Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies

Biofeedback (BF) is a means for gaining control of bodily processes to increase relaxation, relieve pain and improve health, among other benefits. A BF instrument has three tasks. First is to monitor (in some way) a physiological process of interest. Second is to measure (quantify) what is monitored. Third is to present what is monitored or measured as meaningful information. Electromyography (EMG) and BF are often used simultaneously to handle movement during a procedure. BF is a means for gaining control of bodily processes to increase relaxation, relieve pain and improve health, among other benefits. And BF training (BFT) is not only a technique used for enhancing health, but is predicted to affect the development and maintenance of brain function. One technique for non-invasive measurement of brain activity that has been developed in recent years is brain functional imaging using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Compared to other techniques of measurement of brain activity, NIRS is a low-restraint and non-invasive measuring technique. In addition, it enables a user to take electrophysiological measurements during activity, such as training or other movements. The connection between BFT and brain function surely will garner further attention in future, as current studies state that BFT involves not only voluntary movement of the extremities and joints, but also receives input from high-level integrative functions of the brain. And furthermore, BFT, which has garnered attention in recent years, has not only revealed the importance of mental training when performing an action, but also monitors subjects’ muscle performance and encourages learning of psychophysiological control. Here, we investigated the connection between BFT and local cerebral blood flow, by performing cranial NIRS with simultaneous electromyogram (EMG), recording from the rectus femoris muscle. Our results suggest that kicking action alters brain function, particularly in a manner that is predicted to activate working memory.

Objective: Individuals commonly self-medicate without a prescription. Athletes, however, are prohibited from taking substances listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Since it can be very difficult to verify whether a banned substance is contained in a particular medicine, athletes risk unintended doping when they self-medicate. This study documents young athletes’ self-medication practices, and the problems they encounter when doing so. It also makes recommendations for increasing their knowledge of self-medication, and discusses the role sports pharmacists can play in preventing young athletes’ unintended doping.
Methods: We asked university student-athletes to complete a structured survey that gathered basic personal information (sex, age), type of sport (group sport or individual competition), and level of sport (elite or general athlete), respondents’ attitudes toward purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, their nutritional intake, and their knowledge of and experience with doping.
Results: The survey was completed by 820 student athletes. Within the past year, 59.1% had used OTC drugs, 51.5% had used supplements, and 18.2% of the respondents said they checked or consulted with someone about whether a drug was prohibited before taking it. Of those, 62.4% used the Internet to get information, and 30.2% asked a pharmacist. Among all respondents, 43.5% had learned about anti-doping from a “school lecture,” and 2.2% from a “pharmacist.” Female athletes were more likely to take OTC drugs (p<0.01) than male athletes (p<0.01). Elite athletes and athletes involved in individual competitions were more likely to hesitate before taking drugs than general athletes and group sport athletes (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Athletes do not regard pharmacists as having a responsibility for providing anti-doping information. Pharmacists should provide information on prohibited drugs, anti-doping activities, self-care related to proper nutrition, and drug use according to each athlete’s individual needs.

Objective: The goal of our study is to show that after single-bundle anatomic ACL reconstruction technique using hamstring tendon autograft (quadrupled semitendinosus and gracillis tendons), there is excellent objective knee stability and the return of flexor muscles strength.
Methods: 65 patients aged 13–46 entered our study and were operated with a single bundle ACL reconstruction technique using hamstring tendon autograft. The operation and postoperative protocol were standardized. Patients were evaluated at 3 and 6 months postoperatively with clinical examination, KT–1000 measurements, functional scores (Balance index, Hop index, IKDC, isokinetic testing) and subjective questionnaire (Lysholm score, Tegner score).
Results: 65 patients were evaluated 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Lachman test was negative in 92% and the pivot-shift test was negative in 89% of patients at 6 months follow-up. KT–1000 stability testing revealed a difference of 1.05 mm ± 2.83. At final follow-up, overall IKDC evaluation grade A and B were obtained in 96% of patients. The mean Lysholm score, 6 months postoperative was 94. There was no statistically significant difference in the angle of peak torque inflexion at 60°/s at 6 months follow-up.
Conclusion: Our study shows that the strength of knee flexion six months after harvesting both hamstring tendons returns. However, there is still a statistically significant difference in knee flexion peak torque, when comparing the operative and non-operative side. Single bundle anatomic ACL reconstruction gives excellent knee stability and good clinical results with normal knee range of motion and returns to the appropriate level of activity.