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Lamprinos D, Vroulou M, Chatzopoulos M, Georgakopoulos P, Deligiorgi P, Oikonomou E, Siasos G, Botonis PG, Papavassiliou KA, Papagiannis D, Pouletidis T, Damaskos C, Rachiotis G, Marinos G. Influenza Vaccination Practices and Perceptions Among Young Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:904. [PMID: 39204030 PMCID: PMC11360351 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza vaccination among athletes is a crucial area in sports medicine. This descriptive, cross-sectional study aims to explore the vaccination practices and intentions regarding influenza vaccines among young athletes. METHODS A structured, questionnaire-based study was conducted among students from the National School of Sports in Greece. The survey was conducted over the period of April to May 2023. Overall, 138 participants participated in the study. RESULTS More than half of the participants had received a flu vaccine in the past, but only 12.3% were vaccinated against influenza for 2022-2023. The main reasons seemed to be the lack of time (40.6%) and the idea that influenza does not lead to any serious health threats for the participants (36.2%). The main factor that affected their decision to get the flu vaccine or not was the need for more information regarding influenza vaccination (79%). CONCLUSIONS The recent study showed low vaccination coverage among people of young age participating in sports activities. The qualitative views of the participants highlighted the significance of the lackof a well-organized information program provided by health professionals and coaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Lamprinos
- Emergency Care Department, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (M.V.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Maria Vroulou
- Emergency Care Department, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (M.V.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Michail Chatzopoulos
- Emergency Care Department, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (M.V.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Panagiotis Georgakopoulos
- Emergency Care Department, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (M.V.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Paraskevi Deligiorgi
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.D.); (E.O.); (G.S.); (T.P.)
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.D.); (E.O.); (G.S.); (T.P.)
- Third Department of Cardiology, Thoracic Diseases General Hospital Sotiria, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.D.); (E.O.); (G.S.); (T.P.)
- Third Department of Cardiology, Thoracic Diseases General Hospital Sotiria, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros G. Botonis
- Department of Sports Medicine and Biology of Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Athens, Greece;
| | - Kostas A. Papavassiliou
- First Department of Respiratory Medicine, “Sotiria” Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Papagiannis
- Public Health & Vaccines Laboratory, Department of Nursing, School of Health Science, University of Thessaly, 41500 Volos, Greece;
| | - Theodoros Pouletidis
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.D.); (E.O.); (G.S.); (T.P.)
| | - Christos Damaskos
- N.S. Christeas Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - George Rachiotis
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Georgios Marinos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Papagiannis D, Marinos G, Anyfantis I, Rachiotis G. Assessment of Vaccination Status in Professional Football Players in Low Categories in Greece. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2022; 7:jfmk7040073. [PMID: 36278734 PMCID: PMC9589996 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk7040073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are limited data on the vaccination practices of footballers in low professional categories in Greece and Europe. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccination practices followed by the medical staff of the low professional football categories in Central Greece. METHODS A questionnaire was developed and included questions on the vaccination practices of football players. The participants were chief medical officers of the fifteen low-category football teams in Central Greece. Overall, 10 out of 15 chief medical officers participated (response rate: 67%). RESULTS All participants recommended only the tetanus monovalent vaccine in cases with deep trauma of athletes. Influenza, pneumococcal vaccine, and Hepatitis A and B vaccines were not recommended by the medical officers. This was also the case for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and meningococcal vaccine with strains A, C, Y, W. Participants reported the lack of specific guidelines for vaccination in professional footballers. CONCLUSIONS The recent study showed poor vaccination practices in low categories of professional football teams in Central Greece. The qualitative view of the respondents revealed the importance of the absence of guidelines on vaccination of football players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Papagiannis
- Public Health & Vaccines Laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +3-024-106-84610 (ext. 41110)
| | - Georgios Marinos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Anyfantis
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), Santiago de Compostela 12, 48003 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Georgios Rachiotis
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 42200 Larissa, Greece
