Is Chi Running a Safer Alternative for those at Increased Cardiovascular Risk?

Cardiovascular disease is a global burden, and exercise is a well-recognised route to reducing the risk. Running is an effective form of exercise; however, its intensive nature leads to an increased risk of injury. ChiRunning is an alternative running programme that uses principles of mindfulness adapted from Tai Chi. It focuses on altering running gait, with the goal to decrease injury risk. Due to ChiRunning’s recent emergence, data is limited. However, results suggest that ChiRunning improves running gait and may reduce injury risk when compared to traditional methods. Future research with larger sample sizes is required to assess its effectiveness.

Download Full-text

The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rheumatology International ◽

10.1007/s00296-021-04876-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Cox ◽

Sonal Gupta ◽

Sizheng Steven Zhao ◽

David M. Hughes

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Small Sample ◽

Future Research ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractThe aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to describe prevalence of cardiovascular disease in gout, compare these results with non-gout controls and consider whether there were differences according to geography. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies reporting prevalence of any cardiovascular disease in a gout population. Studies with non-representative sampling, where a cohort had been used in another study, small sample size (< 100) and where gout could not be distinguished from other rheumatic conditions were excluded, as were reviews, editorials and comments. Where possible meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models. Twenty-six studies comprising 949,773 gout patients were included in the review. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated for five cardiovascular diseases: myocardial infarction (2.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI)s 1.6, 5.0), heart failure (8.7%; 95% CI 2.9, 23.8), venous thromboembolism (2.1%; 95% CI 1.2, 3.4), cerebrovascular accident (4.3%; 95% CI 1.8, 9.7) and hypertension (63.9%; 95% CI 24.5, 90.6). Sixteen studies reported comparisons with non-gout controls, illustrating an increased risk in the gout group across all cardiovascular diseases. There were no identifiable reliable patterns when analysing the results by country. Cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in patients with gout and should prompt vigilance from clinicians to the need to assess and stratify cardiovascular risk. Future research is needed to investigate the link between gout, hyperuricaemia and increased cardiovascular risk and also to establish a more thorough picture of prevalence for less common cardiovascular diseases.

Download Full-text

The Relationship between Dynamic Balance and Jumping Tests among Adolescent Amateur Rugby Players. A Preliminary Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010312 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 312

Author(s):

Bartosz Wilczyński ◽

Jakub Hinca ◽

Daniel Ślęzak ◽

Katarzyna Zorena

Keyword(s):

Injury Risk ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Study Data ◽

Balance Test ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Counter Movement Jump ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

The Relationship ◽

Rugby Players

Rugby is a demanding contact sport. In light of research, poor balance, reduced jumping ability, muscle strength, and incorrect landing patterns might contribute to the increased risk of injury in athletes. Investigating the relationship between tests assessing these abilities might not only allow for the skillful programming of preventive training but also helps in assessing the risk of injury to athletes. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dynamic balance, vertical and horizontal jumps, and jump-landings movement patterns. Thirty-one healthy amateur adolescent rugby players (age: 14.3 ± 1.6 years, height 171.4 ± 9.7 cm, body mass 80 ± 26 kg) participated in the study. Data were collected by the Y-balance Test (YBT), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Single Leg Hop for Distance (SLHD), and Landing Error Score System (LESS). Significant positive correlations were found between SLHD both legs (SLHDb) and YBT Composite both legs (COMb) (r = 0.51, p = 0.0037) and between SLHDb and CMJ (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). A relationship was also observed between the CMJ and YBT COMb test (r = 0.51, p = 0.006). Moderate positive correlations were found between the dominant legs in SLHD and the posterolateral (r = 0.40, p = 0.027), posteromedial (r = 0.43, p = 0.014), and composite (r = 0.48, p = 0.006) directions of the YBT. These results indicate that variables that are dependent on each other can support in the assessment of injury-risk and in enhancing sports performance of young athletes.

