Health, Performance Ratings and Approachability of 50-60-Year-Old Sedentary Adults (ActIv-Study): Key Insights for Health Economy and Exercise Promotion.

Despite significant prevention efforts, the numbers of physically inactive individuals, chronic illnesses, exhaustion syndromes and sick leaves are increasing. A still unresolved problem with exercise promotion is the low participation of sedentary persons. This collective term covers heterogeneous subgroups. Their engagement with movement campaigns and resistance to change are influenced by numerous factors. Our aim was to analyse survey data on health, performance, lifestyle habits and the approachability to physical activity campaigns obtained from the Germany-wide ActIv survey. From 2888 study participants aged 50-60 years, 668 persons were categorised into the subgroups "never-athletes", "sports-dropouts", "always-athletes" and "sports-beginners". Large and significant group differences were found for BMI, assessment of quality of life, health and fitness, risk factors and health problems. In total, 42.5% of "never-athletes" and 32.5% of "sports-dropouts" did not state any barriers to sport. There are substantial disparities between the non-athlete groups in terms of their motivation to exercise. In contrast, there are comparatively minor differences in motivation between "sports-dropouts" and "sports-beginners", whose health and fitness are the primary motivators for sport. Our analyses suggest that (i) negative health and performance trends cannot be compensated for by appeals for voluntary participation in exercise programmes and (ii) powerful incentive systems are required.

Preparticipation medical evaluation for elite athletes: EFSMA recommendations on standardised preparticipation evaluation form in European countries.

Sports medicine is a medical specialty that supports the performance of professional and amateur athletes while maintaining their health. Sports medicine professionals need to ensure the safe participation of athletes in sports activities achieved through a periodical preparticipation evaluation (PPE) and a regular medical monitoring of the athletes' health in accordance with the latest recommendations regarding health condition and medical history, physical working capacity, training period and programme, recovery, nutrition, use of supplements, injuries prevention and safe return to play. In order to harmonise these national variations in the content and application of the PPE, the EFSMA Scientific and Educational Commission proposes a 'gold standard' for elite athletes across Europe. Important objectives of PPE are early detection and prevention of severe complications during sports activities both in leisure time and competitive sports. The PPE should entail the following diagnostic components: health status, anthropometry, functional and exercise capacity. It is of utmost importance to develop and implement preventive strategies such as the PPE. Besides monitoring the health status of athletes, the PPE plays an important role in the selection process, bringing valuable information for coaches and supporting a personalised treatment approach. Screening of athletes through a standardised digital PPE could be beneficial for a better understanding of the impact of long-term physical activity. Furthermore, PPE leads the scientific community to a way of working closer together in the interest of the athletes.

Recommendations for Face Coverings While Exercising During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In an effort to reduce transmission and number of infections of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) virus, governments and official bodies around the world have produced guidelines on the use of face masks and face coverings. While there is a growing body of recommendations for healthcare professionals and the wider population to use facial protection in "enclosed spaces" where minimal distancing from other individuals is not possible, there is a dearth of clear guidelines for individuals undertaking exercise and sporting activity. The present viewpoint aims to propose recommendations for face coverings while exercising during the COVID-19 pandemic that consider physical distancing, the environment, the density of active cases associated with the specific sports activity, and the practical use of face coverings in order to reduce potential viral transmission. Recommendations are provided on the basis of very limited available evidence in conjunction with the extensive collective clinical experience of the authors and acknowledging the need to consider the likelihood of the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 in the general population. We recommend that face coverings should be used in any environment considered to be of a high or moderate transmission risk, where tolerated and after individual risk assessment. In addition, as national caseloads fluctuate, individual sporting bodies should consider up to date guidance on the use of face coverings during sport and exercise, alongside other preventative measures.

Integrating Transwomen and Female Athletes with Differences of Sex Development (DSD) into Elite Competition: The FIMS 2021 Consensus Statement.

Sport is historically designated by the binary categorization of male and female that conflicts with modern society. Sport's governing bodies should consider reviewing rules determining the eligibility of athletes in the female category as there may be lasting advantages of previously high testosterone concentrations for transwomen athletes and currently high testosterone concentrations in differences in sex development (DSD) athletes. The use of serum testosterone concentrations to regulate the inclusion of such athletes into the elite female category is currently the objective biomarker that is supported by most available scientific literature, but it has limitations due to the lack of sports performance data before, during or after testosterone suppression. Innovative research studies are needed to identify other biomarkers of testosterone sensitivity/responsiveness, including molecular tools to determine the functional status of androgen receptors. The scientific community also needs to conduct longitudinal studies with specific control groups to generate the biological and sports performance data for individual sports to inform the fair inclusion or exclusion of these athletes. Eligibility of each athlete to a sport-specific policy needs to be based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence made available to policymakers from all scientific communities. However, even the most evidence-based regulations are unlikely to eliminate all differences in performance between cisgender women with and without DSD and transwomen athletes. Any remaining advantage held by transwomen or DSD women could be considered as part of the athlete's unique makeup.

