Epithelial barrier theory in the context of nutrition and environmental exposure in athletes.

Exposure to toxic substances, introduced into our daily lives during industrialization and modernization, can disrupt the epithelial barriers in the skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, leading to microbial dysbiosis and inflammation. Athletes and physically active individuals are at increased risk of exposure to agents that damage the epithelial barriers and microbiome, and their extreme physical exercise exerts stress on many organs, resulting in tissue damage and inflammation. Epithelial barrier-damaging substances include surfactants and enzymes in cleaning products, laundry and dishwasher detergents, chlorine in swimming pools, microplastics, air pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and diesel exhaust.

Environmental factors associated with non-infective acute respiratory illness in athletes: A systematic review by a subgroup of the IOC consensus group on "acute respiratory illness in the athlete".

Objectives: The aim of this study is to review the evidence available suggesting that environmental conditions represent a risk factor associated with non-infective acute respiratory illness in athletes.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: PubMed, EBSCOhost and Web of Science (1st January 1990-31 July 2020) were searched systematically using keywords related to male and female athletes (i.

"On-site" prevention and education to improve cardiac pre-competition screening in competitive amateur athletes.

Study/principles: To assess the effects of an "on-site" prevention and education programme to improve the cardiac screening in competitive amateur athletes.

Methods: We integrated an "on-site prevention and education programme" at the 2012 edition of the Swiss Alpine Marathon in Davos, Switzerland. After a specific lecture, the athletes could visit a "Sports-Cardiology-Section" at the official "medical-park".

Developing Swiss paraplegic research: building a research institution from the comprehensive perspective.

Purpose: To illustrate the conceptualization and development of a research institution from the comprehensive perspective based on the integrative model of functioning provided by the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The newly founded research institution Swiss Paraplegic Research which focuses on the comprehensive study of spinal cord injury (SCI) serves as an example.

Method: Description of organizational development and structure.