1.
Call to increase statistical collaboration in sports science, sport and exercise medicine and sports physiotherapy.
Sainani, KL, Borg, DN, Caldwell, AR, Butson, ML, Tenan, MS, Vickers, AJ, Vigotsky, AD, Warmenhoven, J, Nguyen, R, Lohse, KR, et al
British journal of sports medicine. 2021;(2):118-122
2.
From theory to practice: operationalizing a climate vulnerability for sport organizations framework for heat hazards among US High schools.
Grundstein, AJ, Scarneo-Miller, SE, Adams, WM, Casa, DJ
Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2021;(8):718-722
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sport organizations must comprehensively assess the degree to which their athletes are susceptible to exertional heat illnesses (i.e. vulnerable) to appropriately plan and adapt for heat-related hazards. Yet, no heat vulnerability framework has been applied in practice to guide decision making. OBJECTIVES We quantify heat vulnerability of state-level requirements for health and safety standards affecting United States (US) high school athletes as a case study. DESIGN Observational. METHODS We utilize a newly developed climate vulnerability to sports organizations framework (CVSO), which considers the heat hazard of each state using summer maximum wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) in combination with an 18-point heat safety scoring system (18 = best policy). Heat vulnerability is categorized as "problem" [higher heat (>27.9°C) and lower policy score (≤9)], "fortified" [higher heat (>27.9°C) and higher policy score (>9)], "responsive" [lower heat (<27.9°C) and lower policy score (≤9)], and "proactive" [lower heat (<27.9°C) and higher policy score (>9)]. RESULTS Across the US, the mean WBGT was 28.4±2.4°C and policy score was 6.9±4.7. In combination, we observed organizations within each of the four vulnerability categories with 16% (n=8) in fortified, 16% (n=8) in proactive, 29% (n=15) in problem, and 39% (n=20) in responsive. CONCLUSIONS The CSVO framework allowed us to identify different degrees of vulnerability among the state's and to highlight the 29% (n=15) of states with immediate needs for policy revisions. We found the CSVO framework to be highly adaptable in our application, suggesting feasibility for use with other sports governing bodies.
3.
Blood Biomarker Profiling and Monitoring for High-Performance Physiology and Nutrition: Current Perspectives, Limitations and Recommendations.
Pedlar, CR, Newell, J, Lewis, NA
Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.). 2019;(Suppl 2):185-198
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Blood test data were traditionally confined to the clinic for diagnostic purposes, but are now becoming more routinely used in many professional and elite high-performance settings as a physiological profiling and monitoring tool. A wealth of information based on robust research evidence can be gleaned from blood tests, including: the identification of iron, vitamin or energy deficiency; the identification of oxidative stress and inflammation; and the status of red blood cell populations. Serial blood test data can be used to monitor athletes and make inferences about the efficacy of training interventions, nutritional strategies or indeed the capacity to tolerate training load. Via a profiling and monitoring approach, blood biomarker measurement combined with contextual data has the potential to help athletes avoid injury and illness via adjustments to diet, training load and recovery strategies. Since wide inter-individual variability exists in many biomarkers, clinical population-based reference data can be of limited value in athletes, and statistical methods for longitudinal data are required to identify meaningful changes within an athlete. Data quality is often compromised by poor pre-analytic controls in sport settings. The biotechnology industry is rapidly evolving, providing new technologies and methods, some of which may be well suited to athlete applications in the future. This review provides current perspectives, limitations and recommendations for sports science and sports medicine practitioners using blood profiling and monitoring for nutrition and performance purposes.
4.
Prerace medical screening and education reduce medical encounters in distance road races: SAFER VIII study in 153 208 race starters.
Schwellnus, M, Swanevelder, S, Derman, W, Borjesson, M, Schwabe, K, Jordaan, E
British journal of sports medicine. 2019;(10):634-639
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy and feasibility of an online prerace medical screening and educational intervention programme for reducing medical complications in long-distance races. METHODS This was an 8-year observational study of medical encounter rates among 153 208 Two Oceans race starters (21.1 and 56 km) in South Africa. After the first 4-year control (CON) period, we introduced an online prerace medical screening (based on European pre-exercise screening guidelines) and an automated educational intervention programme. We compared the incidence of medical encounters (per 1000 starters; all and serious life threatening) in the CON versus the 4-year intervention (INT) period. RESULTS In comparison to the CON period (2008-2011: 65 865 starters), the INT period (2012-2015: 87 343 starters) had a significantly lower incidence (adjusted for age group, sex, race distance) of all medical encounters by 29% (CON=8.6 (7.9-9.4); INT=6.1 (5.6-6.7), p<0.0001), in the 21.1 km race by 19% (CON=5.1 (4.4-5.9); INT=4.1 (3.6-4.8), p=0.0356) and in the 56 km race by 39% (CON=14.6 (13.1-16.3); INT=9.0 (7.9-10.1), p<0.0001). Serious life-threatening encounters were significantly reduced by 64% (CON=0.6 (0.5-0.9); INT=0.2 (0.1-0.4); p=0.0003) (adjusted for age group and sex). Registration numbers increased in the INT period (CON=81 345; INT=106 743) and overall % race starters were similar in the CON versus INT period. Wet-bulb globe temperature was similar in the CON and INT periods. CONCLUSION All medical encounters and serious life-threatening encounters were significantly lower after the introduction of a prescreening and educational intervention programme, and the programme was feasible.