Linköping University

About: Linköping University is a education organization based out in Linköping, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 15671 authors who have published 50013 publications receiving 1542189 citations.

The frequency of muscle tightness and injuries in soccer players

Abstract: One hundred-eighty players in a male, senior soccer division were examined for past injuries, persisting symptoms from past injuries, and muscular tightness in the lower extremities. Soccer players were in general less flexible than a group of nonplayers of the same age (n = 86). No correlation was found between past injuries and existing muscle tightness. Sprains of the lower extremity, especially of knees and ankles, predominated among the injuries. Persistent instability symptoms were common sequels to knee and ankle injuries. It is proposed that intensive care of acute injuries will improve the late results.

CSF-biomarkers in Olympic boxing: diagnosis and effects of repetitive head trauma.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sports-related head trauma is common but still there is no established laboratory test used in the diagnostics of minimal or mild traumatic brain injuries. Further the effects of recurrent head trauma on brain injury markers are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Olympic (amateur) boxing and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) brain injury biomarkers. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective cohort study. Thirty Olympic boxers with a minimum of 45 bouts and 25 non-boxing matched controls were included in the study. CSF samples were collected by lumbar puncture 1-6 days after a bout and after a rest period for at least 14 days. The controls were tested once. Biomarkers for acute and chronic brain injury were analysed. RESULTS: NFL (mean ± SD, 532±553 vs 135±51 ng/L p = 0.001), GFAP (496±238 vs 247±147 ng/L p80% of the boxers demonstrate that both the acute and the cumulative effect of head trauma in Olympic boxing may induce CSF biomarker changes that suggest minor central nervous injuries. The lack of normalization of NFL and GFAP after the rest period in a subgroup of boxers may indicate ongoing degeneration. The recurrent head trauma in boxing may be associated with increased risk of chronic traumatic brain injury. Language: en