Articles

Sport supplements in swimming

Tuesday, 01 January 2008 08:30 Written by Dr. Shahram F. Mevaloo*

It is claimed that sport supplements are the new ergogenic means in sport populations including swimmers. Different factors such as the high prevalence of overtraining in swimmers, the high load of swimming training, the heavy annual program, the high load of travel, and the specific nutritional needs of this athletic group results in high rates of supplementation. However, it is imperative to understand different aspects of supplement use in swimmers. In this paper, I am trying to highlight some important medical, legal and nutritional aspects of sport supplements.

Diving: a safe but demanding sport

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Thursday, 01 November 2007 08:30 Written by Dr. Wes Zimmermann*

To the spectator diving is a beautiful and potentially dangerous sport. Spectacular accidents can happen and are televised in news bulletins the world over. To diving coaches and participants accidents are not the main concern. They struggle with the daily frustration of overuse injuries, that keep divers from optimal training and competition form.

What does the medical literature say on diving accidents and injuries? This review tells you where to find articles on the medical aspects of diving, what is written in them and what is missing.

16th FINA World Sports Medicine Congress - Optimising Performance & Promoting Health

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Saturday, 01 September 2007 08:30 Written by Dr. Margo Mountjoy & Dr. Kevin Boyd*

How can you prevent a shoulder injury? How can I optimize performance? What is the latest news in anti-doping? What are the health benefits of swimming? These are some of the many questions that will be addressed at the 16th FINA World Sports Medicine Congress to be held on April 7-8, 2008 in Manchester (GBR). The Congress will be held at the Manchester Conference Centre, a modern conference facility with state of the art amenities including two comfortable lecture theatres, a number of conference rooms and an exhibition space. The Manchester Conference Centre is conveniently located in the centre of the city, integral with a Days Hotel, and close to other major attractions, restaurants and hotels.

Water Polo: Doctor on Deck

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Sunday, 01 July 2007 08:30 Written by Dr. Larry Drum*

For nine years I have had the pleasure of being the medical director and team physician for USA Water Polo. My medical training is in Internal Medicine. I have worked as a sports medicine physician with University athletes at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) for 20 years in addition to my private internal medicine practice. I set aside six weeks of the year to travel abroad for the USA national water polo teams. Needless to say, my two decades worth of experience in this sport have provided me with some lessons worth sharing.

Medical Care Program at the 12th FINA World Championships - A tour behind the scenes

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Tuesday, 01 May 2007 08:30 Written by Dr. Margo Mountjoy & Dr. Anik Shawdon*

Have you ever attended a FINA World Championships and seen the Medical Care team in action? Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen?

This article outlines the planning and preparation that goes into producing a top quality medical care program for a large multi-discipline event that ensures the health and safety for all FINA athletes, support staff and officials. This article also reviews the health problems that were encountered during the course of the 12th FINA World Championships held in Melbourne Australia in March 2007.

Shoulder pain in swimmers

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Thursday, 01 February 2007 08:30 Written by Dr. Scott A. Rodeo*

“Swimmer’s Shoulder” is a term that is used broadly to describe pain in and around the shoulder in association with swimming activities. The pain in “Swimmer’s Shoulder” is typically described as being anterior and is often in the region of the biceps tendon. Contributing factors for the development of swimmer’s shoulder include:

1) Inadequate strength and endurance of the muscles around the shoulder, scapula, back, pelvis, and abdomen
2) Glenohumeral (shoulder joint) laxity or looseness
3) Poor stroke mechanics such as a dropped elbow and a lateral hand entry that may lead to impingement.
4) Muscle imbalances and inflexibility – specifically of the pectoral (chest) muscles and the posterior rotator cuff.

Knee problems in Aquatics

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Monday, 01 January 2007 08:30 Written by Farhad Moradi Shahpar M.D.*

For the aquatic athlete, knee problems can seriously interfere with training and competing. In this article, the different types of knee pain are discussed as well as the predisposing factors. The many causes & mechanisms are reviewed. The signs & symptoms are described and various treatment options to facilitate recovery are outlined. Prevention strategies that can be utilized to decrease the occurrence of knee problems in the aquatic athlete are also discussed.