Jordi Puigdellivol

Fecha de nacimiento y éxito en el baloncesto profesional

Objective: To determine whether birth date (month of birth) influences selection in basketball. The relative age effect (RAE) will show whether there is variation in the percentage of number of births throughout the natural year. Method. The months of birth of players of the Association of Basketball Clubs (Asociacion de Clubes de Baloncesto [ACB]), the Spanish Basketball League (Liga Espanola de Baloncesto [LEB1, LEB2]), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and of grassroots players of several clubs were identified. Data were grouped in trimesters. Results. A strong tendency to select players born in the first trimesters of the year compared with the last trimesters was found. This tendency was maintained but was less apparent in the higher categories up to professional level. An explanation for this finding is that in the first stages of basketball, boys are selected on the basis of advanced maturation or by one of its indicators (height). Thus, many future talents tend to be lost and other boys with lower aptitude may reach professional level simply because they were born at the beginning of the year. Conclusions. Month of birth strongly influences the selection of basketball players in Spain. Appropriate selection criteria should be established to optimize the selection and development of future players.

Central Tendon Injuries of Hamstring Muscles: Case Series of Operative Treatment

Background: As compared with injuries involving muscle only, those involving the central hamstring tendon have a worse prognosis. Limited information is available regarding the surgical treatment of central tendon injuries of the hamstrings. Purpose: To describe the operative treatment and outcomes of central tendon injuries of the hamstrings among athletes. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Eight athletes (6 top level, 2 recreational) with central hamstring tendon injuries underwent magnetic resonance imaging and surgical treatment. The indication for surgery was recurrent (n = 6) or acute (n = 2) central hamstring tendon injury. All patients followed the same postoperative rehabilitation protocol, and return to play was monitored. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging found a central tendon injury in all 3 hamstring muscles (long head of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus) with disrupted tendon ends. In acute and recurrent central tendon injuries, full return to play was achieved at 2.5 to 4 months. There were no adverse events during follow-up. Conclusion: Central tendon injuries of the hamstrings can be successfully repaired surgically after acute and recurrent ruptures.

Surgical Treatment of Muscle Injuries

Muscle injury is generally treated conservatively. Operative treatment is seldom considered. Highly specific indications might be beneficial for severe injuries, shown in Table 36.1. Proximal hamstring and rectus femoris muscles are the most often injured and surgically treated in football players. The distinction between injury to the hamstring muscle and injury to the central tendon is underappreciated as being a distinct entity. Postoperative surgery rehabilitation is guided by the diagnosis, the surgical procedure, and the patient’s progress. Return to play full sport activity within 3–4 months.