Evolutionist Dan Lieberman raised the question of barefoot running in the ACSM’s Wolfe Memorial Lecture in 2009. Here the New York Times enters the debate by interviewing renowned biomechanist Benno Nigg (University of Calgary) and weaving in data from a recent BJSM paper on what happens as shoes wear out over time.

BJSM aims to be relevant to clinicians and to influence practice. It has been pleasing to see BJSM quoted in the New York Times, the Financial Post, and other major international news outlets. Our September issue (PDF), in partnership with the IOC continues to have an impact the world over. This link is to the widely read US News. To read the editorial about sudden cardiac death for athletes in the September issue click here.

The Triathlete’s Training Bible will make triathletes smarter, stronger and faster

Review by Ross Tucker

Joe Friel’s Triathlete’s Training Bible, now in its 3rd edition, has become an indispensable tool for triathletes of all levels wishing to improve their performance using evidence-based methods and principles. Of most credit to the book is that it is very obviously a sound theoretical treatise, heavily based on scientific truths, as well as Friel’s own experience of having worked with triathletes for many years. Yet it does not overplay its hand, forcing technical scientific information on the reader and aspirant improver. Rather, it guides decision-making for all situations, covering topics ranging from motivation (the art) to metabolism (the science), always in a very clear, concise and practical manner. As for scientists who work with athletes, the value is in appreciating how Friel balances the complexity of the science of performance, with the requirement to give athletes tangible, easily implementable advice, and this is something all sports scientists can borrow from.

[Also, click here for a link to Joe Friel's blog - ed.]

Cold Water Immersion is one of the latest trends in encouraging recovery. At the Olympics several swim teams set up immersion tanks on the warm-up pool deck for “recovery”.

What are your thoughts? Do you have evidence that they help? Please do share your thoughts on Cold Water Immersion with us at the BJSM.

(Via timesonline.co.uk)

The doctor at the centre of the “Bloodgate” scandal at Harlequins has been suspended from practising medicine pending further investigations into her conduct.

Wendy Chapman, a hospital consultant, has been forbidden by the General Medical Council (GMC) from working as a doctor amid allegations that she deliberately cut the lip of Tom Williams, the Harlequins wing, with a scalpel in order to cover up his attempt to fake an injury using a capsule of red theatrical dye. Read more…

Click here to read the original article.

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My concern with the prophylactic use of NSAIDs occurs in endurance athletes. My anecdotal experience is that endurance runners attempting distances categorised as ultra races (ie longer than a marathon) may regularly take NSAIDs during an event in a misguided attempt to delay muscle fatigue. I have even seen NSAIDs being referred to as “Vitamin I” in some running literature.

Acute renal failure with NSAID therapy is mediated hemodynamically as a result of decreased renal perfusion after inhibition of prostacyclin synthesis. Decreased renal perfusion in ultra distance events can be caused by dehydration. Factor into the equation the muscle breakdown that occurs in these events and possible rhabdomyolysis.

This triple insult to the kidneys can lead to renal failure and dialysis, if not death. I suspect that many ultra endurance athletes, whether this be running or triathlon, are unaware of the possibility of renal failure that may occur when prophylactically taking NSAIDs during an event.

Stephen H. Boyce
Consultant Emergency Medicine
Wishaw General Hospital, North Lanarkshire, Scotland

This month TIME Magazine’s website, picked up on BJSM’s IOC Issue - Screening for Sudden Cardiac Death. Read the article at TIME.com here.

The deadline for proposals for the 2011 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport is November 1st 2009 - act now!

- K. Khan

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Dear Colleagues,

Based on the tremendous success of the 1st and 2nd World Congresses on Sports Injury Prevention in Oslo in 2005 and Tromsø in 2008, their successor, the IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport, will be held in Monaco from 7 to 9 April 2011. The scientific committee now welcomes your proposals for meeting sessions and speakers. The deadline for submission of proposals is 1 November 2009.

