Revista de medicina deportiva y estudios de dopaje

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate physical activity and physical fitness levels in children 7-8 years old with different body mass index (BMI).

Methods: Eighty nine children (age 7.6 ± 0.4) participated in this study. BMI was used as obesity indicator and children were categorized in normal-weight and overweight/obese groups. Daily physical activity was assessed by RT3 accelerometer (Stayhealthy Inc, Monrovia, CA) and physical fitness was assessed using the European physical fitness test battery (Eurofit).

Results: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant differences in the average daily total counts of physical activity and in scores of four fitness tests between the overweight/obese and normal-weight group (p>0.05). However, boys were significantly more physically active than girls (p<0.05) and the level of physical activity was higher on weekdays than on weekend for both BMI groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicate that physical activity is not the main contributing factor for childhood overweight at this age. Sufficient levels of daily physical activity were also shown to lead in good physical performance.

Background: During sports competitions, the performance of athletes may be negatively affected by persistent stress and autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, both of which can be assessed by pressure pain sensitivity (PPS) at the chest bone. Objectives: To test the association between PPS and sports performance; does a reduction of an elevated PPS improve performance stability and overall performance in Olympic sailors?

Methods: The case study included two male athletes during eight months of observation prior to and during Olympic sailing. The daily PPS self-measurements served as feedback guide for persistent stress and ANS dysfunction. Performance stability, overall performance and PPS measure were assessed at three intervals.

Results: At baseline, the median PPS was 83, the performance stability was inferior to the mean top 10 competitors, and the overall performance was rank eight. During the observation period, PPS, performance stability and overall performance improved incrementally and significantly. This eventually led the sailors to achieve an Olympic Gold. The PPS, performance stability, and overall performance were all internally closely associated (correlation coefficients: r > 0.70; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The study may suggest a link between persistent stress and ANS dysfunction as assessed by PPS on one side and performance stability and overall performance on the other side.

Background: Synovial chondromatosis is a rare, benign condition characterized by proliferation of synovial lining and metaplasia. The disease is usually mono articular and commonly involves knee joint, but it can also occur in shoulder, elbow, hip, ankle and wrist joints. A review of the literature produced 30 case reports of synovial chondromatosis of the wrist with only five cases showing recurrence (5/30, 17%). Because of its low prevalence and nonspecific symptoms, it can present diagnostic difficulties and lead to a delay in treatment.

Case: We report a 6 month follow up case of a 29 year old right hand dominant male who presented with complaint of pain and swelling in right wrist joints of four months duration. Plain X-ray revealed lytic lesion at distal end of right ulna with multiple radio opaque deposits. MRI and FNAC were in favour of Synovial chondromatosis. Patient underwent synovectomy and excision of calcific lesion through a dorsoulnar approach and a separate incision over radial styloid under general anaesthesia. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of Synovial chondromatosis. Patient had no recurrence till last follow up (6 Month).

Conclusion: Synovial chondromatosis of wrist joint is extremely rare. A close coordination between the clinician, radiologist and pathologist is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.