bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PREVALENCE AND RISK INDICATORS OF SYMPTOMS OF COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS AMONG DUTCH OLYMPIC ATHLETES
Authors: Gouttebarge Vincent , Ruud Jonkers , Maarten Moen , Evert Verhagen , Wylleman Paul , Kerkhoffs Gino
Published: August 2017

Background

In the past years, symptoms of common mental disorders have been exponentially under study among professional i.e. elite athletes. Two recent cross-sectional studies among Australian and French elite Olympic athletes have showed a prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders in the range of 17 to 45%.

Objective

To determine the prevalence and comorbidity of symptoms of common mental disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, eating disorders, adverse alcohol use) among Dutch elite athletes, and to explore the inference between potential risk indicators (severe injury, surgery, life events, sport career dissatisfaction, social support) and the outcomes measures under study.

Design

Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on baseline questionnaires from an ongoing prospective cohort study.

Setting

Dutch Olympic athletes from the Netherlands Olympic Committee*Netherlands Sports Confederation (NOC*NSF).

Patients (or Participants)

A total of 203 elite athletes were enrolled (mean age at recruitment was 27 years; mean sports career duration was 8 years).

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

The assessment of risk indicators was based on validated scales.

Main Outcome Measurements

Symptoms of common mental disorders were assessed with validated scales.

Results

Prevalence (4-week) of symptoms of common mental disorders (not clinically diagnosed) ranged from 6% for adverse alcohol use to 45% for anxiety/depression. A higher number of past severe injuries, higher number of past surgeries, higher number of recent life events, higher level of career dissatisfaction and lower level of social support were related to the occurrence of symptoms of common mental disorders among elite athletes.

Conclusions

On average, the 4-week prevalence of CMD as shown in our study among Dutch elite athletes were similar to the ones found among athletes from other sports disciplines and does compare with the lifetime prevalence estimates in the general population of the Netherlands.
HAMSTRING/QUADRICEPS RATIO IN ACL INJURY PREDICTION IN ELITE FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Authors: Grygorowicz Monika , Michalowska Martyna , Walczak Tomasz , Grabski Jakub , Pyda Andrzej , Piontek Tomasz
Published: August 2017

Background

Hamstring/quadriceps conventional ratio (H/Q) has been widely used in the prediction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury; however there is still no consensus on the values that are really predictive for ACL injury in elite male football players.

Objective

To verify the value of H/Q predictive for ACL injury in elite male footballers.

Design

Retrospective study, analysing ACL injury occurrence in footballers and H/Q value from isokinetic tests.

Setting

Male football elite division.

Patients (or Participants)

Records of 74 professional male footballers who played at least one season between 2010–2016 have been analysed.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

All players were monitored and treated by one clinic, thus medical history of each player was documented. ACL injury was confirmed in USG examination. Players were dichotomously categorized as injured or uninjured for data analysis. The same clinic was responsible for conducting isokinetic assessment using Biodex System 3 Pro. Retrospective footballer's records were reviewed between May 2006 and April 2016. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the possibility of using the H/Q value to predict ACL injury. Level of significance was set at p<0.05 and Statistica v.12.5 software was used.

Main Outcome Measurements

Area under the curve (AUC); number of ACL injuries and values of H/Q were also analysed.

Results

Total 331 knee isokinetic tests of 74 elite male football players were reviewed, and data of 8 ACL injuries were analysed. Cut-off value of H/Q ratio was calculated at 0.63±0.11. The ROC analyses showed an area under the curve of 0.67 (95% CI 0.49–0.84; p=0.0598).

Conclusions

Although it occurred to be insignificant we observed a tendency towards H/Q values at 0.63±0.11, that may be useful in future studies in multifactorial analysis of ACL injury prediction. However, studies on bigger sample should be performed to verify these results.
ALTERED GROUND REACTION FORCE DURING COUNTER MOVEMENT JUMPS IN PREVIOUSLY INJURED PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Authors: Argemi Ruben , Elverdin Julio , Gallo Pablo Ortega
Published: August 2017

Background

Sports injuries produce changes in movement characteristics, which can be measured qualitatively and quantitatively in the ground reaction force.

Objective

To characterize the strength curve of a counter movement jump (CMJ) in professional footballers who were suffering from sports injuries.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

Professional footballers of Club Atlético Boca Juniors.

Participants

32 players suffering from sports-related ankle, knee and muscle injuries, who were tested during the first week that they were able to jump, and 52 as control group, who were tested during preventive medical controls.

Main Outcome Measurements

We analysed 5 stages of the force curve during CMJ: 1. Starting movement, 2. Start of eccentric contraction, 3. Eccentric contraction, 4. Peak eccentric, 5. Peak concentric, and rate of force development (RFD). In areas 1, 2 and 3 asymmetry was examined qualitatively (curve shape ), in zones 4 and 5, quantitatively (>5%).

