ReviewActa orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica2026
Enhanced games and performance-optimized athletes: anticipating the orthopedic challenges, a narrative review.
Review in Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The Enhanced Games (EG) represents a controversial shift in competitive athletics by removing anti-doping regulations and allowing the sanctioned use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in pursuit of maximum performance. This unprecedented model may fundamentally alter sports culture, competition standards, and the medical landscape in which athletes train and compete. Of particular concern are the potential consequences for orthopedic and musculoskeletal health, as PED use, particularly anabolic agents and growth factors, can both enhance and compromise musculoskeletal function. Potential benefits include increased muscle mass or bone density. However, these must be weighed against heightened risks of tendon rupture, altered joint biomechanics, delayed fracture healing, and increased susceptibility to overuse or catastrophic injuries. Given the likelihood of more extreme physical demands and higher injury rates in EG participants, proactive preparation from the orthopedic and sports medicine community is essential. This narrative review focuses on the potential influences of EG on musculoskeletal care, gathering evidence on anticipated injury patterns, surgical and rehabilitative considerations, and long-term health outcomes. The goal is to provide insight for policymakers and care providers tasked with protecting athletes who choose to compete in these environments. Cite this article as: Eftekhari M, Ryali R, Luk J, et al. Enhanced games and performance-optimized athletes: anticipating the orthopedic challenges, a narrative review. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2026; 60(4), 0824, doi: 10.5152/j.aott.2026.25824.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.