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SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect the exercise response in athletes. Factors associated with the exercise response have not been reported. To (1) describe heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses to exercise in athletes with a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection and (2) identify factors affecting exercise responses. Cross-sectional, experimental study. Male and female athletes (age = 24.2 ± 6.3 years) with a recent (< 28 days) SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 72). A COVID-19 Recovery Clinic for athletes. Heart rate, SBP, and RPE were measured during submaximal exercise (modified Bruce protocol) at 10 to 28 days after SARS-CoV-2 symptom onset. Selected factors (demographics, sport, comorbidities, preinfection training variables, and symptoms during the acute phase of the infection) affecting the exercise response were analyzed using random coefficient (linear mixed) models. Heart rate, SBP, and RPE increased progressively from rest to stage 5 of the exercise test (P =.0001). At stage 5 (10.1 metabolic equivalents), a higher HR and a higher SBP during exercise were associated with younger age (P =.0007) and increased body mass index (BMI; P =.009), respectively. Higher RPE during exercise was significantly associated with a greater number of whole-body (P =.006) and total number (P =.004) of symptoms during the acute phase of infection. A greater number of symptoms during the acute infection was associated with a higher RPE during exercise in athletes at 10 to 28 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We recommend measuring RPE during the first exercise challenge after infection, as this may indicate disease severity and be valuable for tracking progress, recovery, and return to sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gradual onset injuries (GOIs) in recreational cyclists are common but not well described. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics of GOIs (main anatomical regions, specific anatomical sites, specific GOIs, tissue type, severity of GOIs, and treatment modalities) of GOIs among entrants participating in a community-based mass participation-cycling event over 5 years. During the 2016–2020 Cape Town Cycle Tour, 62,758 consenting race entrants completed an online pre-race medical screening questionnaire. 1879 reported GOIs in the previous 12 months. In this descriptive epidemiological study, we report frequency (% entrants) of GOIs by anatomical region/sites, specific GOI, tissue type, GOI severity, and treatment modalities used. The main anatomical regions affected by GOIs were lower limb (47.4%), upper limb (20.1%), hip/groin/pelvis (10.0%), and lower back (7.8%). Specifically, GOI were common in the knee (32.1%), shoulder (10.6%), lower back (7.8%) and the hip/buttock muscles (5.2%). The most common specific GOI was anterior knee pain (17.2%). 57.0% of GOIs were in soft tissue. Almost half (43.9%) of cyclists with a GOI reported symptom duration >12 months, and 40.3% of GOIs were severe enough to reduce/prevent cycling. Main treatment modalities used for GOIs were rest (45.9%), physiotherapy (43.0%), stretches (33.2%), and strength exercises (33.1%). In recreational cyclists, >50% of GOIs affect the knees, shoulders, hip/buttock muscles and lower back, and 40% are severe enough to reduce/prevent cycling. Almost 45% of cyclists with GOIs in the lower back; or hip/groin/pelvis; or lower limbs; or upper limb reported a symptom duration of >12 months. Risk factors associated with GOIs need to be determined and preventative programs for GOIs need to be designed, implemented, and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are no data relating symptoms of an acute respiratory illness (ARI) in general, and COVID-19 specifically, to return to play (RTP).Objective: To determine if ARI symptoms are associated with more prolonged RTP, and if days to RTP and symptoms (number, type, duration and severity) differ in athletes with COVID-19 versus athletes with other ARI.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: Online survey.Participants: Athletes with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 (ARICOV) (n=45) and athletes with other ARI (ARIOTH) (n=39).Methods: Participants recorded days to RTP and completed an online survey detailing ARI symptoms (number, type, severity and duration) in three categories: 'nose and throat', 'chest and neck' and 'whole body'. We report the association between symptoms and RTP (% chance over 40 days) and compare the days to RTP and symptoms (number, type, duration and severity) in ARICOV versus ARIOTH subgroups.Results: The symptom cluster associated with more prolonged RTP (lower chance over 40 days; %) (univariate analysis) was 'excessive fatigue' (75%; p<0.0001), 'chills' (65%; p=0.004), 'fever' (64%; p=0.004), 'headache' (56%; p=0.006), 'altered/loss sense of smell' (51%; p=0.009), 'Chest pain/pressure' (48%; p=0.033), 'difficulty in breathing' (48%; p=0.022) and 'loss of appetite' (47%; p=0.022). 