Abdulaziz Farooq

Abdulaziz Farooq
Aspetar - Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital | aspetar

MPH, MSc

About

143
Publications
73,250
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Introduction
Skills and Expertise

Publications

Publications (143)
Article
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Objective Sleep is a fundamental physiological process essential for maintaining overall health and optimal functioning across various cognitive, emotional, and physical domains. To cross-sectionally investigate the sleep pattern among college students according to geographical location, gender, and age. Materials and Methods A total of 3,475 valid...
Article
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Objective We assessed the direct and indirect relationships between sleep quality, mental health, and physical activity with quality of life (QOL) in college and university students. Methods In a cross-sectional design, 3,380 college students (60% females; age = 22.7 ± 5.4) from four continents (Africa: 32%; America: 5%; Asia: 46%; and Europe: 15%...
Article
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The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between changes in training practices and human development index (HDI) levels, and identify strategies employed by athletes who consistently maintained their training quantity during the first 100 days of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 10,074 athletes (5290 amateur and 4787 professional ath...
Article
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Background For athletes, overcoming obstacles in challenging situations like pandemic home training is crucial. Strategies and approaches in this context are not well-documented. Our study aims to investigate such a scenario from a performance standpoint, based on a major global crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Methods This cross-sectio...
Article
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Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions that prevented physical activity in public places. This study sought to conduct a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of how lockdown policies in an Arabian Gulf country influenced the patterns of physical activity during first wave. Methods In a longitudinal study design, members of the ongoi...
Article
Objective: To describe the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and time to return to sport (RTS) from muscle injuries in youth athletes. Design: Prospective collection of injury surveillance data over 6 seasons (2014-2015 to 2019-2020) and reanalysis of MRIs by a radiologist blinded to RTS time after the data collectio...
Article
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Epidemiological studies on fractures in European professional football (soccer) are in abundance. However, such data are lacking in Middle Eastern professional footballers and information on fracture treatment is scarce. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of fractures across seven seasons in Qatar Stars League (QSL) footballers....
Article
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Purpose: We evaluated the extent of changes in training practices, recovery, mental health, and sleep patterns of athletes during the early COVID-19 lockdown in a single country-cohort. Methods: A total of 686 athletes (59% male, 41% female; 9% World Class, 28% International, 29% National, 26% State, 8% Recreational) from 50 sports (45% individual,...
Article
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The imposition of COVID-19 lockdown restricted the daily activities of many people, including athletes. This study investigated the training practices of athletes in the Philippines during the first COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 442 athletes answered an online survey (May-July 2020), with questions pertaining to training practices, such as training...
Article
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Introduction Primary cam morphology is highly prevalent in many athlete populations, causing debilitating hip osteoarthritis in some. Existing research is mired in confusion partly because stakeholders have not agreed on key primary cam morphology elements or a prioritised research agenda. We aimed to inform a more rigorous, inclusive and evidence-...
Article
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Introduction Primary cam morphology is a mostly benign bony prominence that develops at the femoral head-neck junction of the hip, but it is highly prevalent in many athlete populations. In the small proportion of athletes for whom it is not benign, the resulting hip osteoarthritis can be debilitating. Clinicians, athletes, patients and researchers...
Article
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Ramadan intermittent fasting during the COVID-19 lockdown (RIFL) may present unique demands. We investigated training practices (i.e., training load and training times) of athletes, using pre-defined survey criteria/questions, during the ‘first’ COVID-19 lockdown, comparing RIFL to lockdown-alone (LD) in Muslim athletes. Specifically, a within-subj...
Article
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Unlabelled: The COVID-19 lockdown challenged the training options of athletes worldwide, including players from the most popular sport globally, football/soccer. Purpose: The authors explored the training practices of football players worldwide during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: Football players (N = 2482, 30% professional, 22% semipro, an...
Article
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Purpose: To investigate differences in athletes' knowledge, beliefs, and training practices during COVID-19 lockdowns with reference to sport classification and sex. This work extends an initial descriptive evaluation focusing on athlete classification. Methods: Athletes (12,526; 66% male; 142 countries) completed an online survey (May-July 2020...
Article
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Background and purpose: Vitamin D insufficiency may be common among elite athletes, but prevalence is unclear, and some potentially important risk factors are uncertain. The present study aimed to (a) estimate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in elite athletes, and (b) examine differences in prevalence between the sexes, and between adult...
