Vitamin Metabolism and Its Dependency on Genetic Variations Among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review for Precision Nutrition Strategies.

Background/objectives: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in precision nutrition and its potential for disease prevention. Differences in individual responses to diet, especially among populations of different ancestry, have underlined the importance of understanding the effects of genetic variations on nutrient intake (nutrigenomics). Since humans generally cannot synthesize essential vitamins, the maintenance of healthy bodily functions depends on dietary vitamin intake.

Hamstrings and quadriceps muscle size and strength in female and male elite competitive alpine skiers.

Competitive alpine skiing requires a high level of physical fitness to perform sport-specific manoeuvres and to minimise the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to establish reference values for the maximal anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) of the individual hamstrings (HAM) and quadriceps (QUAD) muscles as well as for the maximal voluntary torque (MVT) during knee flexion (KF) and knee extension (KE) of female and male elite competitive alpine skiers. Ultrasound and dynamometer data were obtained from a largely overlapping but not identical dataset.

Longitudinal Assessment of Intersegmental Abnormalities in the Lumbar Spine of Adolescent Competitive Alpine Skiers Over 48 Months.

Background: Overuse-related intersegmental abnormalities in the spine of competitive alpine skiers are common findings. However, longitudinal changes in intersegmental abnormalities and symptoms throughout adolescence have not been assessed.

Purpose: To longitudinally assess and compare overuse-related spinal intersegmental abnormalities in adolescent competitive alpine skiers over 48 months and to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in asymptomatic and symptomatic skiers.

Physiological Characteristics of Freestyle Snowboard and Freeski Athletes.

Purpose: To investigate the physiological characteristics of freestyle snowboard and freeski athletes and explore potential differences between males and females.

Methods: National-team athletes, snowboard (9 males, 21 [2.3] y; 8 females, 20 [4.

Accuracy and Reliability of Grip Strength Measurements: A Comparative Device Analysis.

Grip strength is widely used as a surrogate parameter for functional status. The current gold standard, the JAMAR Hydraulic Dynamometer (JAMAR Hydraulic), presents challenges for individuals with painful finger joints or low grip strength. Therefore, the objective of this observational study was to assess comparability across the JAMAR Smart, the Martin Vigorimeter and the gold standard.

Snow sports-specific extension of the IOC consensus statement: methods for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sports.

The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) consensus statement on 'methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport' recommended standardising methods to advance data collection and reporting consistency. However, additional aspects need to be considered when these methods are applied to specific sports settings. Therefore, we have developed a snow sports-specific extension of the IOC statement to promote the harmonisation of injury and illness registration methods among athletes of all levels and categories in the different disciplines governed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), which is also applicable to other related snow sports such as biathlon, ski mountaineering, and to some extent, para snow sports.

Quadriceps Muscle Geometry and Strength Throughout Maturation in National-Level Male Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Adolescent soccer players experience distinct physiological changes due to chronological and biological maturation, impacting their soccer performance. Here, we explored age-related variations and associations between quadriceps geometry and strength in male national-level adolescent soccer players.

Patients And Methods: We used ultrasonography to examine the regional architecture and morphology of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles, and we assessed knee extension strength by isometric and isokinetic dynamometry.

"Health is Just the Basic Requirement for Optimal Performance and Winning": Stakeholders' Perceptions on Testing and Training in Competitive Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing.

Background And Objective: Competitive alpine skiing, snowboarding and freestyle skiing, all different in nature and risks, are known for their high injury and illness burden. Testing measures and training methods may be considered for athletes' preparation to support performance enhancement while safeguarding their health. We explored the perspectives and perceptions of competitive alpine skiing, snowboarding and freestyle skiing stakeholders regarding testing and training practices in their competitive snow sports.

Greater hip internal rotation range of motion is associated with increased dynamic knee valgus during jump landing, both before and after fatigue.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse sex-specific differences contributing to dynamic valgus in competitive soccer players before and after a standardised fatiguing protocol.

Methods: Thirty-nine healthy female and male competitive soccer players (19 females and 20 males) were recruited for the purpose of this study. Bilateral medial knee displacement (MKD) was assessed during drop jump landings using a three-dimensional motion capture system before and after a standardised fatiguing protocol.

Are the Positions in the Word Ranking of Competitive Alpine Skiers Explainable by Prominent Polymorphisms in Regulatory Genes of Mechanical and Metabolic Muscle Functioning?

The success of competitive alpine skiers with respective to their world ranking (WR) positions might be associated with prominent gene polymorphisms. Twenty-six competitive alpine skiers were followed from 2015 to 2019 for their WR positions (FIS-ranking). Using PCR, the genotypes of ACE-I/D, TNC, ACTN3, and PTK2 were identified.

Changes in patellar tendon complaints and shear wave velocity patterns among competitive alpine skiers during a 4-year post-growth spurt follow-up.

Patellar tendon (PT) complaints are frequent in competitive alpine skiers and such complaints are characterized by a long-lasting affection. Since PTs are subject to maturation up to 1-2 years after growth spurt, this early career stage may be decisive for the further course of complaints. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of PT complaints and shear wave velocity patterns among competitive alpine skiers during a 4-year post-growth spurt follow-up.