When submitting proposals, please refer to the enclosed definitions of meeting sessions. To be considered for inclusion in the programme, your proposal must strictly follow the format outlined in the enclosed instructions. Your proposal will be evaluated by the scientific committee, and the final programme of invited speakers will be ready by 1 February 2009.

The IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport will follow the model of the 2005 & 2008 congresses, with a multidisciplinary perspective on sports injury prevention for different sports and different injury types, including studies on intervention methods, epidemiology, risk factors and injury mechanisms. However, as reflected by the change in title, the scope of the congress will be expanded from sports injury prevention, to also include the prevention of other health problems associated with sports participation.

The three-day programme will include four or five keynote lectures, about 20 symposia, 15-20 workshops, in addition to free communications and posters. Please note that, at this time, we are asking only for proposals for keynote lectures, symposia and workshops – not abstracts for free communications. The deadline for submission of abstracts for free communications and posters will be 1 January 2011.

Please reply to Cherine Fahmy at info@ioc-preventionconference.org at your earliest convenience, but not later than 1 November 2009.

Note that although the congress committee will cover the cost of accommodation and social events for invited speakers, we will not be able to reimburse travel costs, since we plan to invite a considerable number of international speakers to be able to feature a first-class programme. We encourage you to visit the congress website, where more information will be posted over the next few months.

Monaco is situated on the most beautiful coast in Europe, built on a rock between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. Its mild climate, easy access, excellent hotels and security are the principal qualities which make Monaco a prestigious destination for an unforgettable event. Furthermore, the Grimaldi Forum, a state-of- the-art conference centre for the 3rd millennium, daringly built out over the sea with a total area of 35.000 m2, is the perfect location to receive a high standard congress such as the IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport”.

We welcome your programme proposals and look forward to a spectacular congress in Monaco in June 2011! Yours faithfully,

Roald Bahr (s)
President, Scientific Committee

Fredrik Bendiksen (s)
President, Organising Committee

Photo by _Pixelmaniac_ (available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license)

Age-limited spot has long been limited by the veracity of birth certificates but MR imaging appears to provide a safe, reliable way of levelling the playing field. This blog post contains an article from the African press providing the background, MR images of a young, and mature, wrist, and a photo of the team that has provided the science that underpins this new policy.

Fifa’s Age-Check Technology Can End This Charade

All Africa, 02 Sep 2009

You have to imagine that several soccer bosses across the continent wet themselves senseless after football governing body Fifa announced this week that new technological advancements would make it possible to determine the ages of players who will be taking part at the Under-17 Soccer World Cup in Nigeria next month.

Tests will be conducted on players from the 24 competing nations with a new bone magnetic resonance imaging scanner that will accurately determine their ages. This bit of news should have been enough to make many stomachs turn, and several teams will no doubt suddenly undergo major personnel changes in the weeks before the start of the October 24-November 15 junior tournament. Read full article…

Related Articles:

Is MRI the beginning of wisdom for NFF? (234next.com)

Coach claims age cheating rampant in Cecafa U-17 (nation.co.ke)

Nigeria: ‘Probe Under-17 Team Age Scandal’ - I Warned The Country Against Age Cheat - Adamu

(www.allafrica.com)

NFF To Dare FIFA On Bone Test Policy (thisdayonline.com)

At Last NFF Admits 15 Failed MRI Test (234next.com)

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We would like to invite you to join us in London UK Queen Mary for the 2nd ECOSEP Congress European College of Sport & Exercise Physicians, 12th Annual Scientific Conference in SEM.

This international interdisciplinary Sports Medicine congress held every two years, attracts over 400 participants from all over Europe and welcomes sports medicine physicians, physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, academics, researchers, physiotherapists, osteopaths, manual therapists, exercise therapists rehabilitation medicine physicians and students.

For more information and to submit and abstract visit the conference website: www.aesculap-academia.co.uk OR www.ecosep.eu.

To view and download a PDF, click here.