Eating disorder diagnosis and the female athlete: A longitudinal analysis from college sport to retirement.

OBJECTIVES: Female athletes experience eating disorders (EDs) at clinical, and subclinical, levels; most studies have determined point-prevalence rates through cross-sectional methodologies. To date, few studies have examined the long-term stability of EDs in female athletes; none extend into retirement. DESIGN: A longitudinal investigation of ED classification (i.e., Clinical ED, Subclinical ED, Healthy) and weight control behaviors (e.g., vomiting, laxative use) from when athletes actively competed (T1) into their retirement (T2). METHODS: Participants included U.S. female athletes (N=193) who were collegiate competitors (T1) and eventually were retired from their collegiate sports six years later (T2). RESULTS: At T2, athletes were classified as Healthy (69.9%), Subclinical ED (26.9%), and Clinical ED (3.1%). Overall percentage of Subclinical EDs increased from 18.7% (T1) to 26.9% (T2); 52.8% of T1 Subclinical ED athletes continued to meet criteria for either Subclinical or Clinical ED at T2. Of the 13 Clinical ED athletes at T1, six (46.2%) continued to meet criteria for either a subclinical or clinical ED at T2. Though exercising (2+ hours/day; n=8, 4.1%) and dieting/fasting (4+ times/year; n=14, 7.3%) were the most frequently used weight control behaviors at T2, rates were substantially lower than at T1. CONCLUSIONS: Retirement does not result in immediate remittance of eating concerns among female athletes; many continue or develop Subclinical and Clinical ED symptoms. Thus, addressing healthy body image and nutrition when athletes are competing is imperative to assist prevention and intervention efforts that may alleviate ED symptoms as athletes transition from sport.

Injuries and illnesses among competitive Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts during preseason: a prospective cohort study of prevalence, incidence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport that demands high training volume from early age. We investigated the extent of, and risk factors for, injuries among competitive Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts. METHODS: One hundred and seven of 133 (80.5%) female rhythmic gymnasts (mean age: 14.5 years (SD 1.6), mean body mass index: 18.9 (SD 2.2)) participated. All gymnasts completed a baseline questionnaire and the 'Triad-Specific Self-Report Questionnaire'. Injuries, illnesses and training hours were recorded prospectively for 15 weeks during preseason using the 'Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems' (OSTRC-H2). RESULTS: Response rate to OSTRC-H2 was 97%. Mean overuse and acute injury prevalence were 37% (95% CI: 36% to 39%) and 5% (95% CI: 4% to 6%), respectively. Incidence was 4.2 overuse injuries (95% CI: 3.6 to 4.9) and 1.0 acute injuries (95% CI: 0.5 to 1.6) per gymnast per year. Overuse injuries in knees, lower back and hip/groin represented the greatest burdens. Previous injury increased the odds of injury (OR 30.38, (95% CI: 5.04 to 183.25)), while increased age (OR 0.61 per year, (95% CI: 0.39 to 0.97)) and presence of menarche (OR: 0.20, (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.71)) reduced the odds of all injuries and substantial injuries, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overuse injuries were common among Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts. Younger gymnasts had higher all-injury risk. Gymnasts who were not menstruating had higher substantial injury risk. Injury prevention interventions should start at an early age and focus on preventing knee, lower back and hip/groin injuries.

"Despite being an athlete, I am also a human-being": Male elite gymnasts' reflections on food and body image.

Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of symptoms related to eating disorders, disordered eating and body image perception, and attitudes toward eating in a group of elite male artistic gymnastics. Seventeen athletes took part in this quali-quantitative, cross-sectional study. Presence of eating disorders symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction were assessed using validated questionnaires. Focus groups were held to discuss their attitudes toward eating and body image perception in more detail. Little to no evidence of symptoms consistent with eating disorders was observed, and this was supported by the qualitative data. However, some concerning practices and attitudes were described. Negative emotional eating cycles appeared prevalent (e.g. feelings of anger, stress and anxiety creating a desire to eat "junk foods", followed by guilt and regret). Body image perception and attitudes toward body weight's influence on performance varied widely. Some athletes expressed a desire to lose weight and believed that this would positively impact their performance, while others believed weight to be irrelevant and focused on feeling strong and vital. Athletes believed their female counterparts experienced far greater pressure to maintain low body weight and described some very concerning practices. We conclude that eating disorders and disordered eating did not appear to be prevalent among these elite male artistic gymnastics. However, some concerning attitudes and practices were observed and should be addressed with nutritional support programmes encompassing psychological and behavioural aspects of eating. These programmes should be extended to support staff and significant others, in addition to athletes.

