Pain Perception in Contact Sport Athletes: A Scoping Review

Contact sports athletes are regularly facing acute physical pain in part of their practice. However, the literature investigating pain perception in these athletes remains scarce. This scoping review aimed to explore the literature surrounding pain perception in contact sport athletes and to compile and understand how it is studied. The search strategy consisted of using index terms and keywords in Medline, EMBASE, Sport-Discus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global search engines. Results revealed that a mix of team contact sports and combat sports are studied and included under the umbrella of contact sports. These athletes are being compared to non-athletes as well as athletes from non-contact sports. The cold pressor test and the pain pressure test are the two predominant methods used to investigate physical pain. This review highlights the need to clearly define sports based on contact levels expected in play to better define the types of pain athletes are facing in their practice. Athlete’s level of play as well as years of experience should also be more rigorously reported. While contact sport athletes seem to have a higher level of pain tolerance than both active controls and non-contact athletes, the methods of pain testing are not always justified and appropriate in relation to the pain induced during contact sports. Future experimental studies should use pain testing methods relevant to the pain experienced during contact sports and better justify the rationale for the choice of these methods.

Effects of Cumulative Years of Contact/Collision Sports on Neuropsychological Outcomes

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between prolonged exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) through contact sports, as assessed by cumulative years contact sport participation, and quality of life outcomes in current/former contact sport athletes.BackgroundCumulative lifetime RHI exposure may be a more meaningful measure than age of first exposure to contact sports to assess effects of RHI on neurologic function, however effects on young adults remain mixed.Design/MethodsTwenty-one physically active current/former contact sport athletes (35.0 ± 12.2 years, 66.7% male) completed an online questionnaire. To assess quality of life and psychological status, participants completed the Apathy Evaluation Scale-Self Rated (AES-S), Short Form 12 (SF-12), Satisfaction with Life Survey (SWLS), and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) Symptoms. Participants self-reported years of organized contact sport history (16.9 ± 10.5 years, range: 1–45) along with covariates (sex, LD/ADHD, age, concussion history). Generalized linear models were used to examine the association between cumulative years contact sport and psychological outcomes, while controlling for covariates.ResultsCumulative years contact sports was a significant positive predictor of better apathy ratings (p = 0.038) and SWLS (p = 0.001). For every year increase, there was an associated 1.1% reduction in AES-S and 1.6% improvement in SWLS. Cumulative years was not a significant predictor of SF-12 Mental Component Summary (p = 0.113), SF-12 Physical Component Summary (p = 0.289), or symptoms (p = 0.237).ConclusionsCumulative years of contact sport history was associated with better patient reported outcomes in current/former contact/collision sport athletes. This provides insight into later life effects of prolonged RHI exposure on neuropsychological outcomes in a more diverse subject pool outside of retired football players. Long-term neurologic effects remain to be elucidated, however, in early adulthood collision sports have positive mental health outcomes.

A case report of COVID-19 monitoring in the Austrian professional football league

Since the beginning of the COVID -19 pandemic, many contact sport teams are facing major challenges to safely continue training and competition. We present the design and implementation of a structured monitoring concept for the Austrian national football league. 146 professional players from five clubs of the professional Austrian football league were monitored for a period of 12 weeks. Subjective health parameters, PCR- test results and data obtained from a geo-tracking app were collected. Simulations modelling the consequences of a COVID-19 case with increasing reproduction number were computed. No COVID -19 infection occurred during the observation period in the players. Infections in the nearer surroundings lead to increased perceived risk of infection. Geo tracking was particularly hindered due to technical problems and reluctance of users. Simulation models suggested a hypothetical shut-down of all training and competition activities. A structured monitoring concept can help to continue contact sports safely in times of a pandemic. Cooperation of all involved is essential. Trial registration: ID: DRKS00022166 15/6/2020 https://www.who.int/ictrp/search/en/.

Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Golf Course Cart Club And Ball Accidents

With Over 27.8 Million Golfers And More Than 16,000 Golf Facilities In The United States, Golf Is A Non-Contact Sport With Statistically Low Risk For Injury. However, Research Has Documented Golf Related Injuries Can Be Disproportionally Serious Or Even Fatal. Federal Regulations And Countermeasures To Improve Golf Safety Are Outlined. A Spectrum Of Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Golf-Related Incidents Illustrates The Broad Range Of Resulting Trauma. Categories Of Golf Incidents Include: Cart Collisions With Other Vehicles Resulting From Mixed Use On Automotive Roadways, Cart Solo Incidents Including Ejection With And Without Rollover, Errant Golf Ball Impacts, Inadvertent Golf Club Impacts, Trip And Fall Incidents As Well As Golf Cart Fires.

