We investigated traumatic injuries during regular fall season games in American football at Kanto universities over the past 32 years, covering those that occurred during the games from 1991 to 2022 recorded in trauma reports, focusing on six items: number and percentage of traumatic injuries, nature of injury, name of injury, site of injury, team position, and quarter. The total number of traumatic injuries during this period was 8570, an average of 1.45 per game. In terms of injury name, knee joint and ankle ligament injuries accounted for approximately 30% of the total, i.e., 1234 and 1218 respectively, almost equal in number. The knee joint was the most common injury site with 1522 cases, followed by the ankle joint with 1409. By position, the defense line had the highest number of injuries with 1388 (16.2%), followed by linebackers with 1297 (15.1%) and defense backs with 1198 (14.0%). By quarter, the fourth quarter at the end of the game had the highest number of incidents with 2466. When the study period was divided into six sub-periods, the period affected by COVID-19 had more traumatic injuries. The results of this survey should be fed back to the field for future safety measures.

(Purpose) The study aim was to examine the longitudinal association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and blood pressure in older adults practicing combined exercise training at a health promotion facility. (Methods) Medical checkup data were obtained from 585 individuals (244 men and 341 women) who practiced combined exercise training at Fujisawa City Health and Medical Center at two or more of five time points from 2017 to 2021. A linear mixed-effects model was used for the statistical analysis to estimate the change in blood pressure on CRF (peak oxygen uptake) at each time point. The adjusted variables were age, obesity status, smoking status, and the use of antihypertensive medications. (Results) The most common number of medical examinations was two (42.6% of men and 51.6% of women). An analysis using linear mixed-effects models showed that an increase in CRF was associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure. No significant association was observed for diastolic blood pressure. Regarding pulse pressure, an increase in CRF of 1mL/kg/min was associated with a decrease in pulse pressure of 0.27mmHg in men and 0.45mmHg in women. (Conclusions) In community-dwelling older adults, an increase in CRF reduced systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure.

(Objective) This study aimed to determine whether the new abductor hallucis muscle exercise on closed kinetic chain (AbHEC) or the conventional intrinsic foot muscle training toe spread out exercise (TSO) would be easier and more efficient in training the abductor hallucis muscle. (Methods) Thirty-three adults with a dominant foot were tasked to perform both exercises. Exercise difficulty was compared by measuring the number of participants who to correctly perform AbHEC or TSO. The Participants were then asked to perform AbHEC and TSO, and the amount of activity the abductor hallucis muscle produced during exercise was measured using surface electromyography (EMG). (Results) In exercise difficulty, 20 (60.6%) of the 33 subjects were able to perform TSO, and 28 (84.8%) were able to perform AbHEC, there was significant difference. Four subjects were unable to perform both. In EMG, the AbHEC group had a muscle activity of 99.6% in abductor pollicis during exercise, while the TSO group had 58.5%. The AbHEC group demonstrated significantly higher values than the TSO group. (Conclusion) AbHEC is more suitable for initial induction than TSO. A stronger load was also applied to the abductor hallucis muscle when AbHEC was performed.

(Objectives) In this study, we aimed at investigating subjective symptom frequency and duration after shime-waza-induced unconsciousness in junior-category (15-20-year-old) judokas and the actual conditions related to practice resumption after unconsciousness. (Methods) We administered questionnaires to the participants of the All-Japan High School Judo Championships and All-Japan Junior Judo Championships. (Results) A total of 824 judokas (62.7％) participated in the study. Half of them had experienced unconsciousness due to shime-waza during practice or competitions. Among all the respondents, 25.4% and 2.17% reported symptoms after recovery at the All-Japan High School Judo Championships and All-Japan Junior Judo Championships, respectively. In 59 judokas (65.6%), the symptoms disappeared within 5 min. However, in one judoka (1.1%), the symptoms persisted for over 1 h. In a survey on the recognition of return to play, 11.8%［High School Championships］and 16.1%［Juniors Championships］of the Judokas answered that it was better to rest on the day of unconsciousness. (Conclusions) n order to prevent serious shime-waza-related accidents, educating not only players but also head coaches and referees is necessary. Returning to play after unconsciousness should be carefully considered. We do not recommend returning to play when symptoms persist.