Article
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Purpose: To investigate differences in athletes' knowledge, beliefs, and training practices during COVID-19 lockdowns with reference to sport classification and sex. This work extends an initial descriptive evaluation focusing on athlete classification. Methods: Athletes (12,526; 66% male; 142 countries) completed an online survey (May-July 2020) a...
Article
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Objective Disrupted sleep and training behaviors in athletes have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed at investigating the combined effects of Ramadan observance and COVID-19 related lockdown in Muslim athletes. Methods From an international sample of athletes (n = 3,911), 1,681 Muslim athletes (from 44 countries; 25.1 ± 8.7 years...
Article
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Objective: To investigate the effect of 1) lockdown duration and 2) training intensity on sleep quality and insomnia symptoms in elite athletes. Methods: 1,454 elite athletes (24.1 ± 6.7 years; 42% female; 41% individual sports) from 40 countries answered a retrospective, cross-sectional, web-based questionnaire relating to their behavioral habits...
Article
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Objective In a convenience sample of athletes, we conducted a survey of COVID-19-mediated lockdown (termed ‘lockdown’ from this point forward) effects on: (i) circadian rhythms; (ii) sleep; (iii) eating; and (iv) training behaviors. Methods In total, 3911 athletes [mean age: 25.1 (range 18–61) years, 1764 female (45%), 2427 team-sport (63%) and 14...
Article
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Background Current return-to-sport (RTS) criteria after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) include demonstrating symmetry in functional and strength tests. It remains unknown if at the time that athletes are cleared to RTS, they exhibit between-limb symmetry in ACL and tibiofemoral contact forces or if these forces are comparabl...
Article
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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a “bubble” training camp. This...
Article
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In a previous study based on this cohort, only 15% of the participants belonged to a favourable physical activity/sedentary behaviour trajectory group (characterised by relatively high moderate–vigorous intensity physical activity and relatively low sedentary behaviour across childhood and adolescence). Since this favourable trajectory is protectiv...
Conference Paper
Background Studies addressing risk factors for injuries in youth athletics are scarce and although growth and maturation represent potential risk factors for adolescent athletes, the available literature is inconclusive. Objective The aim of this study was to examine if growth rate, maturity status and maturity tempo are associated with injury ris...
Conference Paper
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Background Adolescent athletes have different injury patterns to those of adults, and their growing bones are susceptible to overuse injuries. Evidence of growth-related injuries in relation to growth and maturation in youth elite soccer players remains sparse. Objective 1) to investigate lower-limb apophyseal injuries (LL-AI) and 2) their relatio...
Article
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Objectives: Explore training-related knowledge, beliefs and practices of athletes and the influence of COVID-19-related lockdowns. Methods: Athletes [n = 12,526 classified: world-class (13%), international (21%), national (36%), state (24%), and recreational (6%)] completed an online survey (50 d; 17th May to 5th July 2020) exploring their trainin...
Article
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Introduction Physeal injuries have been overlooked in epidemiological research in youth sports. Our prospective study investigated the incidence, severity, and burden of physeal injuries in a youth elite football academy. Methods 551 youth male football players from Under-9 to Under-19 were included and observed over four consecutive seasons. Inju...
Article
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This study aimed to determine if sleep quality and psychological factors were associated with time to meet the discharge criteria to return to sport (RTS) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) among athletes. A cohort-study design included 89 athletes following ACL-R. Each participant completed a battery of questionnaires at 6...
Article
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BACKGROUND This systematic review aimed to synthesize recent evidence on interventions to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) content of physical education (PE) in children age 8 to 11. METHODS A search of 6 databases was conducted in December 2019. Controlled intervention studies were included so long as they used objective mea...
Article
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The combined role of objectively assessed moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) is unclear in obesity prevention. This study aimed to identify latent groups for MVPA and SB trajectories from childhood to adolescence and examine their relationship with obesity risk at adolescence. From the Gateshead Millen...
Article
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Objective: To describe the injury mechanism and its association with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) injury findings in acute rectus femoris injuries. Design: Combined retrospective and prospective descriptive injury study. Retrospective cohort from January 2010 to October 2013 and prospective cohort from October 2013 to January 2019. Setting:...
Article
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Background The association between injury risk and skeletal maturity in youth soccer has received little attention. Purpose To prospectively investigate injury patterns and incidence in relation to skeletal maturity in elite youth academy soccer players and to determine the injury risks associated with the skeletal maturity status, both overall an...
Article
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Objectives This study assessed knowledge, beliefs and practices of elite female footballers regarding injury prevention. Methods A survey was sent to players participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. Questions covered three injury prevention domains: (1) knowledge; (2) attitudes and beliefs; (3) prevention practices in domestic club...