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Krzywański J, Kuchar E, Pokrywka A, Mikulski T, Pilchowska I, Młyńczak M, Krysztofiak H, Jurczyk J, Ziemba A, Nitsch-Osuch A. Safety and Impact on Training of the Influenza Vaccines in Elite Athletes Participating in the Rio 2016 Olympics. Clin J Sport Med 2021; 31:423-429. [PMID: 32032168 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of influenza vaccines for the northern and southern hemispheres in Polish elite athletes participating in the Rio 2016 Olympics. DESIGN Prospective, observational, cohort study. SETTING Institutional level. PARTICIPANTS Ninety-seven athletes vaccinated only with the northern hemisphere vaccine; 98 athletes received the southern hemisphere vaccine alone, whereas 39 athletes were vaccinated with both vaccines. INTERVENTIONS The athletes were vaccinated with a trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine recommended for the northern hemisphere 2015/2016 and then with the vaccine recommended for the southern hemisphere 2016. Athletes kept a diary of adverse events and effects (if any) on training for 6 days after vaccination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The percentage of general and local adverse events, number of lost or modified training sessions. RESULTS Significantly more local adverse events (pain and redness) were found in the group immunized with the vaccine for the northern hemisphere. There were no differences in the frequency of general adverse events and influence on training between groups. Of total 273 athletes who had 1911 training days during 6 days after vaccination, 6 athletes (2.2%) lost 13 training days (0.7%) and 16 athletes (5.9%) had to modify 34 (1.7%) training days within first 2 days after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Athletes tolerated influenza immunization well. If they are going to travel to the other hemisphere during the influenza season, the use of the second influenza vaccine should be advised. Athletes should anticipate modification of trainings for 2 days after vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernest Kuchar
- Department of Pediatrics with Medical Assessment Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pokrywka
- National Centre for Sports Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Applied and Clinical Physiology, University of Zielona Gora, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Tomasz Mikulski
- Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Pilchowska
- Department of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcel Młyńczak
- Institute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland ; and
| | - Hubert Krysztofiak
- National Centre for Sports Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej Ziemba
- Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aneta Nitsch-Osuch
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Papagiannis D, Rachiotis G, Xanthopoulos A, Simou A, Zilidis C, Triposkiadis F. Vaccination practices and influenza in professional football players in Greece. Occup Med (Lond) 2020; 70:200-202. [PMID: 32432327 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited data on vaccination practices for professional footballers globally. AIMS To record vaccination practices employed by medical staff of individual football teams of the Super League Greece, and absenteeism of footballers related to influenza illness. METHODS A brief questionnaire was distributed to chief medical officers (CMOs) of the sixteen teams of the Super League Greece. Participants were asked to report vaccines they recommended for footballers. In addition, the questionnaire included questions on new cases of influenza and absenteeism due to influenza. Descriptive statistics (absolute and relative frequencies) were used for the presentation of the results. RESULTS Overall, 87% of the CMOs recommended seasonal influenza vaccine, 62% hepatitis B vaccine and 50% pneumococcal vaccine. Fourteen CMOs (87%) reported that the occurrence of seasonal influenza in the 2016-17 northern hemisphere season ranged from one to five cases, while two medical officers (12%) reported zero workdays lost due to influenza. CONCLUSIONS Our survey shows considerable variation in vaccination practices of CMOs of the Super League Greece. The results of this survey should stimulate further evaluation of vaccination policy and influenza-related absenteeism in footballers.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Papagiannis
- General Department University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - G Rachiotis
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - A Xanthopoulos
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa University General Hospital, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - A Simou
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa University General Hospital, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - C Zilidis
- General Department University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - F Triposkiadis
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa University General Hospital, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
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Keaney LC, Kilding AE, Merien F, Dulson DK. The impact of sport related stressors on immunity and illness risk in team-sport athletes. J Sci Med Sport 2018; 21:1192-1199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Abstract
Context: Immunizations are a cornerstone of preventive care and an important
consideration for team physicians caring for athletes. Evidence Acquisition: A PubMed search was performed from August 2016 through May 2017 as well as a
website review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World
Health Organization, and Immunization Action Coalition. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: By keeping abreast of diseases endemic to nations to which athletes may be
traveling as well as the vaccination status of the athletes, team physicians
can provide appropriate advice regarding immunization and prevention of
disease. Conclusion: There are a host of regularly updated reliable websites to assist the team
physician in these recommendations.
