Fearghal P Behan, Anthony M J Bull, Belinda R Beck, Katherine Brooke-Wavell, Ralph Müller, Laurence Vico, Hanna Isaksson, Nicholas C Harvey, Arjan Buis, Kate Sherman, Gemma Jefferson, Daniel J Cleather, Alison McGregor, Alexander N Bennett
{"title":"Developing an exercise intervention to minimise hip bone mineral density loss following traumatic lower limb amputation: a Delphi study.","authors":"Fearghal P Behan, Anthony M J Bull, Belinda R Beck, Katherine Brooke-Wavell, Ralph Müller, Laurence Vico, Hanna Isaksson, Nicholas C Harvey, Arjan Buis, Kate Sherman, Gemma Jefferson, Daniel J Cleather, Alison McGregor, Alexander N Bennett","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108721","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To elicit expert opinion and gain consensus on specific exercise intervention parameters to minimise hip bone mineral density (BMD) loss following traumatic lower limb amputation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In three Delphi rounds, statements were presented to a panel of 13 experts from six countries. Experts were identified through publications or clinical expertise. Round 1 involved participants rating their agreement with 22 exercise prescription statements regarding BMD loss post amputation using a 5-point Likert scale. Agreement was deemed as 3-4 on the scale (agree/strongly agree). Statements of <50% agreement were excluded. Round 2 repeated remaining statements alongside round 1 feedback. Round 3 allowed reflection on round 2 responses considering group findings and the chance to change or maintain the resp onse. Round 3 statements reaching ≥70% agreement were defined as consensus.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 13 experts completed rounds 1, 2 and 3 (100% completion). Round 1 excluded 12 statements and added 1 statement (11 statements for rounds 2-3). Round 3 reached consensus on nine statements to guide future exercise interventions. Experts agreed that exercise interventions should be performed at least 2 days per week for a minimum of 6 months, including at least three different resistance exercises at an intensity of 8-12 repetitions. Interventions should include weight-bearing and multiplanar exercises, involve high-impact activities and be supervised initially.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This expert Delphi process achieved consensus on nine items related to exercise prescription to minimise hip BMD loss following traumatic lower limb amputation. These recommendations should be tested in future interventional trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142124881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Navigating the Olympic journey—presenting a contemporary paradigm for elite-level youth athletes","authors":"Michael F Bergeron","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108837","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108837","url":null,"abstract":"The global youth sports landscape continues to exhibit pronounced growth providing increasing and exciting opportunities for youth athletes to compete on the world’s sports stage. Likewise, there is a parallel growing concern whether the existing minimum age eligibility requirements (AERs) across the International Federations for youth participation in the Olympic Games are appropriate. For those sport disciplines that have AERs, the current age thresholds are largely variable and not fully scientifically informed, and the limited research and supporting evidence relied on are notably complicated by the distinctively vulnerable age range of concern. Adolescence is inherently dynamic and non-linear with asynchronous development of numerous physical, physiological, psychological and social attributes within and between individuals. Accordingly, each athlete’s personal development profile uniquely affects their own athletic development and corresponding performance and risk in sport. Whereas an apt discipline-specific or overall AER is arguably warranted, precisely where those respective limits should be sensibly established cannot be easily defined. What is more, an AER alone (although convenient) would not be sufficient in enabling …","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142138384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tasuku Terada, Robert Pap, Abby Thomas, Roger Wei, Takumi Noda, Sarah Visintini, Jennifer L Reed
{"title":"Effects of muscle strength training combined with aerobic training versus aerobic training alone on cardiovascular disease risk indicators in patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials","authors":"Tasuku Terada, Robert Pap, Abby Thomas, Roger Wei, Takumi Noda, Sarah Visintini, Jennifer L Reed","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108530","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108530","url":null,"abstract":"Objective To compare the effects of aerobic training combined with muscle strength training (hereafter referred to as combined training) to aerobic training alone on cardiovascular disease risk indicators in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Design Systematic review with meta-analysis. Data sources MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, trial registries and grey literature sources were searched in February 2024. Eligibility criteria Randomised clinical trials comparing the effects of ≥4 weeks of combined training and aerobic training alone on at least one of the following outcomes: cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), anthropometric and haemodynamic measures and cardiometabolic blood biomarkers in patients with CAD. Results Of 13 246 studies screened, 23 were included (N=916). Combined training was more effective in increasing CRF (standard mean difference (SMD) 0.26, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.49, p=0.03) and lean body mass (mean difference (MD) 0.78 kg, 95% CI 0.39 kg to 1.17 kg, p<0.001), and reducing per cent body fat (MD −2.2%, 95% CI −3.5% to −0.9%, p=0.001) compared with aerobic training alone. There were no differences in the cardiometabolic biomarkers between the groups. Our subgroup analyses showed that combined training increases CRF more than aerobic training alone when muscle strength training was added to aerobic training without compromising aerobic training volume (SMD 0.36, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.68, p=0.02). Conclusion Combined training had greater effects on CRF and body composition than aerobic training alone in patients with CAD. To promote an increase in CRF in patients with CAD, muscle strength training should be added to aerobic training without reducing aerobic exercise volume. