Sports dermatology

The examination of mental toughness, sleep, mood and injury rates in an Arctic ultra-marathon

There is scarcity of research examining the physiological and psychological effects of ultra-endurance racing on athletes in extreme conditions. The purpose of the current study was to identify common injury patterns and illness, profile mood states and sleep patterns and finally examine the relationships between mental toughness, sleep, mood and injury rates during a 120 mile, three-day Arctic ultra-marathon. Twelve participants (3 females, 9 males) with a mean age of 42 ± 5.35 yrs participated in the study. Mental toughness was measured using the MT18 questionnaire. Injuries were clinically assessed and recorded each day. Temperatures ranged from -20 to -6 degrees Celsius throughout the race. Sleep quantity and mood state were recorded using the BRUMS questionnaire. 10 out of the 12 participants experienced injuries; almost half of the participants had injuries that carried over a number of days. Mean sleep duration over the three days was 4.07 h, with an average of 0.78 injuries per day. Significant changes in mood were recorded across the three days, specifically a reduction in vigour (p = .029) and increase in fatigue (p = .014). Neither sleep quantity nor mental toughness was correlated with injury rate. Interestingly, sleep quantity was not related to changes in mood, as previously shown in ultra-marathons. Mental toughness had a moderate negative correlation (p < 0.01) with depression (-.623), reduced anger (-.616), confusion (-.558), increased vigour (.497) and tension (-.420) during the race. Success in this type of event involves significant psychological and physiological preparation to minimize the effects of sleep deprivation and avoidance of injuries.

Sports Dermatology: Skin Disease in Athletes

There are numerous disorders of the skin that occur in athletes. These include infections, mechanical injury, and inflammatory skin diseases such as dermatitis, urticaria, and others. This paper discusses some of the most common athletic skin diseases.

Skin problems in the long-distance runner 2500 years after the Battle of Marathon

Long-distance running has evolved into a sport that continues to gain in popularity. Skin problems are common among long distance runners and may prompt athletes to seek medical attention. This paper reviews the skin problems of long distance runners and outlines treatments that we have found to be helpful.

Contact dermatitis in athletes

Athletes face numerous hazards in their daily activities. An athlete's skin, in particular, endures repeated exposure to trauma, heat, moisture, and numerous allergens and chemicals. These factors combine with other unique and less well-defined genetically predisposing factors in the athlete's skin to cause both allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). As with other cases of contact dermatitis, these eruptions in athletes present as a spectrum of acute to subacute to chronic dermatitis. Recognizing the unique environmental irritants and allergens encountered by athletes is paramount to facilitate appropriate therapy and prevention. This review comprehensively examines the literature on contact dermatitis in athletes. The different types of contact dermatitis have been classified under sport-specific subheadings. Furthermore, within each subheading, both ACD and ICD types are discussed.

Skin manifestations of running

As the United States comes increasingly closer to being the heaviest nation on earth, many people are turning to exercise, especially running, to lose weight. Most runners, whether novice or professional, will have a skin disorder that may prompt them to seek medical attention. Although case reports and sports reviews have discussed, in a cursory fashion, the nature of these skin lesions, to our knowledge there has never been an extensive review of the literature that specifically addresses the skin diseases of runners. In this article, we present the epidemiology, origin, clinical characteristics, treatment, and prevention of skin diseases inherent to runners.

Ominous Skin Lesion or Benign Sports-Related Imposter? The Most Common 'Don't Miss' Diagnoses

Sports participants of all skill levels may develop sport-specific skin problems. Many skin disorders in athletes can mimic other potentially serious dermatologic entities that can be manifestations of musculoskeletal conditions, infections, inflammatory conditions, or carcinomas. Also, some skin conditions can alert the sports physician to look for possible anabolic steroid abuse. Physicians who are familiar with the relationship between the specific activities of various sports and skin disorders common to athletes will be able to properly diagnose, manage, and treat these conditions and educate players to prevent further injury.

Training Room Management of Medical Conditions: Sports Dermatology

Athletes' skin is subject to a distinct array of physical and environmental stressors. Trauma, the elements, and pathogenic organisms constantly challenge the skin's integrity. This article intends to arm the clinician with a fundamental knowledge of infections, mechanical injuries, and environmental insults common to the skin of athletes. Photographs corresponding to the described entities are included as figures. Because rapid return to play is the ultimate goal after injury or illness, there is a section dedicated to play restrictions as set forth by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Although the evaluation and management of cutaneous disease is a challenging endeavor, a consistent and systematic approach to this most accessible organ can result in early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and ultimate performance.

The wear and tear of 26.2: dermatological injuries reported on marathon day

Whether it is to take on the challenge, to get in shape and lose weight, to relieve stress, or to enjoy the outdoors, people have increasingly turned to the marathon as their sporting event of choice. Although there are many health benefits, beginners should be aware that injuries are quite common in marathon runners. Among these are the wear and tear injuries to the skin. This is a review of the most commonly reported dermatological injuries on marathon day.