‘Do we know if we need to reduce head impact exposure?’: A mixed-methods study highlighting the varied understanding of the long term risk and consequence of head impact exposure across all stakeholders at the highest level of rugby union. 

Starling, L., McKay, C., Cross, M., Kemp, S., & Stokes, K. (2022). South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(1). ABSTRACT Background: One strategy to prevent and manage concussion is to reduce head impacts, both those resulting in a concussion and those that do not. Because objective data on the frequency and intensity of head impacts in rugby union (rugby) are sparse, stakeholders …

Low Energy Availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: What Coaches Should Know

Charlton et al International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching, 17,2, 2022 Abstract The Female Athlete Triad (Triad) and the more encompassing Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) are disorders caused by low energy availability (LEA). LEA is a state of insufficient energy intake by an athlete relative to their energy expenditure. Persistent LEA results in the deleterious consequences to …

Primary surgery versus primary rehabilitation for treating anterior cruciate ligament injuries: a living systematic review and meta-analysis.

Saueressig T, Braun T, Steglich N, et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 29 August 2022.  ABSTRACTObjective Compare the effectiveness of primarily surgical versus primarily rehabilitative management for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.Design Living systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Six databases, six trial registries and prior systematic reviews. Forward and backward citation tracking was employed.Eligibility criteria Randomised controlled trials that compared primary reconstructive …

Non‐contact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Epidemiology in Team‐Ball Sports: A Systematic Review with Meta‐analysis by Sex, Age, Sport, Participation Level, and Exposure Type.

Chia et al. – Sports Medicine (2022) 52:2447–2467 Abstract Background Not all anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are preventable. While some ACL injuries are unavoidable such as those resulting from a tackle, others that occur in non-contact situations like twisting and turning in the absence of external contact might be more preventable. Because ACL injuries commonly occur in team ball-sports …

“There’s definitely something wrong but we just don’t know what it is”: A qualitative study exploring rowers’ understanding of low back pain.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 25 (2022) 557–563 Abstract Objectives: Low back pain is highly prevalent in rowing and can be associated with significant disability and pre- mature retirement. A previous qualitative study in rowers revealed a culture of concealment of pain and injury due to fear of judgement by coaches or teammates. The aim of this study …

Investigation of the knowledge of South African high school rugby coaches on concussion and the return-to-play protocol

Abel, N. ., Grant, C. C., & Janse van Rensburg, D. C. (2022). Investigation of the knowledge of South African high school rugby coaches on concussion and the return-to-play protocol. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(1). Abstract Background: Coaches are pivotal in the management of concussed players. Assessing the knowledge of high school rugby coaches with regard to concussion management will enable …

How to be a better scientist: Lessons from scientific philosophy, the historical development of science, and past errors within exercise physiology

Robergs, R. A., Opeyemi, O. & Torrens, S. How to be a better scientist: Lessons from scientific philosophy, the historical development of science and past errors within exercise physiology. Sports Medicine Heal Sci 4, 140–146 (2022). What is science? While a simple question, the answer is complex. Science is a process involving human behaviour, and due to the human influence, …

Vitamin D and brain health: an observational and Mendelian randomization study

Navale, S. S., Mulugeta, A., Zhou, A., Llewellyn, D. J. & Hyppönen, E. Vitamin D and brain health: an observational and Mendelian randomization study. Am J Clin Nutrition 116, nqac107- (2022). ABSTRACT Background: Higher vitamin D status has been suggested to have beneficial effects on the brain. Objectives: To investigate the association between 25- hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], neuroimaging features, and …

Progressive Resistance Training for Concomitant Increases in Muscle Strength and Bone Mineral Density in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

O’Bryan, S. J. et al. Progressive Resistance Training for Concomitant Increases in Muscle Strength and Bone Mineral Density in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine 52, 1939–1960 (2022). Abstract Background Older adults experience considerable muscle and bone loss that are closely interconnected. The efficacy of progressive resistance training programs to concurrently reverse/slow the age-related decline in muscle …