Article
ENGLISH Introduction: Standing sagittal pelvic tilt (SSPT) is frequently quantified using the palpation technique, which assesses the relative position of the iliac spines. However, the reliability of this approach in adolescents remains unknown. This study examines the inter- and intra-investigator reliability of measurements using a compass incli...
Article
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Objective Investigate the incidence and burden of injuries by age group in youth football (soccer) academy players during four consecutive seasons. Methods All injuries that caused time-loss or required medical attention (as per consensus definitions) were prospectively recorded in 551 youth football players from under 9 years to under 19 years. I...
Article
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In soccer (football), dominant limb kicking produces higher ball velocity and is used with greater frequency than the non-dominant limb. It is unclear whether limb dominance has an effect on injury incidence. The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis is to examine the relationship between limb dominance and soccer injuries. Studies w...
Article
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The aim was to create a Modern Standard Arabic SCAT5 version for different Arabic dialects. This translation and cross-cultural adaptation was performed in eight stages: initial translations, reconciliation of translations and cultural adaptation, back translation, appraisal of back translations, validation of the translation, review and adjustment...
Article
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There is evidence that a number of medical conditions and co-morbidities are associated with obesity in young children. This review explored whether there is evidence of associations with other conditions or co-morbidities. Observational studies of young children (mean age < 10 years) were identified using electronic searches of five databases (MED...
Article
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The workplace is an ideal setting to implement an effective health-promoting program. Insufficient information exists regarding the motivators and barriers to physical activity among working adults in Qatar. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the motivators and barriers to physical activity among adults in a healthcare setting. This cross-sect...
Article
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Injuries are common in elite adolescent athletics, but few studies have addressed risk factors for injury. Growth and maturation are potential risk factors in this population; however, the current body of literature is both inconclusive and considered at high risk of bias. The aim of this study was therefore to examine if growth rate, maturity stat...
Article
Purpose Assess the health status and heat preparation strategies of athletes competing in a World Cycling Championships held in hot ambient conditions (37°C, 25% relative humidity, wet-bulb-globe-temperature 27°C) and monitor the medical events arising during competition. Methods 69 cyclists (~9% of the world championships participants) completed...
Article
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ABSTRACT Purpose: This study investigates the effectiveness of different individualization methods of speed zones during match-play to estimate post-match perceptual recovery in soccer. Methods: Twelve under 19 players undertook field-based assessments to determine their maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and maximal sprint speed (MSS). External load (ex...
Article
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Moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) is important for childhood obesity prevention and treatment, yet declines with age. Timing and magnitude of the decline in MVPA in children and adolescents are unclear but important for informing effective obesity intervention development. This systematic review aimed to determine and compare...
Article
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Background: More than 50% of Qatari adults are physically inactive. The workplace is an excellent environment to implement cost-effective, efficient behavioural physical activity (PA) interventions to increase PA. This study evaluated whether a pedometer-based walking challenge would increase PA levels amongst hospital workers. Methods: A pedome...
Article
Purpose : Schools provide opportunities for children to accumulate recommended daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This study aimed to determine physical activity (PA) across the school day among elementary school children in Qatar. Methods : This cross-sectional study recruited 181 Grade 1 (5.8 ± 0.4 years) and Grade 4 (9.0 ± 0.5...
Article
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Objective Insufficient sleep duration and quality has negative effects on athletic performance, injury susceptibility and athlete development. This study aimed to assess the sleep characteristics of professional Qatar Stars League (QSL) soccer players. Methods In a cross-sectional study, QSL players (n=111; 23.7±4.8 years) completed three question...
Article
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Objectives To investigate the association of maturity status with injury incidence in Middle-Eastern youth athletes. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Four consecutive seasons (2010–2014), Aspire Academy, Qatar. Participants Male athletes (age range: 11–18 years) representing four disciplines enrolled and grouped into two categories: individ...
Article
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Objectives To examine the association between generalised joint laxity (GJL) and injury rates in Middle Eastern male youth athletes. Design Prospective observational study consisting of GJL screen and injury audit (season 2009/2010). Setting Aspire Sports Academy Doha, Qatar. Participants A total of 226 adolescent male athletes (mean age: 14.2 y...
Poster
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ePoster Background: Evidence shows that more than 50% of Qatari adults do not engage in regular physical activity. The workplace has been considered one of the best settings to implement PA interventions, yet there is still a need for cost effective and efficient behavioural interventions to promote PA in the workplace. Objectives: This study asses...
