International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Dr. Andressa Silva Mello

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Guest Editor

Sports Training Center of the School of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31310-000, Brazil
Interests: risk factor for sports injuries; health problems in para athletes; sleep patterns in able-bodied athletes and para athletes

Prof. Dr. Marco Tulio de Mello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Sports Department of the School of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31310-000, Brazil
Interests: sleep; sleep disorders; drowsiness; fatigue; accidents; stress physiology; athletic training

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for the development of several medical conditions, and it has been associated with premature mortality. The regular practice of physical activity is a part of a healthy lifestyle, and it is highly recommended for clinical and non-clinical populations due to its numerous benefits in the prevention and management of many health issues (Warburton & Bredin, 2017). Thus, one means of engaging in a physically active lifestyle is through sports. However, other than the well-known benefits of sports practice, participation in sports might also have adverse effects such as sports injuries, which represent a huge economic burden for athletes, teams, and healthcare systems, impacting both professional and amateur athletes. Sports injuries are complex phenomena influenced by several biopsychosocial factors that interact with each other in a non-linear and non-predictable way (Fonseca et al., 2020). When it comes to parasports, injuries and illness are also major concerns for practitioners and para-athletes. Some evidence shows that the incidence and prevalence of injuries are higher in Paralympic sports than in Olympic sports (Pinheiro et al., 2021). Furthermore, due to their underlying medical conditions, para-athletes are prone to having health problems such as respiratory infections and gastrointestinal problems (Steffen et al., 2021). The literature on health problems and injuries in athletes and para-athletes needs to mature in order to build more data and better understand this complex and global problem. In this Special Issue, we encourage the submission of high-quality manuscripts investigating the etiology, epidemiology, and treatment options for injuries and health problems in athletes and para-athletes (professionals or amateurs) of different age populations. Methodological articles and systematic reviews will also be considered.

Dr. Andressa Silva Mello
Prof. Dr. Marco Tulio de Mello
Guest Editors

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Keywords

athletic injuries
disease
sports
sports medicine
athletes
para-athletes
risk factors
epidemiology
clinical study

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Different Predominant SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Affected Clinical Patterns and Performances of Infected Professional Players during Two Soccer Seasons: An Observational Study from Split, Croatia

by Jasna Nincevic, Anamarija Jurcev-Savicevic, Sime Versic, Toni Modric, Ante Turic, Ante Bandalovic, Boris Becir, Marijana Mijakovic, Ivana Bocina and Damir Sekulic

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031950 - 20 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1426

Abstract

There are limited data describing clinical patterns and match running performance (MRP) among players with COVID-19 infection before and after infection, particularly related to different predominant SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as in comparison to uninfected players. This observational study was conducted during two consecutive soccer seasons in one professional club in Split, Croatia. There were four clusters of mild, self-limited, or asymptomatic infection characterised by low adherence to preventive measures. Infected players had significantly more symptoms (t-test = 3.24; p = 0.002), a longer period of physical inactivity (χ² = 10.000; p = 0.006) and a longer period of self-assessment for achieving full fitness (χ² = 6.744; p = 0.034) in the 2020–2021 season (Wuhan wild strain and Alpha variant) than in the 2021–2022 season (Omicron variant). It was also found that, despite the milder clinical presentation of the infection in the 2021–2022 season, the players had significantly more abnormal laboratory findings (χ² = 9.069240; p = 0.002), although without clinical significance at the time of the study. As for the MRP, player performance in the 2021–2022 season was not negatively affected by the Omicron variant, while there was an improvement in MRP in scores for a sample of all players. The RTP protocol was correctly applied because it helped the athletes to recover their pre-infection physical capacities relatively quickly. This study advances the understanding that an optimally and individually planned RTP protocol is crucial for the MRP of infected players. Future research needs to replicate the findings of abnormal laboratory results and extend the study focusing on their potential long-term clinical significance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injuries and Health Problems in Sport)

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Review

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14 pages, 977 KiB

Open AccessReview

Injuries in Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Systematic Review

by Karina Sá, Anselmo Costa e Silva, José Gorla, Andressa Silva and Marília Magno e Silva

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5869; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105869 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3792

Abstract

Background: Sports injuries have physical and psychological effects that negatively affect sports performance. Although there are data available on sports injuries in wheelchair basketball, some aspects need to be clarified, such as the location, mechanisms and risk factors for injury, which are not well described due to variations and/or a lack of definition of injury. The aim of this study was to determine epidemiological information, primary injury characteristics and affected body regions in wheelchair basketball players; Methods: The PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were used; Results: eight articles were included in this review. The shoulder was the body region most affected (N = 60; 22.1%). When divided by body segments, the upper limbs were the most affected (N = 128; 47.2%), followed by the head and/or face (N = 53; 19.5%), trunk (included spine and ribs) (N = 48; 17.8%) and lower limbs (N = 42; 15.5%); Conclusions: wheelchair basketball players suffer a large number of injuries with different characteristics that are mainly linked to biomechanics and sport. These results can be used to guide coaches in structuring training to minimize recurring injuries, in addition to assisting in the organization of medical teams in competitions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injuries and Health Problems in Sport)

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