In Australia, rip currents remain the number one coastal hazard, involved in 35% of drowning deaths in 2024.According to the Royal Life Saving Australia's National Drowning Report 2024, 323 people drowned in Australian waterways in the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, representing a 16% increase on the ten-year average. Of the total drowning deaths:265 (82%) were men and 58 (18%) were women129 (40%) were adults aged 55 years and over83 (25%) were people bo...

This article was originally motivated by incidental conversations with fellow athletes regarding dissatisfaction with their medication regimes; in particular, the use of beta-blockers for managing hypertension (high blood pressure) or arrhythmia (an irregular heart beat) in athletes has cropped up a few times. Here, I provide an overview of beta blockers and set out some of the salient issues for athletes who are on beta-blockers. If this topic bears some relevance to you,...

Should we bury our heads in the sand and pretend that no one cheats?You might not be an elite athlete, but you probably count yourself as a fairly competitive age-grouper. In fact, there are increasingly more competitive opportunities for athletes in the masters’ (>35 years) cohort across almost every sport in Australia, with major events including the Australian, Pan-Pacific and World Masters Games.Not surprisingly, the world governing bodies in a number of sporting codes now target age...

Cardiologists who manage athletes should pay greater attention to the right side of the heartIn the realm of sports science, understanding the intricacies of the heart is crucial, especially when it comes to enhancing athletic performance and ensuring the health of athletes. One area that has garnered significant attention is the right ventricle. Routine assessments of those with suspected arrhythmias often focus on the left ventricle. However, the right ventricle plays a critical role in the...

What are the key benefits of strength training for endurance athletes and why is it an essential component of any training regimen?Strength training has traditionally been seen as the domain of bodybuilders and powerlifters. However, its benefits extend far beyond the realm of muscle size and brute strength, particularly for endurance athletes. Whether you're a runner, cyclist, swimmer, or triathlete, incorporating strength training into your routine can provide a multitude of advantages.“Do...

Does screening athletes for cardiac conditions save lives?Advocates of screening athletes for cardiac conditions claim that "screening saves lives". Research is showing that this approach may actually be flawed, and that screening might be doing more harm than good. I tend to agree.An article in the Guardian by Nicola Davis (April 2016) summarises very nicely the inadequacies with pre-participation screening programs for athletes and the research gaps that sit behind them. Davis draws on the wo...