Article
Aim To study the association between player characteristics, technical components of the game and the risk of match injuries during the 2017 Men’s Handball World Championship. Methods Team physicians of the participating teams (n=24) were requested to provide injury report forms throughout the Men’s Handball World Championship (France, January 201...
Article
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To determine the effect of carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CHO-MR) on physical and cognitive performance during repeated-sprints (RS) after 3 days of intermittent fasting (abstaining from food and fluid 14 h per day). In a randomized and counter-balanced manner 15 active healthy males in a fasted state performed a RS-protocol [RSP; 2 sets (SET1 and SET...
Article
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Previous literature suggests that human behaviour and physiology are somehow altered by the moon-cycle, with particular emphasis on poorer sleep quality and increased aggressive behaviour during full moon. The latter variables can negatively impact athletes’ recovery and increase the likelihood of injury resulting from collision with another athlet...
Article
Background: Hamstring injuries remain a significant injury burden in sports such as soccer that involve high-speed running. It has repeatedly been identified as the most common noncontact injury in elite male soccer, representing 12% of all injuries. As the incidence of hamstring injuries remains high, investigations are aimed at better understand...
Article
Chronotype questionnaires provide a simple and time-effective approach to assessing individual differences in circadian variations. Chronotype questionnaires traditionally focused on one dimension of chronotype, namely its orientation along a continuum of morningness and eveningness. The Caen Chronotype Questionnaire (CCQ) was developed to assess a...
Article
Background: Musculoskeletal hip/groin screening tests are commonly performed to detect at-risk individuals. Bony hip morphology is considered a potential intrinsic risk factor but has not been examined prospectively. Purpose: To evaluate the association between intrinsic risk factors identified from musculoskeletal and radiographic screening tes...
Article
Background: Lower extremity muscle strength tests are commonly used to screen for injury risk in professional soccer. However, there is limited evidence on the ability of such tests in predicting future injuries. Purpose: To examine the association between hip and thigh muscle strength and the risk of lower extremity injuries in professional mal...
Article
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Objective To examine the association between obesity and cognitive function in healthy premenopausal women. Methods From a cohort of 220 women, 98 were randomly selected that provided complete data. Body composition was examined by dual-energy X-ray scan. All participants completed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) t...
Article
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Background Understanding soccer players’ match-related fatigue and recovery profiles likely helps with developing conditioning programs that increase team performance and reduce injuries and illnesses. In order to improve match recovery (the return-to-play process and ergogenic interventions) it is also pivotal to determine if match simulation prot...
Article
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The purpose was to examine the utility of subjective and objective measures of player preparedness, interpreted at both a group and individual level, during two consecutive competitions of the World Rugby Sevens Series (WRSS). Subjective (sleep, energy and muscle soreness ratings) and objective [heart rate (HR) at rest (HRREST) and in response to s...
Article
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Introduction: Lumbar puncture (LP) to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an important step in the management of acute bacterial meningitis. This procedure can, however, be associated with the presumed risk of brain herniation. Performing head Computed Tomography (CT) scan before LP has become an almost a routine practice in many centers with its a...
Article
Background The association between bone mineral density (BMD) and serum25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration is weak, particularly in certain races (eg, BlackAfrican vs Caucasian) and in athletic populations. We aimed to examine if bioavailable vitamin D rather than serum 25(OH)D was related to markers of bone health within a racially diverse...
Article
Background Hamstring injuries remain prevalent across a number of professional sports. In football, the incidence has even increased by 4% per year at the Champions League level over the last decade. The role of muscle strength or strength ratios and their association with risk of hamstring injury remain restricted by small sample sizes and inconcl...
Article
Background/Aim Groin injury epidemiology has not previously been examined in an entire professional football league. We recorded and characterised time loss groin injuries sustained in the Qatar Stars League. Methods Male players were observed prospectively from July 2013 to June 2015. Time loss injuries, individual training and match play exposur...
Article
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The purpose was to assess sleep patterns, quantity and quality in adolescent (16.2 ± 1.2 yr) Middle Eastern academy soccer players (n = 20) and the influence of an intermission upon these characteristics. On a 17-day training camp (located one time zone west of home) including three discrete matches, sleep was assessed pre- (PRE) and post-match (PO...
Poster
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Sub-optimal sleep durations relative to the National Sleep Foundations (NSF) guidelines of 8-10 h per night are seen in adolescents globally, with the Middle East region having specific lifestyle, environmental and cultural nuances which exacerbate these deficiencies. These deficiencies are due to general and athlete specific negotiable (eg pre-bed...