ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: Carbohydrate supplementation is recommended to support performance. This has implications for oral health as frequent carbohydrate consumption causes dental decay and erosion. The prevalence of dental diseases in elite athletes exceeds that of the general population and impacts on performance and quality of life. Dental disease can be prevented by improving oral hygiene and reducing carbohydrate consumption frequency. Dental healthcare professionals (DHP) should consider barriers to behaviour change when advising athletes. Other members of the athlete support network, including coaches, may also provide advice. However, prevention advice given by DHP and Coaches and its applicability to Athletes is currently unknown. METHODS: Guidelines for preventing dental disease in elite sports settings were reviewed. An online questionnaire, consisting of multiple-choice, scenario-based, and open-box questions was constructed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Athletes, Coaches and DHP regarding dental disease risk and prevention. The questionnaire was piloted with Athletes (N=10) and Coaches (N=11) at the Scottish Athletics Track and Field Championships and to DHP at Glasgow Dental Hospital (N=11). DHP and Coaches were asked what dental advice, if any, they provided. Athletes were asked what dental advice they had received from their Coaches or DHP. Knowledge scores were compared with chi-squared tests and open-box question responses were analysed with deductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Knowledge of dental disease risk in elite athletes was poor (Correct responses Athletes 46 SD 11%, Coaches 34 SD 20%, DHP 38 SD13%). 27% of DHP believed athletes were at increased risk of disease. A greater proportion of DHP felt they had a role in the provision of diet advice relating to dental disease prevention compared to Coaches (Coaches=45%, DHP=100% p=0.04). When asked about their role in disease prevention in Athletes, there was no significant difference between groups (Coaches=36%, DHP=18% p=0.06). All DHP indicated they deliver diet advice to every patient, but only 30% of Athletes stated they had received diet advice from their DHP. Thematic analysis revealed athlete oral health was an unfamiliar topic for all groups and that DHP and coaches feel athletes are responsible for their own oral health. CONCLUSION: Athletes, coaches, and DHP are unaware of the high prevalence of dental disease in elite sports. Despite DHP stating that they delivered targeted preventative advice, the results of the thematic analysis and responses from Athletes indicate this advice is either inadequate or not delivered. Coaches did not feel confident delivering advice to prevent dental disease. Organisations with responsibility for Athlete wellbeing should raise awareness of risk factors of dental disease specific to elite sports and ensure Athletes, Coaches and DHP are aware of feasible evidence-based ways to reduce risk.
Read CV Mia BurleighECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: Over the past decade, womens rugby has experienced rapid growth. This increase in participation has led to an emphasis on both performance and player safety. Understanding injury trends at various participation levels, enables development of injury prevention strategies tailored to these different levels, thus improving the development pathway for young female players. Therefore, the aim of this study is to report the different match injury tends in different age groups (U16, U18, U20 and National) among female rugby union players. METHODS: All data were collected from annual South African women’s rugby provincial or international competitions for each age group in 2023. These competitions include the u16 and u18 Girls Youth Weeks, SA U20 Women’s competition and WXV 2 international Women’s tournament (National level). All injuries used for analysis were match time-loss injuries. Injury data were presented as counts, proportions, and injury rate. Overlap of confidence intervals were used to determine significant differences between groups. RESULTS: The highest injury incidence occurred in the U16 age group, while the lowest injury incidence was observed at the National level (U16: 88 (95% confidence intervals (95%Cl): 50-125) injuries per 1000 player hours, National: 25 (95%Cl: 0-53) injuries per 1000 player hours). Tackle related injuries had the highest injury proportion, except at the National age group. U16, U20 and National age groups exhibited the highest concussion incidence (U16: 21 (95%Cl: 3-39) concussions per 1000 player hours, U20: 17 (95%Cl: 5-29) concussions per 1000 player hours, National: 17 (95%Cl: 0-40) concussions per 1000 player hours). The tackle event was the highest contributor to concussions (64% average), except at the National age group. CONCLUSION: When examining patterns across U16 to National female rugby union age groups, there is a decrease in injury rates as the age groups increase. This study highlights that youth players are at higher injury risk than senior players. Tackle-related injuries remain the primary contributors to injury proportions, particularly for concussions. It is vital to prioritize tackle technique coaching and conditioning for female rugby players to address these injuries
Read CV Lara PaulECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: The Paediatric-Buccal-Epigenetic (PedBE) clock (1) may be used to determine the environmental factors that influence the DNA methylome in children. Lifestyle is the individual habits, behaviours and choices that define the way of living such as: physical activity (PA), sleep and nutrition. Healthy lifestyle habits are associated to a number of health-related outcomes. Integrated Neuromuscular Training (INT) is a comprehensive approach of physical training that focuses on motor competence. However, the relationship between the INT and the epigenetic age in children has never been studied before. Our aim was to study whether childhood lifestyle habits as well as a 3-month-INT can affect the PedBE clock. METHODS: A total of 40 children [7.58±0.34 years; 60% girls] were enrolled in the study. Subjects were recruited from schools in Cassà de la Selva and Salt. Data on PA, sleep and nutrition were collected for the descriptive study. Based on the WHO recommendations (2); 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous PA per day, 10 hours per day of sleep, and a score of 8 or more in the Kidmed test were used to categorize two groups: children compliant and non-compliant whit those recommendations. For the analytical study, children were randomly divided into two groups: control or intervention group. The intervention group developed an INT program as a warm-up in physical educations lessons in the schools. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was conducted on saliva samples using the Illumina Methylation Epic Array v2.0. Measures of epigenetic age acceleration were calculated using the PedBE clock. Triaxial Actigraph GT3X accelerometers (Actigraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) were used to asses PA. Sleep data was collected with self-assess questionnaire. The Kidmed test was use to collect nutritional data. CAMSA protocol were assessed to evaluate motor competence. RESULTS: Children compliant with physical activity and sleep recommendations showed 6 and 4-month decrease, respectively in PedBE clock when compared with non-compliant (both p<0.037). No differences were observed for diet recommendations. Although non-statistical significance was reached, children who undergo the INT showed a 1-month decrease in PedBE, whereas the control group showed an increase of 1.18 months. CONCLUSION: The combination of healthy lifestyle habits and the application of the INT at school, may reverse epigenetic aging in school-children. More studies are needed for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind those associations. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. McEwen LM, O’Donnell KJ, McGill MG, Edgar RD, Jones MJ, Macisaac JL, et al. The PedBE clock accurately estimates DNA methylation age in pediatric buccal cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2019;201820843. 2. WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020.
Read CV Estefania Plans SalasECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24