Results

All of injured players showed asymmetry versus 48% in control group (p<0.05), 85% of injured players showed deficits in zone 4 (16.5% in peak force vs 11,6% in control; p<0.05). Asymmetry of RFD in players with ankle and knee injuries was 26% and 14%, respectively, while those with psoas injuries presented inverted asymmetry(less force in non injury leg). Players with ankle injuries showed asymmetry in zones 1–4 and knee injuries in zones 1–5 (73% and 85% of the cases, respectively). Players treated surgically for knee injuries (ACL and menisci) demonstrated asymmetry in zones 4 and 5 in 100% of the cases. Players with adductor and hamstring injuries displayed asymmetry in zones 4 and 2–3, respectively (100% of cases for both). All players were symmetrical at return to sports.

Conclusions

The force plate is a device that allows the characterization of function in sports injuries during the rehabilitation process, and help establish parameters for the return of the athlete to a normal athletic life.
VIDEO ANALYSIS OF CONTACT TECHNIQUE DURING HEAD COLLISIONS IN RUGBY UNION
Authors: Hendricks Sharief , Davidow Demi , Viljoen Wayne , Burger Nicholas , Lambert Mike , Readhead Clint , Brown James , Jones Ben , Quarrie Ken
Published: August 2017

Background

Rugby union is characterised by frequent and dynamic collisions. Players typically aim to avoid direct contact to the head due to its potential for serious head injury. However, head collisions still occur – possibly due to players either being unaware of the impending contact, or executing poor technique during, or prior to contact.

Objective

Video analysis of contact technique and head collisions in rugby union.

Design

Retrospective video analysis.

Setting

Professional rugby union players.

Participants

Video footage of 211 contact events.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Contact characteristics and contact technique for attackers and defenders during head collisions. Attackers and defenders were categorized into higher and lower risk roles depending on which had the higher potential for injury.

Main Outcome Measurements

Contact descriptors and contact proficiency scores

Results

Eighty-four percent of head collisions occurred during the tackle, followed by aerial collisions (10%), and rucks (6%). Eighty-two percent of collisions occurred with an opponent. Higher risk players were aware of the impending contact 70% of the time. Mean contact proficiency score (arbitrary units; AU) in front-on tackled ball-carriers was 6.4±3.2 and 8.2±3.2 AU for ball carriers at higher and lower injury risk, respectively (p≤0.01, effect size=0.6, moderate). The mean contact proficiency score in front-on tackle tacklers was 9.8±3.7 and 9.2±3.5 AU for tacklers at higher and lower injury risk, respectively (p>0.05, ES=0.2, small).

Conclusions

The tackle event accounted for most head collisions. Most players were aware of the impending contact. Higher injury risk ball-carriers in front-on tackles scored relatively low in proficiency compared to lower injury risk ball-carriers. For contact proficiency score, each technical criterion was equally weighted. Failure to execute specific criteria (e.g. head up and forward) may increase the risk of head collisions compared to other criteria (e.g. fending). Future studies on contact techniques should weight technical criteria more appropriately.
NEUROMUSCULAR RESPONSES OF THE HAMSTRING MUSCLES DURING UNANTICIPATED TRUNK PERTURBATIONS
Authors: Higashihara Ayako , Nagano Yasuharu , Ida Hirofumi , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: August 2017

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament and hamstring strain injuries occur during unanticipated cutting and stopping movements. Previous prospective studies showed that athletes with decreased trunk neuromuscular control are at increased risk of knee injury. Therefore, deficits in trunk neuromuscular control during unanticipated movements may result in injury. However, the modulations of the hamstring muscles to the unanticipated trunk perturbation are unclear.

Objective

To examine the neuromuscular responses of the hamstring muscles during unanticipated trunk perturbations.

Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting

Male college athletes.

Participants

Eight male sprinters (age, 20.3±1.4 years).

Intervention

In the kneeling position, the participants wore a chest harness attached to a cable that was pulled backward as a resisting force at a constant level corresponding to 13% to 15% of each weight. The participants were instructed to resist the force isometrically. The force was released with cue (CUE) and without cue (NoCUE). Trunk acceleration and surface electromyography (EMG) signals of the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus muscles were measured.

Main Outcome Measurements

(1) Maximum trunk acceleration; (2) EMG activation in the 50-ms window before the perturbation; (3) onset time of the muscle response; and (4) phasic muscle activities after the perturbations.

Results

The maximum trunk acceleration was significantly greater during the NoCUE condition than during the CUE condition (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed in either of the EMG activations before the perturbation. The activation onsets of the hamstring muscles were significantly delayed (p<0.05) and the activation responses of these muscles from 100 ms after the perturbation were significantly larger during the NoCUE than during the CUE condition (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The results indicate that the anticipation of perturbation decreased the hamstring muscle latencies and responses to control the trunk movement, suggesting that the central nervous system modulated the readiness of the trunk based on anticipatory information.
BIOMECHANICAL CHANGES WITH FIFA11+ UTILIZATION OVER MULTIPLE SOCCER SEASONS
Authors: Arundale Amelia , Silvers-Granelli Holly , Marmon Adam , Zarzycki Ryan , Dix Celeste , Snyder-Mackler Lynn
Published: August 2017

Background

The FIFA11+ is a dynamic warm-up injury prevention program. Previous studies have examined its efficacy in reducing injuries, however no information is available on whether it changes targeted movement patterns.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in peak knee abduction moment (PKAM) over two soccer seasons using the FIFA11+. We hypothesized that athletes will have decreased PKAM over the first season, no changes in the off-season, and further decreases over the second season.

