Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies

Objective: Despite the prevalence of doping in sport and the need for doping prevention strategies, information about doping awareness among medical professionals is limited. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude of South African pharmacists (Ps) and general practitioners (GPs) towards doping in sports.

Methods: An online survey questionnaire was completed by 98 Ps and 201 GPs the questionnaire incorporated a range of questions that probed the participant’s knowledge and attitudes regarding doping in sport.

Results: The study findings revealed that both Ps and GPs admitted a poor knowledge of doping-related matters and lacked doping-specific training (>80% of both GPs and Ps had not received any formal training and/or attended any courses or workshops specific to doping in sport). Over 88% of all respondents felt that they were not adequately trained for the role of doping prevention in sport and more than 92% felt that they required further training in relation to doping in sport issues

Conclusions: Although Ps fared slightly better when questioned about their knowledge of certain doping relatedtopics, overall it was evident that both groups would benefit from additional training that would focus on expanding their knowledge of prohibited substances and the associated legislature to the possible benefit of their patients.

The Crossover Hop Test is a Functional Performance Test (FPT), which is used to demonstrate the leg muscles strength and performance, and evaluate symmetry between lower limbs, while evaluating the hop distance. Hop tests have been shown to be reliable for both injured and active subjects. The current study aims to establish the between days reliability of 2-Dimensional (2D) video analysis measuring knee valgus angles (frontal plane projection angle; FPPA) during each landing whilst undertaking a crossover hop test. Nine recreational male athletes (age 33.89 ± 3.96, height 170 ± 8.59 cm, weight 86.94 ± 20.86 kg) participated in the experiment. Each individual performed three repetitions of the cross over hop test, for both legs, and then repeated the same test seven days later. Results showed from the four landings that the first and third, for both legs demonstrated excellent Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values for FPPA between days, while good to excellent ICC values for FPPA of the second landing and moderate ICC values for FPPA for the fourth. Standard Error Measurement (SEM) scores ranged from 1.04° to 2.42° for the right FPPA during the four landings, while the range of SEM values for the left FPPA were from 0.82° to 2.08°. The landing strategy adopted by participants, as defined by FPPA, would appear to be consistent between sessions. Hence, researchers and clinicians will be able to use crossover hop tests, which incorporate 2D video analysis, to assess simultaneously the limbs' performance functionality and the valgus angle of the knee. Therefore, this will save the athletes' and researchers' time, which will subsequently reduce the amount of fatigue resulting from over testing.

Objective: To evaluate the sports teachers’ knowledge and attitude towards sports related oro-facial injuries and the use of mouth guards.

Methods: Certified sports teachers from various schools and colleges of Vidarbha region, Central India were exposed to pre-validated questionnaire containing both open ended and closed ended questions. Data obtained was analyzed and expressed as percentage.

Results: Total 197 sports teachers from 167 schools and colleges participated in the study. Approximately 67.5% of the sport teachers agreed that sports related oro-facial injuries are common and inline skating (58.4%) was the most common sport. Only 8.1% of the sport teachers were having knowledge regarding first aid to oro-facial injuries. All sport teachers agreed that sport related oro-facial injuries can be prevented, but only 10.1% incorporated protective measures in practice to prevent it. Majority of the sports teachers (85.8%) were aware that mouth guard is used as a protective device to prevent oro-facial injuries but only few recommended in their school. Lack of motivation by the school and college administration was the major reason (50%) for non-recommending. Inline skating (54.8%) was the highly recommended sports for mouth guards by sports teachers, followed by boxing and basketball. Only 29.9% of the sports teachers were aware that dentist are the appropriate specialist to approach for mouth guards.

Conclusion: The sports teachers had adequate knowledge regarding the sports related orofacial injuries and the protective devises used to prevent it, but their inappropriate attitude is the main hindrance in the prevention of orofacial injuries.

Introduction: DEEP OSCILLATION® therapy has been shown to improve wound healing, inflammation, pain and most prominently its effect on lymphoedema. It has been indicated for use in musculoskeletal injuries but few studies on its effectiveness exist. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure the effect DEEP OSCILLATION® (DOT) had on patients with lateral epicondylalgia (LE).

Methods: Twenty subjects aged between 18-55 years who had a diagnosis of LE took part in this trial. Group A (Control) underwent the protocol of injection therapy with 5 mg of Adcortyl and Lignocaine, topical Diclofenac antiinflammatory gel applied three times per day and supervised rest over a two week period. Patients were then referred for physiotherapy where they completed a baseline PRTEE and were instructed on a home exercise program (HEP) for 4 weeks. Group B, test, received the same protocol from the physician as Group A and referred for physiotherapy where they completed a baseline PRTEE and received the same HEP as Group A. Group B also received DOT consisting of two-25 minute sessions per week for 4 weeks, eight treatment sessions in total. Outcome measures were the PRTEE and VAS to measure pain at baseline and end of treatment at 6 weeks. Further follow-up was performed at 6 months post treatment.

Results: The baseline mean of pain for Group A was 18.9 (SD 4.5) and at 6 weeks the mean was 13(3.09). The baseline mean of pain in Group B was 18.4 (4.5) and at 6 weeks it was 10.3(3.8). Repeated measure ANOVA on Pain showed significant difference between measurement from baseline to 6 weeks (F (1,18)=530.52, p ≤ 0.001). Results for the Time x Group interaction effect was not significant (F (1,18)=1.76, p=0.20), indicating that the changes in Pain measurements from baseline to 6 weeks were not significantly different for Control and Test groups. The mean function baseline for Group A was recorded as 13 (3.09) and 12.95 (2.76) at 6 weeks. The mean function for Group B was recorded as 22.5 (3.9) and 11.35 (4.10) at 6 weeks. Repeated measure ANOVA on Function showed significant difference between measurement from baseline to 6 weeks (F (1,18)=98.82, p ≤ 0.001). Time x Group interaction effect were found significant (F (1,18)=10.59, p=0.004), indicating that the changes in measurement from baseline to 6 weeks was significantly different for Control and Test groups.

Conclusion: A significant improvement in patients function at 6 weeks post treatment was found with 70% of the treatment group requiring no further treatment from 6 weeks to 6 months post treatment. DOT is beneficial in the treatment of TE and may further enhance the benefit from local steroid injection. Further research on the use of DOT in musculoskeletal injury and relevant protocols are needed.