bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADOPTION OF THE INJURY PREVENTION EXERCISE PROGRAMME GAA 15 IN GAELIC FOOTBALL CLUB TEAMS IN THE COUNTIES OF MAYO AND LONDON
Authors: Reilly John , Kipps Courtney
Published: August 2017

Background

Injury prevention exercise programmes (IPEPs) have been shown to prevent and reduce injuries in team sports (Silvers-Granelliet al. 2015, Owoeyeet al. 2014). Implementation and adoption of IPEPs in team sport is a process is multifaceted and complex (Donaldson & Finch 2013). The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has produced an IPEP (GAA 15) specifically tailored to Gaelic football.

Objective

To investigate the injury prevention knowledge, beliefs and perceptions of GAA coaches and estimate the implementation rates of the ‘GAA 15'

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Gaelic football clubs in the Counties of Mayo and London.

Patients (or Participants)

26 GAA coaches who responded to email invitations to participate in this study.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

Online web based survey related to Gaelic football injuries and injury prevention.

Main Outcome Measurements

Understanding and perceptions of injury prevention in general; implementation of the ‘GAA 15’; and the motivation and support from the GAA and their County Boards.

Results

All but one coach (96%) believed that an IPEP would reduce injuries to players during training and matches. Although all coaches utilise selected components of an IPEP such as strength, balance, and core exercises during the warm-up or training, only 2 coaches reported using the ‘GAA 15’. Coaches feel that they do not get enough support and exposure from the GAA and their County boards with regards to injury prevention strategies. The coaches supported the use of online resources, phone applications and group training programmes.

Conclusions

Despite wide acceptance of the benefits of an IPEP, few coaches use one in Gaelic Football. The results of this study provide valuable information on the knowledge, perceptions and beliefs of Gaelic football club coaches regarding injury prevention. This information should be used to optimise access to education and delivery of the ‘GAA 15’.
THE EFFICACY OF A NEUROMUSCULAR TRAINING INJURY PREVENTION WARM-UP PROGRAM IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: Richmond Sarah , Berg Carla van den , Owoeye Oluwatoyosi , Shi Qian , Palacios-Derflingher Luz , Hagel Brent , Macpherson Alison , Emery Carolyn
Published: August 2017

Background

Previous studies have established the efficacy of neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up programs at reducing the risk of injury in youth in sport-specific contexts and, more recently, in a pilot study that included two Calgary junior high schools.

Objective

To determine the efficacy of iSPRINT (Implementing a School Prevention program to Reduce Injuries through Neuromuscular Training), a NMT warm-up program in reducing sport and recreational (S&R) injuries.

Design

Cluster randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Junior high school physical education (PE) classes in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Participants

Students in grades 7–9, ages 11–16 years (n=429), from four of twelve junior high schools in the first of three study years.

Interventions

The iSPRINT NMT program was taught to and delivered by teachers as a S&R injury prevention warm-up program in PE classes. Schools were randomized into the NMT intervention group or a control group (two schools per group).

Main Outcome Measurements

Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated using Poisson regression analyses to compare injuries between groups. Injuries were assessed by a physiotherapist or athletic therapist and included any S&R injury that resulted in inability to return to the same activity, time loss from physical activity, or required medical attention.

Results

Injury rates (adjusted for hours of sport participation, previous injury, and clustering by class) were significantly lower in the intervention group (n=241) compared to the control group (n=188) for all sport injury (IRR=0.48, 95% CI; 0.26–0.91) and lower extremity injury (IRR=0.38, 95% CI; 0.20–0.74). Crude time loss injury rates (IRR=0.09, 95% CI; 0.02–0.45) and knee injury rates (IRR=0.18, 95% CI; 0.05–0.66) were also significantly lower in the intervention group.

