Search Results (333)

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) in NHL players and the effects on return to play and player performance metrics. The incidence, mechanism of injury, management strategy, return to play (RTP), and post-injury were assessed from official online sports databases. Methods: A retrospective review of NHL players who sustained a partial or complete tear of the Achilles tendon from 2008 to 2024 was performed. Data were collected from NHL injury databases and media reports, and included player demographics, injury mechanism, treatment, and post-injury performance metrics. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare pre-injury and post-injury performance metrics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Here, 15 NHL players with a mean age of 27.8 years were identified, with a prevalence rate of 0.125 injuries per 10,000 athletic exposures. Overall, 73.3% of ATRs were non-contact in nature, with 60.0% of ATRs occurring during off-season training. Fourteen players were managed with non-operative treatment, with no re-ruptures reported. The RTP rate was 93.3%, with players missing a mean number of 45.7 games. However, there was a deterioration in post-injury performance metrics, including games played per season, plus/minus rating, and time on ice per game post-injury. Conclusions: This study found that Achilles tendon ruptures are an uncommon injury in NHL players, with a prevalence rate of 0.125 injuries per 10,000 athletic exposures. A high RTP rate of 93.3% was observed in this cohort. However, there was a deterioration in post-injury performance metrics, including games played per season, plus/minus rating, and time on ice per game post-injury, highlighting the potential devastating sequelae of ATRs in elite NHL athletes. Full article

During the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, sports activities were restricted, raising concerns about their impact on the physical condition of adolescent athletes, which remained largely unquantified. This study was designed with two primary objectives: first, to precisely quantify and elucidate the differences in the physical condition of adolescent athletes before and after activity restrictions due to the pandemic; and second, to innovatively develop and validate a non-contact medical checkup application. Medical checks were conducted on 563 athletes designated for sports enhancement. Participants were junior high school students aged 13 to 15, and the sample consisted of 315 boys and 248 girls. Furthermore, we developed a smartphone application and compared self-checks using the application with in-person checks by orthopedic surgeons to determine the challenges associated with self-checks. Statistical tests were conducted to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in range of motion and flexibility parameters before and after the pandemic. Additionally, items with discrepancies between values self-entered by athletes using the smartphone application and values measured by specialists were detected, and application updates were performed. Student’s t-test was used for continuous variables, whereas the chi-square test was used for other variables. Following the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, athletes were stiffer than during the pre-pandemic period in terms of hip and shoulder joint rotation range of motion and heel–buttock distance. The dominant hip external rotation decreased from 53.8° to 46.8° (p = 0.0062); the non-dominant hip external rotation decreased from 53.5° to 48.0° (p = 0.0252); the dominant shoulder internal rotation decreased from 62.5° to 54.7° (p = 0.0042); external rotation decreased from 97.6° to 93.5° (p = 0.0282), and the heel–buttock distance increased from 4.0 cm to 10.4 cm (p < 0.0001). The heel–buttock distance and straight leg raising angle measurements differed between the self-check and face-to-face check. Although there are items that cannot be accurately evaluated by self-check, physical condition can be improved with less contact by first conducting a face-to-face evaluation under appropriate guidance and then conducting a self-check. These findings successfully address our primary objectives. Specifically, we demonstrated a significant decline in the physical condition of adolescent athletes following pandemic-related activity restrictions, thereby quantifying their impact. Furthermore, our developed non-contact medical checkup application proved to be a viable tool for monitoring physical condition with reduced contact, although careful consideration of measurable parameters is crucial. This study provides critical insights into the long-term effects of activity restrictions on young athletes and offers a practical solution for health monitoring during infectious disease outbreaks, highlighting the potential for hybrid checkup approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability. When traumatic brain injury is repeated over time, it can lead to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a chronic neurodegenerative disease commonly observed in individuals who engage in contact sports or military personnel involved in activities with a high risk of repeated head trauma. At autopsy, the examination of the brain reveals regional atrophy, corresponding to high concentrations of glutamate receptors. Microscopically, the primary findings are the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The aim of this study is to highlight the clinical and histopathological characteristics of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, providing diagnostic support to forensic pathologists. Additionally, it seeks to aid in the differential diagnosis of similar conditions. Methods: A review of literature was conducted following the PRISMA criteria. Of 274 articles, 7 were selected. Results: According to these papers, most patients were male and exhibited neurological symptoms and neuropsychiatric impairments, and a proportion of them committed suicide or had aggressive behavior. Conclusions: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy remains largely underdiagnosed during life. The definitive diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is established post-mortem through the identification of pathognomonic tauopathy lesions. Early and accurate antemortem recognition, particularly in at-risk individuals, is highly valuable for its differentiation from other neurodegenerative conditions, thereby enabling appropriate clinical management and potential interventions. Full article