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142100684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kyle Wallace, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Jennifer Monnin, Andrew E Lincoln, Omar Hraky, Griffith Gosnell, Suin Jeong, Wilson Skinner, Eliana Schaefer, Dharmi K Desai, Shane V Caswell
{"title":"Systematic mapping review of player safety, sport science and clinical care in lacrosse","authors":"Kyle Wallace, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Jennifer Monnin, Andrew E Lincoln, Omar Hraky, Griffith Gosnell, Suin Jeong, Wilson Skinner, Eliana Schaefer, Dharmi K Desai, Shane V Caswell","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108298","url":null,"abstract":"Objective The objective is to comprehensively classify the types, topics and populations represented in the published lacrosse literature. Design Mapping review. Protocol registration at Open Science Framework (<https://osf.io/kz4e6>). Data sources 10 electronic databases were searched from inception to 31 March 2023. Eligibility criteria Peer-reviewed studies in English that included lacrosse were eligible. Publications without participant demographic or lacrosse-specific data were excluded. Results We identified 498 articles pertaining to lacrosse, with 270 (54.2%) focused on player safety, 128 (25.7%) on sport science and 74 (14.9%) on clinical care. Musculoskeletal injury was the focus of 179 studies (35.9%), and the most common study design was cross-sectional (n=162, 32.5%). Most (n=423, 84.9%) originated in the USA. Over half (n=254, 51.0%) were published since 2017. 216 articles (43.4%) included female and male athletes, while 112 (22.5%) and 142 (28.5%) focused solely on female and male athletes, respectively. Collegiate athletes were the most frequent study population (n=277, 55.6%), and traditional field lacrosse was the focus of 298 (59.8%) articles. We observed that 77.1% (27/35) of quasiexperimental, 91.3% (21/23) of randomised controlled trials and 62.1% (18/29) of systematic reviews had a high or moderate risk of bias. Conclusion The vast majority of lacrosse research originates from the USA, is in collegiate athletes, with a focus on player safety, and has a high risk of bias. With the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics and growing global participation, higher quality research studies that are more inclusive and adaptable to diverse athletic groups and changing gameplay parameters are needed. Data are available in a public, open access repository. Appendices for this manuscript are available on Open Science Framework (<https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/KNS3E>) and are linked to our original a priori protocol. All included articles in this mapping review, with data coding, are available online (appendix 1). Unfilled JBI checklists are available online (appendix 2). Completed JBI checklists for all included articles are available online (appendix 3).","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142100685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gemma N Parry, Sean Williams, Carly D McKay, David J Johnson, Michael F Bergeron, Sean P Cumming
{"title":"Associations between growth, maturation and injury in youth athletes engaged in elite pathways: a scoping review","authors":"Gemma N Parry, Sean Williams, Carly D McKay, David J Johnson, Michael F Bergeron, Sean P Cumming","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108233","url":null,"abstract":"Objective To describe the evidence pertaining to associations between growth, maturation and injury in elite youth athletes. Design Scoping review. Data sources Electronic databases (SPORTDiscus, Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE and Web of Science) searched on 30 May 2023. Eligibility criteria Original studies published since 2000 using quantitative or qualitative designs investigating associations between growth, maturation and injury in elite youth athletes. Results From an initial 518 titles, 36 full-text articles were evaluated, of which 30 were eligible for final inclusion. Most studies were quantitative and employed prospective designs. Significant heterogeneity was evident across samples and in the operationalisation and measurement of growth, maturation and injury. Injury incidence and burden generally increased with maturity status, although growth-related injuries peaked during the adolescent growth spurt. More rapid growth in stature and of the lower limbs was associated with greater injury incidence and burden. While maturity timing did not show a clear or consistent association with injury, it may contribute to risk and burden due to variations in maturity status. Conclusion Evidence suggests that the processes of growth and maturation contribute to injury risk and burden in elite youth athletes, although the nature of the association varies with injury type. More research investigating the main and interactive effects on growth and maturation on injury is warranted, especially in female athletes and across a greater diversity of sports. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Data relevant to the study have been uploaded as supplementary information.","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142100687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Merete Møller, Lotte Nygaard Andersen, Sören Möller, Alice Kongsted, Carsten B Juhl, Ewa M Roos