Evaluating a Commonly Used Tool for Measuring Sport Specialization in Young Athletes.

CONTEXT: Sport specialization has been defined as year-round intensive training in a single sport to the exclusion of other sports. A commonly used survey tool created by Jayanthi et al, which classifies athletes as having a low, moderate, or high level of specialization, categorizes only athletes answering yes to "Have you quit other sports to focus on a main sport?" as highly specialized. We hypothesized that a measureable number of year-round, single-sport athletes have never played other sports and, therefore, may be inaccurately classified as moderately specialized when using this tool, even though most experts would agree they should be viewed as highly specialized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of athletes misclassified as moderately rather than highly specialized because they never played a previous sport. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Hospital-based pediatric outpatient sports medicine clinic. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Injured athletes aged 12 to 17 years who presented to the clinic between 2015 and 2017 and completed a sports-participation survey (n = 917). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sport-specialization level. RESULTS: Of 917 participants, 299 (32.6%) played a single sport more than 8 months per year, and 208/299 (69.6%) had previously quit other sports (highly specialized), whereas 91 (30.4%) had never played other sports (highly specialized and misclassified as moderate). Individual-sport athletes had a 2.03 times greater risk of being highly specialized and misclassified as moderate than team-sport athletes (relative risk = 2.03 [95% confidence interval = 1.37, 3.00]). Females had a 1.70 times greater risk of being misclassified as moderately specialized than males (relative risk 1.70 [95% confidence interval = 1.07, 2.70]). Of the 3 sports with the largest number of athletes, artistic gymnastics had the highest proportion (51.2%) who had never played other sports. CONCLUSIONS: The commonly used specialization survey misclassified a substantial number of highly specialized athletes as moderately specialized. Researchers should consider adding a fourth survey question, "Have you only ever played 1 sport?" to identify and better study this unique subset of misclassified athletes.

Validación del cuestionario del modelo transteórico del cambio de ejercicio físico / Validation of the questionnaire of the transtheoretical model of change of physical exercice

El objetivo de este estudio fue traducir y validar al español el Cuestionario del Modelo Transteórico del Cambio de Ejercicio Físico de Prochaska y DiClemente (1983). Se utilizó una muestra de 812 personas, entre los 14 y los 88 años (29,5±21,7). Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio, análisis de consistencia interna y validez predictiva. Los resultados del Cuestionario del Modelo Transteórico del Cambio de Ejercicio Físico presentaron valores adecuados (χ2/g.l = 4,3, CFI = 0,92, IFI = 0,92, TLI = 0,90, RMSEA = 0,06, SRMR = 0,05). La consistencia interna mostró valores encima de .70. Se halló una predicción positiva y significativa de los estadios más activos del Modelo Transteórico sobre la intención de ser físicamente activo. Este estudio ha permitido proporcionar un cuestionario válido y fiable para evaluar el estadio en el que se encuentran las personas con respecto a la práctica de ejercicio físico, en el ámbito español

The aim of this study was to translate and validate in Spanish the Questionnaire of the Transtheoretical Model of Change of Physical Exercise, of Prochaska and DiClemente (1983), and also to make adaptations and modifications as needed. The sample was composed of 812 people, aged between 14 and 88 years (29.5+21.7). Confirmative factorial analysis, analysis of internal consistency and of predictive validity were carried out. After the confirmative factorial analysis, the Questionnaire of the Theoretical Model of Change of Physical Exercise showed acceptable results (x2/g.1=4,3, CFI=0,92, IFI= 0.92, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0,05). Similarly, internal consistency obtained from the respective dimensions showed values above .70. A positive and significant prediction of the most active stages of the Transtheoretical Model (action and maintenance) was found on the 'intention to be physically active'. This study has enabled the provision of a valid and reliable questionnaire

Capacidade aeróbica, força e resistência musculares de idosas praticantes de ginástica / Aerobic capacity, muscl estrength and resistance of the elderly women practitioners of gymnastics