Design

Prospective non-randomized intervention study (control team data currently being collected).

Setting

Elite collegiate women's soccer.

Patients (or Participants)

First season N=83, off-season N=68, second season N=59.

Interventions

The FIFA11+ program was initiated during the preseason and completed throughout two consecutive soccer seasons as a warm-up prior to training sessions and games at least 3x/week. Researchers did not influence the training during the off-season.

Main Outcome Measurements

PKAM measured during motion analysis of a drop jump at pre- and postseason of two consecutive seasons. Repeated measures ANCOVAs were used to analyse the change over each season and the off-season, with baseline PKAM included in each model as a covariate.

Results

There was a significant main effect of time over the first season (preseason 0.24±0.01, postseason 0.23±0.01, p=0.02). PKAM was a significant covariate (p<0.01). There no main effect of time over the off-season (p=0.40), however, PKAM was a significant covariate (p<0.01). There was also no main effect of time over the second season (p=0.29), with PKAM again a significant covariate (p<0.01).

Conclusions

The FIFA11+ is effective in preventing injuries, however its mechanism is unknown. The preliminary results of this study indicate this injury reduction may not be occurring as a result of a decrease in PKAM in all athletes.
AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF MATCH INJURIES IN YOUTH RUGBY UNION
Authors: Hislop Michael , Stokes Keith , Williams Sean , Kemp Simon , England Mike , Trewartha Grant
Published: August 2017

Background

Injury risk in youth rugby is perceived as high when compared with other youth sports, and has become a notable public health topic.

Objective

To investigate the incidence and nature of match-related injuries sustained in youth rugby union.

Design

Two-season prospective cohort study.

Setting

Independent schools within England during 2013/14 and 2015/16 playing seasons.

Participants

Eligible schools had onsite medical personnel for injury treatment and data capture. All male players within the under-15 to under-18 age groups of included schools were eligible to participate. In total, 3,179 rugby players (aged 14–18 years) from 40 schools participated.

Main Outcome Measures

Time-loss (>24 hours) match injury incidence (per 1000 match hours) and burden (days lost per 1000 match hours), classifications made on injury location, severity, and inciting event.

Results

598 time-loss injuries were reported from 21,865 match exposure-hours, giving an overall match injury incidence of 27 injuries/1000 match-hours (90% CI 26 to 29) and burden of 731 days lost/1000 match-hours (90% CI 721 to 740). The head was the most frequently injured location (31% of injuries), followed by the shoulder (14%), wrist/hand (12%), and knee (8%). Moderate time-loss injuries (8–28 days) were the most commonly reported (38%), followed by minor injuries (2–7 days, 33%), whilst over a quarter of injuries were severe (>28 days, 27%). Most injuries were associated with contact events (88%), particularly the tackle (58%) and ruck (14%), with 8% associated with running. Concussion incidence was 6/1000 match-hours (90% CI 5 to 7).

Conclusions

Match injury incidence was similar to figures reported in recent studies, whilst injury burden and the proportion of severe injuries were lower than previously reported. Implications of this study's findings would include focusing further on identifying risk factors and preventive strategies for tackle-related injuries as well as for head injuries, particularly concussion, in youth rugby.
MITIGATION OF ACL RUPTURE IN ALPINE SKIING THROUGH SKI BINDINGS
Authors: Howell Rick
Published: August 2017

Background

ACL-ruptures are the most prevalent injury in alpine skiing competition. Shaped skis produce 2 abduction forces with a centroid that can generate large abduction/valgus-moments and small tibia-torques that cause ACL-rupture before tibia-fracture. Ordinary alpine ski bindings address tibia-fracture.

Objective

Prove, biomechanically, that ordinary bindings cannot release in response to applied-abduction forces before ACL-rupture, whereas bindings with additional lateral heel release can.

Design

A ski is affixed to an anthropometrically-correct metallic foot-tibia-femur test-frame that simulates skiing-ACL slip-catch injury-kinematics similar to ISO 9462 Annex-B — also measuring applied abduction force and resultant abduction/valgus-moment. Initially, no ski-bindings are utilized: the ski is bolted beneath the metallic foot. The proximal end of the metallic femur is rigidly attached to the test frame as during maximal internal rotation. Abduction force is applied to a range of positions along the medial edge of the ski while measuring combined peak abduction/valgus-moments and peak tibia-torques—at ACL-rupture—according to a validated ACL-rupture algorithm of an average US male. 2-mode and 3-mode bindings are interposed to quantify their interaction.

Setting

Biomechanical.

Patients (or Participants)

None, biomechanical.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

None, biomechanical.

Main Outcome Measurements

3-mode-release bindings can release below the rupture-limit of the ACL; 2-mode bindings cannot.

