Wayne E Derman

Stellenbosch University | SUN · Division of Orthopaedic Surgery

Objectives Sub-Saharan Africa is a world region rich and diverse in cultures and languages; yet, it is also challenged with regard to resources that may facilitate the cultural adaptation or development of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Systematic exclusion of patients’ “voices,” because of gaps in the availability of PROMs, may perpetu...

Objectives The aim of this study was to explore elite Para athletes´ and coaches´ perceptions of experiences of athlete health monitoring. Materials and Methods This study used a qualitative design, applying a phenomenographical approach. Thirteen athletes and six coaches from two different socioeconomic contexts (the Swedish and South African Par...

Objective To describe the incidence and burden of illness at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which was organised with strict COVID-19 countermeasures. Methods Daily illnesses were recorded via the web-based injury and illness surveillance system (teams with their own medical staff; n=81), and local polyclinic services (teams without their own med...

Objective To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, including injuries sustained in the new sports of badminton and taekwondo. Methods Injury data were obtained daily via the established web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS; 81 countries, 3836 athletes) and local organising committee medical...

Objective Rugby union (‘rugby’) is popular globally, with most of its participants being amateur. Concern regarding sport-related concussion (SRC) sustained during rugby is increasing. SRC occurs most frequently in the tackle, yet few interventions have aimed to mitigate this risk factor. This study investigated the influence of a lowered legal tac...

In this data article, we present data obtained from a randomized clinical trial aimed at determining the feasibility of patient-centred rehabilitation for people with non- communicable disease (NCD) living in a low-resource setting. Patients were identified at primary care level and considered eligible if having on or more of the NCDs central to th...

Purpose: To determine factors predictive of prolonged return to training (RTT) in athletes with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Athletes not vaccinated against COVID-19 (n = 207) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (predominantly ancestral virus and beta-variant) completed an online survey detailing the f...

Objective To explore and synthesize critical factors for the scale-up of comprehensive rehabilitation care for people with non-communicable disease in low-resourced settings. Methods A core set of 81 articles were selected from two published scoping reviews. Using the principles of thematic analysis, the core set was analysed for factors that may...

Elite Para athletes report a high incidence of sports injuries, illnesses and other health issues. Despite this, there are few prevention programmes in Para sport, and many of the existing prevention programmes are not adapted to Para athletes. To improve the success of preventive measures, it has been suggested that sports safety work should facil...

Acute illnesses affecting the respiratory tract are common and form a significant component of the work of Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) clinicians. Acute respiratory illness (ARill) can broadly be classified as non-infective ARill and acute respiratory infections (ARinf). The aim of this consensus is to provide the SEM clinician with an overvi...

Objective: Diagnosing a sports-related concussion (SRC) remains challenging, and research into diagnostic tools is limited. This study investigated whether selected eye tracking variables would be a valid tool to diagnose and monitor SRC in adult and youth participants in selected contact sports, such as Rugby Union (rugby) and football (soccer). M...

Background: Traditional Activity-based Training (ABT) and novel Robotic Locomotor Training (RLT) demonstrate promising results for reducing secondary complications associated with SCI, including bladder dysfunction. However, there is a need for increased evidence through randomised controlled trials (RCTs). This study aimed to determine the effect...

Background: A spinal cord injury is a devastating and life-changing event that presents the affected individual with multiple challenges throughout life. Physical activity can help mitigate some of these challenges; however, in low-resource communities where opportunities for physical activity are scarce, these challenges are often exacerbated and...

Acute respiratory illness (ARill) is common and threatens the health of athletes. ARill in athletes forms a significant component of the work of Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) clinicians. The aim of this consensus is to provide the SEM clinician with an overview and practical clinical approach to non-infective ARill in athletes. The Internationa...

Bilateral patellar tendon ruptures

Bilateral patellar tendon ruptures are exceedingly uncommon, especially when they occur in individuals without predisposing risk factors or systemic disease. Due to its rarity, many cases are missed on initial presentation resulting in poor patient outcomes. Identifying associated risk factors aids in diagnosis and mitigates this oversight. We repo...

Objectives To determine the feasibility of using a trial within cohort design as a model to study pragmatic interventions in a low-resource setting to ensure that i) ethical concerns raised with the conventional clinical trial design could be alleviated, ii) key parameters could be obtained that may promote implementation of interventions in low-re...

Objective To review risk factors associated with acute respiratory illness (ARill) in athletes, including non-infectious ARill and suspected or confirmed acute respiratory infections (ARinf). Design Systematic review. Data sources Electronic databases: PubMed-Medline, EbscoHost and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria Original research articles...

Objective To determine the incidence of acute respiratory illness (ARill) in athletes and by method of diagnosis, anatomical classification, ages, levels of performance and seasons. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Electronic databases: PubMed-Medline, EbscoHost and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria Original research a...

