Read more about the article Exercise Training and Physical Activity in Patients with Heart Failure

Exercise Training and Physical Activity in Patients with Heart Failure

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome with different etiologies and phenotypes. For all forms, supervised exercise training and individual physical activity are class IA recommendations in current guidelines. Exercise training can start in the hospital, immediately after stabilization of acute heart failure (phase I). After discharge, it can continue in a stationary or ambulatory prevention and rehabilitation program (phase II). Typical components are endurance, resistance and respiratory training. Health insurances cover costs for three to six months. Patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators or left ventricular assist devices may train in experienced centers.

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Read more about the article Physical Activity Is an Opportunity for the Health of Nations: What Should We Do Next?

Physical Activity Is an Opportunity for the Health of Nations: What Should We Do Next?

Physical activity provides huge opportunities for the health of nations. Understanding this, the World Health Organization has published a Global Action Plan which aims to provide member states with a framework for action, namely to create active societies, people, environments and systems. The target is set at a 15% reduction in physical inactivity levels by 2030. We explore in this paper some of the challenges and opportunities that come with it, and give the practitioner some real-world opportunities for relevant action at the local level, as well as for their patients, staying true to the Physician’s Pledge (Declaration of Geneva): “I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard.”

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Read more about the article Sustainably Anchoring Exercise as a Therapy in Health Care

Sustainably Anchoring Exercise as a Therapy in Health Care

Regular exercise reduces the risk of suffering from noncommunicable diseases such as cancer or diabetes. Within the framework of the National Strategy for the Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, movement as a form of therapy is therefore to be anchored in health care in the future. Sports physicians have an important role as multipliers.

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Read more about the article «COOL AND CLEAN»: 10-year outcomes of structural prevention in the Swiss sports setting

«COOL AND CLEAN»: 10-year outcomes of structural prevention in the Swiss sports setting

The body of evidence on structural prevention is scarce and needs further development. This study contributes to international research by analysing 10-year outcomes of a multicomponent programme promoting a healthy sports setting in Switzerland. Data were collected in 2007, 2011 and 2015, enabling a longitudinal perspective on outcomes. Telephone interviews, case studies, online-surveys and analysis of key documents and data were conducted. The programme «cool and clean» is well known and accepted by key partners. Partnering between the health and the sports sector has improved visibly and cantonal ambassadors are well established.

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Read more about the article Laboratory versus outdoor testing: Lactate endurance diagnostics and training management

Laboratory versus outdoor testing: Lactate endurance diagnostics and training management

Recording the endurance lactate concentration has for some 40 years now been considered the most sensitive parameter for identifying and differentiating the aerobic capacity in muscle metabolism. Lactate behavior or the lactate-running-speed ratio is influenced under lab conditions both by the shock absorption of the specific treadmill type, the treadmill angle of inclination, and outdoors by the ground conditions. What is decisive for both indoor and outdoor measurements is the integrative lactate behavior.

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Read more about the article Sudden cardiac death in athletes – complete prevention requires evidence

Sudden cardiac death in athletes – complete prevention requires evidence

Wenn Sportler vor laufender Kamera bei einem Wettkampf versterben, konfrontieren das die Zuschauer in besonderer Weise mit den Risiken des Sports. Die Todesfälle der Fussballer Marc-Vivien Foé am FIFA Confederations Cup 2003 und Paulo Sérgio Oliveira da Silva «Serginho» in Sao Paulo 2004, oder des kürzlich bei Paris-Roubaix verstorbenen Radrennfahrers Michael Goolaerts haben eine weltweite Welle der Betroffenheit ausgelöst. Für die Sportmedizin resultiert daraus der klare Leistungsauftrag, durch geeignete Vorsorgeuntersuchungen und Massnahmen an Wettkämpfen diese tragischen Ereignisse so gut wie möglich zu verhindern.

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Read more about the article Ellen Sprunger: from heptathlete to «health and performance» coordinator

Ellen Sprunger: from heptathlete to «health and performance» coordinator

Ellen Sprunger war während mehr als 10 Jahren eine feste Grösse in der Schweizer Leichtathletik und eines unserer Aushängeschilder international. Als Siebenkämpferin erzielte sie mit 6124 Punkten die zweitbeste Leistung einer Schweizerin aller Zeiten und sie gehörte auch im Sprint zur Schweizer Elite. Ende 2017 trat sie vom Spitzensport zurück. Nun kann Sie einen Teil ihrer Erfahrungen aus dem Leistungssport in ihre zweite Karriere als Managerin mitnehmen. Sie gibt uns in einem Interview Einblick in ihre sportliche Karriere und die neuen beruflichen Perspektiven.

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Read more about the article Fluctuations in the results of ferritin analysis between six different medical laboratories

Fluctuations in the results of ferritin analysis between six different medical laboratories

Introduction: Iron is an important factor of the energy balance and correlates with serum ferritin. For competitive athletes, ferritin measurements are regularly performed at certified medical laboratories. However, as a laboratory change happened, we questioned the validity of ferritin levels, since unusually high values were measured. The aim of this study is to compare the ferritin values of blood samples in six different laboratories and to evaluate the diagnosis of iron deficiency. Methods: Blood samples from 63 patients with suspected iron deficiency were sent to six laboratories for ferritin measurements.

