B Jones, L Bonadonna, A Jimenez, KA Stokes, G Phillips, RJ Copeland, SP Kemp, F Valeriani, T Edwards, ER Adams, MJ Cross, C Dalton, L Hodgson, J Patricios, V Romano Spica, M Weed and C Beggs Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused disruption to professional and recreational sports across the world. The SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted by relatively large respiratory droplets that behave ballistically, and exhaled aerosol …
Does a greater training load increase the risk of injury and illness in ultramarathon runners?: A prospective, descriptive, longitudinal design
N Craddock, K Buchholtz & TL Burgess Background: Ultramarathon running has become extremely popular over the years. Despite the numerous health benefits of running, there are also many negative effects of running, such as increased risk of musculoskeletal injury and illness. Monitoring of an athlete’s training load has become extremely important in terms of injury prevention. Currently, the relationship between training loads …
Addressing negative psychosocial factors linked to severe injury in professional rugby players: An introduction to a group psychotherapy approach
TM Hall, JA Botha & JS Patricios Background: Negative psychosocial sequelae of severe rugby injury (SRI) in professional rugby players are well documented. Unaddressed, these issues can leave players vulnerable to persistent common mental disorders (CMD) and negatively affect injury recovery processes. Objective: To introduce a psychotherapeutic group intervention aimed at addressing negative psychosocial sequelae linked to SRI in professional rugby player …
An evaluation of bicycle-specific agility and reaction times in mountain bikers and road cyclists
K Buchholtz & T L Burgess Background: Cycling is a popular recreational and competitive sport with many health benefits but also significant risks, with 85% of recreational cyclists reporting an injury each season. The most common mechanism of injury is through a loss of control of the bicycle, and collisions with other objects. Reaction time and agility in cyclists may …
The AWARE Research Study – Athlete With Acute Respiratory Infection
The Sport, Exercise Medicine, Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI) at the University of Pretoria, through the IOC Research Center of South Africa, is leading an international research study to better understand the health impact of respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19, in athletes: The AWARE (Athlete With Acute Respiratory InfEction) Research Study. Due to the novelty of COVID-19, we do not know much …
Year of the face mask: do’s and don’ts during exercise
DC Janse van Rensburg, L Pillay, S Hendricks, JA Hamuy Blanco The COVID-19 pandemic causes widespread anxiety and uncertainty regarding disease transmission. In many countries people are obliged to wear a face mask in public spaces. Individuals involved in sports participation at any level need to make informed decisions on wearing a face mask during exercise. Currently there is no …
Analysis of goalkeepers’ game performances at the 2016 European Football Championships
Background: Despite a substantial body of literature on the physical and technical demands of outfield players in football, there is little information regarding the performance of goalkeepers. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the game performance profiles of goalkeepers at the 2016 European Football Championships. Methods: A total of 30 goalkeepers from 15 games played during the 2016 European Football …
Implications of COVID-19 for the resumption of sport in South Africa: A South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) position statement
DA Ramagole, DC Janse van Rensburg, L Pillay, P Viviers, P Zondi & J Patricios The significant impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic has extended to sport with the cessation of nearly all professional and non-professional events globally. Recreational parks and fitness centres have also closed. A challenge remains to get athletes back to participation in the safest way, balancing the …
On The Move Newsletter – Edition 2
Dear Members, Please find the SASMA quarterly newsletter attached below.
Effects of Dietary Supplements on Adaptations to Endurance Training
Rothschild, J. A., & Bishop, D. J. (2019). Effects of Dietary Supplements on Adaptations to Endurance Training. Sports Medicine, 50(1), 25–53. Abstract Endurance training leads to a variety of adaptations at the cellular and systemic levels that serve to minimise disruptions in whole-body homeostasis caused by exercise. These adaptations are differentially affected by training volume, training intensity, and training status, …