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o efeito de 12 semanas de um programa de exercícios de ginástica sobre os níveis de condicionamento aeróbico, força de preensão manual e força e resistência musculares de membros inferiores de idosas praticantes de ginástica. Foram avaliadas 25 idosas, sendo 9 sedentárias (70 ± 7 anos) e 16 já praticantes de ginástica (70 ± 5 anos). As praticantes de ginástica foram submetidas a um programa de exercícios aeróbicos e de resistência muscular por um período de 12 semanas (2x/semana, 50 min/sessão). Antes do início do programa de exercícios, foram aplicados testes de caminhada de 6 minutos (avaliação da capacidade aeróbica), de dinamometria manual (avaliação da força de preensão manual) e levantar e sentar na cadeira em 30 segundos (avaliação da força e resistência musculares de membros inferiores). Ao final de 12 semanas, os testes foram reaplicados e os resultados demonstraram aumento significativo nos valores de metros caminhados em 6 minutos (514 ± 26 m vs. 457 ± 40 m), nos valores de quilograma-força (24,4 ± 4,3 kgf vs. 20,8 ± 4 kgf) e no número de repetições em 30 segundos (13 ± 2 vs. 9 ± 2 repetições) para o grupo praticante de ginástica. Em contrapartida, o grupo controle não mostrou alteração em nenhuma variável após 12 semanas. Conclui-se que um programa regular de exercícios de ginástica aeróbicos e de resistência muscular, com duração de 12 semanas, é capaz de proporcionar benefícios aos componentes da aptidão física relacionada à saúde de idosas. (AU)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of a gymnastic exercise program on the levels of aerobic conditioning, hand-grip strength and muscular strength and endurance in the lower limbs of elderly women practitioners of gymnastics. Twenty-five elderly women were evaluated, 9 sedentary (70 ± 7 years) and 16 practitioners of gymnastics (70 ± 5 years). The practitioners of gymnastics were submitted to aerobic and muscular endurance exercises for 12 weeks (2 times/week, 50 minutes/session). Before the beginning of the gymnastics exercise program, the 6-minute walk test (aerobic capacity assessment), the dynamometry manual (hand- -grip strength assessment) and the sit-up chair test in 30 seconds (muscular strength and endurance in the lower limbs assessment) were applied. At the end of the program, the tests were reapplied, and the results showed a significant increase in the values of meters walked in 6 minutes (514 ± 26 m vs. 457 ± 40 m), in the values of kilogram-force (24.4 ± 4.3 kgf vs. 20.8 ± 4 kgf) and in the number of repetitions in 30 seconds (13 ± 2 vs. 9 ± 2 repetitions) for the practitioners of gymnastics group. In contrast, the control group showed no change in any variable after 12 weeks. It can be concluded that a 12-week regular aerobic and muscular endurance exercise is able to provide benefits to the physical fitness components related to the health of the elderly. (AU)

Análise das publicações científicas sobre ginástica artística / Analysis of scientific publications on artistic gymnastics / Análisis de las publicaciones científicas sobre gimnasia artística

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a produção científica sobre a Ginástica Artística (GA), publicada no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2014, em periódicos nacionais e internacionais. As buscas foram realizadas a partir de procedimentos de revisão sistemática, nas seguintes bases de dados: Google Acadêmico, EBSCO Host, LILACS, MEDLINE, SCIELO, Scopus, Sport Discus, Science Direct e ISI (Web of Science). Foram selecionados 382 artigos, classificados em sete categorias de enfoques temáticos: Treinamento Esportivo, Biológica, Pedagógica, Psicológica, Sócio-Antropológica, Filosófica e Administrativa. Os resultados mostram maior incidência de estudos internacionais, de caráter quantitativo, voltados à análise das técnicas do esporte em diferentes aparelhos. A Ginástica Artística se configura como um objeto de investigação na área das Ciências do Esporte, fundamentada principalmente, nas Ciências Naturais.