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Read more about the article Vitamin D levels and predictors in Swiss elite athletes – recommandation for supplementation

Vitamin D levels and predictors in Swiss elite athletes – recommandation for supplementation

Background: Vitamin D concentrations corresponding to 75 nmol/L of 25(OH)D or more have been related to maintained muscle function, growth and regeneration, to optimal bone health and immunology in athletes. The objective of this study was to investigate prevalence and predictors of insufficient 25(OH)D concentrations in athletes and to come up with recommendations for our Swiss athletes. Methods: 603 competitive Swiss athletes were assessed during their annual pre-participation examination. A standardized questionnaire was used to gather information about potential predictors for 25(OH)D concentrations.

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Read more about the article Iron deficiency in athletes – new guidelines for diagnosis and treatment

Iron deficiency in athletes – new guidelines for diagnosis and treatment

Background: Iron deficiency (ID), worldwide a common affection is associated with reduced performance, fatigue and increased risk for infections. Athletes are a risk-population due to a higher prevalence of restrictive diets or exercise-induced inflammation. Particularly in athletes, the diagnosis of ID based on unspecific symptomes or routine laboratory diagnostics with ferritin is not always reliable. The goal of this study was therefore to discover if a new diagnostic approach adding zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) or soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in the routine assessment of ID in athletes is helpful or even necessary.

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Read more about the article The climbing protocol of the Swiss Alpine Club – an approximation of biological correlates?

The climbing protocol of the Swiss Alpine Club – an approximation of biological correlates?

Introduction: Sport climbing is becoming more and more popular however, protocols for analyzing technique do rarely exist. One common tool in Switzerland is the standard climbing protocol of SAC, which is oriented at the standard movement of climbing allowing to rate individual technique. In this study interaction of blood lactate concentration and its interaction with technique scores were analyzed. Methods: 12 sportclimbers of good leisure sport level with regular climbing activity performed 3 previously unknown routes with difficulties of 6–, 6, 6+ (UIAA Scale) in a climbing hall.

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Read more about the article Effects of Use of Prophylactic Knee Orthoses among Ice Hockey Players in Switzerland

Effects of Use of Prophylactic Knee Orthoses among Ice Hockey Players in Switzerland

Introduction: The use of prophylactic knee orthoses is very common among Swiss ice hockey players to prevent recurrent lesions of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). However, their effects are still widely discussed in the literature. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of a given protocol (recruitment, resources, data management, surveys...) for a future national study and to present the preliminary results of the prophylactic orthotics effects on recurrent injuries. Methods: Retrospective epidemiological pilot study.

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Read more about the article Rectus femoris muscle rupture – 2 case reports

Rectus femoris muscle rupture – 2 case reports

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Eine komplette Ruptur eines Muskelbauchs kann zu einem partiellen oder vollständigem Funktionsverlust führen. Dies gilt insbesondere für wichtige Kennmuskeln. Ein solcher Muskel ist der M. rectus femoris. Er ist der wichtigste Kniestrecker. Ein vollständiger Funktionsausfall des M. rectus femoris führt zu einem Extensionskraftsdefizit im Knie­gelenk, ähnlich einer Patellarsehnen- oder Quadriceps­sehnenruptur. Während bei einer Patellarsehnen- oder Quadricepssehnenruptur therapeutisch die chirurgische Sehnenrekonstruktion unbestritten ist, ist dies für den Muskel­riss weniger eindeutig. In den zwei Fällen, die hier vorgestellt werden, wurde der chirurgische Therapieweg gewählt.

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Read more about the article Hip Arthroscopy in the Pediatric and Adolescent Athlete

Hip Arthroscopy in the Pediatric and Adolescent Athlete

Hip disorders are increasingly common in pediatric and adolescent athletes, being both idiopathic problems aggravated by sports and overuse injuries caused by sports. These disorders are a major cause of morbidity and their long-term consequences carry into adulthood. In the past these problems have been primarily treated with open surgery using a surgical hip dislocation, but due to improved instruments and techniques, hip arthroscopy is becoming a mainstay in their treatment. Arthroscopic management allows assessment and reconstructive treatment of most problems in practically all parts of the hip.

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Read more about the article Outcome of muscle injuries in youth football

Outcome of muscle injuries in youth football

Background: Muscle injuries are the most common injury in soccer and account for almost 30 percent of all time-loss injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the muscle length as a risk factor to sustain a muscle injury and to grade and monitore muscle injuries during the rehabilitation. Methods: 110 young male football players of 5 soccer teams (U15, U16, U17, U18 and U21) with (age 16,8 (14,3–21) years, height 174,5 (146,1–190,0) cm, weight 65,7 (35,5–84,6) kg) were monitored for 12 months in a prospective cohort study. Initially, muscle length in all players were measured. Every muscle injury was documented and monitored in a standardized protocol and graded clinically based on the Muscle-­Injury-Score.

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Read more about the article The burden of muscle injuries in youth football

The burden of muscle injuries in youth football

Background: Muscle injuries affect up to 72% of professional soccer players within one season and there are well reviewed, but muscle injuries in youth soccer players are not widely documented. The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, localization, pathomechanism and point of time of indirect muscle injuries in youth soccer players. Methods: Prospective cohort study. 5 teams (U15, U16, U17, U18 and U21) with 110 young male football players (age 16,8 (14,3–21) years, height 174,5 (146,1–190,0) cm, weight 65,7 (35,5–84,6) kg) were monitored for 12 months. Every muscle injury was documented and monitored on a standardized evaluation score.

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