Results

An abduction centroid can produce ACL rupture before tibia-fracture when applied to a ski -70 cm to -20 cm aft of the tibia at 155 N to 200 N (21% to 27% of average US male body weight) whereas tibia-fracture is produced when an abduction centroid is applied aft of −70 cm.

Conclusions

Abduction centroids applied to the medial edge of a ski can produce tibia-fracture or ACL-rupture depending upon the magnitudeand the central position of the applied abduction forces.3-mode bindings with additional lateral heel release can release below the ACL-rupture limit. A prospective intervention study is needed for full-proof.
COGNITION IN FORMER RUGBY UNION PLAYERS AND IMPACT OF CONCUSSION HISTORY
Authors: Hume Patria , Theadom Alice , Lewis Gwyn N , Quarrie Kenneth L , Brown Scott R , Hill Rosamund , Marshall Stephen W.
Published: August 2017

Background

Information is needed on the effects on health after retirement from participating in sport and any effects of sustaining concussions.

Objective

To investigate differences in cognitive function between former rugby and non-contact sport players, and any association between concussion history and cognitive function.

Design

Cross sectional descriptive study. Comparisons across player groups, concussion groups (one or more self-reported concussions versus no concussions) and between these groups with CNS-vital signs age-matched norms (US norms).

Setting

On-line data collection.

Participants

366 former players (mean ±SD age 43.3±8.2 years); 103 elite rugby, 193 community rugby, 65 non-contact sport.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Concussion history was obtained from an on-line self-report questionnaire. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the online CNS-vital signs neuropsychological test battery.

Main Outcome Measurements

CNS-vital signs test scores and concussion counts.

Results

The former elite rugby union player group had deficits in cognitive functioning relative to the non-contact sport player group as indicated by complex attention, cognitive flexibility, processing speed and executive functioning scores using the CNS-vital signs test. The former community rugby group performed worse than non-contact sports players on cognitive flexibility and executive functioning tests. Community and elite former rugby union players reported a substantially higher number of concussions than non-contact sport players. The player group who had experienced one or more concussions, had deficits in cognitive flexibility, complex attention, and executive function relative to the player group with no history of concussion.

Conclusions

Past participation in rugby, or history of concussion, were associated with small to moderate neurocognitive deficits, as indicated by worse CNS-vital signs scores. A greater proportion of former rugby players than expected showed deficits in composite memory, verbal memory, and reaction time, in addition to processing speed and complex attention for elite rugby, and psychomotor speed and motor speed for community rugby.
THE EFFECTS OF COGNITIVE MATURITY ON CONCUSSION ASSESSMENT IN LOW SOCIOECONOMIC URBAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES
Authors: Hunt Tamerah , Langdon Jody
Published: August 2017

Background

Implementing concussion assessment programs for youth athletes are necessary to manage clinical care in sports. However, confounding factors such as cognitive maturity and socioeconomic status may complicate clinical interpretation of testing following concussion.

Objective

Determine the stability of test scores between low socioeconomic athletes and non-athletes.

Design

Prospective longitudinal between-groups cohort design.

Setting

Youth Sports.

Participants

High school students (n=783) were recruited either prior to their competitive season or during the academic year to establish baseline cognitive function.

Interventions

All participants were administered annual baseline testing on computerized neuropsychological test battery (ImPACT) to track the effect of cognitive maturity. Using SPSS, a one-way ANOVA with repeated measures (group×time) was run on ImPACT composite scores, using an alpha level of .05 for all tests.

Main Outcome Measurements

ImPACT composite scores.

Results

Significant interactions of group and time existed for composite visual motor (Wilks' λ=0.97, F(1,782)=20.53, p<.001, η2=.03) and composite reaction time (Wilks' λ=0.99, F(1,782)=5.65, p<0.05, η2=0.01.) between athletes and non-athletes. Significant main effects for time were seen in composite impulse control (Wilks' λ=0.99, F(1, 782)=4.05, p<0.05, η2=0.01.) with lower scores during year one. Significant differences existed between 10th and 12th grade participants compared to 9th grade participants on composite visual motor (p=0.006), and total symptoms (p=0.043) with older participants performing better.

Conclusions

Cognitive maturity does not appear to affect composite ImPACT scores, however there is a break in composite visual motor scores between older and ninth grade participants. The need for annual baseline testing may not be warranted beyond tenth grade. Future research should examine test scores across a high school career to gain more understanding of changes related to cognitive maturity.
INJURIES IN YOUTH ATHLETICS HAVE MULTIPLE-LEVEL CAUSES THAT CALL FOR AN ECOLOGICAL INTERVENTION APPROACH: A NATIONAL SPORTING COMMUNITY CONSENSUS REPORT
Authors: Jacobsson Jenny , Bergin Daniel , Timpka Toomas , Nyce James , Dahlström Örjan
Published: August 2017

Background

Engaging in competitive sports as a youth can have many health benefits, but recent studies also report a disquieting high injury risk. The long-term purpose of a Swedish research program is to develop a framework for safe athletics training among youth athletes (aged 12–15 years).

