FastFact

What investigations should we consider including in a post-COVID-19 pre-competition medical assessment?

What investigations should we consider including in a post-COVID-19 pre-competition medical assessment?

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Reflecting infection rates among the general public, an increasing number of elite and professional players are being found to have contracted COVID-19. Given that various cardiorespiratory complications have been reported following infection, it is suggested that a comprehensive cardiovascular and respiratory assessment should be carried out prior to return to play. What this assessment should [...]
A new tool to identify players who are at risk of mental health disorders

A new tool to identify players who are at risk of mental health disorders

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There is an increasing awareness that mental health conditions can impact anyone, including elite football players. This week’s FastFact highlights a paper from the International Olympic Committee that introduces a tool that can be used to help identify elite players who may be at risk of mental health symptoms or disorders.1 The International Olympic Committee [...]
High volume injections do not appear to be effective in the treatment for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy

High volume injections do not appear to be effective in the treatment for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy

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There are a range of therapies that have been suggested as possible treatments for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. This edition of the FastFact highlights a paper, published in the BMJ, that evaluates the effectiveness of high volume injections.1 High volume injections involve injecting a large amount of fluid into the area surrounding a painful [...]
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy may be worse than no treatment for degenerative medial meniscal tears

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy may be worse than no treatment for degenerative medial meniscal tears

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There is increasing evidence that arthroscopic partial meniscectomies, one of the most common surgical procedures performed on the knee, may not be as effective as previously thought. This edition of the FastFact highlights the five-year results of the FIDELITY trial which have just been published in the BJSM. The aim of the FIDELITY (Finnish Degenerative [...]
Do you know how to identify, assess and treat a player with disordered eating?

Do you know how to identify, assess and treat a player with disordered eating?

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The impact that relative energy deficit (RED-S) can have on a player’s health and wellbeing is increasingly being recognised. This BJSM paper, featuring staff from a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, reviews the evidence relating to disordered eating (DE), a potential cause of RED-S, and provides excellent information about a practical approach to players with [...]
What do we know about anterior cruciate ligament injury mechanisms in men’s professional football?

What do we know about anterior cruciate ligament injury mechanisms in men’s professional football?

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In order to prevent injury, it is important to have a thorough understanding about both the incidence of injury and injury mechanisms. This FastFact, produced by the Isokinetic Medical Group (a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence), and published in the BJSM evaluates anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in a population of Italian professional football players [...]
Football injuries impair team performance and create a financial burden

Football injuries impair team performance and create a financial burden

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Injuries are unfortunately common in professional football. The impact of these injuries on a team’s performance and club finances are estimated in this article published in BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine. These are important considerations as they will likely have a significant impact on a club’s desire to pursue injury prevention strategies and to [...]