Download Full-text

Protection Against Spikes in Workload With Aerobic Fitness and Playing Experience: The Role of the Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio on Injury Risk in Elite Gaelic Football

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2016-0090 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 393-401 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Shane Malone ◽

Mark Roe ◽

Dominic A. Doran ◽

Tim J. Gabbett ◽

Kieran D. Collins

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Reference Group ◽

Time Trial ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Football Players ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Injury Protection

Purpose:To examine the association between combined session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) workload measures and injury risk in elite Gaelic footballers.Methods:Thirty-seven elite Gaelic footballers (mean ± SD age 24.2 ± 2.9 y) from 1 elite squad were involved in a single-season study. Weekly workload (session RPE multiplied by duration) and all time-loss injuries (including subsequent-wk injuries) were recorded during the period. Rolling weekly sums and wk-to-wk changes in workload were measured, enabling the calculation of the acute:chronic workload ratio by dividing acute workload (ie, 1-weekly workload) by chronic workload (ie, rolling-average 4-weekly workload). Workload measures were then modeled against data for all injuries sustained using a logistic-regression model. Odds ratios (ORs) were reported against a reference group.Results:High 1-weekly workloads (≥2770 arbitrary units [AU], OR = 1.63–6.75) were associated with significantly higher risk of injury than in a low-training-load reference group (<1250 AU). When exposed to spikes in workload (acute:chronic workload ratio >1.5), players with 1 y experience had a higher risk of injury (OR = 2.22) and players with 2–3 (OR = 0.20) and 4–6 y (OR = 0.24) of experience had a lower risk of injury. Players with poorer aerobic fitness (estimated from a 1-km time trial) had a higher injury risk than those with higher aerobic fitness (OR = 1.50–2.50). An acute:chronic workload ratio of (≥2.0) demonstrated the greatest risk of injury.Conclusions:These findings highlight an increased risk of injury for elite Gaelic football players with high (>2.0) acute:chronic workload ratios and high weekly workloads. A high aerobic capacity and playing experience appears to offer injury protection against rapid changes in workload and high acute:chronic workload ratios. Moderate workloads, coupled with moderate to high changes in the acute:chronic workload ratio, appear to be protective for Gaelic football players.

Download Full-text

Association Between Gout and Injury Risk: A National Retrospective Cohort Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17103679 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (10) ◽

pp. 3679

Author(s):

Shih-Hsiang Ou ◽

Chu-Lin Chou ◽

Chia-Wei Lin ◽

Wu-Chien Chien ◽

Te-Chao Fang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Drug Intervention ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Analysis Group ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Insurance Database

The association between gout and injury remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the injury risk in patients with gout. Using the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) from 2000 to 2010 in Taiwan, patients with gout (group CFG) and those without gout (group C) were enrolled for further analysis. The CFG group was separated into two subgroups (with and without medication) to determine whether the risk of injury was reduced with drug intervention. The follow-up period was defined as the time from the initial diagnosis of gout to the date of injury. A total of 257,442 individuals were enrolled in this study, with 85,814 people in group CFG and 171,628 people in group C. Using Cox regression analysis, group CFG showed a significant increase in the risk of injury. Traffic injuries, poisoning, falls, crushing/cutting/piercing injury, and suicides were prominent among these injuries. Furthermore, when urate-lowing drugs were used to treat the CFG group, there were no significant differences in the occurrence of injury. Patients with gout had an increased risk of injury overall, and drug intervention did not lower the risk of injury in these patients.

Download Full-text

Injury Risk Associated With Sports Specialization and Activity Volume in Youth

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967119870124 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 232596711987012 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alison E. Field ◽

Frances A. Tepolt ◽

Daniel S. Yang ◽

Mininder S. Kocher

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

The United States ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Sports Activity ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: Sports specialization has become increasingly common among youth. Purpose/Hypothesis: To investigate the relative importance of specialization vs volume of activity in increasing risk of injury. Hypotheses were that specialization increases the risk of injury and that risk varies by sport. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A prospective analysis was conducted with data collected from 10,138 youth in the Growing Up Today Study—a prospective cohort study of youth throughout the United States—and their mothers. Activity was assessed via questionnaires in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001. Sports specialization was defined as engaging in a single sport in the fall, winter, and spring. Injury history was provided by participants’ mothers via questionnaire in 2004. The outcome was incident stress fracture, tendinitis, chondromalacia patella, anterior cruciate ligament tear, or osteochondritis dissecans or osteochondral defect. Results: Females who engaged in sports specialization were at increased risk of injury (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07-1.61), but risk varied by sport. Sports specialization was associated with greater volume of physical activity in both sexes ( P < .0001). Total hours per week of vigorous activity was predictive of developing injury, regardless of what other variables were included in the statistical model (males: HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06; females: HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.05-1.08). Among females, even those engaging in 3 to 3.9 hours per week less than their age were at a significantly increased risk of injury (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.34-2.77). In males, there was no clear pattern of risk. Conclusion: Sports specialization is associated with a greater volume of vigorous sports activity and increased risk of injury. Parents, coaches, and medical providers need to be made aware of the volume threshold above which physical activity is excessive.

