Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow in Overhead Athletes: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow mainly occurs in overhead athletes (OHAs). This narrative review aimed to comprehensively analyze the epidemiological data, etiological factors, clinical and imaging features, treatment options, and outcomes of OHAs with the diagnosis of elbow OCD. A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Individuals with elbow OCD were usually 10-17 years of age with incidence and prevalence varying between studies, depending on the sport activity of the patients. The etiology of OCD lesions is multifactorial, and the main causes are believed to be repetitive trauma, the biomechanical disproportion of the articular surfaces, poor capitellar vascular supply, and inflammatory and genetic factors. Athletes usually presented with elbow pain and mechanical symptoms. The mainstay for the diagnosis of elbow OCD is MRI. The treatment of elbow OCD lesions should be conservative in cases of stable lesions, while various types of surgical treatment are suggested in unstable lesions, depending mainly on the size and localization of the lesion. The awareness of medical practitioners and the timely diagnosis of OCD lesions in OHAs are key to favorable outcomes.

Inline Skating as an Additional Activity for Alpine Skiing: The Role of the Outside Leg in Short Turn Performance.

The complexity of skiing movements urges recreational alpine skiers and competitors to undertake many specific skill trainings not only during the season but also during the off-season using alternative sports. In AS, the role of the outside leg is crucial for successful turn performance. By measuring kinematic and kinetic parameters, we could define whether there is an objective similarity of the role and the movements of the outside leg while performing a turn in AS to those in the most used additional activity, IS. The sample consisted of ten female alpine ski instructors (age 31.6 ± 8.23, height 170.66 ± 7.32 cm, weight 60.16 ± 7.58 kg). Overall, 280 turns were analyzed (140 for AS and 140 for IS). For the purposes of this study, the variable sample consisted of 14 variables in total. For the detection of differences between short turn performance in AS and IS, MANOVA was used. The main findings of our study are defined similarities in pressure distribution during IS and AS and noticeable differences in the kinematic parameters of the outside leg between the mentioned activities. Based on the gathered results, recreational alpine skiers should be aware that IS cannot be used for the purpose of AS adoption, but rather as a dry-land additional activity for AS preparation.

Changes of Respiratory Exchange Ratio in Children and Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study.

We conducted a longitudinal study to examine changes in the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) during progressively increasing body exertion in children and adolescents of female sex. In this analysis we only included 23 examinees for which we had all yearly measurements from examinee's age 9 years until 18 years of age. The data were analyzed according to the chronological and biological age. According to both criteria, the highest RER values were recorded at moments of maximum exertion and they did not increase with age. We found the highest RER values were in the year of the menarche. We interpret these results as related to the effect of estrogen. The beginning of sexual development involves a gradual increase in estrogen plasma concentrations. At one point serum levels of estrogen reach a level high, enough to allow for maximum RER values, i.e. causing the optimum anaerobic capacity of the examinee. This threshold estrogen value varies between individuals.

Injuries in racket sports among Slovenian players.

On the sample of 83 top Slovenian athletes we have studied the frequency of injuries among table tennis, tennis and badminton players, types of injuries and severity of injuries--the latter based on data of players absences from training and/or competition processes. The most liable parts to injuries are shoulder girdle (17.27%), spine (16.55%) and ankle (15.83%), while foot (10.07%) and wrist (12.23%) are slightly less liable to injuries. The most frequent injuries in racket sports pertain to muscle tissues. According to this data, the majority of injuries occur halfway through a training session or a competition event, mostly during a competition season. The injuries primarily pertain to muscle tissues; these are followed by joint and tendon injuries. There are no differences between male and female players. Compared to other racket sports players, table tennis players suffer from fewer injuries.