The aim of this study was to analyze the scientific literature on the Artistic Gymnastics (AG), published in January 2000 to December 2014, in national and international journals. The searches were conducted from systematic review procedures in the following databases: Google Scholar, EBSCO Host, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, Scopus, Sport Discus, Science Direct and ISI (Web of Science). We selected 382 articles, classified into seven categories of thematic focuses: Sports Training, Biological, Pedagogical, Psychological, Social and Anthropology, Philosophical and Administrative. The results showed higher incidence of international studies, subject to quantitative approach, focused on the analysis of sport techniques in different apparatus. The artistic gymnastics is configured as a research object in the field of Sports Science, based in the Natural Sciences.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la literatura científica sobre la gimnasia artística (GA), publicada entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2014, en periódicos nacionales e internacionales. Se realizó la búsqueda a partir de procedimientos de revisión sistemática em las siguientes bases de datos: Google Académico, EBSCO Host, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, Scopus, Sport Discus, Science Direct y ISI (Web of Science). Fueran seleccionados 382 artículos, clasificados em siete enfoques temáticos: Entrenamiento Deportivo, Biológico, Pedagógico, Psicológico, Sócio-Antropológico, Filosófico e Administrativo. Los resultados indicaron el predominio de estúdios internacionales, sujetos a procedimientos cuantitativos de investigación y centrados em el análisis de técnicas deportivas en aparatos variados de la GA. Legamos a la conclusión de que la Gimnasia Artística puede ser tratada como un objeto de investigación y a consolidado en el campo de las Ciencias del Deporte bajo fuerte influência de las Ciencias Naturales.

Análise das condições de desenvolvimento da ginástica artística no Estado de São Paulo / Analysis of the conditions for the development of artistic gymnastics in the State of São Paulo

Resumo Este artigo, quantitativo descritivo, apresenta um diagnóstico da Ginástica Artística (GA) no interior do Estado de São Paulo a partir das condições de desenvolvimento das instituições que a promovem (tempo de existência da modalidade na instituição, infraestrutura de aparelhagem, número de profissionais, quantidade e nível dos ginastas no feminino e no masculino). Foi utilizado um questionário estruturado com perguntas fechadas para a coleta de dados, os quais foram analisados a partir da estatística descritiva. Fizeram parte deste estudo 56 técnicos/professores de GA, responsáveis por 28 instituições de 18 cidades do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Os dados coletados mostram que as condições destinadas para a prática não são satisfatórias para o desenvolvimento da GA no nível competitivo, há poucos profissionais em relação ao número de praticantes e poucos praticantes na iniciação esportiva, o que influencia diretamente na baixa quantidade de ginastas no nível competitivo. Muitas instituições não possuem ao menos os aparelhos oficiais da modalidade. Isso compromete o desenvolvimento da GA no interior do Estado de São Paulo, dificultando e influenciando diretamente o potencial de revelação e desenvolvimento de ginastas para o alto rendimento esportivo no Estado. Esses resultados podem refletir diretamente na GA brasileira, uma vez que São Paulo é um Estado bastante representativo em Campeonatos Brasileiros, e a Federação Paulista de Ginástica possui o maior número de entidades filiadas no País.

Abstract This descriptive quantitative paper presents a diagnosis of Artistic Gymnastics (AG) in the state of São Paulo from development conditions of the institutions that promote this sport (existent time of the sport in the institution, equipment’s infrastructure, number of professionals, quantity and level of the gymnasts in male and female). For data collection was used a structured questionnaire with closed questions and the data analysis was made from descriptive statistics. Participated in this study 56 AG coaches responsible for 28 institutions from 18 cities of the State of São Paulo. The collected data show that conditions designed for practice are not satisfactory regarding to the development conditions for AG in competitive level, with few professionals related to the number of practitioners, few practitioners in sport initiation, which directly influences the low amount of gymnasts in competitive level and many institutions do not have at least the official equipment of the sport. The non-appropriated conditions of AG development in the state of São Paulo complicate and directly influence the potential to revelation and development of gymnasts to high performance sport in the state. These results may directly reflect on Brazilian AG since São Paulo is a representative State in Brazilian championships and the São Paulo Gymnastics Federation has the largest number of affiliated entities in the country.

Epidemiology of Elbow Dislocations in High School Athletes.