Download Full-text

Subsequent Injury Risk Is Elevated Above Baseline After Return to Play: A 5-Year Prospective Study in Elite Australian Football

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546519852622 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (9) ◽

pp. 2225-2231 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jordan J. Stares ◽

Brian Dawson ◽

Peter Peeling ◽

Jarryd Heasman ◽

Brent Rogalski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Injury Risk ◽

The Body ◽

Return To Play ◽

Time Loss ◽

Data Set ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Australian Football ◽

Subsequent Injury

Background: The risk of sustaining a subsequent injury is elevated in the weeks after return to play (RTP) from an index injury. However, little is known about the magnitude, duration, and nature by which subsequent injury risk is increased. Purpose: To quantify and describe the risk of injury in a 12-week period after RTP from an index injury in Australian football players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Injury data were collected from 79 players over 5 years at 1 Australian Football League club. Injuries were classified with the Orchard Sports Injury Classification System and by side of the body. Furthermore, injury severity was classified as time loss (resulting in ≥1 matches being missed) or non–time loss (no matches missed). Subsequent injury was categorized with the SIC-2.0 model and applied to the data set via an automated script. The probability of a time loss subsequent injury was calculated for in-season index injuries for each week of a 12-week period after RTP via a mixed effect logistic regression model. Results: Subsequent injury risk was found to be highest in the week of RTP for both time loss injuries (9.4%) and non–time loss injuries (6.9%). Risk decreased with each week survived after RTP; however, it did not return to baseline risk of participation (3.6%). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that athletes returning to play are at an increased risk of injury for a number of weeks, thus indicating the requirement for tertiary prevention strategies to ensure that they survive this period.

Download Full-text

The Influence of In-Season Training Loads on Injury Risk in Professional Rugby Union

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2015-0187 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 350-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Matthew J. Cross ◽

Sean Williams ◽

Grant Trewartha ◽

Simon P.T. Kemp ◽

Keith A. Stokes

Keyword(s):

Generalized Estimating Equations ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Reference Group ◽

Harmful Effect ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Time Loss ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Reduction Strategies ◽

Risk Reduction Strategies

Purpose:To explore the association between in-season training-load (TL) measures and injury risk in professional rugby union players.Methods:This was a 1-season prospective cohort study of 173 professional rugby union players from 4 English Premiership teams. TL (duration × session-RPE) and time-loss injuries were recorded for all players for all pitch- and gym-based sessions. Generalized estimating equations were used to model the association between in-season TL measures and injury in the subsequent week.Results:Injury risk increased linearly with 1-wk loads and week-to-week changes in loads, with a 2-SD increase in these variables (1245 AU and 1069 AU, respectively) associated with odds ratios of 1.68 (95% CI 1.05–2.68) and 1.58 (95% CI 0.98–2.54). When compared with the reference group (<3684 AU), a significant nonlinear effect was evident for 4-wk cumulative loads, with a likely beneficial reduction in injury risk associated with intermediate loads of 5932–8651 AU (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.22–1.38) (this range equates to around 4 wk of average in-season TL) and a likely harmful effect evident for higher loads of >8651 AU (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.98–1.98).Conclusions:Players had an increased risk of injury if they had high 1-wk cumulative loads (1245 AU) or large week-to-week changes in TL (1069 AU). In addition, a U-shaped relationship was observed for 4-wk cumulative loads, with an apparent increase in risk associated with higher loads (>8651 AU). These measures should therefore be monitored to inform injury-risk-reduction strategies.

Download Full-text

Preliminary Concussion and Lower Extremity Injury Risk Among R.O.T.C. Cadets

Neurology ◽

10.1212/01.wnl.0000580860.46940.2f ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽

pp. S4.1-S4

Author(s):

Katie Hunzinger ◽

Katelyn Costantini ◽

Kelsey Bryk ◽

Thomas Buckley ◽

C. Buz Swanik

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Memory Loss ◽

Lower Extremity Injury ◽

Future Research ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Rotc Cadets ◽