Conclusions

These preliminary results suggest the efficacy of the iSPRINT program in reducing the risk of S&R injury in a junior high PE context. This research will inform the public health impact of school-based injury prevention programs.
WEAK LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCLE STRENGTH IS A RISK FACTOR FOR TRAUMATIC KNEE INJURY IN YOUTH FEMALE ATHLETES
Authors: Augustsson Sofia Ryman , Ageberg Eva
Published: August 2017

Background

The role of muscle strength for the risk of knee injury is not well investigated.

Objective

To examine the potential relationship between lower extremity (LE) muscle strength and the risk of traumatic knee injury in young female and male athletes.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

Athletes at senior high school sport programs in Sweden.

Patients (or Participants)

226 athletes (43% females) aged 15–19 years participating in ice-hockey, alpine skiing, handball, soccer, basketball or floorball were included. Those with any previous injury were excluded.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

A 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) barbell squat test, adjusted for body weight, was assessed by a well-trained instructor at each school, according to “Fysprofilen™”. The strength variable was dichotomized, according to the median, to analyse “weak” vs “strong” athletes.

Main Outcome Measurements

Any traumatic knee injury (ACL or other ligament injury, meniscal, cartilage damage, fracture) (yes/no) sustained during the high school years was reported by the athletes on a web-based questionnaire.

Results

115 traumatic knee injuries were reported. The majority (83%) of injuries were in the weak group in females (p=0.0001), while there were no differences between weak and strong groups in males (p=0.589). Females with weak LE strength had 13 times higher risk of sustaining a knee injury compared with strong females (OR, 13.07; 95% CI, 3.53–48.44; p=0.0001). 36 ACL injuries were reported, with a higher prevalence among females (18%) compared with males (5%) (p=0.002). Females in the weak group had 7 times higher risk of sustaining an ACL injury compared with the strong group (OR, 7.64; 95% CI, 1.60–36.52; P=0.011). There were no differences between the weak and strong groups in the male athletes (p=0.348).

Conclusions

Weak LE muscle strength appears to be a risk factor for sustaining a traumatic knee injury in youth female athletes but not in males.
IMPACT TESTING OF DIFFERENT ICE HOCKEY BOARD DESIGNS
Authors: Schmitt Kai-Uwe , Muser Markus , Thueler Hansjuerg , Bruegger Othmar
Published: August 2017

Background

Impact to boards is a frequent cause of injury in ice hockey. Improving the board design to reduce the biomechanical loading of a player at impact is one option to prevent injury.

Objective

Compare the impact performance of different ice hockey boards and investigate whether so-called “flexible” board designs are to be preferred over standard designs.

Design

Impact testing of ice hockey boards under laboratory conditions using a dynamic pendulum as well as anthropometric test devices (crash test dummies).

Experimental Setting

Three board elements including glazing (total length: 7 to 9 m; total height: 2.9 to 3 m) were mounted in the laboratory. A total of 8 systems were tested: two systems featured a standard design while 6 systems represented recent designs that claim to be more flexible. The test conditions were chosen based on previous studies. A pendulum (mass: 60 kg) impacted the boards at heights of 1 m (below handrail) and 1.4 m (on glazing) with velocities of 3.37 m/s and 4.76 m/s. The dummy experiments used a fully instrumented ES-2 dummy that impacted the board in a standing position (mimicking a body check position) at 4.76 m/s.

Main Outcome Measurements

The deformation of the boards was measured at 1 m and 1.4 m height. Additionally biomechanical relevant measures were recorded using the dummy. The performance of the board and the biomechanical loading of a player were assessed.

Results

Generally a “flexible” board design allows for more deformation than a standard design, but the performance varies strongly between different board models/ products. While standard boards deformed 13.4±3.6 mm and 30.7±13.1 mm at 1 m and 1.4 m height, respectively, “flexible” boards deformed 40.1±13.3 mm and 56.2±17.7 mm. Acrylic glazing enables more deformation than glass glazing (10–60% increase). The results were consistent for dummy and pendulum impacts.