Rugby Union is a high-impact sport with considerable injury risk, especially in emerging rugby settings where structured physical preparation may be limited. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological profile and injury incidence among Rugby Union players in Brazil, providing insights to inform strength and conditioning strategies. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between October 2023 and February 2024 using a digital questionnaire that captured demographic data, sports participation history, and detailed information about injuries sustained in 2022 and 2023. A total of 236 players participated (58.9% male; mean age = 29.4 ± 7.5 years), with males averaging 29.6 ± 7.7 years and females 29.1 ± 7.5 years. Overall, 183 injuries were reported. Most injuries occurred during matches (73.3%) and were contact-related (82.1%), with the shoulder/clavicle and knee being the most affected regions. Ligament injuries (27.3%), dislocations (15.3%), and fractures (16.4%) were the most prevalent types. Female players had a distinct injury pattern, with a greater proportion of non-contact mechanisms. Significant associations were found between injury occurrence and sex (p = 0.012), playing modality (p < 0.001), injury type (p = 0.013), and recovery time (p = 0.006). These findings highlight the urgent need for tailored strength and conditioning interventions focused on injury prevention and athletic preparedness. Such programs should address sport-specific demands, promote neuromuscular resilience, and be accessible across competitive levels to improve performance and minimize injury-related setbacks. Full article

Mid-infrared passive spectroscopic imaging is a novel non-invasive and remote sensing method based on Planck’s law. It enables the acquisition of component-specific information from the human body by measuring naturally emitted thermal radiation in the mid-infrared region. Unlike active methods that require an external light source, our passive approach harnesses the body’s own emission, thereby enabling safe, long-term monitoring. In this study, we successfully demonstrated the simultaneous, non-invasive measurements of blood glucose and lactate levels of the human body using this method. The measurements, conducted over approximately 80 min, provided emittance data derived from mid-infrared passive spectroscopy that showed a temporal correlation with values obtained using conventional blood collection sensors. Furthermore, to evaluate localized metabolic changes, we performed k-means clustering analysis of the spectral data obtained from the upper arm. This enabled visualization of time-dependent lactate responses with spatial resolution. These results demonstrate the feasibility of multi-component monitoring without physical contact or biological sampling. The proposed technique holds promise for translation to medical diagnostics, continuous health monitoring, and sports medicine, in addition to facilitating the development of next-generation healthcare technologies. Full article

Background: Reaction time is analyzed in various situations in sporting events and is reported to be so important that it can make the difference between victory and defeat. This study focused on teeth clenching resulting in remote muscle activation, and examined whether it improves performance of reaction time. This study examined the effects of clenching and clenching strength on the systemic simple reaction time. Methods: This study included 20 healthy adults with normal clenching and a right dominant foot. The task movement for the systemic simple reaction time measurement was a 30 cm forward step. The following three clenching conditions were used: no clenching without dental contact (no-bite condition), a condition in which the participants were instructed to clench with moderate strength (moderate condition), and a condition in which the participants clenching with maximum effort (max condition). The analysis items were release time, grounding time, soleus muscle (Sol) reaction time, and masseter muscle activity. Results: The max condition significantly reduced the reaction time compared with the no-bite condition. Sol reaction and grounding times showed a negative correlation between clenching strength under moderate conditions and the rate of change in reaction time under no-bite and moderate conditions. Release time exhibited no significant correlation between clenching strength under the moderate condition and the rate of change in reaction time under the no-bite and moderate conditions. The remote facilitation effect of clenching improved the systemic reaction time by producing immediate muscle activity. Conclusions: Clenching shortens the systemic simple reaction time. This finding highlights the potential importance of clenching in enhancing performance during sporting events. Full article