BACKGROUND: The elbow is the second most commonly dislocated major joint in the general population. Previous studies that focused on emergency department populations indicate that such injuries occur most frequently among adolescent athletes. PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiological rates and patterns of sports-related elbow dislocations in high school athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Sports-related injury data for the 2005-2006 through 2013-2014 academic years from a national convenience sample of high schools participating in the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study (High School Reporting Information Online [RIO]) were analyzed. RESULTS: Certified athletic trainers participating in High School RIO reported 115 of 1246 (9.2%) elbow injuries as elbow dislocations. A total of 30,415,179 athlete exposures (AEs) were reported during the study period, resulting in a dislocation rate of 0.38 per 100,000 AEs. The majority of the dislocations resulted from boys' wrestling (46.1%) and football (37.4%). Elbow dislocation rates were higher in competition than in practice. Also, 91.3% of dislocations occurred in boys' sports. Among both boys (60.4%) and girls (88.9%), the majority of injuries occurred during varsity sports activities. Contact with another person was the most common injury mechanism (46.9%), followed by contact with the playing surface (46.0%). Dislocations more commonly resulted in removal from play for more than 3 weeks (23.4% vs 6.9%, respectively) or medical disqualification (36.9% vs 7.0%, respectively) compared with other elbow injuries. Dislocations were also more likely to result in surgical treatment than other elbow injuries (13.6% vs 4.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: In high school athletes, elbow dislocations result in longer removal from play and are more likely to require surgical treatment than nondislocation-associated elbow injuries. Rates and patterns of elbow dislocations vary by sport. In high-risk sports, focused sport-specific prevention strategies may help to decrease the rates and severity of elbow dislocation injuries.

Urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor dysfunctions in female athletes in Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

The pelvic floor (PF) provides support to all pelvic organs, as well as appropriately closure/opening mechanism of the urethra, vagina, and anus. Therefore, it is likely that female athletes involved in high-impact and in strong-effort activities are at risk for the occurrence of urinary incontinence (UI). This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of UI and other PF dysfunctions (PFD) [anal incontinence (AI), symptoms of constipation, dyspareunia, vaginal laxity, and pelvic organ prolapse] in 67 amateur athletes (AT) compared with a group 96 of nonathletes (NAT). An ad hoc survey based on questions from reliable and valid instruments was developed to investigate the occurrence of PFD symptoms. The risk of UI was higher in AT group (odds ratio: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.50-5.61), mostly among artistic gymnastics and trampoline, followed by swimming and judo athletes. Whereas, AT group reported less straining to evacuate (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.22-0.96), manual assistance to defecate (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.05-1.12), and a higher stool frequency (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13-0.64) than NAT group. The occurrence of loss of gas and sexual symptoms was high for both groups when compared with literature, although with no statistical difference between them. Pelvic organ prolapse was only reported by nonathletes. Athletes are at higher risk to develop UI, loss of gas, and sexual dysfunctions, either practicing high-impact or strong-effort activities. Thus, pelvic floor must be considered as an entity and addressed as well. Also, women involved in long-term high-impact and strengthening sports should be advised of the impact of such activities on pelvic floor function and offered preventive PFD strategies as well.

Poor precompetitive sleep habits, nutrients' deficiencies, inappropriate body composition and athletic performance in elite gymnasts.

This study aimed to evaluate body composition, sleep, precompetitive anxiety and dietary intake on the elite female gymnasts' performance prior to an international competition. Sixty-seven rhythmic gymnasts of high performance level were evaluated in relation to sport and training practice, body composition, sleep duration, daytime sleepiness by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), precompetitive anxiety by the Sport Competition Anxiety Test form A (SCAT-A) and detailed dietary intake just before an international competition. Most gymnasts (67.2%) suffered from mild daytime sleepiness, 77.6% presented poor sleep quality and 19.4% presented high levels of precompetitive anxiety. The majority of gymnasts reported low energy availability (EA) and low intakes of important vitamins including folate, vitamins D, E and K; and minerals, including calcium, iron, boron and magnesium (p < .05). Gymnasts' performance was positively correlated with age (p = .001), sport practice (p = .024), number of daily training hours (p = .000), number of hours of training/week (p = .000), waist circumference (WC) (p = .008) and sleep duration (p = .005). However, it was negatively correlated with WC/hip circumference (p = .000), ESS (p = .000), PSQI (p = .042), SCAT-A (p = .002), protein g/kg (p = .028), EA (p = .002) and exercise energy expenditure (p = .000). High performance gymnasts presented poor sleep habits with consequences upon daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and low energy availability.