Objective

To establish a national consensus of what causes injuries in youth athletics by compiling the best available experiential knowledge about the underlying causes of injuries sustained by young athletics athletes.

Design

Qualitative study using focus groups and in-depth interviews for data collection.

Setting

The Swedish Athletics community divided into seven administrative regions.

Participants

79 individuals representing all levels of the sport; officials from the Swedish Athletics Association, coaches, athletes, sports medicine professionals, clubs representatives, and parents.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Qualitative research methods were used to categorize data, perform a thematic analysis, and execute repeated feed-back cycles to the community to corroborate preliminary results.

Main Outcome Measurements

Categories resulting from the qualitative analysis were used to construct an explanatory model.

Results

Injuries in youth athletes were not considered to be strictly the result of discrete causal factors but rather the result of the interactions between factors at different levels. Three major areas of injury causes emerged; theevidence-in-situfor application in daily practice,attitudesamong coaches and parents about long-term strategies in youth athletics, and thesetting and conditionsfor participating in the sport. In response, an ecological model for implementation of interventions was outlined that has its focal point in the young athlete's personal zone of athletic development.

Conclusions

A national consensus process established that if effective and sustainable injury prevention processes are to be introduced in youth athletics, an ecological approach is needed. Such an approach allows a longitudinal development-focused strategy for prevention that spans over an entire athletic career.
PROSPECTIVE INJURY STATISTICS DURING HIGH-LEVEL JUDO COMPETITION: AN IJF-EJU COLLABORATION
Authors: Jung Maximilien
Published: August 2017

Background

Sport is a mass phenomenon with different stakeholders, one of them the international federations. As a sport, judo can give advantages to a population in controlling negative effects of a passive way of life. Therefore it is necessary to lower the burden of injuries, especially because injuries are acting against the health promotion goal of sport. As a consequence the first step is to gather knowledge about frequency and nature of injuries in a specific sport to take influence on it.

Objective

To publish the statistical data about injuries at top ranking Judo competitions; to structure them in a comprehensive way; to use them for education purposes and injury prevention programs.

Design

An anonymous form detailing different aspect of judo injuries has been designed. As definition of injury the medical commission considered every medical intervention on or outside the mat during the whole period of a competition. Each injury has been evaluated only through medical doctors. All registered injuries were categorized in 12 categories. Since the beginning of the prospective data collection, the medical commission used the same way of counting the lesions, giving continuity and consistency to the database.

Setting

Female and male Judo fights from European Championships, World Championships, Grand Prix and Grand Slams. The amount of Judoka registered is 24'317. This statistic is compiling the results of 99 competitions during the 2003–2011 period, with a yearly mean of 11 competitions monitored.

Results

The injury ratio including the minor bleedings are identical in female and in male Judoka and stays by 6%; without the skin scratches, the total injury rate during the high-level Judo events only makes 3,6% of the contestants. Of all the medical interventions two third happened on the mat. The majority of the athletes could be taken care in the competition hall. The upper part of the body represents more than 80% of the interventions.

Conclusions

The IJF injury database gives a detailed insight in high-level Judo injury risk on the Field of Play.
A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF A NEUROMUSCULAR INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMME (GAA 15) IN ADOLESCENT MALES PARTICIPATING IN HURLING
Authors: Kelly Sean , Lodge Clare , Miley Paul
Published: August 2017

Background

Adolescents involvement in organised sport has never been more popular with post primary school students in Ireland, however, this increased level of activity has reportedly caused concern regarding the potential risk and severity of sporting injuries.

Objective

The aim of the current investigation was to assess and critically analyse the application and implementation of a neuromuscular injury prevention programme (GAA 15) in adolescent males participating in hurling at post primary school level.

Design

Randomised control trial.

Setting

Second level post primary schools youth sport.

Patients (or Participants)

518 male subjects aged 13–18.5 years were recruited from fourteen post primary schools, seven schools participated in the intervention group and seven in the control group.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

The intervention group implemented an injury prevention warm-up programme, namely the GAA 15, before every training session and matches. The control group adopted their normal warm-up behaviour prior to matches and training.

Main Outcome Measurements

Epidemiological injury rate ratio (IRR) and injury proportion (IP) was compared between the two groups.

Results

Hurling training injury rates of 16.51/1000 hrs. (95% CI: 9.9–23.1) and 9.16/1000 hrs. (95% CI: 5.5–12.8) were recorded for the control and intervention groups respectively. Match injury rates of 36.32/1000 hrs. (95% CI: 21.1–51.5) and 25.62/1000 hrs. (95% CI: 16.9–34.4) were reported for the control and intervention groups. Lower extremity injuries made up 75% of all injuries recorded with the hamstring being the most frequently injured body part. Hurling training lower extremity injuries were reduced by 45% and match injuries by 29% in the intervention group when compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Following this investigation, it can be concluded that positive outcomes can be achieved from the implementation of a neuromuscular injury prevention warm-up, namely the GAA 15, to reduce lower extremity injuries in adolescent males participating in hurling.
THE EFFECTS OF A 5-WEEK GOLF SPECIFIC STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING INTERVENTION ON SWING PERFORMANCE FACTORS
Authors: Kenny Daisy-May , Presnall Jessica , Cosio-Lima Ludmila , Greska Eric
Published: August 2017

Background

The effects of golf specific strength and conditioning interventions on performance are scarcely researched. However, a multitude of research exists relative to golf related injuries. From those studies, it has been postulated that an increase in the X-Factor Stretch (XFS) variable increases the probability of a lower back injury. As the XF has been identified as a performance variable, it is of interest to determine how it is influenced by a golf specific intervention.

