Evaluation of muscle and bone composition and function in aging women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The potential effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on the musculoskeletal system are not well established. We examined the musculoskeletal system in women with PCOS in their late reproductive years. STUDY-DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included 34 women with PCOS and 32 control women matched for age and body mass index (BMI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used for body composition analysis and cross-sectional areas and fat fraction of muscles were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) of the abdomen and thigh. Muscle strength was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: The mean age of the PCOS group was 43 ± 3.7 years and of the control group 42.2 ± 3.5 years. Testosterone, free androgen index, and fasting insulin were higher in PCOS patients than controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.032, respectively). Patients and controls had similar values for total abdominal muscle area (TAMA), paraspinal muscle area, thigh muscle area, vertebral MRI-PDFF, thigh and paraspinal muscle MRI-PDFF. There was no difference in DXA-derived muscle and bone composition between the two groups. Body composition parameters measured by MRI and DXA were correlated with BMI and fasting insulin levels, but not with androgen levels in both groups. Subgroup analyses showed that PCOS women with obesity had higher TAMA than controls with obesity (p = 0.012). Apart than higher 60°/sec knee extensor average power in nonobese PCOS (p = 0.049), no difference in muscle mechanical function was detected between PCOS patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal composition and function are similar in PCOS patients and healthy women in late reproductive years. Body composition is linked with obesity and insulin resistance rather than hyperandrogenemia.

The effects of home confinement on physical activity level and mental status in professional football players during COVID-19 outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus outbreak caused significant changes in football around the world, such as the suspension of leagues and home isolation of players, etc. The main purpose of the present study was to assess the psychological impacts of lockdown and similar restrictions on professional football players during the coronavirus pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The players from 36 professional football teams (n = 977) among Turkish Super League and First League teams were invited to complete a questionnaire including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Impact of Event Scale-Revised Scores (IES-R) and short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: The online survey was completed by 237 players (24.3%). The mean number of self-quarantine day of participants was 26.9 ± 6.2 days. The median CES-D Scale and IES-R scores were 6.0 (min:0, max:42) and 23.0 (min:0, max:59), respectively. IPAQ scores of the players showed that four-fifths of the players still maintain high physical activity levels. There were negative, very weak and significant correlations between CES-D score and being married (r = -0.146, p = 0.024), as well as between CES-D score and IPAQ-Walking (r = -0.189, p = 0.004). A significant positive very weak correlation was observed between CES-D score and self-quarantine days (r = 0.148, p = 0.024). IPAQ-Walking was an independent predictor of CES-D. CONCLUSION: These findings support that maintaining regular physical activity and routinely exercising in a safe home environment is one of the most important strategies to ensure healthy mental state.

Mean femoral cartilage thickness is higher in athletes as compared with sedentary individuals.

PURPOSE: It is unclear how high-intensity physical activity (HIPA) affects the knee joint, specifically the femoral cartilage (FC). Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate FC thickness via ultrasound among elite athletes involved in different types of HIPA, and to determine whether there is a correlation between serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) and rectus femoris (RF) thickness. METHOD: A total of 132 male individuals participated in this study and were assigned to two groups, the sedentary (n = 43, 23.9 ± 3.7) and athlete groups (n = 89, 22.7 ± 4.6), which did not significantly differ in age. The athletes were elite and performed HIPA during sports such as volleyball (n = 20), soccer (n = 21), basketball (n = 28), and weightlifting (n = 20). RF thickness and three (mid-point) measurements were obtained for each knee. The mean FC thickness for each knee was defined as the sum of the medial, lateral condyles, and intercondylar areas. Blood samples for sCOMP analyses were also obtained. RESULTS: All the measurements of the FC of both knees were significantly higher in the athletes than in the sedentary individuals (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001). The mean right and left FC values were also higher in the athletes (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that participation in sporting activities was a significant predictor associated with the right and left mean FC thickness (p < 0.001 for both). No significant differences in the sCOMP levels were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: It was found that the mean FC was higher among athletes than among sedentary individuals. As a result, it is suggested that sports' participation is an independent factor associated with the right and left mean FC thickness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Knee muscle and tendon stiffness in professional soccer players: a shear-wave elastography study.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that several risk factors such as fatigue, previous injury, muscle strength deficit or imbalance are related to a higher incidence of knee injuries in professional soccer players. Knee muscle and tendon stiffness may be another factor that is related to knee injuries in professional soccer players. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the differences between professional soccer players and healthy sedentary males in terms of the stiffness of patellar tendon (PT), quadriceps tendon (QT), and rectus femoris muscle (RF) and vastus medialis muscle (VM). METHODS: The study group was comprised of 17 professional male soccer players in age range of 24-37 years. The control group was comprised of 22 healthy sedentary males in an age range of 21-36 years. Shear-Wave Velocity (SWV) measurements of the selected muscles and tendons were performed using an ultrasonography device with a lineal probe. RESULTS: The professional soccer players had lower SWV of PT (P=0.024) and QT (P<0.001) in the dominant leg compared to the control group; however, SWV of PT (P=0.455) and QT (P=0.827) in the non-dominant leg were similar in both groups. SWV of RF was higher in both dominant and non-dominant legs in professional soccer players compared to the control group (P<0.05); however, SWV of VM was similar in both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Professional soccer players had lower PT and QT stiffness. On the other hand, they had higher RF stiffness compared to sedentary individuals. Furthermore, VM stiffness was similar in both groups.