Army Rotc ◽

Chi Square Analysis ◽

Concussive Injury

ObjectiveTo examine the association between concussions and lower extremity musculoskeletal injury (LE-MSI) rates in Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets.BackgroundConcussions have been associated with an increased risk for LE-MSI among high school, collegiate, and professional athletes as well as U.S. Army Soldiers. However, there is a paucity evidence on this relationship among U.S. Army ROTC cadets, future U.S. Army Officers, and a group similar to student-athletes in regards to physical activity levels.Design/MethodsA modified reliable injury questionnaire (ICC = 0.92) was used to identify the total number of reported concussions, intentionally unreported concussions, and potentially unrecognized concussions (e.g., memory loss not diagnosed as a concussion) as well as LE-MSI (e.g., muscle strains, ACL rupture) a cadet had suffered. A chi-square analysis was performed to identify the association between concussion and LE-MSI and any concussive injury and LE-MSI.Results47 cadets (19.9 ± 1.3 years) were recruited from one Army ROTC program. There was not a significant association between reported concussions and LE-MSI (Χ(1) = 3.122, p = 0.077). There was not a significant association between any concussive injury (reported, unreported, or potentially unrecognized) and LE-MSI (Χ(1) = 3.590, p = 0.058). The reported concussion history was 38.3% (18/47), any concussive history was 46.8% (22/47), and 68.1% (32/47) reported history of LE-MSI.ConclusionsPreliminary results showed that there was no statistically significant association between concussion and LE-MSI among ROTC cadets at this university. Future research is warranted on a larger cohort of cadets to determine if this relationship exists since cadets will soon commission, potentially risking injury while serving on active duty, causing limited duty days, reduced Department of Defense readiness, and increased healthcare costs. Cadets showed a high incidence of concussion and LE-MSK injury, and future research should target reducing these injuries among ROTC cadets prior to commissioning.

Download Full-text

The Effect of the Number of Carries on Injury Risk and Subsequent Season’s Performance Among Running Backs in the National Football League

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967117691941 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 232596711769194 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Matthew J. Kraeutler ◽

John W. Belk ◽

Eric C. McCarty

Keyword(s):

Injury Risk ◽

National Football League ◽

Matched Pair ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Group A ◽

Preceding Season ◽

Playing Time ◽

Group B

Background: In recent years, several studies have correlated pitch count with an increased risk for injury among baseball pitchers. However, no studies have attempted to draw a similar conclusion based on number of carries by running backs (RBs) in football. Purpose: To determine whether there is a correlation between number of carries by RBs in the National Football League (NFL) and risk of injury or worsened performance in the subsequent season. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The ESPN NFL statistics archives were searched from the 2004 through 2014 regular seasons. During each season, data were collected on RBs with 150 to 250 carries (group A) and 300+ carries (group B). The following data were collected for each player and compared between groups: number of carries and mean yards per carry during the regular season of interest and the subsequent season, number of games missed due to injury during the season of interest and the subsequent season, and the specific injuries resulting in missed playing time during the subsequent season. Matched-pair t tests were used to compare changes within each group from one season to the next in terms of number of carries, mean yards per carry, and games missed due to injury. Results: During the seasons studied, a total of 275 RBs were included (group A, 212; group B, 63). In group A, 140 RBs (66%) missed at least 1 game the subsequent season due to injury, compared with 31 RBs (49%) in group B ( P = .016). In fact, players in group B missed significantly fewer games due to injury during the season of interest ( P < .0001) as well as the subsequent season ( P < .01). Mean yards per carry was not significantly different between groups in the preceding season ( P = .073) or the subsequent season ( P = .24). Conclusion: NFL RBs with a high number of carries are not placed at greater risk of injury or worsened performance during the subsequent season. These RBs may be generally less injury prone compared with other NFL RBs.

Download Full-text

In the Balance: How do Thrombospondins Contribute to the Cellular Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Disease?

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.00251.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tessa Forbes ◽

Audrys G. Pauza ◽

Josephine C. Adams

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Large Body ◽

Cell Types ◽

Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Future Research ◽

Cell Physiology ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Functional Roles ◽

Increased Risk

Thrombospondins (TSPs) are multi-domain, secreted proteins that associate with cell-surfaces and extracellular matrix. In mammals, there is a large body of data on functional roles of various TSP family members in cardiovascular disease (CVD), including stroke, cardiac remodelling and fibrosis, atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms. Coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TSP1 or TSP4 are also associated with increased risk of several forms of CVD. Whereas interactions and functional effects of TSPs on a variety of cell types have been studied extensively, the molecular and cellular basis for the differential effects of the SNPs remains under investigation. Here, we provide an integrative review on TSPs, their roles in CVD and cardiovascular cell physiology, and known properties and mechanisms of TSP SNPs relevant to CVD. In considering recent expansions to knowledge of the fundamental cellular roles and mechanisms of TSPs, as well as the effects of wild-type and variant TSPs on cells of the cardiovascular system, we aim to highlight knowledge gaps and areas for future research or of translational potential.

Download Full-text