Elite level rhythmic gymnasts have significantly more and stronger pain than peers of similar age: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Rhythmic gymnastics (RG) unites aesthetic, ballet-like motion, and all aspects of gymnastics. To reach elite level, girls begin at early age the intensive training. To date it is unclear if such demanding training influences the incidence and intensity of painful overuse injuries. The purpose of this study is to analyze anatomical painful regions and pain intensity in elite level rhythmic gymnasts (elRG) and compare results with an age-matched control group (CG). METHODS: This prospective field study was carried out at the European Championship in RG 2013 (218 participating athletes, Vienna, Austria). Volunteering athletes were interviewed according to a preformed questionnaire. As CG secondary school pupils without any competitive sports experience were analyzed accordingly. RESULTS: Overall, 243 young females (144 elRG/66 % of all participants and 99 CG) were observed. ElRGs were significantly (s.) smaller, lighter, and had s. stronger pain (p < 0.001). A total of 72 % of athletes reported to have at least one painful body region compared with 52 % of CG (p < 0.001). ElRG had nearly three times more serious injuries than the CG. In all 23 % off all elRG reported to have had no access to professional medical care. ElRGs were s. more frequently (25 vs 9 %) affected at the lumbar spine and the ankle joint (17.4 vs 7 %). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this trial analyzes the largest cohort of elRG to date. Hence, it is clearly alluded that intensive training in RG is a significant factor causing more and stronger pain than in a CG.

Eating pathology in female gymnasts: potential risk and protective factors.

Although participation in sports that emphasize aestheticism, such as women's gymnastics, are associated with higher rates of eating pathology, little is known about the risk and protective factors involved in this process. We established and tested a model proposing that body surveillance and body shame are processes by which pubertal development and training may uniquely contribute to pathological eating by sampling 100 competitive female gymnasts via questionnaires. We further tested whether self-esteem moderated several model relationships. Results demonstrated that pubertal development was associated with higher levels of body surveillance, body shame and disordered eating; whereas greater time spent training was associated with lower levels of body shame and disordered eating. Finally higher self-esteem was associated with lower levels of disordered eating, less body surveillance, and less body shame. Potential risk and protective factors for the development of eating pathology in female gymnasts are discussed.

The gymnasts' hip and groin: a magnetic resonance imaging study in asymptomatic elite athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Specific patterns of developmental adaptation of the proximal femur have been recognized in some sports. Gymnastics are characterized by repetitive axial loading and hip rotations in combination with extreme hip positions. It is unknown how and if these forces can affect an immature skeleton in the long term. We sought to evaluate this, by means of magnetic resonance imaging of the hip and groin of such elite asymptomatic athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a case-control comparative MR imaging study of both hips and groin of 12 (7 male, 5 female) skeletally mature young (mean age 18.6 years) asymptomatic international level gymnasts with a minimum of 10 years' training with age-matched non-athletes. At the time of recruitment, none of the athletes had a recorded musculoskeletal complaint or injury in the anatomical area around the hip. RESULTS: The study showed that elite gymnasts share four common morphological characteristics on MRI that deviate from normal and are considered to be the result of adaptational changes to the specific sport: high centre-column-diaphysis angle (coxa valga140° on average), ligamentum teres hypertrophy, friction of the iliotibial band with oedema surrounding the greater trochanter, and a high incidence (62.5 %) of radiological appearances of ischiofemoral impingement. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that elite gymnasts share four common morphological characteristics on MRI that deviate from normal. These findings were in asymptomatic subjects; hence, radiologists and sports physicians should be aware of them in order to avoid unnecessary treatment.

Statistics, gymnastics and the origins of sport science in Belgium (and Europe).

This paper analyses the introduction of statistics in the field of gymnastics and its effect on the institutionalisation of physical education as a fully fledged academic discipline. Soon after Belgian independence, Adolphe Quetelet's research already resulted in large-scale anthropometric statistics - indeed, he developed an index that is still being used and is better known under the name of the body mass index. His insights were applied by promoters of gymnastics who wanted to make physical education more scientific. Thus, Clément Lefébure, director of the Ecole Normale de Gymnastique et d'Escrime in Brussels, set up a comparative experiment (with pre- and post-test measurements) by which he intended to show that the 'rational' method of Swedish gymnastics produced much better results than the 'empirical' method of Belgian/German Turnen. Lefébure's experiment, which was cited internationally but which was also strongly contested by opponents, was one of the factors that led to Swedish gymnastics being officially institutionalised in 1908 at the newly founded Higher Institute of Physical Education of the State University of Ghent, the first institute in the world where students could obtain a doctoral degree in physical education. Although it rested actually on very weak scientific foundations, the bastion of Swedish gymnastics built in Belgium in that pre-war period collapsed only in the 1960s. From then on, sport science could develop fully within the institutes for physical education.

