balance impairment...

BACKGROUND: There are currently no guidelines on peri-arthroscopic management of immunosuppressive (IS) treatment in rheumatic disease patients. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to characterize the rheumatic disease patient population undergoing arthroscopy, compare the incidence of postoperative complications among patients who either remained on IS perioperatively, held IS perioperatively or were not on IS at baseline, and compare the incidence of postoperative complication by rheumatic disease type, medication type, and procedure...

OBJECTIVE: Despite robust research endeavors exploring post-play health implications in former NFL players, the impact of former-player status on long-term cardiovascular health has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the available research on the cardiovascular health in former NFL players. METHODS: Relevant studies were included from the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. Studies were evaluated in accordance with PRISMA guidelines...

PURPOSE: The J-sign is a clinical evaluation tool that assesses for patellar maltracking and is considered positive if lateral translation of the patella in extension, in the pattern of an inverted J is observed. This study aims to determine the association of clinical J-sign with imaging features noted on dynamic kinematic computed tomography (DKCT). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted by reviewing the clinical records of all patients aged 18 years or younger who had a CT patellar tracking scan done between 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2016 in a single institution...

CONTEXT: The 2019-2020 NBA season was altered significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic with a midseason suspension of games, the NBA 'bubble' tournament, and a shortened offseason. Concerns were raised regarding player conditioning and the potential increased risk of injury due to the schedule changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated schedule changes on NBA injuries. It was hypothesized that injury rates would be higher in the year following the pandemic and teams who participated in the bubble would have higher injury rates in the following season than non-bubble teams...

OBJECTIVES: We aim to investigate the accuracy of shear-wave elastography (SWE) in diagnosing patellar tendinopathy in female volleyball and basketball players. In addition, we compared different parts of the patellar tendon and investigated the effects of different knee angles on elastography measurements. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study evaluated 63 female athletes from professional basketball and volleyball teams (NCT06199583). Patellar tendinopathy diagnoses were made using clinical and ultrasonographic criteria...

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide information on the training profile and characteristics of injuries sustained by obstacle course racing competitors. METHODS: This research is a nationwide cross-sectional, self-administered online survey conducted in 2023. RESULTS: We analyzed the data collected from 201 obstacle course racing participants (mean age: 33.8 ± 7.1 years; 60.7% men). On average, athletes had 2...

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the 50 most-cited publications relating to lacrosse since 1990 and conduct a bibliometric analysis of the identified studies. METHODS: Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database was queried to identify all publication titles, abstracts, and keywords for the term 'lacrosse' on 9 June 2023. The resulting articles were sorted by total number of citations. Titles and abstracts were included based on their relevance to lacrosse...

PURPOSE: To review the effectiveness of isokinetic training as an alternative method to traditional isotonic resistance training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Researchers examined data from PubMed, CENTRAL, MEDLINE COMPLETE, and Web of Science until February 2023. A total of 365 entries were obtained from databases, including studies that analyzed the effects of isokinetic vs. isotonic-based rehabilitation in athletes (16-50 years) after a surgical knee intervention...