'I want to ski and race, not just ski': a qualitative study on athletes' and stakeholders' perspectives on return-to-sport in high-performance Snowsports.

This study explored stakeholders' perspectives on current practices, challenges and opportunities related to the return-to-sport (RTS) process in high-performance Snowsports. We conducted fourteen semi-structured interviews with athletes, coaches and health professionals from multiple countries using online video platforms. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed based on constant comparative analysis employing the principles of Grounded Theory.

How useful are indirect radiographic measurements of hip instability in borderline hip dysplasia? An MRI-based comparison to a healthy cohort.

Purpose: Symptomatic hips with borderline hip dysplasia (BHD) morphology pose a challenge in differentiating stable from unstable hips. The current study aims to compare indirect radiographic signs of instability in a symptomatic BHD population to those in a healthy cohort.

Methods: The study group consisted of patients with a lateral centre-edge angle (LCEA) with values 18° ≤ LCEA < 25° who underwent corrective periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and reported an improvement in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Tumor-Like Distal Femoral Cortical Irregularities of the Knee in Adolescent Competitive Alpine Skiers: Longitudinal Assessment Over 48 Months.

Background: Tumor-like distal femoral cortical irregularities (DFCIs) are a frequent incidental finding on knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and are common in young competitive athletes.

Purpose: To assess and compare the morphology and prevalence of DFCIs in competitive alpine skiers over 48 months during adolescence.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Superolateral Hoffa fat pad edema in adolescent competitive alpine skiers: temporal evolution over 4 years and risk factors.

Objectives: To longitudinally assess and correlate the prevalence of superolateral Hoffa fat pad (SHFP) edema with changes in features of the knee extensor mechanism in adolescent competitive alpine skiers over 48 months.

Methods: Competitive alpine skiers were prospectively enrolled in 2018 and underwent bilateral knee MRI at baseline and after 48 months. MRI was assessed for the prevalence of SHFP edema.

Before hitting the slopes: athlete and staff perspectives on warm-up and activation in high-performance snowsports.

To explore warm-up and activation (W&A) practices in high-performance snowsports to describe their importance, application and potential improvements based on the perspectives of elite-level athletes and staff members. Qualitative study consisting of semistructured interviews with 13 international elite-level athletes, on-snow coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, sports physiotherapists and sports psychologists from different snowsports and subdisciplines: alpine skiing, freestyle skiing (park and pipe, aerials, moguls) and snowboarding (park and pipe, snowboard cross). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed based on the principles of grounded theory.

'Every turn can be the last one I do' - Perceptions of injury risk in high-performance snow sports and its implication for injury prevention.

Objectives: High-performance snow sports (HPSS) athletes compete in a performance-driven context with a high risk of injury. While there is a lack of evidence on effective prevention measures in snow sports, this study explored the perspectives and perceptions of HPSS stakeholders on sports injury prevention.

Methods: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study based on the grounded theory principles through 11 semistructured interviews with athletes, coaches and healthcare providers from different national teams about sports injury prevention.

Three-dimensional mapping of ultrasound-derived skeletal muscle shear wave velocity.

The mechanical properties of skeletal muscle are indicative of its capacity to perform physical work, state of disease, or risk of injury. Ultrasound shear wave elastography conducts a quantitative analysis of a tissue's shear stiffness, but current implementations only provide two-dimensional measurements with limited spatial extent. We propose and assess a framework to overcome this inherent limitation by acquiring numerous and contiguous measurements while tracking the probe position to create a volumetric scan of the muscle.

We know a lot about little and little about a lot: A contextualized scoping review on injury prevention in alpine ski racing.

Background: Our goal was to summarize and contextualize the available literature on alpine ski racing injury epidemiology, injury etiology, injury prevention measures, injury prevention context, and implementation issues.

Materials And Methods: We searched four electronic databases using predetermined search terms. We included original studies that assessed injury, injury risk factors, and injury mechanisms, and assessed and reported the effect of an injury prevention measure in alpine ski racing.

Reliability of panoramic ultrasound imaging and agreement with magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of lumbar multifidus anatomical cross-sectional area.

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of panoramic ultrasound (US) imaging and agreement with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing the average lumbar multifidus anatomical cross-sectional area between the lumbar vertebral bodies L3-L5 (i.e., LMF ACSA).

Call for the application of a biopsychosocial and interdisciplinary approach to the return-to-sport framework of snow sports athletes.

Snow sports such as alpine skiing or snowboarding are associated with a high risk of injury and reinjury and are subject to a very special environment with specific rehabilitation challenges that must be addressed. Due to geographic decentralisation, seasonal climatic limitations, alternation of training in off-snow and on-snow settings and unique loading patterns of practising these sports, special rehabilitation structures and processes are required compared with other sports. In addition, returning to preinjury performance requires a high level of confidence and a resumption of risk-taking in demanding situations such as high-speed skiing and high-amplitude jumps.