1.Using Machine Learning Models to Assess Performance, Physiological Indicators, and Injury Risk in Professional Basketball Players
Jadamba M ; Khaliun M ; Sarangerel D ; Usukhbayar C ; Tsetsegdolgor D ; Burenjargal B ; Odbayasgalan O ; Baasanjargal B ; Ganzorig B ; Otgon G ; Munkhsoyol E
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;91(1):65-71
Background:
Basketball involves repeated high-intensity, explosive movements that depend largely on anaerobic energy systems. Accordingly, anaerobic capacity and body-composition parameters such as skeletal muscle mass and fat distribution are key determinants of performance. However, data-driven studies integrating conditioning training, anaerobic performance, and body composition in Mongolian professional players are limited, and the application of machine-learning approaches in this context remains underexplored.
Aim:
To examine the relationships between conditioning training, anaerobic capacity, and body composition in professional basketball players and to develop a machine-learning model for injury-risk prediction.
Materials and Methods:
Eleven healthy professional male basketball players (21–28 years) from the Omni Erdenet Miners were evaluated. Body composition was measured using the InBody 970, and anaerobic performance was assessed by a 30-s Wingate test on a Monark 894E ergometer. Measurements were obtained at three time points. Changes were analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests, while associations were examined by Pearson correlation and multivariate regression. Injury-risk models were developed using Random Forest and regression-based machine-learning methods. Research Ethics Committee, approval number 24-25/04-01
Result:
Phase angle increased from 6.8±0.5 to 7.3±0.6° (p =0.021), and body-fat percentage decreased from 20.5±3.2% to 16.2±2.0% (p =0.015), with no change in skeletal muscle mass. Visceral fat decreased and anaerobic peak and mean power improved (p <0.05). Fat percentage was negatively correlated with anaerobic performance. Heart-rate recovery improved, indicating enhanced exercise tolerance. Random Forest identified phase angle, visceral fat, fat percentage, and fatigue index as the strongest predictors of injury risk.
Conclusion
1. The body composition of professional basketball players was closely associated with anaerobic performance and recovery indices, with higher body fat percentage and central adiposity tending to be linked to reduced anaerobic capacity.
2. Reducing fat mass while preserving muscle mass did not adversely affect anaerobic performance and demonstrated potential improvements in performance efficiency, load tolerance, and recovery regulation.
3. A Random Forest Regression model based on body composition and anaerobic capacity indicators demonstrated a high level of accuracy in predicting performance decline and injury risk.
2. Impact of Individual Temperament on the Immune Response After COVID-19 Vaccination
Burenjargal B ; Dashpagam O ; Shatar Sh ; Khongorzul T ; Ariunzaya B ; Zolmunkh N ; Gansukh Ch ; Ulziisaikhan B ; Chimidtseren S ; Baasanjargal B ; Enkh-Amar B ; Nomin-Erdene Ts ; Davaalkham D ; Tsogtsaikhan S ; Batbaatar G
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;88(4):47-51
Background:
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mongolia was reported on November 11, 2020. In response, the
government imposed a nationwide lockdown, which significantly impacted the population’s mental health. Heightened
levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression during the pandemic altered individuals’ psychological stability and
behavior. Personality traits—defined as relatively stable patterns of emotion, cognition, and behavior—play a key role in
stress responses and emotional regulation under pressure. Emerging evidence suggests that these psychological factors
may influence the immune system’s responsiveness, including vaccine-induced antibody production.
Aim:
To evaluate the association between post-vaccination antibody responses and personality types following two doses
of COVID-19 vaccines.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 738 participants who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca
ChAdOx1, n=29; Pfizer-BioNTech, n=119; Sinopharm BBIBP, n=590) and had no prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Serum samples were collected 21–28 days after the second dose, and SARS-CoV-2 RBD (S) IgG antibodies
were measured using ELISA (Proteintech Inc., USA). Personality types were assessed using a 56-item temperament
questionnaire developed by A. Belov, categorizing individuals into classical temperament types (choleric, phlegmatic,
sanguine, melancholic). Logistic regression and ROC analysis were used to examine associations between personality
types and antibody response.
Results:
The presence of an antibody response was significantly higher among individuals with a melancholic temperament, and significantly lower among those with a phlegmatic temperament. Furthermore, antibody titers were higher in
participants with melancholic and sanguine temperaments and lower in those with a phlegmatic type.
Conclusions
1. During the early period following the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, the antibody response was higher
in individuals with a pure melancholic temperament, while it was lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament.
2. After the second dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP COVID-19 vaccine, antibody titers were higher in individuals with
pure melancholic and sanguine temperaments, and lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament.
3.Clinical outcome of non-surgical orthopedic treatment using fixed for skeletal class III malocclusion following surgical repair of congenital cleft lip and palate
Khongorzul M ; Burenjargal O ; Gannaran N ; Bolormaa S
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;87(3):97-102
Background:
Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a congenital anomaly that accounts
for approximately 65% of all craniofacial malformations. In Mongolia, the prevalence
of CLP is estimated at 0.93 to 1 per 1,000 live births, which is comparable
to the global average but slightly higher than the average reported among
Asian countries. The incidence is observed to be twice as common in males
compared to females.