{"title":"Health And Performance Promotion in Youth (HAPPY) hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster randomised trial: comparison of two strategies to implement an injury prevention exercise programme in Danish youth handball","authors":"Merete Møller, Lotte Nygaard Andersen, Sören Möller, Alice Kongsted, Carsten B Juhl, Ewa M Roos","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2023-107880","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-107880","url":null,"abstract":"Objective To investigate if a combination of an online and onsite implementation strategy was superior to an online-only strategy in enhancing the use of an injury prevention exercise programme (IPEP) and in reducing the risk of shoulder, knee and ankle injuries in youth community handball players (age 11–17) over a handball season. Methods In this 30-week hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster randomised type 3 study, 20 youth handball clubs were randomly assigned 1:1 to either a combined online and onsite implementation strategy (coach workshop using the health action process approach behaviour change model and health service provider (HSP) support) or an online-only strategy (control group). The primary implementation outcome was coach-reported adherence, measured as the average IPEP exercise usage by the team over 30 weeks. The primary effectiveness outcome was player-reported handball playing time to any new handball-related shoulder, knee and ankle injuries, reported weekly using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems. Results We enrolled 63 coaches (27% women) and 945 players (mean age 14.5 years, 55% girls). Intention-to-treat analyses showed no statistically significant difference between implementation strategies in adherence (between-group difference 1.4, 95% CI −0.5 to 3.4) or in cumulative injury risk (between-group difference 5.5% points, 95% CI −2.2 to 13.1). Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that in youth community handball, a combined online and onsite implementation strategy, including a coach workshop and HSP support, was not superior to an online-only strategy regarding adherence to an IPEP or in reducing shoulder, knee and ankle injury risk. Trial registration number [NCT05294237][1]. Data are available on reasonable request. All personally identifiable information will be deleted or anonymised before data transfer. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT05294237&atom=%2Fbjsports%2Fearly%2F2024%2F08%2F29%2Fbjsports-2023-107880.atom","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142100689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sherilyn DeStefano, Emily Peterson, Derek C Pham, Nicholas J Jackson, Derjung M Tarn, Dena Florczyk, Aurelia Nattiv
{"title":"Screening college athletes for sexual violence: athletes’ experiences and opinions on best practices","authors":"Sherilyn DeStefano, Emily Peterson, Derek C Pham, Nicholas J Jackson, Derjung M Tarn, Dena Florczyk, Aurelia Nattiv","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2023-107622","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-107622","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives College athletes are at elevated risk for sexual violence, yet few formally report it and screening for sexual violence is uncommon. This study aimed to evaluate the nature of screening occurring among college athletes and collect athletes’ opinions on how best to screen for sexual violence. Methods This was a mixed-methods study combining a cross-sectional survey with small group interviews. Intercollegiate and club athletes 18 years and older at a division I institution were recruited to complete an online, anonymous survey. Those who completed the survey were invited to participate in follow-up interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Results 165 athletes completed the survey. Only 25% of respondents reported past screening for any type of interpersonal violence, and only 22% reported past screening for sexual abuse and 21% for sexual harassment. 12 student–athletes participated in follow-up interviews. Athletes suggested several best practices including normalising conversation about sexual violence, empowering athletes to maintain a sense of control around disclosure, building trust and providing multiple opportunities for discussion and disclosure. Conclusion Less than one-quarter of athletes in this study have been screened for sexual violence. Sensitive and effective screening practices should include providing safe environments, initiating the conversation, offering multiple opportunities for disclosure, and ensuring personnel completing screening are knowledgeable on what to do in case of a disclosure. These can inform screening and educational practices to decrease stigma, support those affected and ultimately decrease the incidence of sexual violence victimisation. Data are available on reasonable request. Deidentified data are available on reasonable request by contacting the corresponding author.","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142100688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Camille Tooth, Evert Verhagen, Babette M Pluim, Jan Cabri, François Bieuzen, Pascal Edouard