Conclusions

Recent board designs exhibit a larger deformation performance compared to standard designs.
A VIDEO ANALYSIS OF MECHANISMS OF SHOULDER INJURIES IN AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL AND A COMPARISON TO OTHER FOOTBALL CODES
Authors: Schwab Laura M
Published: August 2017

Background

Shoulder injuries are common in Australian Rules football and often lead to considerable time out due to injury. There are no published studies regarding the mechanisms of shoulder injury in Australian Rules football which may influence medical management and rehabilitation.

Objective

To identify from video analysis mechanisms of shoulder injury in Australian Rules football (ARF) and compare those to mechanisms sustained in other codes of football.

Design

Retrospective, video analysis, two independent assessors.

Setting

Elite Australian Rules football league.

Participants

26 elite males, age 18–28 years.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Medical staff confirmed all injuries which was defined as an injury causing a player to miss a match. Digital footage of 26 shoulder injuries was obtained from the 2015 playing season.

Main Outcome Measurements

Mechanism of shoulder injury, history of previous shoulder injury, time of injury, use of taping during the game and if the player required surgery. This data was then compared to previously published video analysis studies on rugby shoulder injuries.

Results

Three common mechanisms of shoulder injury exist in ARF; 1) tackling, with forced hyperextension of the players arm, 2) direct impact with the ground or another player 3) overhead marking where the arm is in some degree of abduction & external rotation. The final mechanism differs to rugby where a try scorer, forced hyper-flexion mechanism is more common to the code. Almost half of the players injured in the 2015 season required surgery and a quarter had a history of previous shoulder pathology. A high number of injured players were taped at the time of the incident. There was no significant association between injury incidence and game quarter.

Conclusions

Systematic video analysis of shoulder injuries can provide a greater understanding of the likely pathology sustained from each mechanism and then may aid the development of injury prevention methods. Crossover exists between football codes with common mechanisms found however elite ARF has a unique mechanism to the code.
AN INCREASING INCIDENCE OF INJURIES DURING THE SUPER RUGBY TOURNAMENT: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OVER 4 YEARS INVOLVING 69 194 PLAYER-HOURS
Authors: Schwellnus Martin , van Rensburg Dina Christina Janse , van Rensburg Charl Janse , Jordaan Esme , van Rensburg Audrey Jansen , Derman Wayne , Readhead Clint
Published: August 2017

Background

Rugby Union has one of the highest reported incidences of match injuries among all professional sports. The Super Rugby tournament is played annually between professional rugby union teams from three rugby-playing nations in the Southern hemisphere.

Objective

To determine if the incidence of injuries in the Super Rugby tournament decreased over a 4-year period.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Super Rugby tournament.

Patients (or Participants)

774 male players from 5 South African teams.

Assessment of Risk Factors)

Medical staff of South African teams participating in the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 tournaments recorded all time loss injuries (all injuries and match injuries) and exposure hours (69 194 total playing hours; 6 132 match hours).

Main Outcome Measurements

Incidence of all injuries and match injuries (per 1000 hours play).

Results

The incidence of all injuries (per 1000 player hours; 95% CI) for each year was as follows: 2012 (9.2; 7.9–10.8); 2013 (11.6; 10.1–13.3); 2014 (11.4; 9.8–13.2), and 2015 (12.4; 10.9–14.1). The incidence of all injuries in 2015 was significantly higher compared to 2012. The overall incidence of match injuries (per 1000 player hours; 95% CI) for each year was as follows: 2012 (83.3; 69.4–99.2); 2013 (120.4; 103.6–139.2); 2014 (98.6; 83.3–116.0), and 2015(119.1; 102.9–137.2). The incidence of match injuries in 2013 and 2015 was significantly higher compared to 2012 and 2014.