Foot plantar pressure refers to the pressure or force that the foot generates in contact with the ground, varying across different regions of the foot. This parameter is essential in static and dynamic analyses to access accurate diagnoses, study the human body biomechanics, create functional footwear designs, aid in rehabilitation and physiotherapy, and prevent injuries in athletes during sports practice. This study presents an experimental comparison between two different plantar pressure measurement devices, Pedar^® (sensorized insoles) and Physiosensing^® (pressure platform). The devices were selected based on their capacity to measure contact area and peak pressure points. Results showed that Physiosensing^® provided a more uniform measurement of the contact area, proving its efficiency for weight distribution and stability analysis applications, particularly in posture assessment and balance studies. The Pedar^® system showed higher capacity in peak pressure point detection. Therefore, the insole system is more suitable for applications requiring precise high-pressure zone localization. Comparative analysis highlights the strengths and limitations of each device and offers insights regarding its optimal usage in clinical, sports, and research settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: The most common limb-salvage procedure for end-stage ankle arthropathy with severe bone defect is arthrodesis. Successful fusion requires rigid metal fixation, effective filling of the bone defect space, and maximal securing of the contact area between the tibia and talus. In cases with severe bone defect, sufficient grafting using autogenous bone alone is limited, and there is still controversy regarding the effectiveness of allogeneic or xenogeneic bone grafting. This study aimed to evaluate the intermediate-term clinical outcomes after shortening arthrodesis using fibular osteotomy for ankle arthropathy with severe bone defect. Methods: Twenty-two patients with shortening ankle arthrodesis were followed up ≥ 3 years. All operations were performed by one senior surgeon and consisted of internal fixation with anterior fusion plate, fibular osteotomy, and autogenous bone grafting. The causes of ankle joint destruction were failed total ankle arthroplasty (7 cases), neglected ankle fracture (6 cases), delayed diagnosis of degenerative arthritis (5 cases), avascular necrosis of talus (2 cases), and diabetic neuroarthropathy (2 cases). Clinical outcomes including daily living and sport activities were evaluated with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Radiological evaluation included fusion rate, time to fusion, leg length discrepancy, and degenerative change in adjacent joints. Results: The FAOS and FAAM scores significantly improved from a mean of 21.8 and 23.5 points preoperatively to 82.2 and 83.4 points at final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). Visual analogue scale for pain during walking significantly improved from a mean of 7.7 points preoperatively to 1.4 points at final follow-up (p < 0.001). The average time to complete fusion was 16.2 weeks, and was achieved in all patients. The average difference in leg length compared to the contralateral side was 11.5 mm based on physical examination, and 13.8 mm based on radiological examination. During the average follow-up of 56.2 months, no additional surgery was required due to progression of degenerative arthritis in the adjacent joints, and no cases required the use of height-increasing insoles in daily life. Conclusions: Shortening ankle arthrodesis using fibular osteotomy and anterior fusion plate demonstrated satisfactory intermediate-term clinical outcomes and excellent fusion rate. Advantages of this procedure included rigid fixation, preservation of the subtalar joint, effective filling of the bone defect space, and maximal securing of the contact area for fusion. The leg length discrepancy, which was concerned to be a main shortage, resulted in no significant clinical symptoms or discomfort in most patients. Full article

