This cohort study assesses the prevalence of myocarditis in athletes with COVID-19 and compare screening strategies for safe return to play.

Purpose To examine how the microvascularity of the gastrocnemius changed after a cryotherapy intervention based on subcutaneous tissue thickness. A secondary purpose was to compare intramuscular temperature change to subcutaneous tissue thickness. Methods This was a single-blinded crossover study; each subject received both conditions (cryotherapy or sham). Subjects had baseline measurements of blood flow, blood volume, and intramuscular temperature recorded at 1cm into the muscle belly of the medial gastrocnemius. The randomized condition was applied for 10, 25, 40, or 60min depending on subcutaneous tissue thickness. Immediate post treatment microvascular measures were taken. After a designated rewarm period, again based on subcutaneous tissue thickness, measurements were retaken. At least 48 hours separated the two conditions. Results There were significant condition by time interactions for blood flow (p=0.01), blood volume (p=0.022), and intramuscular temperature (p<0.001). For blood flow and volume, the cryotherapy condition maintained baseline levels, while the sham condition increased at immediate-post treatment and rewarm. For intramuscular temperature, the cryotherapy condition caused a decrease in intramuscular temperature from baseline compared to no change in the sham condition from baseline. Intramuscular temperature change was significantly correlated to subcutaneous tissue thickness (r=.49; p=0.05). Conclusions Cryotherapy did not decrease blood flow and blood volume from resting levels, even though the intramuscular temperature decreased. An intramuscular change of 7–9°C may not be cold enough to cause local vasoconstriction.

Background Limited data currently exist on SARS-CoV-2 infections among fully vaccinated persons or reinfections in college-aged populations. CDC partnered with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions to analyze retrospective data and present characteristics of positive COVID-19 cases among student athletes 18 years of age and older. Methods De-identified, individual-level data contributed by 21 universities on 1378 student athletes who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from January through November 2021 (pre-Omicron) were examined to determine percentages of infection among unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated individuals (breakthrough infections) as well as reinfections. Comparisons by demographic characteristics and regions were also made to further characterize these infections. Results Among the 1378 student athletes positive for SARS-CoV-2, 1070 (77.6%) were infected when unvaccinated and 22.4% (N = 308) were infected after full vaccination. There was a significant difference between Black (14.7%, n = 40) and White (23.9%, n = 168) student athletes who experienced a COVID-19 infection after being fully vaccinated (p &lt; 0.01). Proportions of infections among fully vaccinated individuals did not differ statistically by sex (p = 0.06). Conclusions This paper adds to the knowledge of COVID-19 infections among fully vaccinated individuals in college-aged populations. The level of infections among fully vaccinated student athletes indicates the need for maintaining precautions to prevent infection. Further study of COVID-19 vaccination, infection, and reinfection among the well-resourced and diverse population of student athletes might contribute further understanding of factors that play a role in health equity among young adults.

Study Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize sleep health in a large, diverse population of college athletes. The study utilized the Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire, a clinically validated questionnaire, designed to screen athletes for a clinically significant degree of poor sleep health, and to determine if they require intervention. Methods: College athletes from 4 different National College Athletic Association institutions were surveyed using the Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire. Descriptive information including sex, sport, and college year was also collected. The Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire was scored according to prior clinically validated methods to determine a sleep difficulty score, clinical sleep problem category (none, mild, moderate, or severe), and need for assessment by a physician due to poor sleep health. Results: A total of 1055 surveys were collected with a 95% response rate. Respondents were 36% female, 64% male, and included athletes competing in 15 different sports. Approximately 25% of participants were found to have a clinically meaningful problem with their sleep. Athletes entering their second or higher year of college were more likely to report worse sleep compared to those entering their first year (one-way analysis of variance, Kruskall-Wallis P < .001). Conclusions: A substantial portion of college athletes experience poor sleep health and would benefit from interventions aimed at improving sleep. The Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire appears to be a cost-and time-efficient way to evaluate sleep health in a large athletic population.

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) are the most visible members of the sports medicine team and are responsible for the health and well-being of student-athletes (SAs). Objective: Quantifying the representation from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) ATs in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions has not been previously studied. Design: Retrospective study Setting: National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Demographic Database Participants: NCAA teams' athletic personnel at NCAA member institutions. Main Measures: Chi-square tests were employed to assess differences in racial and ethnic frequencies across division, calendar year and gender. Linear regressions models were used to examine change in racial and ethnic distributions of head and assistant ATs over time. Results: The majority of NCAA athletic trainers were categorized as white (88%), which was reflected in both head (90.8%) and assistant (87.2%) AT positions. Black ATs made up the largest proportion of a specific racial/ethnicity group within BIPOC ATs (3.4% of head ATs, 4.6% of assistant ATs), with the next most prevalent being Hispanic (2.8% of head ATs, 3.9% of assistant ATs). Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) showed higher proportions of BIPOC ATs in both head and assistant categories compared to non-HBCU institutions. Division I schools had the greatest AT racial/ethnicity diversity in comparison to Division II and Division III (p&lt;0.0001). In our linear regression models, we found statistically significant increases in many of the racial/ethnic categories for both head and assistant ATs. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that BIPOC ATs represent a small proportion of the ATs currently working at NCAA member institutions. Although there has been an increase in BIPOC athletic trainers over the past ten years, a large racial and ethnic discordance gap still exists between student athletes and the ATs caring for them. Future studies may identify barriers encountered by BIPOC ATs and the effectiveness of current diversity initiatives.