Electromyographic analysis of the knee using fixed-activation threshold after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to establish whether there are any electromyographic (EMG) differences after two different surgical techniques in two years follow-up after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Study participants were divided into three groups. The control group included healthy athletes (C), the first study group (E1) consisted of injured athletes who were treated by ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon graft and the second study group (E2) comprised injured athletes treated by gracilis and semitendinosus tendon graft. The threshold of muscle activity was defined as 30% of maximum amplitude of EMG signal medial envelope of individual muscles in the control group. Two years after reconstruction, the E2 group achieved the maximum amplitude of biceps femoris muscle signal in the takeoff phase statistically significantly later than the E1 group (0.0166, p = 0.05 and 0.015152, p = 0.05/3 = 0.016), whereas the rectus femoris muscle in the flight phase in the E2 group improved statistically significantly earlier than in the C group (0.0393, p = 0.05 and 0.025974, p = 0.05/3 = 0.016). The results of this study show particularly statistically significant differences between observed surgery techniques, which led to the change of the neuromuscular pathway during simple and controlled knee movements even two years after ACL reconstructions in athletes who returned to active training. These disturbances of muscle work coordinations in the knee joint could be tied to the function and location from which the graft was taken rather than the quality of the transplant itself. This may result in an increased risk of repeated knee injury, including potential permanent health consequences in athletes. Based on the results of this research, we were unable to establish which of the presented ACL reconstruction techniques is more appropriate. This study may be useful for athletes and their coaches, who could plan, programme and adequately adjust their training process, thereby improving knee function in the best possible way, which in turn would maintain and extend athletes' respective sports careers.

Relationship between 2000-m rowing ergometer performance times and World Rowing Championships rankings in elite-standard rowers.

In this study, we evaluated the extent to which 2000-m rowing ergometer performance times predicted final rankings at the World Rowing Championships in a sample of 638 rowers of both sexes and body-mass classifications (i.e., open-category and lightweight rowers). Rowing ergometer performance times were examined using a questionnaire, and in 17 of 23 events they were positively correlated (P < or = 0.049) with the final rankings at the Championships. The highest correlations were for the ergometer performance times achieved by rowers in lightweight men's single sculls (r = 0.78; P = 0.005), women's single sculls (r = 0.75; P = 0.002), men's single sculls (r = 0.72; P = 0.004), and lightweight men's double sculls (r = 0.72; P < 0.001). We used linear regression to establish regression equations to predict final rankings based on 2000-m rowing ergometer performance times for each event in which there was a correlation greater than r = 0.50. Although correlations in 12 events met this criterion, the large standard errors of the estimate hindered ranking predictions in all of the studied events. Regression equations could be used to determine the most probable 2000-m ergometer performance time for a rower to achieve specific rankings at the World Rowing Championships.

Morphological differences of elite Croatian track-and-field athletes.

In this study we present the morphological characteristics of 54 Croatian national level track-and-field athletes. 21 anthropometric body measures were taken on a sample of 15 sprinters (S), 16 endurance sprinters (S4), 10 middle-distance runners (MD) and 13 long-distance runners (LD). Body fat percentage, body mass index and somatotype were also calculated. Canonical discriminative analysis showed significant difference between the athletes of various running events, in the measures of body volume and body fat, while no significant difference was found in the variables of longitudinal and transversal dimensions of the skeleton. ANOVA and Student t-test for independent samples showed statistically significantly higher thigh and lower leg circumference in sprinters, as well as greater upper arm skinfold in middle-distance runners. The mesomorphic component is a dominant characteristic of somatotype of the runners in all events, whereas the ectomorphic component is the least marked.

High volume-low intensity exercise camp and glycemic control in diabetic children.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of the designed regime encompassing high volume-low intensity physical activity programme on glycemic control in diabetic children, 20 subjects (age 12.81 +/- 2.14) spent 2 weeks in a controlled environment of a summer camp. METHODS: An exercise physiologist and a kinesiology specialist programme and conducted the three exercise sessions a day. Total daily caloric intake was controlled and the blood glucose was monitored four times a day with special concern for hypoglycaemia episodes. Short and long-term effects (HbA1c) of the summer camp were evaluated 10 days and 2 months following programme completion. The insulin dosage was not lowered at the beginning of the camp for everyone, but it was individually modified according to the blood glucose monitoring. RESULTS: Initial HbA1c was 8.28 +/- 1.3% and decreased to 7.92 +/- 1.42% measured 10 days after the camp (P = 0.023) while the number of children with the satisfactory HbA1c level lower than 7.5% doubled. HbA1c increased again 2 months following the camp. The average blood glucose concentrations decreased in the last days of the camp when compared with the first day in three out of four daily measurements (P < 0.05). There were only two clinically manifested hypoglycaemia episodes recorded. CONCLUSION: With a low rate of hypoglycaemia crisis and better glycemic control the proposed programme was found to be satisfactory but the downside was that the duration of the effects was too short. With no participation in organised exercise programmes and with absence of controlled nutrition, the beneficial effects of the camp disappeared within 2 months after the camp.