Objective

To examine the effects of a 5-week strength and conditioning intervention on golf swing performance factors.

Design

Quasi-experimental.

Setting

Laboratory and gym.

Participants

Nine female NCAA Division II collegiate golfers (age 20.7±2.7 yrs; height 175 ±9.81 cm; body mass 76.5 ±9.2 kg), maintaining a handicap of ≤3.

Intervention

The 5-week strength and conditioning intervention was implemented to improve the subject's golf swing.The majority of the exercises were lower body orientated, and included rotational aspects.

Main Outcome Measurements

The pre- and post-testing procedures included a biomechanical analysis using 3D motion analysis. The dependent variables were clubhead velocity (CV; m/s), hip velocity (HV; °/s), XFS angle (°), and ball speed (BS; m/s). It was hypothesized that CV, HV, and BS would increase without an increase in the XFS. T-tests were used to define statistical significance (p<0.05).

Results

From pre- to post-intervention, subjects significantly increased HV (8.2±0.5°/s to 8.8±0.7°/s; p<0.001), and CV (35.8±0.9 m/s to 36.8±2.5 m/s; p=0.018) and significantly decreased XFS (−54.9±10.2° to −47.9±4.2°; p<0.001). We did not detect a significant change in BS from pre- to post-intervention (52.7±2.8 m/s to 53.2±5.1 m/s).

Conclusions

It was demonstrated that the intervention increased CV, HV, and BS; but decreased the XFS. Thus, it can be suggested that a golf specific strength and conditioning program can increase golf swing performance factors, without increasing the risk of lower back injury.
LEISURE CYCLISTS AT RISK OF MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS: OUTCOMES OF ONLINE PRE-PARTICIPATION SCREENING AMONG 22 650 ENDURANCE CYCLISTS, USING CURRENT EUROPEAN GUIDELINES - SAFER CYCLING
Authors: Killops Jannelene , Schwellnus Martin , van Rensburg Dina Christina Janse
Published: August 2017

Background

European guidelines have been introduced to screen masters and leisure athletes prior to participation in moderate- to high-intensity exercise, with the purpose of identifying the high risk athlete who should undergo a medical assessment. However, these guidelines have not been tested in large community based cycling races.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of cyclists who would require a full medical assessment before participating in a community based mass participation cycling race using current European guidelines.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour (109 km).

Participants

22 650 cyclists.

Assessment

All 37 425 race entrants were required to complete an online pre-race medical questionnaire (containing all the elements in the screening guidelines), and 22 650 (60.3%) gave consent that the information could be used for research purposes.

Main Outcome Measurements

Prevalence (%) of risk factors that would require cyclists to undergo a full medical assessment before moderate- to high-intensity sports participation.

Results

More than 35% cyclists would require a full medical assessment prior to participation. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) were present in 24% of cyclists and 4% reported existing cardiac disease. The prevalence of chronic diseases in other organ systems was as follows: respiratory (14%), gastrointestinal (6%), nervous system (4%), metabolic/hormonal (4%), and urinary tract (4%). The prevalence of other possible risk factors for medical complications were, allergies (17%), chronic prescription medication use (29%), and use of acute medication (including NSAID's) before or during races (10%).

Conclusions

These data show that >35% of cyclists entering a community based mass participation cycling race would require a medical assessment prior to participation if current international guidelines are to be implemented. We suggest that further research is conducted to determine if screening guidelines predict medical complications. Once these data are available, pre-screening guidelines for medical assessments may have to be revised.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTOR CONTROL ASYMMETRIES AND MOTOR PERFORMANCE ASYMMETRIES
Authors: Kraus Kornelius , Heffels Markus , Rahn Denise , Stukenbröker Nicole , Scherer Hans-Georg
Published: August 2017

Background

The in-line lunge (ILL) is used to determine muscle sling behavior and possible unilateral motor control asymmetries (UMCA). Though, its validity remains unclear.

Objective

The aim of this analysis was to explore the relationship between UMCA and unilateral motor performance asymmetries (UMPA).

Design

Correlational-study. To reduce bias of circadian effects we executed the testing sessions within a timeframe of ±1 h. A crossover design was used in order to avoid sequence effects.

Setting

Collegiate athletes

Participants

54 healthy sportsmen were enrolled in the study, whereas 50 (43 men and 7 women; 22.3±1.6 yrs) completed the study.