The structure of physical activity in seniors from lower Silesia.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is considered to be one of the most important determinants of human health. Many authors emphasize the benefits of physical activity for elderly people--its positive influence on the functioning of many organs and systems, development of greater mobility, slowdown of the involution processes, and counteracting the effects of civilization diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the structure of physical activity in older adults from the Lower Silesian region. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data was collected as part of the PolSenior national program. The subjects were selected randomly in three stages. The analysis was performed on the data from questionnaires filled out by 192 men and 164 women over the age of 65 years living in the Lower Silesian region. The answers were analyzed in categories such as: age (3 groups: 65-74 years, 75-84 years and over 85 years), gender, place of residence (communities up to 20 000 and over 20 000 inhabitants) and social-occupational status (blue-collar and white-collar workers). The survey results were shown in percentage form and concerned the different types of physical activity performed, the most frequent reasons for undertaking physical activity, sports and recreational physical activity during the respondents youth, between 30 and 60 years of age and at present, as well as the constraints and reasons that prevent an active lifestyle. RESULTS: With age the percentage of people who spend their free time actively decreases. In each age group of elderly people men declared a greater need for physical activity than women. The subjects also differed with the urban factor and social-occupational status. Moreover, the results showed that the larger community, the better the condition created for recreation of older adults and the people whose previous profession was not connected with physical work tried to be physically active in various forms more often than ex-manual laborers. It is probable that education significantly influences an active attitude towards one's health and proper lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity of seniors as a one of the basic elements of lifestyle is clearly connected with the environment in which older people live.

Fiabilidad de los tests de salto vertical en gimnastas prepuberales / Reliability of the vertical jump tests in prepubertal gymnasts

Introducción y objetivos: La fiabilidad de los tests de salto vertical es inferior en niños que en adultos. El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar si niñas prepúberes que practican un entrenamiento específico de gimnasia artística son más fiables en distintas pruebas de salto vertical que un grupo control de niñas de la misma edad. Método: Participaron en el estudio 36 prepúberes (19 gimnastas y 17 control), con edades comprendidas entre 7 y 12 años. Para estudiar la fiabilidad de la capacidad de salto «entre intentos» y «entre sesiones» se utilizaron las siguientes pruebas de salto: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA) y drop jump (DJ). Se administraron las pruebas en dos ocasiones, realizándose tres intentos en cada sesión. Resultados: Se observaron altos coeficientes de correlación intraclase (ICC≥0,75) entre intentos y entre sesiones para todas las pruebas. Se cuestiona la fiabilidad del CMJ en gimnastas al encontrarse diferencias significativas en la comparación entre intentos y entre sesiones (p≤0,05). Conclusiones: Se concluye que desde temprana edad la capacidad de salto es reproducible y fiable, y que la práctica de gimnasia artística, en niveles de iniciación, no mejora la fiabilidad de la mayoría de tests de salto vertical(AU)

Introduction and objectives: The reliability of vertical jumping tests is lower in children than in adults. The aim of this study is to determine whether prepubertal girls who practice a gymnastics-specific training are more reliable doing some vertical jumping tests than a control group of girls with matched ages. Methods: Thirty-six prepubertal girls (19 gymnasts and 17 control), with ages ranging from 7 to 12 years, participated in the study. To study the reliability of the jumping capacity «between trials» and «between sessions» the following jumping tests were used: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA), and drop jump (DJ). Test-retest was performed using 3 trials per session with a 48h gap between sessions. Results: A high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC≥0.75) was observed between trials and between sessions for all tests. The reliability of CMJ was questionable because significant differences were found in the inter-trial and inter-session comparison (P≤0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that overall vertical jumping capacity is reliable from young ages, and artistic gymnastics practice for beginners does not improve the reliability for the majority of the vertical jumping tests(AU)

Aesthetic sports as high-risk contexts for eating disorders - young elite dancers and gymnasts perspectives

This is the first study developed in Portugal which investigates specific characteristics of dance and gymnastics environments that make them high-risk contexts for the development of eating disorders. Four focus groups were conducted with thirteen ballet students from a professional dance school and nine gymnasts from a gymnastics club (aged 12 to 17 years old), which were subjected to an inductive-deductive analysis procedure. Specific risk and protective factors were identified. Among their respective sources of influence, teachers and coaches are those who exert a stronger influence upon young athletes. We also explored some themes related to the influence of peers, parents, and environmental characteristics, which could have an important role on the development or prevention of disordered eating (AU)

