Association of TNF-α -308G > A polymorphism with susceptibility to tendinopathy in athletes: a case-control study.

Background: High levels of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induce apoptosis and pro-inflammatory effects for primary degeneration of tendon and development of tendinopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the TNF-α polymorphisms and tendinopathy in athletes.

Methods: Two hundred and seventy athletes (135 tendinopathy cases and 135 controls) were included and genotyped (TNF-α -1031T > C; -857 C > T; -308G > A) using TaqMan validated assays.

Mouthguard use and attitudes regarding dental trauma among elite cross-country mountain biking and field hockey athletes.

Background/aims: Cross-country mountain biking and field hockey are two Olympic sports that pose a potential risk for dentofacial trauma. However, mouthguard use is not mandatory in either of these sports and knowledge about tooth rescue among athletes is often neglected. The aim of this cross-sectional epidemiological survey was to evaluate the prevalence of sports-related dentofacial injuries, mouthguard use, and attitudes regarding tooth rescue among cross-country mountain biking and field hockey athletes participating at pre-Olympic competitions held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Musculoskeletal injuries in athletes from five modalities: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSK-I) are a serious problem in sports medicine. Modifiable and non-modifiable factors are associated with susceptibility to these injuries. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of and identify the factors associated with MSK-I, including tendinopathy and joint and muscle injuries, in athletes.