Physical fitness, menstrual cycle disorders and smoking habit in Croatian National Ballet and National Folk Dance Ensembles.

The study investigated differences in morphological, motor and functional abilities between folk and ballet dancers. The sample comprised 51 female subjects: Croatian National Ballet (N=30) and Croatian National Folk Ensemble "LADO" (N=21). The data regarding menstrual cycle, menarche, number of births and smoking habit were collected and the morphological, motor and functional abilities measured. Significant correlations between the amount of fat tissue and number of births were found in both groups. Folk dancers were as tall as ballet dancers but weighted more and had a larger body frame (p<0.001). Ballet dancers were more flexible but there were no differences in absolute maximal oxygen uptake (2.65 vs. 2.35 L/min, p=0.101). Still, as the ballet dancers weighted less, their relative maximal oxygen uptake was significantly higher (37.62 vs. 50.22 mL/kg/min, p<0.001). Also, a high number of 45% of smokers among professional ballet and professional folk dancers was found.

Fitness level of adult economically active population in the Republic of Croatia estimated by EUROFIT system.

The study presents the results of the EUROFIT CROATIA project that was conducted according to the instructions of Council of Europe. The aim of the study was evaluation of fitness level of the employed Croatian population. The measurements comprised EUROFIT battery of tests as well as Baecke's questionnaire for evaluation of habitual physical activity. The sample was comprised of 1628 active inhabitants, 18-60 years of age, all of who were employed and living in Croatia. The obtained results of functional, motor and morphological characteristics were presented according to the sex and age. The results shower poor aerobic capacity, high obesity indicators and low motor performance in both sexes, which pointed to the increased risk for developing many cardiovascular or musculo-skeletal diseases. The overall fitness level of Croatian population showed to be unsatisfactory and it should be improved by engagement in sports-recreational activities.

Morphological differences of elite Croatian soccer players according to the team position.

Team position is of extreme importance in interpretation of morphological data because there are specific demands for a specific play position. The aim of the study was the analysis of morphological characteristics and body composition of elite Croatian soccer players with respect to their team position. The measurements were performed on 57 soccer players, members of the First Croatian National League. The anthropometrical measurement encompassed 13 variables. Descriptive statistics, t-test and MANOVA were used in data processing. The goalkeepers were the tallest and the heaviest (182.9 +/- 4.3 cm; 80.1 +/- 5.1 kg), and had significantly higher amounts of body fat (20.2% goalkeepers vs. 13-15% others; p < 0.05), whereas the forwards and the midfield players were on the average about 3 cm shorter. The goalkeepers had longer legs and arms (p < 0.05), and the largest biacromial diameter (43.2 +/- 1.9 cm). The forwards were the shortest on the average (179.2 +/- 6.3 cm). The lowest values of fat tissue were found in defenders (13.9%) and midfield players (14.4%). In conclusion, the differences in morphological characteristics according to the team position were noticed only in goalkeepers, especially regarding their height, weight and the percentage of fat tissue.

Antiandrogens in hormonal contraception limit muscle strength gain in strength training: comparison study.

AIM: To determine antiandrogen effects on muscle strength gain and fat-free mass increase during exercise in women using hormonal contraception with antiandrogen content. METHODS: The study included 50 women (age range, 18-30 years; mean-/+SD, 26-/+3) using hormonal contraception for at least 12 months before the beginning of the study. They were divided into two groups: "antiandrogen" group (n=26) and "estrogen-progestogen" group (n=24) groups. The subjects participated in strength training sessions 3 times a week during 16 weeks. Initially, there were no differences between the groups in fat-free mass, muscle strength, or maximum oxygen uptake. The parameters were measured before, during, and after the training period. RESULTS: After the training period, the mean increase of fat-free mass was significantly greater in the estrogen-progestogen group (p<0.001). The mean gain in the muscle strength (in Newtons) was also more evident in estrogen-progestogen group (1289.0-/+17.1 N vs 101.9-/+18.5 N; p<0.001). There were no differences in the maximum oxygen consumption (VO(2)max). CONCLUSION: Antiandrogens had a negative effect on muscle strength, minimizing the effects of strength training in women. Hormonal contraception containing antiandrogens should be avoided in young exercising women.