Diagnosis:
The patient is a 15-year-old male with a
history of congenital unilateral cleft lip and palate. He underwent primary surgical
repair of the cleft at the age of 9. As of May 2022, clinical examination revealed
maxillary hypoplasia, anterior crowding, and a combination of bilateral
posterior and anterior crossbite. Cephalometric analysis demonstrated a skeletal
Class III malocclusion with midfacial deficiency.
Treatment:
Orthodontic
treatment was initiated in October 2022 using a non-removable, self-ligating
bracket system (MBT 0.022” slot, stainless steel). In the first month, CuNiTi
0.014 archwires were placed, and cross elastics were applied from the maxillary
to mandibular canines on the left side for two months. On December 10,
2022, CuNiTi 0.014×0.025 archwires were placed in both arches, accompanied
by coil springs to open space. Subsequent phases involved transitioning
to stainless steel (SS) and titanium-molybdenum alloy (TMA) archwires for
alignment and leveling.
Treatment Outcome:
At the end of treatment, a Class
I molar and canine relationship was achieved. The axial inclinations of the
upper and lower incisors reached normative values based on lateral cephalometric
analysis. The maxillary arch form was expanded and improved to a
more ideal rounded contour. Dental crowding was resolved without extraction,
and both transverse and sagittal occlusal relationships were significantly improved.
Conclusion
This clinical case demonstrates that fixed orthodontic
treatment in a patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate can effectively correct
dental crowding, normalize occlusal relationships, and significantly improve
facial esthetics, phonetics, and overall quality of life. Orthodontic intervention
played a vital role in restoring function and supporting psychosocial and physical
development.
4.Outcomes of COVID-19 Immunization Among Healthcare Workers
Dashpagam O ; Davaalkham D ; Burenjargal B ; Tselkhaasuren B ; Baigal V ; Shatar Sh ; Khorolsuren L ; Tsogtsaikhan S
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;87(3):191-198
Background:
The first case of COVID-19 was reported in our country on November
11, 2020. As of 2023, a total of 869,385 cases and 2,128 deaths have been
recorded nationwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended
that countries use 15 vaccines from 11 manufacturers listed for emergency use.
The WHO has advised low-income member states to prioritize vaccinating healthcare
workers and other high-risk populations vulnerable to severe illness and
death from COVID-19. The main goal of the coronavirus vaccination program is to
prevent infection, complications, and death among priority target groups, such as
healthcare workers and other populations at high risk of severe illness. The effectiveness
of the vaccination is measured by its ability to reduce the risk of illness,
hospitalization, and death from COVID-19-related complications among vaccinated
individuals. While extensive research is being conducted globally to develop,
evaluate, and assess the effectiveness and outcomes of COVID-19 vaccines,
there has been limited research focused on these outcomes within our country.
This gap highlights the need for and serves as the basis of the present study.
Аim:
To assess the risk of infection, hospitalization, and associated risk factors among
healthcare workers vaccinated against COVID-19, and to examine the factors that
influence these risks.
Materials and Methods:
A This follow-up study was conducted over an 80-week
period—at weeks 12, 24, and 48—from February 23, 2021, to December 31, 2022.
The study involved healthcare workers from Ulaanbaatar city and the aimags of
Bayankhongor, Orkhon, Bulgan, Dundgovi, Darkhan-Uul, and Dornod. The study
was conducted over a period of 1.5 years (80 weeks) following the administration
of the first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Data were collected from participants
at three time points: before vaccination, after the second dose, and after
each booster dose. A structured questionnaire comprising 7 sections and 49 questions
was used for data collection, and the results were analyzed using SPSS version
26.0.
Results:
Of the total respondents, 574 (60%) worked in direct contact
with infected individuals in the 'red zone,' while 370 (40%) worked in the 'yellow
zone.' Additionally, 250 participants (27.1%) were healthcare workers from Ulaanbaatar
city, and 674 (72.9%) were from rural areas. In our observational study, the
risk of new infections among healthcare workers increased over time, rising from
38.4% at week 24 to 59.6% by week 80. Hospitalizations also increased during the
follow-up period: 24 cases (2.6%) were recorded at week 12, 160 (17.3%) at week
24, 202 (21.9%) at week 48, and 204 (22.1%) by week 80. Among frontline workers
in rural areas, those in Bayankhongor and Orkhon aimags exhibited a lower
risk of infection compared to their counterparts in other aimags.
Conclusion
In
our follow up study, an increase in the duration since primary immunization was
associated with a higher risk of new infection among workers, rising from 38.4%
at 24 weeks to 59.6% at 80 weeks post-vaccination. Administration of additional
(booster) immunizations was associated with a reduced risk of subsequent infection.
COVID-19 vaccination was associated with a reduced risk of complications
necessitating hospitalization. Employment in rural settings and designated red
zones was identified as a risk factor for incident infections, hospitalizations, and
reinfections.
Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail