scholarly journals Sports-Related Concussion in Adolescent Gaelic Games Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 498-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhán O’Connor ◽  
Kieran Moran ◽  
Cian Burke ◽  
Enda Whyte

Background: Gaelic games are some of the most popular sports played by Irish adolescents, and the Gaelic Athletic Association has undertaken educational initiatives to improve awareness of a sports-related concussion (SRC). However, SRC underreporting is common among adolescent athletes internationally, potentially due to poor knowledge or attitudes toward SRC. This study aimed to examine previous experiences with, knowledge of, and attitudes toward reporting SRCs, as well as views on future education in adolescent Gaelic games players and their parents. Hypotheses: The hypotheses were as follows: (1) A significant number of adolescent Gaelic games players will have experienced an SRC, (2) nondisclosure of SRCs will be common, and (3) adolescents will display poorer attitudes toward reporting than parents. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Adolescent male and female Gaelic games players (n = 113) and parents (n = 151) completed an anonymous questionnaire examining previous experiences with, knowledge of, and attitudes toward reporting SRCs, as well as views on future SRC education initiatives. Results: Overall, 57.5% of adolescent Gaelic games players suspected they had suffered an SRC previously, and a greater number of suspected SRCs were reported than were medically diagnosed. Adolescent players (mean score, 11.4/14) and their parents (mean score, 11.8) displayed good knowledge of SRC signs and symptoms. However, adolescents were less likely to report an SRC during an important game or if an important game was coming up. Both adolescents and their parents would like more SRC education, particularly in the format of online videos or medical professional–led workshops. Conclusion: Underreporting of SRC occurs in adolescent players, despite good knowledge of SRC signs and symptoms. Education is required to highlight the importance of completing a return-to-play program after an SRC regardless of match importance. Clinical Relevance: A multifaceted educational strategy that targets the wider Gaelic games community in the preferred formats identified by key stakeholders is required.

2021 ◽  
pp. 205343452110616
Author(s):  
Budi Yanti ◽  
Nurdarlila Armita ◽  
Iskandar Zakaria

Introduction Health workers are at high risk of contracting the disease because they are at the forefront of assisting COVID19 patients. Globally, Indonesia has the worst death toll of health workers. Many previous studies have shown the differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of health workers in handling with the COVID19 pandemic. This study aims to asses the role of knowledge, attitudes, and health workers' preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aceh Pidie Jaya District. Methods A cross-sectional study and the data were collected by distributing online questionnaires about knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and preparedness related to the COVID-19 at 12 Pidie Jaya District health centers. The knowledge, behavior, and preparedness parameters used Guttman and Likert scales to measure the workers' attitudes. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and preparedness. Results In this study, 377 health workers were selected, the majority of respondents' education level was diploma, level 3 (257, 76.3%), and one-third of the respondents did not attend training. There are 197 (58.5%) respondents who had good knowledge, 177 (52.5%) positive attitudes, 283 (84%) good behavior, and 173 (51, 3%) well prepared. Furthermore, good knowledge, positive attitude, and good behavior had a significant correlation statistically with well prepared during the pandemic (p < 0.05). Discussion Most of the health workers in Aceh Pidie Jaya have good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good behavior that create adequate preparedness. Even though training is still very limited, educational attainment would remain the cornerstone for preparedness to encounter COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110611
Author(s):  
Brett G. Toresdahl ◽  
James N. Robinson ◽  
Stephanie A. Kliethermes ◽  
Jordan D. Metzl ◽  
Sameer Dixit ◽  
...  

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects multiple organ systems. Whether and how COVID-19 affects the musculoskeletal system remains unknown. We aim to assess the association between COVID-19 and risk of injury. Hypothesis: Runners who report having COVID-19 also report a higher incidence of injury. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed from July through September 2020, by New York Road Runners, ASICS North America, race medical directors, and through social media. Inclusion criteria were runners 18 years or older who had participated in ≥1 race (running or triathlon) in 2019. Results: A total of 1947 runners participated and met inclusion criteria. Average age was 45.0 (SD, 12.2) years and 56.5% were women. A total of 123 (6.3%) runners self-reported having COVID-19; 100 (81%) reported their diagnosis was from a laboratory test (polymerase chain reaction or antibody) and 23 reported being diagnosed by a medical professional without confirmatory laboratory testing. Since March 2020, 427 (21.9%) reported an injury that prevented running for at least 1 week, including 38 of 123 (30.9%) who self-reported having COVID-19 and 389 of 1435 (21.3%) who did not report having COVID-19 ( P = 0.01). After adjusting for age, sex, the number of races in 2019, and running patterns before March 2020, runners who self-reported a diagnosis of COVID-19 had a higher incidence of injury compared with those who did not (odds ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.11-2.48; P = 0.01). Conclusion: Injuries were more often self-reported by runners with laboratory-confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 compared with those who did not report COVID-19. Given the limitations of the study, any direct role of COVID-19 in the pathophysiology of injuries among runners remains unclear. Clinical Relevance: Direct and indirect musculoskeletal sequelae of COVID-19 should be further investigated, including the risk of exercise- and sports-related injury after COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596712110509
Author(s):  
Ayoosh Pareek ◽  
Chad W. Parkes ◽  
Alexey A. Leontovich ◽  
Aaron J. Krych ◽  
Stan Conte ◽  
...  

Background: Basic pitcher statistics have been used to assess performance in pitchers after injury or surgery without being validated. Even among healthy pitchers, the normal variability of these parameters has not yet been established. Purpose: To determine (1) the normal variability of basic and advanced pitcher statistics in healthy professional baseball pitchers and (2) the minimum pitches needed to predict these parameters. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Publicly available data from the MLB Statcast and PITCHf/x databases were used to analyze MLB pitchers during the 2015 and 2016 seasons who recorded a minimum of 100 innings without injury. Basic and advanced baseball pitcher statistics were analyzed. The variability of each parameter was assessed by computing the coefficient of variation (CV) between individual pitchers and across all pitchers. A CV <10 was indicative of a relatively constant parameter, and parameters with a CV >10 were generally considered inconsistent and unreliable. The minimum number of pitches needed to be followed for each variable was also analyzed. Results: A total of 118 pitchers, 55 baseball-specific statistical metrics (38 basic and 17 advanced), and 7.5 million pitches were included and analyzed. Of the 38 basic pitcher statistics, only fastball velocity demonstrated a CV <10 (CV = 1.5), while 6 of 17 (35%) advanced metrics demonstrated acceptable consistency (CV <10). Release position from plate and velocity from the plate were the 2 most consistent advanced parameters. When separated by pitch type, these 2 parameters were the most constant (lowest CV) across every pitch type. Conclusion: We recommend against utilizing nonvalidated statistical measures to assess performance after injury, as they demonstrated unacceptably high variability even among healthy, noninjured professional baseball pitchers. It is our hope that this study will serve as the foundation for the identification and implementation of validated pitcher-dependent statistical measures that can be used to assess return-to-play performance after injury in the future.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Wallace ◽  
Tracey Covassin ◽  
Sally Nogle ◽  
Daniel Gould ◽  
Jeffrey Kovan

Context: Increased sport participation and sport-related concussion incidence has led to an emphasis on having an appropriate medical professional available to high school athletes. The medical professional best suited to provide medical care to high school athletes is a certified athletic trainer (AT). Access to an AT may influence the reporting of sport-related concussion in the high school athletic population; however, little is known about how the presence of an AT affects concussion knowledge, prevention, and recognition. Objective: To evaluate knowledge of concussion and reporting behaviors in high school athletes who did or did not have access to an AT. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Survey. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 438 athletes with access to an AT and 277 without access to an AT. Intervention(s): A validated knowledge-of-concussion survey consisting of 83 items addressing concussion history, concussion knowledge, scenario questions, signs and symptoms of a concussion, and reasons why an athlete would not report a concussion. The independent variable was access to an AT. Main Outcome Measure(s): We examined the proportion of athletes who correctly identified knowledge of concussion, signs and symptoms of concussion, and reasons why high school student-athletes would not disclose a potential concussive injury by access to an AT. Frequency statistics, χ2 tests, independent t tests, and linear regression were conducted to analyze the data. Results: The underreporting of concussion among high school athletes was 55%. Athletes with access to an AT had more knowledge of concussion than did athletes without such access (P ≤ .001). Chi-square tests did not demonstrate a significant relationship between AT access and a higher percentage reporting concussions. Conclusions: High school athletes with access to an AT had more concussion knowledge, but they did not report suspected concussions to an authority figure more frequently than athletes without access to an AT.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812097095
Author(s):  
Eric G. Post ◽  
Michael D. Rosenthal ◽  
Andrew T. Pennock ◽  
Mitchell J. Rauh

Background: Baseball is one of the most popular boy’s youth sports, and there has been a rise in the rates of certain overuse injuries among players. Specialization has been identified as a risk factor for overuse injury in high school athlete populations, but there is little understanding of the prevalence or consequences of sport specialization in Little League baseball players. Hypothesis: Sport specialization will be highly prevalent among Little League baseball players and specialization will be associated with worse throwing arm health. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 246 Little League baseball players (male; N = 241; age, 9.5 ± 1.6 years) between 7 and 12 years old completed an anonymous, online questionnaire with their parent’s assistance. The questionnaire consisted of participant demographics and baseball participation information, including sport specialization status and the Youth Throwing Score (YTS), a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure for youth baseball players. Results: Only 29 (11.8%) players met the criteria for high specialization. Approximately one-third of all players (n = 77; 31.3%) reported participating in baseball year-round or receiving private coaching outside of their league (n = 81; 32.9%). Highly specialized athletes demonstrated worse scores on the YTS on average compared with low-specialization athletes (mean [SE]: 56.9 [1.6] vs 61.1 [1.2]; P = 0.01). Similarly, pitching in the previous year ( P < 0.01) or traveling overnight regularly for showcases ( P = 0.01) were associated with a worse score on the YTS. Conclusion: While the prevalence of high sport specialization was low among Little League baseball players, other behaviors associated with specialization such as year-round play and the receiving of private coaching were more common. Highly specialized Little League players demonstrated worse throwing arm health compared with low-specialization players. Clinical Relevance: Little League players and their parents may represent a potential target audience for dissemination campaigns regarding sport specialization.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicki R. Nelson ◽  
Robert V. Masocol ◽  
Irfan M. Asif

Background: The physical activity vital sign (PAVS) is a simple, validated tool for assessing physical activity in adults that has not been previously studied in pediatrics. Hypothesis: Reported physical activity utilizing the PAVS in pediatric patients should vary according to known associations with physical activity, such as age, sex, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: All patients within a family medicine residency clinic were assessed via the PAVS from October 1, 2015, to October 31, 2016, including 255 consecutive pediatric patients aged 5 to 18 years. Associations were examined between PAVS, age, sex, blood pressure, and BMI using 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The average PAVS reported for youth (5-11 years) was 384.9 ± 218.1 minutes per week, with 69.5% reporting sufficient physical activity (≥300 minutes per week). Adolescents (12-18 years) reported a mean PAVS of 278.3 ± 199.6 minutes per week, with 51.1% reporting sufficient physical activity. Physical activity was lower in older participants ( P < 0.0001) and was higher in male patients ( P < 0.03). Higher BMI was associated with lower PAVS ( P < 0.005), while lower systolic blood pressure was associated with a greater number of days per week of physical activity ( P < 0.005). Conclusion: The PAVS successfully identifies accepted associations between age, sex, and BMI in a pediatric population. Clinical Relevance: The correlation of the PAVS with age, sex, BMI, and blood pressure may inform future strategies to address and prevent cardiometabolic disease in pediatric patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill N. Tirabassi ◽  
Lucianne Olewinski ◽  
Morteza Khodaee

Background: Significant elevations of traditional biomarkers of liver injury can occur as a result of running an ultramarathon. Hypothesis: Traditional serum biomarker levels of liver injury will significantly increase as the result of participating in this 161-km race at altitude. Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 64 (before) and 83 (after) volunteer runners participated in a prospective observational field-based study at the Leadville 100 ultramarathon race. Changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), and bilirubin levels were measured. Results: Of 669 athletes who started the race, 352 successfully completed the race within the 30-hour cutoff (53%). Of 36 runners who had pre- and postrace blood samples taken, the mean ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels were increased from 23 ± 10 U/L, 23 ± 5 U/L, and 0.60 ± 0.29 mg/dL to 117 ± 106 U/L, 485 ± 500 U/L, and 1.60 ± 0.61 mg/dL, respectively (all P < 0.001). There was no change in the mean ALP level ( P = 0.11). There were no significant correlations between postrace ALT, AST, ALP, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bilirubin levels and athletes’ age, sex, body mass index, or finishing time. Significant positive linear correlations between AST, ALT, and LDH with CK were seen. Athletes in this study did not seek medical attention after the race based on an electronic survey (92% response rate). Conclusion: Significant elevations of traditional biomarkers of liver injury occurred as a result of running an ultramarathon at altitude. These correlated with CK, a marker of muscle injury. Clinical Relevance: When reviewing laboratory studies of traditional biomarkers of liver injury in athletes after an ultramarathon, significant elevations may be seen from baseline but are likely to be of no clinical consequence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712097789
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Morales-Avalos ◽  
Adriana Tapia-Náñez ◽  
Mario Simental-Mendía ◽  
Guillermo Elizondo-Riojas ◽  
Michelle Morcos-Sandino ◽  
...  