Interventions

The participants visited the laboratory twice. In session 1 they performed the FMS, followed by a warm-up including a treadmill run (10 min at 10 km/h) and 5 free split squats at 40% load of their bodyweight (FSS40). Thereafter, the participants performed 3 sets of 5 repetitions of the FSS40 intermitted by a recovery period of 1 minute. In session 2 the sportsmen underwent the same warm-up and FSS40 assessment, however the starting leg was switched. Kinetic data were recorded with a linear power encoder.

Main Outcome Measurements

Correlational-Analysis. The criterion for a UMPA was determined by a weighted TEM based on Cohens d.

Results

The relationship between UMCA and UMPA is low (r=0.2; p>0.05). In general, we identified 17 UMCAs and 13 UMPAs (8 weak, 4 moderate,1 strong). The ICCs of kinetic parameters were >0.9. TEMs were <7.5%.

Conclusions

The data indicates that the association between UMCA and UMPA is low. Based on that evidence it seems that asymmetries are task specific. However, on the methodological level the scoring procedure could be a confounder for our result. Within a physiological context there are different factors that possibly explain the result, like different motor unit recruitment strategies, different muscle fibre distribution or connective tissue properties.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MUSCLE INJURIES IN HONG KONG PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
Authors: Lee Justin Wai-Yuk , Mok Kam-Ming , Yung Patrick Shu-Hang
Published: August 2017

Background

Muscle injuries constitute a large percentage of all injuries in football.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and nature of muscle injuries in male professional footballers.

Design

Prospective cohort study design.

Setting

Teams from the first division of a professional football league.

Patients (or Participants)

Seven football teams, comprising 152 players, were followed prospectively.

Main Outcome Measurements

Team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. A muscle injury was defined as ‘‘a traumatic distraction or overuse injury to the muscle leading to a player being unable to participate fully in training or match play.’'

Results

In total, 114 muscle injuries were registered. On average, a player sustained 0.75 muscle injuries per season. A squad of 25 players can thus expect about 19 muscle injuries per season. Muscle injuries constituted 38.5% of all injuries. Sixty-eight percent of all muscle injuries were muscle strain injuries. The four most commonly strained muscle groups were adductors/groin (40%), hamstring (35%), calf muscles (16%) and quadriceps (9%). Sixteen percent of the muscle injuries were reinjuries. The incidence of muscle injury is increased with age.

Conclusions

Muscle injuries are a substantial problem for players and their clubs. They constitute more than one-third of all time-loss injuries in men's professional football and affect the four big muscle groups in the lower limbs.
IT'S NOT ‘WHO’ BUT ‘HOW BADLY’: THE ASSOCIATION OF FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN SCORE WITH INJURY OUTCOME IN COMMUNITY RUGBY UNION
Authors: Attwood Matt , Roberts Simon , Trewartha Grant , England Mike , Stokes Keith
Published: August 2017

Background

The use of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is widespread, but evidence supporting its use as an injury-screening tool in team sports such as Rugby Union is equivocal.

Objective

To determine the association between FMS score and match-injury incidence and match-injury burden in adult community rugby union players.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

English community rugby union clubs (2013–2014 season) with a formally qualified medical professional to diagnose and report match-injuries. FMS testing was completed during the pre-season period by the research team.

Participants

436 players from 23 clubs completed the FMS. Match-injuries and individuals' match exposure data was returned for 293 players.

Risk Factors

Lower FMS composite score (21 point maximum), the presence of pain and/or asymmetry.

Main Outcome Measurements

Association of FMS composite score, pain and asymmetry with match injury incidence (≥8 days time-loss/1000 hours) severe injury incidence (>28 days time-loss/1000 hours) and injury burden (total time-loss days/1000 hours).

Results

Poisson regression was offset for exposure (log transformed) and adjusted for random effects of club (cluster) and player. The associations between both match-injury incidence (≥8 days time-loss)(rate ratio (RR), 90% confidence interval (CI)=1.0, 0.9–1.0) and severe injury incidence (>28 days time-loss) (RR, 90% CI=0.9, 0.8–1.0) with composite FMS score were trivial. A one-point increase in FMS score was associated with a 10% reduction in injury burden (RR, 90% CI=0.9, 0.8–1.0), while the presence of both pain and asymmetry was associated with a three times increase in injury burden (RR, 90% CI=2.9, 1.1–7.8).

Conclusions

FMS score was not associated with injury incidence, but was associated with injury burden. As the sstrongest association with injury burden was found for pain and asymmetry, clubs using the FMS may be advised to prioritise rehabilitation of players with asymmetrical, painful movement patterns.
POSSIBLE STRENGTH DEFICIT IN SHOULDER ROTATION FOR HYPERMOBILE SWIMMERS
Authors: Liaghat Behnam , Salo Aki , Juul-Kristensen Birgit
Published: August 2017

Background

Generalised Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is considered an intrinsic risk factor for shoulder injuries and has a high prevalence in swimmers.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of GJH on shoulder muscle strength, muscle activity and muscle fatigue during shoulder rotation movement simulating swimming strokes.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Youth elite sports.