Inclusive Education emphasizes equal opportunities for all students by reducing or eliminating barriers that hinder participation and learning, encompassing cultural, social, practical, and political dimensions. In this context, the development of positive attitudes towards disability is a key component for the success of inclusive educational practices, particularly in adapted physical education. Following a prior analysis of the impact of academic curricula on attitudes toward disability, the need to implement training programs focused on attitudes toward disability becomes evident. The aim of this study is to analyze how a training program, with a specific focus on attitudes toward disability, affect the attitudes among university students. A quasi-experimental approach with a control group was employed to evaluate the impact of the training. A total of 137 University students from Extremadura, across Physical Activity and Sport Science and Early Childhood Education programs within the same educational department, participated in this study. The Spanish Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities Scale for Professionals was administered to students at the beginning, after the theoretical intervention, and after having a guided contact with people with disability. Results revealed improvements in attitudes in the social relationships and normalized life dimensions, as well as in the total score, particularly among students from Early Childhood Education. No significant changes were observed in the intervention program dimension. Within-group analysis indicated significant longitudinal improvements in normalized life for both experimental groups, Sports Science and Early Childhood Education students, and in the total score for Early Childhood Education students by the end of the intervention. These findings highlight the importance of targeted training interventions in promoting inclusive attitudes, especially when direct contact with individuals with disabilities is incorporated. Full article

This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025101243), aimed to evaluate how specific badminton shoe design features influence lower-limb biomechanics, injury risk, and sport-specific performance. A comprehensive search in six databases yielded 445 studies, from which 10 met inclusion criteria after duplicate removal and eligibility screening. The reviewed studies focused on modifications involving forefoot bending stiffness, torsional stiffness, lateral-wedge hardness, insole and midsole hardness, sole structure, and heel curvature. The most consistent biomechanical benefits were associated with moderate levels of forefoot and torsional stiffness (e.g., 60D) and rounded heel designs. Increased forefoot bending stiffness was associated with reduced foot torsion and knee loading during forward lunges. Torsional stiffness around 60D provided favorable ankle support and reduced knee abduction, suggesting potential protection against ligament strain. Rounded heels reduced vertical impact forces and promoted smoother knee–ankle coordination, especially in experienced athletes. Lateral-wedge designs improved movement efficiency by reducing contact time and enhancing joint stiffness. Harder midsoles, however, resulted in increased impact forces upon landing. Excessive stiffness in any component may restrict joint mobility and responsiveness. Studies included 127 male-dominated (aged 18–28) competitive athletes, assessing kinematics, impact forces, and coordination during sport-specific tasks. The reviewed studies predominantly involved male participants, with little attention to sex-specific biomechanical differences such as joint alignment and foot structure. Differences in testing methods and movement tasks further limited direct comparisons. Future research should explore real-game biomechanics, include diverse athlete populations, and investigate long-term adaptations. These efforts will contribute to the development of performance-enhancing, injury-reducing badminton shoes tailored to the unique demands of the sport. Full article

Running socks play an important role in alleviating foot impact and preventing foot injuries. Despite the variety of commercial options, their cushioning effectiveness is not well understood. This study examines three different types of running socks made of bio-based and synthetic textiles. Material testing includes compression, tensile, and shock absorption, while wear tests assess plantar loading in 10 adult recreational runners on a treadmill. Results show that specialized running socks offer superior shock absorption compared to regular running socks, largely due to fabric thickness and weight. Socks made of high-performance bio-composite fibers significantly reduced maximum peak pressure and impulse in the great toe (p < 0.05) and first metatarsal head (p < 0.05) during running. Additionally, ground contact time in the forefoot (p < 0.05) area was significantly lower with specialized running socks. Compared to regular running socks, five-toed running socks can reduce the pressure load on the forefoot area. These findings can guide the design of specialized sockwear for better foot protection and improved sports performance. Full article

This study investigated the relationship between reactive strength and sprint acceleration performance in elite under-21 hurling athletes. Reactive strength was assessed using the 10/5 Repeated Jump Test (RJT), while sprint performance was measured over 30 m with split times at 5, 10, 20, and 30 m. Twenty-four male players participated in the study. The results revealed large, significant correlations between reactive strength index (RSI) and sprint times in the 5–10 m, 10–20 m, and 20–30 m splits but not in the initial 0–5 m phase. Further analysis showed that athletes with higher RSI scores exhibited significantly shorter ground contact times (CT_SPRINT) and superior sprint performance in the 20–30 m segment without compromising step length. These findings suggest that reactive strength plays a crucial role in mid-to-late-phase acceleration, likely due to the ability to produce force rapidly during short ground contact durations. The study also identified a significant, negative correlation between RSI and CT_SPRINT, indicating a possible mechanical link. These results support the inclusion of reactive strength development in training programs aiming to enhance sprint performance, especially in field sports requiring repeated high-intensity sprints. Full article