Background: Radiographic findings related to the cam and pincer variants of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) include measurements of the alpha angle and lateral center-edge angle (LCEA). The function of these radiographic findings has been put into question because of high heterogeneity in reported studies. Purpose: The aim of this study was 3-fold: (1) to determine the prevalence of cam and pincer variants according to sex and age on anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs from an asymptomatic nonathletic population, (2) to identify the most common radiographic signs of cam- and pincer-type variants, and (3) to determine if there are variations in the prevalence of these radiographic signs according to sex and age. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: There were 3 independent observers who retrospectively analyzed the 939 AP pelvic radiographs (1878 hips) of patients aged 18 to 50 years who did not have hip symptoms and who were not professional athletes. The prevalence of the cam and pincer variants according to the alpha angle and LCEA, respectively, and the presence of other radiographic signs commonly associated with these variables were determined in the overall population and by subgroup according to sex and age group (18-30, 31-40, and 41-50 years). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the study sample. Results: The mean age of the included population was 31.0 ± 9.2 years, and 68.2% were male. The prevalence of the cam-type variant was 29.7% (558/1878), and that of the pincer-type variant was 24.3% (456/1878). The radiographic signs that were most associated with the cam and pincer variants were a pistol-grip deformity and the crossover sign, respectively. Significant differences ( P < .001) in the prevalence of these variants were identified between men and women in both variants. No differences were observed in the alpha angle or LCEA according to sex or age. Conclusion: Radiographic findings suggestive of FAI had significant variations with respect to sex and age in this study sample. This study provides information to determine the prevalence of these anatomic variants in the general population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feras H. Abuzeyad ◽  
Moonis Farooq ◽  
Salah Farhat Alam ◽  
Mudhaffar Ismael Ibrahim ◽  
Luma Bashmi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients discharged against medical advice (DAMA) act as a high-risk population for the Emergency Department (ED), regardless of their presentations, and can pose a serious burden for the hospital. This study examines the prevalence, demographic and clinical characteristics, reasons, and clinical outcomes of a small sample of DAMA patients in a teaching university hospital, including readmission, morbidity, and mortality. Methods A prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the ED of King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) with 98,992 patient visits during a 1-year period from June 2018 to June 2019. Consenting DAMA patients were asked to complete a data collection form. Results Patients (n = 413) had a mean age of 44.1 years with a female majority (57.1%). The majority were categorized as triage level-3 (87.7%). The main reasons for DAMA included refusal of the procedure/operation (23.2%), long ED waiting time (22.2%), subjective improvement with treatment (17.7%), and children at home (14.8%), whereas the least selected reason was dissatisfaction with medical care (1.2%). Follow-up of DAMA patients revealed that 86 cases (20.8%) were readmitted to the ED within 72 h of which 41 (47.7%) cases were morbidity and 2 (2.3%) were mortality. Marital status was a predictor of DAMA patients who revisit the ED within 72 h. Conclusion The results act as a pilot study to examine a small sample of DAMA patients’ characteristics, diagnosis, and ED revisits. Hospitals should investigate further the DAMA population on a larger scale, reasons for refusing procedures, and utilize this knowledge to improve the healthcare process.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 626
Author(s):  
Saber Yezli ◽  
Yara Yassin ◽  
Abdulaziz Mushi ◽  
Bander Balkhi ◽  
Andy Stergachis ◽  
...  

We aimed to investigate the knowledge and practices of Hajj pilgrims regarding medication storage and handling during the Hajj mass gathering. In this cross-sectional study, adult pilgrims from 30 countries were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during the 2019 Hajj. The study enrolled 1221 participants with a mean age of 50.8 years (SD = 12.5, range = 18–98) and male:female ratio of 1.7:1. Most pilgrims were literate, 50.4% had a university or higher education, and 38% reported at least one underlying health condition. Most pilgrims reported receiving education regarding the proper way to store their medication during Hajj, mainly from physicians (73.7%) and pharmacists (39.4%). Although 68.2% of pilgrims had good knowledge regarding medication storage and the potential effect of inappropriate storage conditions on medications and health, inadequate knowledge and poor practice were identified among some. Level of education, having an underlying health condition and receiving health education on mediation storage were independently associated with good knowledge. Most pilgrims took their medications with them during Hajj, although storage and handling of their medication also varied depending on the stages of their Hajj pilgrimage journey. Improving Hajj pilgrims’ awareness and knowledge about appropriate storage and handling of their medications are beneficial in reducing the risk of associated adverse health outcomes, both during Hajj and beyond the mass gathering.


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