AbStR AC tThis review aims to evaluate the current body of literature investigating the effect of whole body cryotherapy on recovery after exercise. A systematic search was conducted to investigate the effect of whole body cryotherapy (WBC, exposure to temperatures between − 110 to − 190 °C) on markers of recovery after damaging exercise in healthy, physically active subjects. Of the 16 eligible articles extracted, ten induced muscle damage using controlled exercise in a laboratory setting, while six induced damage during sport-specific training. Results indicated that muscle pain was reduced in 80 % of studies following WBC. Two applied studies found recovery of athletic capacity and performance with WBC improved, variables of this nature were also improved in 71 % of studies using controlled exercise. Further benefits of WBC treatment included reduction of systemic inflammation and lower concentrations of markers for muscle cell damage. These results suggest that WBC may improve recovery from muscle damage, with multiple exposures more consistently exhibiting improvements in recovery from pain, loss of muscle function, and markers of inflammation and damage. The diversity in muscle damage protocols, exposure timing with regards to exercise, as well as temperatures, duration and frequencies of exposure, make specific recommendations preliminary at present. 1049This document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited.Rose C et al. Whole-body Cryotherapy as a … Int J Sports

LETTER TO THE EDITOR physical activity and screen time observed could persist and threaten a further deterioration in global inactivity rates. Programmatic and policy strategies such as Active Kids could arguably be reoriented towards promoting physical activity and reduced screen time during pandemic periods as well as in usual times to good effect. Such efforts should focus on young people who are insufficiently active, those from lower socioeconomic areas, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Background Physical activity and sport have numerous health benefits and participation is thought to be lower in disadvantaged children and adolescents. However, evidence for the disparity in physical activity is inconsistent, has not been reviewed recently, and for sport has never been synthesised. Our aim was to systematically review, and combine via meta-analyses, evidence of the socioeconomic disparities in physical activity and sport participation in children and adolescents in high income countries. Methods We conducted searches of five electronic databases using physical activity, sport, and socioeconomic disparity related terms. Two independent reviewers assessed 21,342 articles for peer-reviewed original research, published in English that assessed socioeconomic disparities in physical activity and sport participation in children and adolescents. We combined evidence from eligible studies using a structural equation modelling approach to multilevel meta-analysis. Results From the 104 eligible studies, we meta-analysed 163 effect sizes. Overall, children and adolescents living in higher socioeconomic status households were more likely to participate in sport (OR: 1.87, 95% CIs 1.38, 2.36) and participated for a longer duration (d = 0.24, 95% CIs 0.12, 0.35). The socioeconomic disparity in the duration of sport participation was greater in children (d = 0.28, 95% CIs 0.15, 0.41) compared with adolescents (d = 0.13, 95% CIs − 0.03, 0.30). Overall, children and adolescents living in higher socioeconomic status households were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines (OR: 1.21, 95% CIs 1.09, 1.33) and participated for a longer duration (d = 0.08, 95% CIs 0.02, 0.14). The socioeconomic disparity in the duration of total physical activity between low and high socioeconomic status households was greater in children (d = 0.13, 95% CIs 0.04, 0.21) compared with adolescents (d = 0.05, 95% CIs − 0.05, 0.15). There was no significant disparity in leisure time physical activity (d = 0.13, 95% CIs − 0.06, 0.32). Conclusions There was evidence of socioeconomic disparities in sport participation and total physical activity participation among children and adolescents. Socioeconomic differences were greater in sport compared to total physical activity and greater in children compared with adolescents. These findings highlight the need importance of targeting sport programs according to socio-economic gradients, to reduce inequities in access and opportunity to organised sport.

Background Sports have a focus on increasing participation, which contributes to increasing population levels of physical activity, social cohesion and longevity of the sport. The primary aim of this study was to examine reasons for drop-out of a popular team sport in Australia, Field Hockey and identify opportunities to increase participation. Methods This longitudinal study obtained routinely collected registered player data from Hockey New South Wales over two consecutive years, and survey data from registered players who dropped out. Logistic regression models identified demographic subgroups who were more likely to drop out of sport, and the reasons for dropping out. Results In 2018, 8463 (31%) of hockey players did not return to play hockey after the previous season and 805 (10%) of these completed a survey. Specific groups who were more likely to stop playing included 5–6 years (OR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.8–2.6; reference: 12–17 years), females (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2; reference: males), Indigenous (OR: 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4; reference: non-Indigenous), most disadvantaged (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2; reference: least disadvantaged) or regional and remote (1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2; reference: major cities). Top reasons for drop out were medical/age (17%), change in circumstances (16%) and high cost (13%), lack of time (13%) and lack of enjoyment (7%). Conclusions Although Hockey successfully reaches a large proportion of underrepresented groups in sport, these groups are more likely to drop out. Sports should consult these groups to develop enjoyable, flexible, and modifiable versions of the game that are appropriate to their needs.

Background Physical activity has numerous health benefits, but participation is lower in disadvantaged communities. ‘parkrun’ overcomes one of the main barriers for disadvantaged communities, the cost of activities, by providing a free, regular community-based physical activity event for walkers, runners and volunteers. This study assesses equity of access (in terms of distance to the nearest parkrun) stratified by socioeconomic deprivation, and identifies the optimal location for 100 new events to increase equity of access. Methods We combined information about population location and socioeconomic deprivation, with information about the location of 403 existing parkrun events, to assess the current level of access by deprivation quintile. We then used a two-step location-allocation analysis (minimising the sum of deprivation-weighted distances) to identify optimal regions, then optimal towns within those regions, as the ideal locations for 100 new parkrun events. Results Currently, 63.1% of the Australian population lives within 5 km of an event, and the average distance to an event is 14.5 km. A socioeconomic gradient exists, with the most deprived communities having the largest average distance to an event (27.0 km), and the least deprived communities having the best access (living an average 6.6 km from an event). Access improves considerably after the introduction of new event locations with around 68% of the population residing within 5 km of an event, and the average distance to the nearest event approximately 8 km. Most importantly, the improvement in access will be greatest for the most deprived communities (now an average 11 km from an event). Conclusions There is a socioeconomic gradient in access to parkrun events. Strategic selection of new parkrun locations will improve equity of access to community physical activity events, and could contribute to enabling greater participation in physical activity by disadvantaged communities.