Conclusions

There is an increased incidence of all injuries and match injuries in the Super Rugby tournaments between 2012–2015. After 2012, the incidence of match injuries is consistently higher than previously reported for senior male rugby players at elite/professional level (89–96 per 1000 hrs). There is an urgent need to introduce targeted injury prevention strategies in the Super Rugby tournament to reduce the risk of injuries.
SINGAPORE RUGBY UNION INJURY SURVEILLANCE: HOW DO WE COMPARE TO PREVIOUS FINDINGS IN RUGBY UNION AND DO WE NEED TO IMPROVE?
Authors: Sirisena Dinesh , Annie Henderson
Published: August 2017

Background

Rugby union is a full contact sport in which injuries are a commonplace occurrence. Despite its increasing popularity in South East Asia, the obvious differences in physical attributes of players and environment, there have not been any previous analyses of the injury data so far.

Objectives

To examine whether rugby union injury rates in Singapore are similar to those reported in other countries and to assess whether the current system of data collection is both accurate and efficient.

Design

A retrospective analysis of injury data collected from an injury audit conducted over the 2015/16 Rugby union season.

Setting

2015/16 Singapore Rugby Union domestic league.

Participants

Players from 5 teams, with 15 adults (>18 yrs) players from each team on the field at any one time for the duration of an 80 minute game.

Interventions

No interventions were implemented during this study.

Main Outcome Measurements

Total exposure and injury rates (per 1000 player h), and uptake of the current reporting system.

Results

Data from a total of 28 of 86 (32%) matches were reported, including a total of 558.6 player hours. Injury incidence (136.1 per 1000 player hours) was higher than previously reported, with muscle (50.1), concussion (21.5), shoulder (14.4), knee (12.6) and facial soft tissue (10.8) injuries being most common.

Conclusions

The high injury rate compared to previous studies in rugby union may have been biased by the low reporting rates. A reporting rate of 32% significantly limits the interpretation of the injury surveillance in Singapore. The low reporting rates may be due to an antiquated system of collecting the data and reporting injuries, but a newer system of reporting injuries is being developed.
LANDING-RELATED ANKLE INJURIES DO NOT OCCUR IN PLANTARFLEXION AS ONCE THOUGHT: A VIDEO ANALYSIS OF ANKLE INJURIES IN WORLD-CLASS VOLLEYBALL FROM THE FIVB INJURY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
Authors: Skazalski Christopher , Kruczynski Jacek , Bahr Martin Aase , Bere Tone , Whiteley Rod , Bahr Roald
Published: August 2017

Background

Ankle sprains are the most prevalent injury in volleyball and it is suggested they result from player contact at the net. Traditionally, ankle sprains are thought to happen in a plantarflexed position, but case studies suggest plantarflexion may not be involved.

Objective

To describe the injury situations and mechanisms for ankle injuries in elite volleyball based on systematic video analyses.

Design

Descriptive video analysis.

Setting

National teams participating in major Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) senior-level tournaments.

Material

All acute ankle injuries with subsequent time-loss (n=32) reported through the (FIVB) Injury Surveillance System (ISS) 2010–2014. Of these, video footage of 24 injuries was available for analysis.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Injury situation variables included playing situation, player positions, and center line infringement. Variables examining injury mechanisms included lower extremity (ankle, knee, hip) joint positions at first contact and the index injury frame, joint movement between initial contact and the index frame, and the relationship between ankle dorsiflexion and supination.

Results

The majority of injuries occurred during blocking (n=15) and attacking (n=6). Injuries to blockers resulted from landing on an opponent (n=11) or teammate (n=4). Attacking injuries mostly occurred when a backrow player landed on a front row teammate (n=4). When landing on an opponent, the attacker landed into the opponent's court in 11 of 12 situations compared to 2 situations for the blocker. When landing on another player, the ankle moved into a neutral dorsiflexed position prior to rapid pronation/supination in 15 situations compared to 1 situation of supination in plantarflexion.

Conclusions

The majority of injuries occur while blocking, often landing on an opponent. The attacker is responsible for injuries at the net secondary to crossing the center line. Landing-related injuries mostly occur with the ankle rapidly supinating in a neutral dorsiflexed position.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF TAEKWONDO INJURIES: 1-YEAR PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Son Bo Ae , Jeong Hee Seong , Kong In Deok , Lee Sae Yong
Published: August 2017

Background

Taekwondo black belt population of Korea is among nation's best. However, there is no well-organized injury surveillance system (ISS) in Korea.

