Pre-race medical clearance in 60,609 distance running race entrants: which entrants sought clearance, what physicians did, and what was the outcome? SAFER XXXVII.

Background: Medical clearance is often recommended for athletes prior to endurance exercise. The primary aim was to determine the percentage (%) of race entrants that sought medical clearance prior to participation in endurance running events, describe the diagnostic modalities used by doctors to assess entrants seeking medical clearance, and the clearance advice given. Secondary aims were to investigate the factors associated with seeking and outcome of clearance.

Translation and validation of sleep questionnaires in Jordanian and Qatari athletes.

Purpose: To translate two prominent sleep questionnaires, the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire 10 (FOSQ-10) and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), into Arabic.

Methods: The translations adhered to the established international criteria and underwent subsequent validation among 130 Arabic-speaking athletes from Jordan and Qatar. The validation process involved comparison against existing Arabic sleep questionnaires to ensure linguistic and cultural appropriateness.

Don't forget to mind the mind: a prospective cohort study over 12 months on mental health symptoms in active professional male footballers.

Aims: We examined the prevalence and incidence of mental health symptoms (MHS) in active professional male footballers over a 12-month period and investigated if MHS was associated with severe injuries or surgeries.

Participants And Methods: Football Players Worldwide (FIFPRO) affiliated national unions invited active professional male football players to participate in the study. MHS was operationalised in symptoms of anxiety, disordered eating, depression, distress, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse and drug misuse, all being assessed with validated questionnaires.

Health status of senior netball players, their medication use and attitudes towards doping.

Limited research exists on the health and injuries of South African senior netball players. Senior netball players may be at greater risk of injuries and chronic disease due to their age. To treat these conditions, they may use prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and, therefore, may be more vulnerable to unintentional doping.

Multiligament knee injury (MLKI): an expert consensus statement on nomenclature, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) represent a broad spectrum of pathology with potentially devastating consequences. Currently, disagreement in the terminology, diagnosis and treatment of these injuries limits clinical care and research. This study aimed to develop consensus on the nomenclature, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation strategies for patients with MLKI, while identifying important research priorities for further study.

Neurocognitive Function Domains Are Not Affected in Active Professional Male Footballers, but Attention Deficits and Impairments Are Associated with Concussion.

Objective: To determine the neurocognitive function of active professional male footballers, determine whether deficits/impairments exist, and investigate the association between previous concussion(s) and neurocognitive function.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study conducted via electronic questionnaires. The CNS Vital Signs online testing system was used to evaluate neurocognitive function.

The Physical Demands of Wheelchair Tennis Match Play: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Background: Wheelchair tennis, a globally popular sport, features a professional tour spanning 40 countries and over 160 tournaments. Despite its widespread appeal, information about the physical demands of wheelchair tennis is scattered across various studies, necessitating a comprehensive systematic review to synthesise available data.

Objective: The aim was to provide a detailed synthesis of the physical demands associated with wheelchair tennis, encompassing diverse factors such as court surfaces, performance levels, sport classes, and sexes.

Effects of no mask, a surgical mask and a fabric buff on peripheral oxygenation saturation during moderate intensity exercise: a randomised cross-over study.

Background: Mask-wearing caused significant reductions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. We aimed to determine whether face mask-wearing during exercise caused reductions in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO) and whether it affected secondary physiological measures [end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), expired breath temperature (EBT)]. Subjective measurements included ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), ratings of perceived breathlessness (RPB), and symptomology.

How Low Back Pain is Managed-A Mixed-Methods Study in 32 Countries. Part 2 of Low Back Pain in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Series.

The Lancet Low Back Pain (LBP) Series highlighted the lack of LBP data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study aimed to describe (1) LBP care is currently delivered in LMICs and (2) that care is delivered. An online mixed-methods study.

Training for shorter ultra-trail races results in a higher injury rate, a more diverse injury profile, and more severe injuries: 2022 Mac ultra races.

Objectives: Determine and compare the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and injury severity among race entrants training towards different ultra-trail race distances.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: The six months training period before the 2022 Mac Ultra races (46 km, 80 km, 161 km and 322 km).

Task-Shifting: Can Community Health Workers Be Part of the Solution to an Inactive Nation?

In low-to-middle income countries (LMICs), there is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) placing strain on the facilities and human resources of healthcare systems. Prevention strategies that include lifestyle behavior counseling have become increasingly important. We propose a potential solution to the growing burden of NCDs through an expansion of the role for community health workers (CHWs) in prescribing and promoting physical activity in public health settings.

Health conditions among retired elite rugby players: a scoping review.