Purpose: To determine the relationship between shoulder pain, physical examination, and tissue pathology in manual wheelchair users competing in elite sport. Methods: Eighty elite para athletes who used a manual wheelchair for daily mobility were recruited from international track (n = 40), field (n = 19) and powerlifting (n = 21) competitions....

Background: Individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation are at risk of abnormal mechanical joint loading and development of osteoarthritis on sound side joint structures. Objectives: This study describes the spatiotemporal and kinetic and kinematic parameters related to osteoarthritis in participants while using (A) a solid-ankle cushione...

While resting heart rate (RHR) is known to have strong ties to genetics,¹ there is also a large amount of variability in RHR that can be attributed to different lifestyle factors like physical activity, diet, stress, and quality of sleep.² Consequently, RHR is an important and easily attainable proxy of cardiovascular and general health. The Framin...

Objective: To determine whether 24 weeks of Robotic Locomotor Training (RLT) or Activity-based Training (ABT) was sufficient time to induce bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition changes in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study reports the secondary analysis of a randomised pilot trial. Design: Participants with chronic...

Background Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a common injury mostly in contact sports. Specifically, it is a public health concern for collegiate rugby athletes because at least one concussion is reported in every two games and concussion has been reported to increase the risk of developing neuro-degenerative disorders later in life.AimTo clinical...

Physical activity behaviour is complex, particularly in low-resource settings, while existing behavioural models of physical activity behaviour are often linear and deterministic. The objective of this review was to (i) synthesise the wide scope of factors that affect physical activity and thereby (ii) underpin the complexity of physical activity i...

Eye movements that are dependent on cognition hold promise in assessing sports-related concussions but research on reliability of eye tracking measurements in athletic cohorts is very limited. This observational test–retest study aimed to establish whether eye tracking technology is a reliable tool for assessing sports-related concussions in youth...

Background Para athletes may have specific mental health challenges that, together with the demands of high-level sports performance, could put them at risk for mental health disorders.However, research in this population is limited. Objective To investigate factors associated with mental health in South African para athletes. Design Descriptive,...

Background The IOC Sports Medical and Scientific Commission has supported the development and dissemination of sports medicine consensus statements for athlete health. Evidence on the relevance and dissemination of these statements is important for the development of future statements. Objective The objective of this project was to investigate the...

Background The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical and Scientific Commission has a goal to provide guidance on athlete health for sports organisations. One strategy to meet this goal has been the development and publication of sports medicine consensus statements. It is currently unknown if there has been use of the consensus statements o...

Background One of the goals of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical and Scientific Commission is to provide guidance in relation to injury prevention and the protection of athlete health. One way of meeting this goal is the development and dissemination of sports medicine consensus statements. It is not known if, or how, these consensu...

Background There have been 27 consensus statements published under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical and Scientific Commission with a goal of contributing to the mission of injury prevention and protection of athlete health. The success of these statements in achieving this goal has not been evaluated. Knowledge management (KM) cons...

Background The effective monitoring of athletes can assist in optimising their performance. This monitoring is particularly important in university student-athletes who have academic stressors additional to their training. The Stellenbosch University High Performance programme manages the top student-athletes and have implemented a training load an...

Background The IOC Medical and Scientific commission’s mission is to provide a guiding reference for sports organisations on issues relating to the protection of the health of athletes. One strategy to achieve this mission is through supporting the development of consensus statements. Objective This study investigates the relevance and disseminati...

Background There is a paucity of research investigating the mental health profiles of para athletes globally, especially in South Africa. Objective To describe the mental health profiles of a representative sample of para athletes in South Africa. Design Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Setting National to international level athletes compet...

Background Although athletes who are wheelchair users for both daily activity and sport participation are at high risk for shoulder injuries, little is known regarding the characteristics of shoulder injury in this population. Objective To determine the relationship between shoulder symptoms (SS), physical exam findings (PEF), and structural patho...

Background Individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation (UTTA) have higher external ground reaction forces in joints on their sound side during gait and this been linked to increased risk of osteoarthritis in these individuals. Objective To describe the biomechanical characteristics in UTTA whilst using a novel, mechanically powered energy s...

Background Good sleeping habits are necessary for optimal practice and performance, as well as for athlete health. Although the sleep characteristics of elite athletes are well described, research is limited on the sleep profile of similar-level para athletes. Objective To evaluate sleep quality, sleepiness and chronotype of para athletes in South...

Objective: Activity-based Training (ABT) represents the current standard of neurological rehabilitation. Robotic Locomotor Training (RLT) is an innovative technique that aims to enhance rehabilitation outcomes, however, its efficacy in SCI rehabilitation, particularly within a low-middle income setting, is currently unclear. The primary aim of this...

Objectives: To adapt key components of exertional heat stroke (EHS) prehospital management proposed by the Intenational Olympic Committee Adverse Weather Impact Expert Working Group for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 so that it is applicable for the Paralympic athletes. Methods: An expert working group representing members with research, clinical...

