Under-researched populations and topics in sport and exercise medicine (SEM)

Correspondence to Dr Sharief Hendricks, Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifetsyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape 7725, South Africa;sharief.hendricks01@gmail.com In this South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) edition of BJSM, we spotlight work on under-researched populations and topics in sport and exercise medicine (SEM). Youth sport, TGNC athletes and mental health Access to athlete mental health care, like physical care, can be considered a resource that allows athletes to function, cope with stress, perform and achieve their goals. In 2019, the IOC established the Mental Health Working Group to develop an assessment battery for the early identification of mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes.3 The internal consistency of the mental health assessment battery has been tested in elite athletes, but can the same internal consistency be shown for student athletes?

Keep moving: overcoming physical, mental and pandemic challenges to stay active

Correspondence to Dr Sharief Hendricks, Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;sharief.hendricks01@gmail.com There is little argument against the benefits of physical activity for most cohorts: healthy individuals, patients with non-communicable disease and auto-immune conditions, and patients with cancer - all experience improved health outcomes from regular physical activity. While a large body of evidence exists on running-related injury risk factors, little is known about risk factors specific to trail running.1 To address this gap, young South African clinician researcher Carel Viljoen and his team conducted a living systematic review on trail running and injury risk (see page 577) . Physical activity, exercise and COVID-19 Across the globe, athletes have reported a decrease in physical activity since COVID-19.2 3 However, regular physical activity may have a protective effect against adverse outcomes from COVID-19.