This study investigated the use of analgesics for injuries and pain in collegiate gymnasts by questionnaires from 259 athletes. As a control group, 395 athletes from other sports in which injuries are relatively common. The Numerical Rating Scale was used. Significantly more gymnasts felt pain at the time of the survey (gymnastics 81.9%, control 57.9%, p＜0.001), with more injuries to the shoulder, hand and ankle joints. In males, shoulder and wrist joints were more frequently injured, while knee and ankle joints were more frequently injured in females. The number of painful areas was significantly higher (gymnastics 1.76 site, control 1.39 site, p＜0.001) and the degree of pain was also stronger (gymnastics 6.2, control 4.7, p＜0.001). The use of analgesics was significantly higher (gymnastics 26.0%, control 6.7%, p＜0.001), and more athletes used analgesics for more than 1 year (gymnastics 56.1%, control 38.3%, p＜0.001). More than 80% of the athletes in both groups used loxoprofen, but more than half of them did not use stomach medication. A certain number of adverse symptoms were observed. Collegiate gymnasts compete with more pain and use more painkillers. It is necessary to educate athletes on the correct method of pain management.

This study analyzed the association between a history of injury and physical function in elementaryand middle school male and female gymnasts.Physical assessments of the joint range of motion, muscle tightness, and ultrasound elastography (multifidusmuscle elasticity) were performed on 36 junior gymnasts. A history of pain was also obtained, and those withchronic pain for at least 2 weeks in the past at each body part were considered the pre-existing pain group.Based on the findings of physical function measurements, differences in physical function because of the presenceor absence of a history of chronic injury were examined using an unpaired t-test.The observed injuries were located at the lower back and wrist in six and five males, respectively, and in thelower back and knee in five females each.The findings suggest that a history of lower back pain is associated with decreased hip and shoulder joint rangeof motion in males and decreased hip extension mobility in females.Furthermore, females had a greater history of knee joint injury because they participated in events that placedstress on the lower extremities, which may have led to a decreased range of hip motion.

This study aimed to examine modifiable risk factors associated with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) in college athletes with a history of SRC. Using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey and semistructured interview, 108 athletes completed the study. The athletes were classified as PPCS and non-PPCS groups at the 28-day return to play criterion (PPCS, n=25, 23.1%; non-PPCS, n=83, 76.9%). PPCS was more prevalent among females (χ2[1] =5.47, p=0.02), those with prior mental health diagnosis (p=0.02), and athletes with fewer years of experience (PPCS, median 7.0; non-PPCS, median 12.0; U=1473.0, p=0.001). Eight participants (PPCS, n=5; non-PPCS, n=3) participated in the semi-structured interview, revealing four themes on SRC attitudes and behaviors: (1) awareness, (2) reporting, (3) education/knowledge, and (4) interpersonal/environment. Compared to non- PPCS, PPCS were more aware and valued reporting SRC incidents, seeking realistic SRC education based on experiences. Both groups had mixed positive and negative feelings toward healthcare professionals. Individual backgrounds and experiences, rather than symptom duration (i.e., PPCS vs non-PPCS), significantly influenced attitudes and behaviors toward SRC, suggesting multifactorial risk factors for PPCS.

The incidence frequency of injuries and illnesses in volleyball remains unknown. Particularly among top-level athletes, there have been no reported cases. To address this gap, we conducted a long-term follow-up of one team, documenting our findings. We analyzed 10 seasons of expeditions with the men’s national volleyball team, each accompanied by a physician. Each instance of injury or illness during these expeditions was treated as a single case, categorized according to established guidelines. Three orthopedic surgeons spent 593 days with 62 players, evaluating a total of 515 cases. Among the players, outside hitters (n=27) experienced 263 cases, middle blockers (n=14) had 136 cases, setters (n=11) reported 74 cases, and liberos (n=10) had 42 cases. Acute injuries numbered 97, with overuse injuries accounting for 226, totaling 323 cases. The most common injuries were to the knees (90 cases), ankles (74 cases), and shoulders (53 cases). Among acute injuries, ankles were the most affected (27 cases), followed by hands (15 cases). Illnesses totaled 192 cases, with respiratory disorders (80 cases) being the most prevalent, followed by gastrointestinal (37 cases) and skin issues (31 cases).

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of femoral bone stress fracture in athletes. We enrolled 23 athletes diagnosed with femoral bone stress fracture between March 2015 and February 2023. We investigated gender, school year, sports events, initial X-rays findings, injury area, pain provocation test (hop test), and femoral neck shaft angle (FNSA). Gender did not show significant difference (males: 17 cases, females: 6 cases). First- and second- year high school students comprised 78% of subjects. Long-distance track and field was predominant sports event. Initial X-rays indicated a higher incidence of cases without findings (p＜0.05). All femoral neck stress fractures (FNSF) were of the compression type, while femoral diaphyseal stress fractures (FDSF) more frequently occurred in the proximal and medial side of the femur. Many cases had positive the hop test (p＜0.01). FNSF cases had smaller FNSA compared to FDSF cases (p＜0.01). Long-distance athletes with groin or thigh pain and positive physical findings, such as the hop test, should undergo MRI even when there are no X-ray findings.