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Abstract
Context: Because sports participation at all levels often requires international travel, coaches, athletic trainers, and team physicians must effectively protect athletes from gastrointestinal infections. Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness and can significantly interfere with training and performance. Evidence Acquisition: A review of relevant publications was completed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 5 Results: Enterotoxigenic and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli are the most common bacterial causes of traveler’s diarrhea. Traveler’s diarrhea generally occurs within 4 days of arrival, and symptoms tend to resolve within 5 days of onset. There are several prophylactic agents that physicians can recommend to athletes, including antibiotics, bismuth subsalicylate, and probiotics; however, each has its own unique limitations. Decision-making should be based on the athlete’s destination, length of stay, and intent of travel. Conclusion: Prophylaxis with antibiotics is highly effective; however, physicians should be hesitant to prescribe medication due to the side effects and risks for creating antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Antibiotics may be indicated for high-risk groups, such as those with a baseline disease or travelers who have little flexible time. Since most cases of traveler’s diarrhea are caused by food and/or water contamination, all athletes should be educated on the appropriate food and water consumption safety measures prior to travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash R. Patel
- Children’s Orthopaedic Center Sports Medicine and Concussion Program, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Daniel Oheb
- Children’s Orthopaedic Center Sports Medicine and Concussion Program, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tracy L. Zaslow
- Children’s Orthopaedic Center Sports Medicine and Concussion Program, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Taylor L, Chrismas BCR, Dascombe B, Chamari K, Fowler PM. Sleep Medication and Athletic Performance-The Evidence for Practitioners and Future Research Directions. Front Physiol 2016; 7:83. [PMID: 27014084 PMCID: PMC4779957 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Taylor
- Qatar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre Aspire Zone ASPETAR, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bryna C R Chrismas
- Sport Science Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University Doha, Qatar
| | - Ben Dascombe
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport, School of Allied Health, LaTrobe University Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karim Chamari
- Qatar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre Aspire Zone ASPETAR, Doha, Qatar
| | - Peter M Fowler
- Qatar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre Aspire Zone ASPETAR, Doha, Qatar
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Abstract
Many sports incorporate training at altitude as a key component of their athlete training plan. Furthermore, many sports are required to compete at high altitude venues. Exercise at high altitude provides unique challenges to the athlete and to the sport medicine clinician working with these athletes. These challenges include altitude illness, alterations in training intensity and performance, nutritional and hydration difficulties, and challenges related to the austerity of the environment. Furthermore, many of the strategies that are typically utilized by visitors to altitude may have implications from an anti-doping point of view.This position statement was commissioned and approved by the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine. The purpose of this statement was to provide an evidence-based, best practices summary to assist clinicians with the preparation and management of athletes and individuals travelling to altitude for both competition and training.
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Sehovic E, Knechtle B, Rüst CA, Rosemann T. 12-hour ultra-marathons - Increasing worldwide participation and dominance of Europeans. JOURNAL OF HUMAN SPORT AND EXERCISE 2013. [DOI: 10.4100/jhse.2013.84.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Leatherwood WE, Dragoo JL. Effect of airline travel on performance: a review of the literature. Br J Sports Med 2012; 47:561-7. [PMID: 23143931 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The need for athletes to travel long distances has spurred investigation into the effect of air travel across multiple time zones on athletic performance. Rapid eastward or westward travel may negatively affect the body in many ways; therefore, strategies should be employed to minimise these effects which may hamper athletic performance. In this review, the fundamentals of circadian rhythm disruption are examined along with additional effects of airline travel including jet lag, sleep deprivation, travel at altitude and nutritional considerations that negatively affect performance. Evidence-based recommendations are provided at the end of the manuscript to minimise the effects of airline travel on performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney E Leatherwood
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94063-6342, USA
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