While accurate athlete load monitoring is crucial for preventing injury and optimizing performance, the commonly used session rating of perceived exertion training load or competition load method faces limitations due to compliance issues related to missing subjective data self-reported by the athlete and the subsequent challenges in imputing the sessional rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) component, an average value for a training or competition session. This study investigated the imputation of missing RPE scores from the mechanical work and from a Speed–Deceleration–Contact (SDC) model. A total of 1002 datasets were collected from women’s rugby sevens competitions. Using either the mechanical work or SDC, linear regression and random forest imputation models were assessed at different missingness levels and their results compared to those of a common method of daily team mean substitution (DTMS) using an ANOVA of the accuracy by the model type and missingness. The statistical equivalence was evaluated for true and imputed sRPE scores by the model and strategy. Significant interactions between the model type and missingness were found, with all the imputed scores being deemed statistically equivalent. From the ANOVA, DTMS was found to be the poorest-performing model and the random forest model was the best. However, the best-performing model was not superior to previously reported imputation approaches, which confirms the difficulty in using subjective measures of the load when missing data is a prevalent issue in team sports. Practitioners are encouraged to critically evaluate any method of imputation for an athlete’s load. Full article

Objectives: This study compares My Jump Lab and VertVision apps for measuring vertical jump height in handball players, assessing their validity and reliability. The research assesses both apps’ accuracy, particularly concerning higher jumps, where errors have been noted, aiming to determine the most reliable tool. The goal is to provide a direct comparison between apps, as well as confirm the apps’ validity and reliability for handball players. Methods: The present research is a transversal observational study. Twenty-seven amateur athletes performed five jumps on a contact mat with simultaneous recording by a smartphone with a high-speed camera. Pearson’s r, ICC, SEM, CV, and Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate discrepancies and determine accuracy. Results: Pearson correlation showed strong relationships, with ICC values between 0.993 and 0.998. Both apps overestimated jump height by 1.86% compared to the platform. Bland–Altman plots indicated minimal differences between observers, confirming high validity and reliability for CMJ measurement. Both apps demonstrated very high concurrent validity (r > 0.9) and reliability, with ICC values near 1 and CV below 5%. My Jump Lab exhibited smaller inter-observer differences, indicating greater consistency. Conclusions: The ease of use, affordability, and portability make both apps valuable for performance monitoring, training, and injury recovery. While both demonstrated good validity and reliability, My Jump Lab proved more consistent in jump comparisons. These tools extend beyond sports, supporting physiotherapy assessments and athletic training across diverse populations. Full article

When developing fabrics for applications in which evaporative cooling and drying play an important role, e.g., sports or occupational applications, the drying performance of fabrics is commonly determined using fast and easy-to-perform benchmark methods. The measurement conditions in these methods, however, differ significantly from the drying conditions on the human body surface, where drying is obstructed on one side of the fabric through contact with the skin and at the same time enhanced due to contact with the heated surface (skin). The aims of this study were to understand and quantify the fabric drying process at the skin interface considering these real-use effects based on tests applying two-sided drying, one-sided drying, one-sided drying on a heated surface, and one-sided drying on a heated surface in the stretched state, and to relate these to existing standard methods. The findings showed that contact with a solid heated surface such as the skin and the stretched state of the fabric both make a significant contribution (p < 0.05) to the drying rate compared to two-sided drying in standard climatic conditions. The corresponding drying rates observed for a range of typical fabrics used in leisure and sports as a first layer next to the skin were found to be 1.6 (±0.2), 1.1 (±0.2), 7.9 (±2.1), and 10.6 (±0.8) g/m² min for two-sided drying, one-sided drying, one-sided drying on a heated surface, and one-sided drying on a heated surface in the stretched state, respectively. These findings are of great importance for human thermal modelling, including clothing models, where the drying process significantly contributes to the heat and mass transfer in the skin–clothing–environment system. Full article