Este es el primer estudio realizado en Portugal que tiene como objetivo investigar las características específicas que en el mundo de la danza y de la gimnasia pudieran ser factores de alto riesgo para el desarrollo de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. Se realizaron cuatro grupos focales con trece estudiantes de danza profesional y nueve gimnastas (de 12 a 17 años). Las transcripciones de los grupos focales fueron sometidas a un procedimiento de análisis inductivo-deductivo. Se identificaron factores de riesgo y protectores específicos. Entre las respectivas fuentes de influencia, los profesores y entrenadores son los que ejercen mayor influencia sobre los jóvenes atletas. También se exploraron algunos temas relacionados con la influencia que tienen compañeros, padres y las características del entorno deportivo; los cuales pueden tener un importante rol tanto en el desarrollo como en la prevención de comportamientos alimentarios alterados (AU)

Relación entre variables psicosociales y la salud percibida / Relationship between psychosocial variables and perceived health

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar las relaciones entre el autoconcepto físico, el índice de masa corporal y la actividad físico-deportiva con la salud percibida. La muestra está compuesta por 518 personas adultas entre los 19.4 y 49.7 años de edad (M = 30.79 años; DE = 9.24), 301 mujeres (58.1%) y 217 varones (41.9%). Los resultados señalan que los sujetos que tienen un mejor autoconcepto físico se perciben con un alto grado de salud en comparación con los sujetos que tienen un autoconcepto físico bajo, los cuales creen que su salud no es buena. En cuanto al análisis de regresión logística múltiple, los resultados han confirmado que el autoconcepto físico está significativamente relacionado con la percepción de la salud tanto en mujeres como en varones. Asimismo, en la muestra femenina dos subdominios han aparecido relacionados significativamente con la percepción de la salud, la condición física y el atractivo físico (AU)

The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationships among physical self-concept, body image, body mass index and physical activity and perceived health. The sample was composed of 518 subjects between 19.4 and 49.7 years of age (M = 30.79 years old; SD = 9.24), of whom 301 were female (58.1%) and 217 male (41.9%). The results show that the subjects who showed a better physical self-concept were healthier than the subjects who had a low physical selfconcept and believed that their health was not good. Bearing in mind the multiple logistic regression, the results show that physical self-concept is significantly related to the perception of health in females and males. In females, two subdomains - physical condition and attractiveness - are related to perception of health (AU)

Survey of injuries in Seattle area levels 4 to 10 female club gymnasts.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate incidence, distribution, and contributing factors of injury in club gymnastics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Five randomly selected gymnastics clubs near Seattle, WA. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-six club gymnasts from competitive levels 4 to 10. INTERVENTIONS: The participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographics, injuries and contributing factors, and exposure time in the last competitive season. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Acute and overuse injury incidence rates stratified by practice and competition, age categories, and level using relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Chi-square testing was used to compare demographic-specific and gymnastic-specific variables between injured and uninjured. Multivariate regression modeling was used to assess independent risk factors for risk of acute and overuse injuries. RESULTS: Acute injury rate was 1.3 per 1000 hours and in univariate, but not multivariate analysis, it was 3.6-fold greater (95% CI, 1.6-9.1) among 10 to 12 year olds and 3.1-fold greater (95% CI, 1.3-8.0) among 13 to 17 year olds compared with 7 to 9 year olds. The most common acutely injured body parts were foot (21.0%), ankle (19.3%), knee (14.0%), and wrist (8.8%). The majority of injuries occurred in practice, but the meet injury rate was higher. Most injuries occurred on floor exercise (32.1%), beam (20.7%), and bars (17.0). Injury was most common during landing. The overuse injury rate was 1.8 per 1000 hours. During their gymnastics careers, concussions occurred in 30.2% and stress fractures affecting mostly low back and foot occurred in 16.7% of the gymnasts. CONCLUSIONS: Gymnasts are at similar risk of acute and overuse injuries, and acute injury rates were greater among older gymnasts. However, this predictor did not remain significant in multivariate analysis. Concussions and stress fractures are common. Gymnastics injury prevention studies should focus on older gymnasts, concussion education, and landing after a skill.