Neuroradiologic Evaluation of MRI in High-Contact Sports

Background and Purpose: Athletes participating in high-contact sports experience repeated head trauma. Anatomical findings, such as a cavum septum pellucidum, prominent CSF spaces, and hippocampal volume reductions, have been observed in cases of mild traumatic brain injury. The extent to which these neuroanatomical findings are associated with high-contact sports is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are subtle neuroanatomic differences between athletes participating in high-contact sports compared to low-contact athletic controls.Materials and Methods: We performed longitudinal structural brain MRI scans in 63 football (high-contact) and 34 volleyball (low-contact control) male collegiate athletes with up to 4 years of follow-up, evaluating a total of 315 MRI scans. Board-certified neuroradiologists performed semi-quantitative visual analysis of neuroanatomic findings, including: cavum septum pellucidum type and size, extent of perivascular spaces, prominence of CSF spaces, white matter hyperintensities, arterial spin labeling perfusion asymmetries, fractional anisotropy holes, and hippocampal size.Results: At baseline, cavum septum pellucidum length was greater in football compared to volleyball controls (p = 0.02). All other comparisons were statistically equivalent after multiple comparison correction. Within football at baseline, the following trends that did not survive multiple comparison correction were observed: more years of prior football exposure exhibited a trend toward more perivascular spaces (p = 0.03 uncorrected), and lower baseline Standardized Concussion Assessment Tool scores toward more perivascular spaces (p = 0.02 uncorrected) and a smaller right hippocampal size (p = 0.02 uncorrected).Conclusion: Head impacts in high-contact sport (football) athletes may be associated with increased cavum septum pellucidum length compared to low-contact sport (volleyball) athletic controls. Other investigated neuroradiology metrics were generally equivalent between sports.

Movement Pattern Analysis of Layup, Jump Shot and Free Throw in Basketball

Basketball sport originated as a non-contact sport but recently it has evolved into physically more challenging in which contact is accepted and expected. This transition of the sports has increased the injury rates substantially. Basketball includes multiple movements such as jumps, turns and change of direction, running and deceleration in its various movements of jump shot, free throw and layup shot. The complexities of these movements imposes various demands on basketball players, which makes it more important to know the health oriented aspects of the movement. This review explains the movement pattern analysis of these basketball specific movements in detail which can help the physiotherapist to plan the injury prevention strategies for their athletes. KEY WORDS: Basketball, Basketball Movements, Jump Shot, Layup Shot, Basketball Free Throw.

Examining the Research Criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome in Middle-Aged Men From the General Population Who Played Contact Sports in High School

Objective: There are no validated or agreed upon diagnostic clinical criteria for chronic traumatic encephalopathy or traumatic encephalopathy syndrome. This study examines the leading research criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) in middle-aged men in the general population.Method: Participants were 409 men between the ages of 35 and 55 recruited through an online crowdsourcing platform. Participants provided demographic information, medication history, concussion history, contact sport history, current medication use, and current symptoms. Research criteria for TES were applied to the sample.Results: Over half of the total sample met TES symptom criteria (56.2%), without applying the neurotrauma exposure criteria. Those with 4+ prior concussions had higher rates of meeting TES criteria compared to those with 0–3 prior concussions, but the results were not statistically significant (69.8 vs. 54.6%; χ2 = 3.58, p = 0.06). Exposure to contact sports was not related to higher rates of TES (ps ≥ 0.55). In a binary logistic regression predicting the presence of mild or greater TES, significant predictors were sleep difficulties [Odds ratio (OR) = 6.68], chronic pain (OR = 3.29), and age (OR = 1.04). Neurotrauma exposure was not a significant predictor (p = 0.66). When analyzing those with no prior concussions or contact sport histories (n = 126), 45.2% met symptom criteria for mild or greater TES; chronic pain and sleep difficulties were associated with a higher prevalence of meeting criteria for TES in this subgroup (ps < 0.001).Conclusions: Men who participated in contact sports in high school or college were not more likely to meet criteria for TES than men who participated in non-contact sports or no sports. In a multivariable model, sleep problems and chronic pain were predictive of meeting the symptom criteria for TES, but the repetitive neurotrauma exposure criterion was not a significant predictor of meeting the TES symptom criteria.