Patients (or Participants)

19 elite swimmers with GJH (Beighton's score ≥5 and hypermobile shoulder) were compared to 19 sex- and age-matched control swimmers (Beighton's score ≤3 and no shoulder hypermobility), all 13–17 years.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

Concentric isokinetic performance in medial rotation (35°) and lateral rotation (60°) was measured at velocities of 60°/s (5 repetitions) and 180°/s (10 repetitions). Muscle activity during isokinetic testing was measured with surface electromyography from upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, infraspinatus and pectoralis major.

Main Outcome Measurements

Peak torque (Nm/BW), total work (J/BW), electromyographic muscle activity (%MVC), and isokinetic and electromyographic fatigue development.

Results

In medial rotation at 60°/s, there was a significantly lower (14%) total work compared with controls (2.80 vs. 3.26 J/BW; p=0.049), and a tendency to significantly lower peak torque for the GJH group (0.48 vs. 0.55 Nm/BW; p=0.057). There were no group differences in medial rotation at 180°/s, or in lateral rotation at both velocities. Muscle activity was non-significantly lower in serratus anterior (range: 27–33%) and pectoralis major (range: 19–26%) in the GJH group in medial rotation. Fatigue development did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

Young elite swimmers with GJH displayed decreased medial rotation endurance and strength, which may be potential intrinsic risk factor for development of non-traumatic shoulder injury. These swimmers may benefit from medial rotation endurance and strengthening programs; however, further research is warranted to understand the consequences of such deficits and the corresponding preventive concepts.
INJURY PATTERNS IN GERMAN MEN'S PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL AND HANDBALL – A COMPARISON
Authors: Luig Patrick , Bloch Hendrik , Klein Christian
Published: August 2017

Background

Basketball (BB) and handball (HB) are both dynamic and physical indoor transition team sports. However, performance profiles, specifically with regard to allowed legal physical contact, differ widely. Knowledge of injury risk and injury patterns, particularly in regular league play, is limited.

Objective

Comparative analysis of injury risk and injury patterns in German men's professional BB and HB.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Two highest German professional leagues in men's BB and HB.

Participants

All first and second league BB (n=514) and HB (n=804) players who played in at least one competitive club match during the 2014–2015 season.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

Analysis of all injuries that were registered by clubs or physicians with the VBG as part of the occupational accident reporting and that either led to player's short-term disability (time-loss) and/or to medical treatment costs (medical-attention).

Main Outcome Measurements

Injury prevalence, injury incidence, injured body parts, type of injury, medical costs, short-term disability.

Results

992 of the 1.318 observed players were injured. A total of 3,071 injuries were recorded. Prevalence rate (BB: 70.0%; HB: 78.6%) and cumulative incidence rate (BB: 2.0 injuries/season; HB: 2.5 injuries/season) were significantly higher in HB. By contrast, BB (95.4 injuries/1,000 h) showed higher match incidences than HB (74.7 injuries/1,000 h). The ankle (19.6%) in BB and the knee (15.2%) in HB were the body parts most commonly affected. Moreover, in both sports injury risk and patterns varied considerably according to level of play (league) and playing position.

Conclusions

Both, German men's professional BB and HB are associated with a high risk of injury in regular league play. However, injury patterns in professional men's BB and HB differ extensively reflecting varying performance profiles. Preventive strategies and measures should therefore be tailored towards sport-specific and, moreover, position-specific risks and patterns.
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT: RELIABILITY OF AN IPHONE APP TO ASSESS UPPER EXTREMITY PROPRIOCEPTION AND STABILITY
Authors: Lynch James , Smith Keeley , Patel Vrund , Luchan Kayla
Published: August 2017

Background

The ability to maintain joint stability and motion control of the extremities is important in injury prevention and recovery. Quantitative measurement of proprioception, especially the upper extremity, is difficult and requires expensive equipment.

Objective

We investigated the reliability of a custom iPhone app to compile accelerometer data and calculate a path length of movement during 20 second trials.

Design

This study used a prospective test-retest design. Subjects completed three trials on each upper extremity (RA and LA) 48 hours apart (MWF). A convenience sample of subjects was used.

Setting

The study was conducted at a small liberal arts undergraduate institution.

Patients (or Participants)

Subjects were students associated with exercise science or athletic training programs. The activity level ranged from recreational athlete to NCAA Division II athletes. Twenty-three subjects started with 15 completing all upper extremity trials. Exclusion criterion was an upper extremity injury in the last month.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

An iPhone 6 app was developed to utilize accelerometer data in a Cartesian grid. Data was obtained at 20 Hz to calculate a path length of motion for each trial. Each subject stood, holding the iPhone in the palm of the hand directly in front of the shoulder with palm up, attempting to minimize motion for 20 seconds.

Main Outcome Measurements

Reliability measures were calculated between trials using the path length of motion in each trial.

Results

The mean path length for RA was 2669 with a standard error of 372, with LA being 2774 and 424. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.86 for the right arm and 0.74 for the left across three trials.

Conclusions

The accelerometer in an iPhone 6 is a moderately reliable instrument for assessing motion control stability in the upper extremity. We plan to add additional data filtering to the app.