Neurobehavioral consequences of repetitive head impacts in Para swimming: A case report

Para swimmers with limb deficiency are faced with the particular situation that they must use their head to finish each competition by a hit to the wall. Repetitive head impacts may impair behavioral and brain functions. We therefore investigated neurobehavioral functions of a Para swimmer with dysmelia before and after repetitive head impacts (T1) and without (T2). Average head impact at T1 constituted 13.6 g with a mean impact force of 6689.9 N. Behavioral and brain functions decreased from pre to post at T1 but not at T2. Para swimmers with limb deficiency are therefore affected from the same consequences onto brain health that are observed after repeated sport-related concussions.

High incidence of injury at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days

Objective

To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.

Methods

A total of 547 athletes from 45 countries were monitored daily for 12 days during the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Daily injury data were obtained from teams with their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes) and teams without their own medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) through electronic data capturing systems.

Results

There were 174 total injuries reported, with an injury incidence rate (IR) of 26.5 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 22.7% to 30.8%). There was a significantly higher IR recorded in alpine skiing/snowboarding (IR of 41.1 (95% CI 33.7% to 49.6%) p=0.0001) compared to cross-country skiing/biathlon, ice sledge hockey or wheelchair curling. Injuries in the shoulder region were the highest single-joint IR (IR of 6.4 (95% CI 4.6% to 8.6%)), although total upper and lower body IR were similar (IR 8.5 vs 8.4 (95% CI 6.4% to 11.1%)). Furthermore, the IR of acute injuries was significantly higher than other types of injury onset (IR of 17.8 (95% CI 14.7% to 21.4%)).

Conclusions

In a Winter Paralympic Games setting, athletes report higher injury incidence than do Olympic athletes or athletes in a Summer Paralympic Games setting. The highest incidence of injury was reported in the alpine skiing/snowboarding sporting category. There was a similar incidence of injury in the upper and lower limbs. The joint with the greatest rate of injury reported was the shoulder joint. Our data can inform injury prevention programmes and policy considerations regarding athlete safety in future Winter Paralympic Games.

The incidence and patterns of illness at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days

Objective

To describe the epidemiology of illness at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.

Methods

A total of 547 athletes from 45 countries were monitored daily for 12 days over the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Illness data were obtained daily from teams without their own medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) and teams with their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes) through electronic data capturing systems.

Results

The total number of illnesses reported was 123, with an illness incidence rate (IR) of 18.7 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 15.1% to 23.2%). The highest IR was reported for wheelchair curling (IR of 20.0 (95% CI 10.1% to 39.6%)). Illnesses in the respiratory system (IR of 5.6 (95% CI 3.8% to 8.0%)), eye and adnexa (IR of 2.7 (95% CI 1.7% to 4.4%)) and digestive system (IR of 2.4 (95% CI 1.4% to 4.2%)) were the most common. Older athletes (35–63 years) had a significantly higher IR than younger athletes (14–25 years, p=0.049).

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that Paralympic athletes report higher illness incidence rates compared to Olympic athletes at similar competitions. The highest rates of illness were reported for the respiratory and digestive systems, eye and adnexa, respectively. Thus, the results of this study form a basis for the identification of physiological systems at higher risk of illness, which can in turn inform illness prevention and management programmes with eventual policy change to promote athlete safety in future editions of the Winter Paralympic Games.

The epidemiology of injuries in powerlifting at the London 2012 Paralympic Games: An analysis of 1411 athlete-days

Sport injury epidemiology has received increased recognition as a field of sport medicine research that can improve the health and safety of athletes. Injuries among Paralympic powerlifters have not previously been systematically studied. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to characterize injuries among Paralympic powerlifters. Athletes competing in the sport of powerlifting were followed over the 7-day competition period of the 2012 London Paralympic Games. The main outcome measurements were injury incidence rate (IR; number of injuries per 1000 athlete-days) and injury incidence proportion (IP; injuries per 100 athletes). A total of 38 injuries among 163 powerlifters were documented. The overall IR was 33.3 injuries/1000 athlete-days (95% CI 24.0-42.6) and the overall IP was 23.3 injuries per 100 athletes (95% CI 16.8-29.8). The majority of injuries were chronic overuse injuries (61%). The most commonly injured anatomical region was the shoulder/clavicle (32% of all injuries), followed by the chest (13%) and elbow (13%). The information obtained in this study opens the door for future study into the mechanisms and details of injuries into powerlifters with physical impairments.

The effectiveness of two psychomotor therapy programmes on physical fitness and physical self-concept in nonpsychotic psychiatric patients: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the changes in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and the changes in physical self-concept after participation in one of two psychomotor therapy programmes in a sample group of psychiatric patients. To study the relationship between the changes in physical fitness and the changes in physical self-concept.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled parallel-group trial with repeated measures.

SETTING

Three treatment units of a university psychiatric hospital in Belgium.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and ninety-nine patients with severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, and/or personality disorders.

INTERVENTIONS

A general programme of psychomotor therapy, consisting of different forms of physical exercises and relaxation training, and a personalized psychomotor fitness programme, consisting of aerobic and resistance training. These programmes were followed three times a week for a period of 16 weeks.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The maximum dynamic strength, the strength endurance, physical work capacity at 60% and 80% of the estimated maximal heart rate reserve, and the physical self-concept by means of the Dutch version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile.

RESULTS

After eight weeks, both groups exhibited an improvement in muscular fitness (both p-values < 0.0001), but only the psychomotor fitness group had improved in cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.01). After 16 weeks, the patients in the general programme of psychomotor therapy had not increased in cardiorespiratory fitness. At the end of the 16-week programmes, both groups showed a more positive physical self-concept (p from 0.01 to < 0.0001). However, these improvements were not related to the progress in physical fitness.

CONCLUSIONS

The main difference in the effectiveness of the two programmes was the increase in cardiorespiratory fitness in the psychomotor fitness group. The gains in fitness did not play an essential role in the enhancement of physical self-concept.