{"title":"Methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in tennis: ReFORM synthesis of the International Olympic Committee consensus statement","authors":"Camille Tooth, Evert Verhagen, Babette M Pluim, Jan Cabri, François Bieuzen, Pascal Edouard","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108830","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108830","url":null,"abstract":"Following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) consensus statement on the methods for collecting and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sports,1 2 the International Tennis Federation’s Sports Science Committee, in collaboration with selected external experts, developed a tennis-specific extension.3 This initiative aimed to standardise health surveillance for non-disabled and wheelchair tennis players and provide discipline-specific recommendations regarding injury and illness classification, mechanisms, onset modes, athlete exposure, risk reporting and data collection methods. The tennis-specific extension and this summary aim to present the elements specific to tennis that differentiate or add to the original IOC consensus for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sports (figure 1).1 2 Figure 1 Infographic of the ReFORM synthesis of the International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement on methods for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness …","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142090127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jasmine Titova, Margie H Davenport, Alexandra Humphrys, Melanie Hayman
{"title":"Barriers and enablers encountered by elite athletes during preconception and pregnancy: a mixed-methods systematic review","authors":"Jasmine Titova, Margie H Davenport, Alexandra Humphrys, Melanie Hayman","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108380","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108380","url":null,"abstract":"Objective To synthesise the existing literature relating to barriers and enablers encountered by elite athletes during preconception and pregnancy for the purpose of identifying key recommendations and actionable steps to inform the development of pregnancy guidelines to support preconception and pregnancy in national sporting organisations. Design Mixed-methods systematic review with thematic analysis. Data sources Four databases (Medline, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO and CINAHL) were systematically searched to identify relevant studies, along with reference lists of included studies until 3 April 2023. Eligibility criteria Peer-reviewed primary studies from any date, language and location which identify at least one barrier and/or enabler encountered by elite female athletes during preconception and/or pregnancy were included. Grey literature, books, conference papers and other reviews were excluded. Results A total of 29 studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. The most common barriers identified were attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of the athlete and society, lack of support provided by sports organisations and lack of evidence-based information available. The most common enablers were specific strategies used by athletes (eg, modified training) to manage the demands of preconception and pregnancy, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of the athlete, and support of family. Conclusion Key recommendations developed from the results are for sporting organisations to (1) develop clear, transparent and multifaceted policies to support preconception and pregnancy; (2) foster supportive environments which offer flexible training, social support and positive promotion of pregnant athletes and (3) provide clear, evidence-based education and information about preconception and pregnancy to athletes, coaches, support staff and organisational staff. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information.","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142090130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David B Anderson, Aimie L Peek, James M Van Gelder, Kerry Peek
{"title":"Should we screen retired contact sport athletes for early signs of degenerative cervical myelopathy?","authors":"David B Anderson, Aimie L Peek, James M Van Gelder, Kerry Peek","doi":"10.1136/bjsports-2024-108306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108306","url":null,"abstract":"Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a clinical condition of upper motor neuron lesion signs, that is confirmed with advanced imaging demonstrating compression of the spinal cord in the cervical spine.1 Common symptoms of DCM include loss of upper and lower limb strength and coordination, gait dysfunction, and bladder and bowel dysfunction.2 The difference between DCM and other sports-related spinal cord injuries is that DCM results from spinal cord compression due to gradual degenerative changes, making detection more difficult. DCM is a leading cause of spinal cord injury2 and can result in catastrophic symptoms and lifelong disability if left untreated.2 While the mean prevalence of DCM is low in the general population at around 2.22% (95% CI 0.44% to 2.68%), specific populations are at greater risk, such as older adults (>79 years of age) who have a mean prevalence of 4.16% (95% CI 0.82% to 5.03%).3 People from Asia-Pacific and African regions are also reported to have an increased prevalence of DCM and/or cervical stenosis.4 A recent review of the risk factors for the development of DCM reported that long-term participation in contact sports may be associated with increased rates of early spinal degeneration as well as spinal cord injury secondary to cervical spinal stenosis.5 While the exact mechanism remains unclear, it is possible that the combination of repeated mechanical loading and increased prevalence of cervical injuries in contact sport athletes is a cause of early spinal degeneration. In particular, premature cervical spondylosis can lead to DCM in some contact sport athletes.5 This commentary explores the potential benefits of screening contact sport athletes for DCM to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention. Unlike other spinal cord injuries, DCM does not require a traumatic event and can have an insidious onset, making diagnosis and detection …","PeriodicalId":9276,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":18.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142090057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}