'Excessive fatigue' remained associated with prolonged RTP (p=0.0002) in a multiple model. Compared with ARIOTH, the ARICOV subgroup had more severe disease (greater number, more severe symptoms) and more days to RTP (p=0.0043).Conclusion: Symptom clusters may be used by sport and exercise physicians to assist decision making for RTP in athletes with ARI (including COVID-19). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientifically based social network lifestyle intervention did not reduce 10-year cardiovascular risk but improved certain NCD risk factors over 12 months. Facebook plus health professionals group reduced overweight, diabetes risk and total number of risk factors, and Facebook only group reduced inadequate fruit-and-vegetable intake and smoking compared to control. Objective: To determine if scientifically based social network (Facebook) lifestyle interventions reduce 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods: Financial sector employees (n  = 300) were equally randomly assigned: Facebook plus Health Professionals (FB+HP), Facebook (FB), or control (C). We report changes in 10-year Framingham risk score (FRS) for CVD (%) and risk factors over 12 months. Results: FRS did not change within and between groups. Overweight (−7.4% vs −5.6%, P   =  0.005) and diabetes risk (–10.7% vs 0.2%, P   =  0.011) reduced significantly in FB+HP versus FB and C, respectively. Inadequate fruit/vegetable intake (–9.4% vs 3.6%, P   =  0.011) and smoking (–0.7% vs 14.9%) reduced significantly in FB versus C. No significant changes in physical activity, central obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia between groups. Conclusions: Scientifically based social network lifestyle intervention programs could be included in workplace health promotional programmes to improve certain non-communicable disease risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors, total NCD risk category and 10-year risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in financial sector employees. Methods: This descriptive observational cross-sectional analysis, data from 36,074 employees was analysed. NCD risk factor data was obtained from health risk assessments that included a questionnaire and clinical measures. The 10-year risk for CVD was calculated using the Framingham non-laboratory based equation. Results: Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake (89.3%), insufficient physical activity (77.4%), and being overweight (66.8%) were the most prevalent risk factors. Women had significantly higher prevalence ratios for central obesity (2.28; P < 0.001), insufficient physical activity (1.21; P < 0.001), hypercholesterolaemia (1.15; P < 0.001), and overweight (1.08; P < 0.001) compared with men. Conclusion: A more concerted effort is required to provide employees with appropriate tools and education at the workplace to decrease and manage NCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical training (PT) is an integral part of developing operational fitness. The objective of the study was to compare the physical fitness outcomes of two groups of young South African military recruits completing 12 weeks of Basic Military Training (BMT) who followed different PT programs. A historical control group (NCPG: female n=115, male n=73) that followed a traditional PT program and an experimental group (CPG: female n=85, male n=100) that followed a new cyclic-progressive PT program participated. The standardised PT test was taken at the beginning, the fifth week and the end of the BMT period. The changes in the fitness components evaluated by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) standardised PT test were compared. Although the new cyclic-progressive PT program elicited more change (p<0.05) in the fitness parameters measured, it only yielded superior performance at the final measurement in the men's push-ups (p=0.0001). This may be attributed to the relatively greater amount of upper body exercises performed by the CPG and by the additional resistance offered by pole PT. The new cyclic-progressive PT program has been mandated for all BMT units across the SANDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armed forces recruits were tested during a six month period of intense basic training. Data was collected at the start, after 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Means indicated significant decreases in cardio stress and increases in visual skills performance after 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Results indicate that cardio stress has a definite effect on visual performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]