Learning objectives
The integrated course of “Laboratory Analysis applied to Sport” aims to provide the student with essential knowledge about specific topics of Clinical Biochemistry, Applied Histopathology, General Pathology, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Dermatology.
Furthermore, it will supply the ability of using the acquired knowledge and understanding as useful tools for a conscious approach to the diseases characteristic of each course.
In particular the course aims to provide the knowledge about:
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
The dosage of biochemical and clinical parameters in the blood and in the urine useful to control the health of amateur and professional athletes;
comprehension and interpretation of the data obtained in the laboratory of chemical-clinical analysis, and particular attention will be on possible alterations of the metabolism caused by the physical activity and their consequences.
Furthermore the students will practise the strategies applied for the laboratory analysis that are aimed at contrasting the use of prohibited expedients or substances: direct identification, recognition of induced biochemical or metabolic alterations and their identification also outside the laboratory.
APPLIED HISTOPATHOLOGY
The nomenclature, etiology, physio-pathology and anatomical bases of diseases that have a specific relevance in the professional and recreational practice of sports. These include cerebro-spinal trauma, sudden cardiac death of the athlete and neuro-muscular pathology;
prevention, diagnosis and counseling of these disorders;
the basic physio-pathology of cerebral trauma including hemorrhage, edema, brain hypertension, herniation and ischemia;
the causes, the pathological bases and the clinical features of the main traumatic injuries of brain and spinal cord;
the etiology, risk factors, pathological manifestations, early symptoms and strategies of prevention of sudden cardiac death of the athlete;
the causes, the pathology and the laboratory and clinical features of the most common hereditary and acquired diseases of the skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve;
the differences between myopathies and muscle denervation injuries and their differential diagnosis;
the role of muscle and peripheral nerve biopsy in the management of neuro-muscular disorders;
strategies to prevent sudden cardiac death in the athlete and in the identification of subjects at risk;
identification and immediate management of spinal and brain trauma injuries;
prevention of traumatic brain and spinal injuries in sports;
screening of subjects with potential neuro-muscular disorders.
GENERAL PATHOLOGY
Overexercise pathologies and exercise in the diabetic patient; the role of laboratory in these conditions.
MICROBIOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
General characters of microorganisms and viruses causative agents of infectious diseases. Host defenses against infections. Principles and methods of laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases.