Bezuglov, E, Shvets, E, Lyubushkina, A, Lazarev, A, Valova, Y, Zholinsky, A, and Waśkiewicz, Z. Relative age effect in Russian elite hockey. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2522–2527, 2020—A considerable amount of literature has been published on relative age effect (RAE) in many sports; however, only a few studies have investigated this phenomenon in European elite ice hockey. The objective of this research was to study RAE prevalence in Russian elite ice hockey, which for years has been holding leading positions in global ice hockey. To estimate RAE prevalence, birthdates of recruits of leading ice hockey academies, players of the leading junior and adult teams, and most successful Russian-born National Hockey League (worlds' strongest ice hockey league) players were identified (n = 2,285). A high prevalence of RAE was identified. The number of players born in the first half of the year was higher than those born later in the year—65.5 and 34.5%, respectively. The RAE prevalence was high among all age groups of recruits of the leading Russian hockey academies and junior teams. In contrast to junior hockey, more players born in the fourth quarter of the year were identified in elite adult teams. The high prevalence of RAE in Russian hockey might be explained by the fact of a high level of competition among young players during recruitment to hockey academies. Moreover, the coaches aim to achieve immediate progress, thus selecting more mature players who are better physically developed. However, “later-born” are widely present in elite adult ice hockey leagues.

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Injuries of the metatarsal bones in football are relatively rare and in most cases are localized in the fifth metatarsal. The gold standard of the diagnosis of fractures in this area can be X-rays, which in most cases allows verifying the diagnosis. The treatment tactics depend on the localization of the fracture according to Lawrence and Botte’s classification: 3 zones of localization are distinguished. Fractures located in zones 2 and 3 belong to a high-risk group due to delayed consolidation and nonunion and therefore athletes are most often treated with osteosynthesis using intramedullary screws. The minimal recovery time for this type of treatment is at least 8 weeks. This report describes 7 cases of the fifth metatarsal bone fractures, located in zones 2 and 3 in professional football players who were treated with an immobilization boot, cryotherapy, nutritional supplements of calcium and vitamin D, and local injections of platelet-rich plasma, which contains numerous growth factors. The deadline for returning to regular training activities was 43 to 50 days, and there was no relapse of damage within 6 months of follow-up. Levels of Evidence: Level of evidence 4: case report study

An effective system of children’s and youth sports, selection and preparation of a the reserve for national teams predetermines the success of athletes in international competitions. Therefore, the development of medical and biological support of children’s sports is an important part of sports medicine. It is proved that when building a training process for different ages, it is necessary to take into account the adaptation processes, as well as the energy supply of the child’s organism. Based on numerous studies, we can conclude that mitochondria play the most important role in the process of energy supply, as well as carnitine, a substance that is a carrier of long chain fatty acids into the cytosol, an activator of beta oxidation and the Krebs cycle. Timely detection of factors adversely affecting and limiting physical activity at the macro level (overtraining, incompatibility of physical activity with the body capabilities) and at the micro level (carnitine deficiency), the ability to eliminate these factors and the adequate use of correction tools help to achieve high results in sports and preserve the health of the athlete.

This paper reviews publications covering the delayed clinical and functional manifestations of SARS-CoV2 among athletes competing at national and international levels; we describe the prevalence of multiorgan failure associated with protracted COVID as registered in sportsmen and people not going in for sports. The review reports the results of a retrospective analysis of data yielded from clinical, instrumental and laboratory tests undertaken by the Russian national team athletes that had COVID-19. We highlight the most informative indicators that reflect the condition of sportsmen with protracted coronavirus infection course, define the approaches making resumption of active training safe and compile the list of the most significant criteria supporting admission to such training and competitions. Lastly, the paper presents the parameters subject to inclusion in the prognostic model (binary logistic regression) describing the dynamics of residual multiorgan failure in athletes, including minors, who have had COVID-19 or viral pneumonia of a different etiology.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single intake of citrulline at 3 g and 6 g doses in adult elite soccer players performing sport-specific exercise. Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study analyzed 18 soccer players from the top divisions of three European countries. Participants were randomized into three groups of six each and performed a field-based soccer-specific test for 18 min. Comparative analysis of heart rate, fatigue and post-exercise recovery was conducted. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in most of the analyzed parameters, nor at any of the time points for lactate concentration. Players’ RPE exercise test score did not reveal any differences . Conclusions: Neither a single intake of 3 g nor of 6 g of citrulline malate affected physical performance, subjective feelings of fatigue or post-exercise recovery in adult elite soccer players who performed a soccer-specific test.

Based on the currently available scientific literature, indices of cellular energy status, in particular the ability of elevated levels of carnitine in muscle tissue, may be associated with a protective effect on neuromuscular fatigue. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between cellular energy exchange and endurance in young athletes. Materials and methods. The study included children and adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The main research group (94 young athletes) consisted of two subgroups depending on the nature of the training load - cyclic (46) and game (48) sports. The control group - 37 children engaged in physical education only at school. Special research methods: tandem chromatography-mass spectrometry and cardiorespiratory stress testing. Results. The indices of free carnitine in young athletes, depending on the type of sports load, have significant differences. The use of the Tukey criterion revealed that the content of free carnitine in athletes with cyclic loads is significantly higher than in athletes of game types and the control group. Differences in absolute and relative maximum oxygen consumption (MIC) in the study groups were significant. Evaluation of the absolute index of the IPC showed that in boys - athletes of cyclic sports, the level of IPC is higher than that of athletes of game types and control groups. Relative indices of the IPC show similar trends. Conclusion. It was found that the indices of cellular energy and IPC in young athletes of cyclic sports are significantly higher in comparison with playing sports. With a comprehensive study of the energy status of young athletes, it is possible to predict the level of physical performance. The contribution of the level of free carnitine to the variance of the absolute MIC index is 20.9% (p < 0.01).

The article highlights the modern problems of nutrition for junior athletes. The authors outline the role of the nutritional plan as an integral part of sports training, as well as a factor in the healthy growth and development of a young athlete. They describe the features of the nutritional status of athletes. The article notes the need for educational programs in the field of balanced nutrition, the use of nutritional supplements and sports products among junior athletes.