[Reference Values for Cardiorespiratory Fitness of the General Population: The German National Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) 2008-2011]. / Referenzwerte für die kardiorespiratorische Fitness der allgemeinen Bevölkerung: Die Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland (DEGS1) 2008­2011.

AIM OF STUDY: This study aims to provide population-based reference values for heart rate-based indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness for adults with physical activity readiness aged 18 to 64 years living in Germany. METHODS: Based on data on 2,826 individuals who participated in a submaximal cycle ergometer exercise test as part of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) between 2008 and 2011, we calculated the following indicators: physical working capacity at 150 and 130 beats/min and at 75% of estimated maximum heart rate (PWC150, PWC130 and PWC75%) as well as heart rate-based estimated maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). We used the LMS method by Cole & Green 1992 to calculate reference values. RESULTS: 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of PWC150 were 1.5, 1.77 and 2.08 watts/kg among men and 1.18, 1.44 and 1.69 among women. 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of PWC130 were 1.16, 1.41 and 1.68 watts/kg among men and 0.81, 1.05 and 1.29 among women. Age-dependent median PWC75% values among men and women were 1.87 - age in years× 0.01 and 1.31 - (age in years/100)2× 0.98, respectively, and VO2max among men is 41.7 - age× 0.15. CONCLUSIONS: The references values presented can be used for individual rating of cardiorespiratory fitness among adults living in Germany. Furthermore, they can serve as a basis for regular monitoring purposes.

Recommendations for return to sport during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

In this viewpoint we make specific recommendations that can assist and make the return to sport/exercise as safe as possible for all those impacted - from the recreational athlete to the elite athlete. We acknowledge that there are varying rules and regulations around the world, not to mention the varying philosophies and numerous schools of thought as it relates to return to sport/exercise and we have been cognisant of this in our recommendations. Despite the varying rules and circumstances around the world, we believe it is essential to provide some helpful and consistent guidance for return to training and sport for sport and exercise physicians around the world at this most difficult time. The present viewpoint provides practical and medical recommendations on the resumption to sport process.

Exercise Testing in Sports Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Bicycle and treadmill exercise tests are used in sports medicine and occupational medicine to detect latent disease, to monitor treatment, and to measure patients' physical performance ability and reserve. In this review, we describe the indications, contraindications, and manner of performance of these tests, along with the variables tested, criteria for evaluation, (sub)maximal stress, and the factors that affect these tests, including age, sex, and medications. METHODS: This review is based on pertinent articles retrieved by a selective literature search and on the ergometry guidelines of four medical specialty societies. RESULTS: The proper performance of ergometric stress tests calls for preparation and monitoring by qualified staff as well as standardized testing conditions. Ergometric studies are indispensable as a clinical diagnostic method for the early recognition of disease, for follow-up over time, and for individual counseling. The patient's maximal achievable performance is a predictor of morbidity and mortality. Among the variables that can be measured in the submaximal performance range, the respiratory rate, heart rate, and lactate performance curves are more accurate prognostic predictors than the so-called threshold values (physical working capacity, anaerobic-aerobic threshold). Ergometric stress tests can be used to detect (among other conditions) latent hypertension, pulmonary diseases (e.g., exertional asthma), pabnormal ECG changes, and cardiovascular disorders (e.g., ischemia, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure). The ergometric findings are influenced by the choice of stress-inducing protocol. They provide important information for the planning and monitoring of exercise training and for the treatment of persons suffering from diverse physical conditions, as well as for leisure-time athletes. They are less suit- able for use in the design of training programs for high-performance athletes. CONCLUSION: Ergometric stress tests provide important data in clinical and preventive medicine. The findings are often difficult to interpret because of the wide range of normal findings, the use of different stress-inducing protocols, and the lack of gen- erally accepted reference values. The establishment of a nationwide fitness and health registry for ergometric data would be very helpful for the individualized inter- pretation of test findings and for the monitoring of exercise training and therapy.

Atrial fibrillation in highly trained endurance athletes - Description of a syndrome.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia, the risk of which typically increases with age. This condition is commonly associated with major cardiovascular diseases and structural heart damage, while it is rarely observed in healthy young people. However, increasing evidence indicates that paroxysmal AF can also onset in young or middle-aged and otherwise healthy endurance athletes (e.g., cyclists, runners and cross-country skiers). Here we review the topic of AF associated with strenuous endurance exercise (SEE), for example cycling, running and cross-country skiing, especially at a competitive level, and we propose the definition of a new syndrome based on the accumulating data in the literature: SEE-related AF under the acronym of 'PAFIYAMA' ('paroxysmal AF in young and middle-aged athletes'). Special emphasis is given to the proper differentiation of PAFIYAMA from 'classical AF' regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis and medical management.