News

First study of the newest IOC Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Clinical Assessment Tool across elite athletes

British Journal of Sports Medicine | August 2024

Ida Heikura, Trent Stellingwerff, and other researchers across our Female Athlete Program conducted the first study utilizing the new 2023 International Olympic Committee (IOC) REDs Clinical Assessment Tool (CAT2). They assessed the severity of REDs using CAT2’s four “traffic light” levels and examined the link to future bone stress injuries in over 200 elite athletes. Those with more severe REDs (yellow, orange, or red) showed higher risks of bone stress injuries, lack of menstrual cycle, and hormonal changes. These results support the use of CAT2 in screening and diagnosing REDs severity and predicting bone stress injury risk. 

Reproduced from Mountjoy M, Ackerman KE, Bailey DM, et al 2023 International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023;57:1073-1097 with permission from BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

“Landmark” mouse model of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs)

Cell Metabolism | September 2024

Despite its widespread impact in athletes, many of the molecular and cellular workings of REDs remain a mystery. Laura van Rosmalen, Satchidananda Panda, and colleagues “created [a] landmark mouse model” of REDs that mimics what is observed in humans, allowing researchers to better explore the molecular basis of the syndrome and help develop biomarkers and effective treatment strategies. Using the model, the team has already found that REDs affects organ size and gene expression throughout the body. Moreover, it appears to impact male and female mice differently: kidney health was most affected in males, while reproductive health and muscle mass were most impacted in females.

Learn more: Salk news story | Wu Tsai Alliance news story

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New molecular pathway links taurine and body weight in mice

Nature | August 2024

Wei Wei, Jonathan Long and his team have uncovered a new link between genetics, diet, and body weight in mice, with the amino acid taurine at the center of this complex relationship. Their work reveals a potential new pathway for weight regulation, offering fresh insights into how taurine  – a micronutrient found in protein-rich foods like meat and shellfish – impacts body weight. Intriguingly, the recently discovered pathway exhibits a different mechanism than current weight loss drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy.

Learn more: Stanford news story | Wu Tsai Alliance news story

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Hamstrings stretch more and faster in accelerative vs. steady running

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise | October 2024

Hamstring injuries are often linked to high-speed running, but a study by Reed Gurcheik, Scott Delp, and colleagues shows that speed isn’t the only factor. Using the smartphone-based OpenCap system, they found that hamstrings are stretched similarly when accelerating from 50% of top speed and when running steadily at 88% of top speed. The study also revealed significant variability in how participants accelerated. These findings could enhance athlete monitoring and help prevent hamstring injuries.

Learn more: Stanford/Wu Tsai Alliance news story

Tracking performance shifts in elite 3×3 basketball with countermovement vertical jump testing

Frontiers in Physiology | September 2024

In a study involving seven national 3×3 basketball athletes, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Andy Fry, and colleagues assessed how countermovement vertical jump metrics after a simulated game differed from those before the game. The goal was to help sports practitioners assess athletes’ readiness, fatigue recovery, and ability to sustain performance during game-like conditions. While most metrics stayed the same, key aspects of the eccentric phase – such as peak power and velocity – changed by 12.1%–19.1%, suggesting the eccentric phase is more sensitive to performance stimulus than the concentric phase. 

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Carbon monoxide inhalation or hot water immersion may boost hormone that supports red blood cell production in women

Experimental Physiology | August 2024

A study of 21 participants conducted by Kaitlyn DiMarco, Christopher Minson, and colleagues found that both carbon monoxide inhalation (COi) and hot water immersion (HWI) independently increased the production of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that supports red blood cell production. Combining the two methods didn’t provide any extra benefit. Interestingly, women showed a stronger and more consistent EPO response than men, whose results varied widely. These findings suggest that COi and HWI could be effective for increasing EPO in women, at least in the short term. 

Dusty Whitaker

How meniscus cells are isolated may impact success of treatments or studies on meniscus injury

Cell Proliferation | October 2024

Zhiyao Ma, Adetola Adesida, and his team looked at the effects of three different isolation methods for meniscus cells – collagenase digestion, cellular outgrowth, and a new method called digestion-after-outgrowth (DOG) – on the cell behavior. They discovered, for example, cells isolated by outgrowth formed stiffer tissue, while the new DOG method led to cells that were better at forming cartilage. These findings show that choosing the right method for isolating cells may influence future treatments or research focused on meniscus injuries or regeneration.

New understanding of frequently torn rotator cuff muscle

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine | October 2024

Taking a closer look at the structure of the deep region of the supraspinatus muscle in the shoulder could change how we treat rotator cuff injuries. Isabella Wu, Samuel Ward, and his team studied 25 cadaveric samples and found that this under-studied “submuscle” has unique features that set it apart from other regions in the supraspinatus: there’s a smaller angle between the muscle fibers and the tendon, shorter muscle fibers, and fewer but longer sarcomeres (tiny units that make up muscles) in series. These insights pave the way for understanding this “submuscle’s” function and could influence future treatments for rotator cuff injuries.

Innovative technique sheds light on Nordic hamstring exercises for injury prevention

Journal of Sport and Health Science | October 2024

Max Andrews, Scott Delp and colleagues used a novel microendoscopy technique to study, for the first time in humans, how nine weeks of Nordic hamstring altered the microscopic muscle structure of 12 participants. They observed sarcomeres getting added end-to-end, lengthening the muscle fibers and potentially decreasing overstretching. The findings underscore the value of long-term training to induce meaningful adaptations in the hamstrings.

Learn more: Stanford/Wu Tsai Alliance news story

Ajax player Brian Brobbey experienced a hamstring injury and had to withdraw from the game. Image credit: Pro Shots / Alamy Stock Photo

Injury risks in beach sprint rowing during the 2022 world finals

BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine | August 2024

Tracking injuries and illnesses is key for providing adequate medical support and developing prevention strategies at regattas. Joseph DeLeo, Fiona Wilson, and colleagues collected and analyzed data on injuries before and during the 2022 World Rowing Beach Sprints Finals, filling a gap in knowledge for this relatively new sporting event. Out of the 59 athletes surveyed, there were two cases of respiratory infections, a hamstring strain, and a concussion during the event. The study shows how the unique demands of the sport – like beach sprints and boat transitions – lead to different injuries than traditional rowing.