Can Exposure to Celebrities Reduce Prejudice? The Effect of Mohamed Salah on Islamophobic Behaviors and Attitudes

Can exposure to celebrities from stigmatized groups reduce prejudice? To address this question, we study the case of Mohamed Salah, a visibly Muslim, elite soccer player. Using data on hate crime reports throughout England and 15 million tweets from British soccer fans, we find that after Salah joined Liverpool F.C., hate crimes in the Liverpool area dropped by 16% compared with a synthetic control, and Liverpool F.C. fans halved their rates of posting anti-Muslim tweets relative to fans of other top-flight clubs. An original survey experiment suggests that the salience of Salah’s Muslim identity enabled positive feelings toward Salah to generalize to Muslims more broadly. Our findings provide support for the parasocial contact hypothesis—indicating that positive exposure to out-group celebrities can spark real-world behavioral changes in prejudice.

Long-Term Patterns of Bone Mineral Density in an Elite Soccer Player

Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) have been associated with association football (soccer) participation. Seasonal changes in BMD of soccer players have been proposed as well. However, previous investigations were based on short-term observations. Actually, longitudinal investigation of BMD in soccer players is lacking, possibly because of frequent inter-club transfer, changes in club policy or continued availability of the relevant facilities. Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)-measured areal BMD (aBMD) was obtained during the competitive season in an elite soccer player along 10 consecutive years. Findings showed that (1) aBMD tends to increase with age, independently of body mass; (2) The right (preferred, kicking) leg has higher aBMD than the left (non-preferred, support) one; (3) Meaningful (i.e., >least significant change, LSC) changes in aBMD take place along the season; and (4) The off-season (transition) period has no effect on aBMD. Findings prompt for future research aimed at clarifying the long-term and seasonal patterns of bone characteristics in soccer in relation with age and type/dose of training. Season-around, long-term scrutiny of bone status in soccer players would help controlling for possible changes/asymmetries in bone mineralization/strength.

Bioimpedance Vector References Need to Be Period-Specific for Assessing Body Composition and Cellular Health in Elite Soccer Players: A Brief Report

Purpose: Bioimpedance data through bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) is used to evaluate cellular function and body fluid content. This study aimed to (i) identify whether BIVA patters differ according to the competitive period and (ii) provide specific references for assessing bioelectric properties at the start of the season in male elite soccer players. Methods: The study included 131 male soccer players (age: 25.1 ± 4.7 yr, height: 183.4 ± 6.1 cm, weight: 79.3 ± 6.6) registered in the first Italian soccer division (Serie A). Bioimpedance analysis was performed just before the start of the competitive season and BIVA was applied. In order to verify the need for period-specific references, bioelectrical values measured at the start of the season were compared to the reference values for the male elite soccer player population. Results: The results of the two-sample Hotelling T2 tests showed that in the bivariate interpretation of the raw bioimpedance parameters (resistance (R) and reactance (Xc)) the bioelectric properties significantly (T2 = 15.3, F = 7.6, p ≤ 0.001, Mahalanobis D = 0.45) differ between the two phases of the competition analyzed. In particular, the mean impedance vector is more displaced to the left into the R-Xc graph at the beginning of the season than in the first half of the championship. Conclusions: For an accurate evaluation of body composition and cellular health, the tolerance ellipses displayed by BIVA approach into the R-Xc graph must be period-specific. This study provides new specific tolerance ellipses (R/H: 246 ± 32.1, Xc/H: 34.3 ± 5.1, r: 0.7) for performing BIVA at the beginning of the competitive season in male elite soccer players.

Síncope en el atleta. La importancia de distinguir entre patologías potencialmente letales versus etiología benigna

Resumen Objetivo: El síncope es frecuente en la población general y relativamente raro en la población de deportistas. La seguridad y la actividad física en deportistas que han presentado un episodio sincopal no está aún bien establecida en la actualidad. Método: Varón joven, futbolista de élite, que presenta cuadro sincopal mientras realizaba actividad física. No presenta antecedentes personales ni familiares de interés. Tras presentar ECG patológico, se plantea la suspensión de la actividad deportiva. Resultados: En estudio cardiológico completo, se objetivan múltiples hallazgos dudosos que pueden ser considerados fisiológicos en el corazón de atleta, por lo que se autoriza la reanudación de actividad física de alta intensidad con seguimiento favorable. Discusión: El objetivo principal de la evaluación del deportista con síncope es determinar si existe enfermedad cardíaca subyacente y si puede continuar con la actividad deportiva con seguridad. Abstract Objective: Syncope is frequent in general population and relatively rare in the athlete population. Safety and physical activity in athletes who have presented a syncope is not yet well established. Method: Young male, elite soccer player, who presents a syncope while performing physical activity. He has no personal or family history of interest. After presenting pathological ECG, the suspension of the sport activity is considered. Results: In a complete cardiologic study, several dubious findings that can be considered physiological in the athlete's heart were identified. It allows the resumption of high intensity physical activity with favourable follow-up. Discussion: The main objective of the evaluation of the athlete with syncope is to determine if there is underlying heart disease and if he can continue with the sport activity safely. Resumo Objetivo: a síncope é freqüente na população em geral e relativamente raro na população de atletas. Segurança e atividade física em atletas que apresentaram síncope ainda não está bem estabelecida. Método: jovem masculino, jogador de futebol de elite, que apresenta síncope ao realizar atividades físicas. Ele não tem histórico pessoal ou familiar de interesse. Após a apresentação do ECG patológico, considera-se a suspensão da atividade esportiva. Resultados: Em um estudo cardiológico completo, foram identificados vários achados duvidosos que podem ser considerados fisiológicos no coração do atleta. Permite a retomada da atividade física de alta intensidade com acompanhamento favorável. Discussão: O principal objetivo da avaliação do atleta com síncope é determinar se há doença cardíaca subjacente e se ele pode continuar com a atividade esportiva com segurança.