Obstructive Sport Apnea (OSA) and contact sports: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a frequently under-diagnosed disorder, may lead to future poor health, performance, and wellbeing. Increased OSA prevalence has been reported in individuals who have had head injury. We systematically searched EMBASE, PSYCINFO, WEB OF SCIENCE, COCHRANE PUBMED 18 th June 2022. demographic data was extracted according PRISMA guidelines from 14 eligible studies with 6,116 participants, study quality assessed using the modified Downs Black Score. Meta-analysis of proportions yielded pooled 30.0% (95% confidence interval (CI), 24.0-36.0%) significant heterogeneity between (I 2 =94.4%, p<0.001). Sub-group analysis by different sports gave of: American football (29% (95%CI: 22-36%); Rugby (35.0% 24.0-47.0%)) ‘other contact’ (31% 24.0-37.0%)). Prevalence higher retired (from play) (34.0% 25.0-44.0%)) v current (21.0% 10.0-32.0%)) players. The contact than that general population, especially Football Further high-quality longitudinal wider range are required explore its possible effects on participants performance health.