Objectives: To investigate associations between components of psychological distress and five facets of mindfulness (i.e. observing; describing; acting with awareness; non-reactivity; non-judging). Participants: Students from a university in South Africa (n=174). Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed psychological distress and mindfulness us...

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is an injury with important implications, especially in collision and contact sports, and has a high symptom burden. Student athletes face particular psychosocial challenges, especially female students with pre-existing anxiety/depression are at increased risk for SRC, and have a higher symptom burden bef...

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is an injury with important implications, especially in collision and contact sports, and has a high symptom burden. Student athletes face particular psychosocial challenges, especially female students with pre-existing anxiety/depression are at increased risk for SRC, and have a higher symptom burden bef...

Introduction Sub-Saharan Africa is a subcontinent with a proud cultural richness and diversity, yet inexplicably also a region with severe health care challenges and inequity. To challenge this health equity gap and reduce the burden of disease, the patient’s voice in monitoring and evaluation of health and health care interventions is paramount. T...

In 2020, the IOC proposed a universal methodology for the recording and reporting of data for injury and illness in sport. Para sport is played by individuals with impairment, and they have a unique set of considerations not captured by these recommendations. Therefore, the aim of this addendum to IOC consensus statement was to guide the Para sport...

Concussion is a frequent injury in many sports and is also common in para athletes. However, there is a paucity of concussion research related to para sport, and prior International Concussion in Sport (CIS) consensus papers have not substantively addressed this population. To remedy this and to improve concussion care provided to para athletes, th...

OBJECTIVE To describe the effect of robotic locomotor training (RLT) and activity-based training (ABT) on cardiovascular indices during various physiological perturbations in individuals with SCI. DESIGN Randomized controlled pilot study SETTING Private practice: Therapy & Beyond Centre - Walking with Brandon Foundation, Sports Science Institute...

Background There are no data relating symptoms of an acute respiratory illness (ARI) in general, and COVID-19 specifically, to return to play (RTP). Objective To determine if ARI symptoms are associated with more prolonged RTP, and if days to RTP and symptoms (number, type, duration and severity) differ in athletes with COVID-19 versus athletes wi...

Objective: Medication use among elite athletes has received growing attention over the past decades. However, only limited studies have focused on para athletes and trends in medication use among this cohort, remain unclear. The aims of this study were 1) to describe the pattern of medication use in elite Paralympic athletes, with a particular foc...

Objective: To describe the occurrence of imaging-depicted sports-related injuries (bone, muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries) during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Methods: Descriptive data on all imaging examinations by using radiography, ultrasonography (US), and MRI were collected and retrospectively analyzed centrally by five muscul...

Objectives There is a paucity of research investigating mental health in Para athletes. The aim of this study was to describe mental health concerns of a representative sample of South African Para athletes. Design A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted at the 2019 National Championships for athletes with impairments. Methods Mental...

The IOC has proposed standard methods for recording and reporting of data for injury and illness in sport. The IOC consensus statement authors anticipated that sport-specific statements would provide further recommendations. This statement is the tennis-specific extension of the partner IOC statement. The International Tennis Federation Sport Scien...

Purpose: This study discussed the reports by participants in a randomised controlled trial of a novel intervention for spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation in Cape Town, South Africa. Materials and methods: Sixteen participants were randomised to rehabilitation involving the use of robotic locomotor training, a novel technology, or to a group re...

An uncommon cause of lower leg pain in an endurance athlete

Para-athletes (PA) may have specific mental health (MH) challenges that, together with the demands of high-level sport performance, could put them at risk for MH disorders. However, research in this population is limited. PURPOSE: To investigate factors associated with MH in South African PA. METHODS: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 124...

Background: The objective of this review is to provide a synthesis of original studies in patients with MS, originating from sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to facilitate a better understanding of the MS academic and health landscape in this region. Methods: A scoping review of original research was conducted (20th of November 2019) in PubMed...

Background The objective of this review is to provide a synthesis of original studies in patients with MS, originating from sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to facilitate a better understanding of the MS academic and health landscape in this region. Methods A scoping review of original research was conducted (20th of November 2019) in PubMed,...

Background: In an acute field-side setting, it is often challenging to differentiate benign sports-related concussion (SRC) from potential, more sinister, intracranial pathology. Moreover, recovery in the ensuing days and weeks is often complex as the resolution of classical signs and symptoms does not always follow a standard pattern. Aim: To high...

Coding in sports medicine generally uses sports-specific coding systems rather than the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), because of superior applicability to the profile of injury and illness presentations in sport. New categories for coding were agreed on in the ‘International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus statement: Methods for...

Injury and illness surveillance, and epidemiological studies, are fundamental elements of concerted efforts to protect the health of the athlete. To encourage consistency in the definitions and methodology used, and to enable data across studies to be compared, research groups have published 11 sport-specific or setting-specific consensus statement...