British journal of sports medicine
Audio Summaries

Training-related concussions in men's English Premiership Rugby Union: an eight-season prospective cohort study of 153 243 player-weeks

Aug 6, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the incidence, severity, burden, and risk factors associated with training-related concussions in elite men's Rugby Union over eight seasons. They found an incidence rate of 0.23 concussions per 1000 hours of training, with full-contact and preseason training significantly increasing the risk of such injuries. The study highlights the need for strategic planning of training sessions to mitigate concussion risks.

Bidirectional association between injuries and mental health symptoms among elite athletes: a systematic review

Jul 31, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the bidirectional relationship between mental health symptoms and injuries among elite athletes. Their systematic review of 25 studies found that mental health symptoms are associated with subsequent injuries and vice versa, although the variability in study designs and definitions limited the ability to confirm this bidirectionality. The findings suggest a need for standardized mental health screening in elite athletes to potentially mitigate injury risks and assess recovery responses.

Hydrodilatation for adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review exploring efficacy and optimal technique

Jul 29, 2026

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hydrodilatation for adhesive capsulitis compared to other interventions, particularly corticosteroid injections, and to summarize the techniques used. The findings indicated that while hydrodilatation improved external rotation at 12 weeks, it did not show significant differences in pain relief or range of motion compared to corticosteroid injections alone or when combined with physical therapy. The study highlights considerable variability in hydrodilatation techniques and concludes that current evidence does not support substantial clinical benefits from this procedure.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and related disorders in elite athletes: a narrative review

Jul 28, 2026

This narrative review investigates the prevalence and impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related mental health disorders among elite athletes, who may be at greater risk due to their exposure to various traumas and stressors. The authors emphasize the importance of early identification and culturally informed care to address these issues effectively, while highlighting the need for coordinated trauma screening and education for healthcare providers involved with elite athletes. They call for further research into the types of trauma experienced by athletes and the effectiveness of tailored therapeutic interventions.

Multidimensional evidence map of sport science and medicine research in highly trained, elite and world-class female athletes: a scoping review

Jul 23, 2026

The authors conducted a scoping review to map the landscape of sport science and medicine research focused on highly trained, elite, and world-class female athletes. They found a significant increase in research output, yet identified persistent gaps in participant representation, geographical diversity, and health-related themes, highlighting the need for more targeted and multidisciplinary research approaches to enhance the relevance and impact of findings in this area.

Effectiveness of an individualised swimming and education programme for chronic low back pain (EduSwim): a randomised controlled trial

Jul 21, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an individualized swimming and education program compared to education alone for adults with chronic low back pain. The study found that the combined swimming and education intervention led to greater short-term improvements in disability at 8 weeks, although these benefits did not persist at 52 weeks. While the intervention showed some advantages in pain intensity and other outcomes initially, the differences diminished over time, and the intervention group experienced more non-serious adverse events.

International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 2 (IOC SMHAT2): development, content validity and feasibility

Jul 16, 2026

The authors aimed to develop and validate the International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 2 (IOC SMHAT2) to better identify elite athletes experiencing mental health symptoms and disorders. Through a comprehensive seven-stage process, they enhanced the tool's content validity and feasibility based on user feedback and scientific literature. The IOC SMHAT2 features a structured three-step approach for screening and clinical assessment, targeting athletes aged 16 and older across various competitive levels.

Effects of supervised exercise during pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus and other pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jul 15, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of supervised exercise on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and various pregnancy outcomes through a systematic review and meta-analysis. They found that supervised exercise significantly reduced the risk of GDM, gestational hypertension, excessive weight gain, and macrosomia, particularly when initiated early in pregnancy, adhered to closely, and included a combination of aerobic and resistance training. The study highlights the importance of exercise dosage, with optimal benefits observed at around 500-550 metabolic equivalent task-minutes per week.

Depressive symptoms in high-performance athletes and non-athletes: a comparative meta-analysis update

Jul 9, 2026

The authors aimed to compare the prevalence of mild or more severe depressive symptoms between high-performance athletes and non-athletes through a meta-analysis. Their findings indicated no significant difference in depressive symptom prevalence between the two groups, although female athletes and non-athletes exhibited higher rates of depressive symptoms compared to their male counterparts.

High-impact physical activity participation and 12-month risk of joint replacement: a longitudinal mediation analysis of 17 661 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis

Jul 7, 2026

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between high-impact physical activity (PA) and the risk of joint replacement in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA). The findings revealed that participation in high-impact PA was associated with a 36-48% lower likelihood of total hip replacement (THR) without increasing the risk of total knee replacement (TKR), suggesting that clinicians might consider recommending higher-impact activities for individuals with hip OA while supporting continued participation in knee OA under appropriate conditions.