Is there a relationship between lower-extremity injuries and foot postures in professional football players? A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity injuries are an ongoing concern for professional football players. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between foot posture and lower extremity injuries in professional football players. METHOD: In this prospective cohort study, 420 male players of the Iran Premium football league were evaluated during the 2015-2016 season. The players were assessed for their foot types based on optical and static foot scans and foot posture index (FPI). The trained club physicians recorded all injuries during the season. RESULT: The analyzed data of 244 players showed the highest rate of lower extremity injury in hamstrings, ankle, and groin, respectively. These injuries led to 46% of time loss. The probability of hamstrings injuries was higher among pronated players based on static, optic, FPI, and visual examination, 2.1, 1.8, 1.8, and 2.3, respectively. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injuries were associated with subtalar joint abnormality defined by visual observation. An increased relative risk of leading-to-absence injuries among the flat foot group was significant based on optic scanning, FPI, and visual observation. CONCLUSION: Abnormal foot postures in professional football players may increase the risk of hamstring and MCL injuries and time loss due to lower extremity injuries.

SARS-CoV-2 serological assay and viral testing: a report of professional football setting.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: PCR is the current standard test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, due to its limitations, serological testing is considered an alternative method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 exposure. In this study, we measured the level of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies of male professional football players and compared the results with the standard PCR test to investigate the association between the two tests. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were male professional football players and team officials. Nasopharyngeal swabs and peripheral blood samples were collected for the PCR and serological tests, respectively. Also, previous records of COVID-19 testing and symptoms were gathered. Those with previous positive PCR tests who tested negative for the second time were considered to be recovered patients. RESULTS: Of the 1243 subjects, 222 (17.9%) were seropositive, while 29 (2.3%) tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Sixty percent of symptomatic cases with a negative PCR were found to be seropositive. The mean level of IgM was significantly higher in PCR-positive and symptomatic subjects, whereas the recovered cases showed significantly higher levels of IgG. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed an inconsistency of results between the two tests; therefore, although application of serological assays alone seems insufficient in diagnosing COVID-19 disease, the findings are beneficial in the comprehension and the management of the disease.

Injuries in iran futsal national teams: a comparative study of incidence and characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Futsal is a growing sport with lots of fans in many countries including Iran, but there are few papers in the literature which report injuries in top level futsal. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to record and analyze the incidence and characteristics of injuries in Iran futsal national teams from March 2011 to September 2012. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 55 Iranian national futsal players participated in this prospective cohort study. Before entering the study, all players took part in Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) in accordance with FIFA protocol. Team physicians recorded the injuries throughout the match and trainings in a special form which was designed for this purpose. Finally, data analysis was done with the SPSS software. RESULTS: The total exposure time for all players was 24326 hours (21138 hours during training and 3188 hours during matches). During the study period, 32 of the 55 national players (58.2%) incurred 54 injuries (incidence rate = 2.22 injuries per 1000 players-hours). The incidence rate of injury in female players was significantly higher than male players (P = 0.001). The majority of injuries (85.2%) were located on the lower extremities. The ankle was the most frequent injury location (40.7%) and sprain was the most frequent type of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Injuries are common among futsal players and female players are more prone to injuries than male players. The ankle is the most frequent site and sprain is the most frequent type of injury among futsal players.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in an Elite Female Soccer Player; What Sports Medicine Clinicians Should Know about This?

BACKGROUND: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) refers to a group of congenital conditions characterized by disordered cortisol synthesis. The correlation between CAH and sports performance has been less studied before and there is very limited information regarding the impacts of this congenital disease on sports performance. Probably, there are some limitations for patients who suffer from CAH in sports, but at the same time, they may enjoy some advantage due to the probable effect of endogenous hyperandrogenism on their exercise performance. CASE PRESENTATION: The case is a 14 - year old girl with male phenotype who is a known case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. She plays in the women's national soccer team of under 16. She has been in the first division league of indoor soccer for 4 years and was also selected in the preparation training camp of women's football team for Singapore's youth Olympic Games. Her illness and dependence on corticosteroid have caused some concerns for her participation in the international competitions of women. However, following consultations with the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Committee of games organization, she received TUE to use corticosteroid only within the games period. Despite all her problems, she is now playing in the Second Division League of indoor soccer. CONCLUSIONS: A female adolescent with CAH may compete at the high level of outdoor and indoor soccer. However, there are many questions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of this congenital disorder and its treatment on sports related issues.