The aim of this scoping review was to present an overview of the existing epidemiological evidence in retired male and female elite rugby players regarding the prevalence rates of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurocognitive, psychological and gynaecological health conditions. A systematic search was carried out across MEDLINE (via PubMed), SPORTDiscus (via EBSCOhost), PsycINFO (via EBSCOhost) and EMBASE for musculoskeletal (eg, osteoarthritis), cardiovascular (eg, hypertension), neurocognitive (eg, dementia) and psychological health (eg, disordered eating, alcohol misuse) conditions in retired elite male and female rugby players and gynaecological health conditions (menorrhagia) in retired female rugby players. Primary research studies describing the prevalence rates of health conditions in retired elite male and female rugby players written in English, Dutch or French and with full text available online were included.

Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity: the Hamburg Declaration.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression and cancers, are on the rise worldwide and are often associated with a lack of physical activity (PA). Globally, the levels of PA among individuals are below WHO recommendations. A lack of PA can increase morbidity and mortality, worsen the quality of life and increase the economic burden on individuals and society.

Determination of the Prevalence of Knee and Hip Clinical Osteoarthritis in the Active Professional Male Footballer and Its Association with Pain, Function, Injury and Surgery.

Objective: To comment on and explore (1) the prevalence of clinical knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA); (2) the association between pain or function and clinical knee or hip OA; (3) the association between injury or surgery and clinical knee or hip OA.

Methods: Participants were recruited from FIFPRO members. A total of 101 footballers consented to answer (1) a developed questionnaire, (2) patient-reported outcome measures, and (3) be evaluated by their team physician for clinical knee or hip OA.

Return to Sports Following Sports-Related Concussion in Collision Sports: An Expert Consensus Statement Using the Modified Delphi Technique.

Purpose: To perform a Delphi consensus for return to sports (RTS) following sports-related concussion (SRC).

Methods: Open-ended questions in rounds 1 and 2 were answered. The results of the first 2 rounds were used to develop a Likert-style questionnaire for round 3.

On-Field and Pitch-Side (Sideline) Assessment of Sports Concussion in Collision Sports: An Expert Consensus Statement Using the Modified Delphi Technique.

Purpose: To perform a Delphi consensus for on-field and pitch-side assessment of sports-related concussion (SRC).

Methods: Open-ended questions in rounds 1 and 2 were answered. The results of the first 2 rounds were used to develop a Likert-style questionnaire for round 3.

Management of proximal rectus femoris injuries - do we know what we're doing?: A systematic review.

Rectus femoris (RF) injury is a concern in sports. The management RF strains/tears and avulsion injuries need to be clearly outlined. A systematic review of literature on current management strategies for RF injuries, and to ascertain the efficacy thereof by the return to sport (RTS) time and re-injury rates.

The illness burden of gastrointestinal illness is two times higher if it is associated with systemic symptoms and signs: a cross-sectional study of the super rugby tournament over 5 seasons (102,738 player-days).

Background: Gastrointestinal tract illness (GITill) in rugby players is underreported. The incidence, severity (% time loss illness, days lost per illness) and burden of GITill with/without systemic symptoms and signs in professional South African male rugby players during the Super Rugby tournament (2013-2017) are reported.

Methods: Team physicians completed daily illness logs of players (N.

Physical Demands of Tennis Across the Different Court Surfaces, Performance Levels and Sexes: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Background: Tennis is a multidirectional high-intensity intermittent sport for male and female individuals played across multiple surfaces. Although several studies have attempted to characterise the physical demands of tennis, a meta-analysis is still lacking.

Objective: We aimed to describe and synthesise the physical demands of tennis across the different court surfaces, performance levels and sexes.

Assessment of muscle strength in para-athletes: A systematic review of observational studies.

Accurate and reliable evaluation of muscle strength in para-athletes is essential for monitoring the effectiveness of strength training and/or rehabilitation programmes, and sport classification. Our aim is to synthesise evidence related to assessing muscle strength in para-athletes. Four databases were searched from January 1990 to July 2021 for observational studies focusing on strength assessment.

COVID-19 Lockdown: A Global Study Investigating the Effect of Athletes' Sport Classification and Sex on Training Practices.

Purpose: To investigate differences in athletes' knowledge, beliefs, and training practices during COVID-19 lockdowns with reference to sport classification and sex. This work extends an initial descriptive evaluation focusing on athlete classification.

Methods: Athletes (12,526; 66% male; 142 countries) completed an online survey (May-July 2020) assessing knowledge, beliefs, and practices toward training.

Development of a trail running injury screening instrument: A multiple methods approach.

Objective: To develop a trail running injury screening instrument (TRISI) for utilisation as clinical decision aid in determining if a trail runner is at an increased risk for injury.

Design: Multiple methods approach.

Methods: The study utilised five phases 1) identification of injury risk factors 2) determining the relevance of each identified risk factor in a trail running context, 3) creating the content of the Likert scale points from 0 to 4, 4) rescaling the Likert scale points to determine numerical values for the content of each Likert scale point, and 5) determining a weighted score for each injury risk factor that contributes to the overall combined composite score.