Objective

To analyse epidemiological data of youth Taekwondo injury to compare and examine injury incidence of adult athletes.

Design

Prospective epidemiological study.

Setting

Taekwondo competition and practice of 2016 season in Korea.

Patients (or Participants)

Eighty two middle, 76 high school, and 82 university Taekwondo athletes who registered officially for Korea Taekwondo Association participated in the study.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

The athletes with injuries to examine potential risk factors.

Main Outcome Measurements

Chi-square tests were used to compare rate of injury between gender and level. Injury rates per athletic exposure (A-E), odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidential intervals (CI) were conducted.

Results

Among the 243 registered athletes (33.5% female), a total of 155 injuries, 117 injuries occurred during 476,983 A-E 0.24 injuries per 1,000 AEs during training and 38 injuries during 1,036 per 1,063 AEs; 38.6 per 1,000 A-E during competition were reported. The majority of injury location was ankle (23.4%). Contusion (22.7%) was the most common types of injury. Injury rate was not significantly different between male and female. Youth athletes demonstrated significantly higher injury incidence (OR 2.16; CI: 1.24 to 3.78) as compared to that of adult athletes. However, adult athletes are more likely to have more severe injuries (OR 3.57; CI: 1.46 to 8.70).

Conclusions

This injury surveillance study provides an essential epidemiological information that will help clinicians to consider and develop prevention strategies to reduce injuries for both youth and adult athletes during training/competitions. Future research should evaluate injuries during match with same athletic population based on prospectively collecting ISS data.
SPORTS INJURIES AND ILLNESSES IN THE LILLEHAMMER 2016 YOUTH OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Authors: Steffen Kathrin , Moseid Christine Holm , Engebretsen Lars , Søberg Pia Katrine , Amundsen Olav , Kristian Holm , Moger Thomas , Soligard Torbjørn
Published: August 2017

Background

Injury and illness surveillance during high-level junior sports events is an important first step in health prevention and caretaking of the young elite athletes.

Objective

To analyse injuries and illnesses that occurred during the 2nd Youth Olympic Winter Games, YOG, held in Lillehammer 2016.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Participants

1083 14–18 year-old elite athletes, 46% (n=502) of them females, from 70 National Olympic Committees (NOC).

Intervention

We recorded the daily occurrence (or non-occurrence) of injuries and illnesses through the reporting of 1) all NOC medical teams and 2) the polyclinic and medical venues by the Lillehammer Organising Committee (LYOCOG) medical staff.

Main Outcome Measurements

Newly occurred injuries and illnesses during the 2016 Lillehammer YOG.

Results

NOCs and LYOCOG reported 108 injuries and 81 illnesses, equalling to 9.5 injuries and 7.2 illnesses per 100 athletes over the 10-day competition period. The percentage of injured athletes was highest in the snowboard and freestyle slopestyle and cross disciplines, alpine skiing, and skeleton, and lowest in the Nordic skiing disciplines. Approximately, two thirds of the injuries (n=71, 65.7%) prevented the athlete from absence from training or competition, while 10 injuries (9.3%) were registered with an estimated absence from sport for >7 days. The rate of illness was highest in curling and the Nordic skiing disciplines with most of them being respiratory tract infections (81.5%).

Conclusions

Overall, 9% of the athletes incurred at least one injury during the games, and 7% an illness, which is similar to the first YOG and slightly lower compared to previous Winter Olympic Games. The incidence of injuries and illnesses varied substantially between sports and will require the implementation of individualized preventive measure.
NOVEL RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MORE SEVERE EXERCISE ASSOCIATED MUSCLE CRAMPING (EAMC): A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY OF 41 698 DISTANCE RUNNERS
Authors: Swanevelder Sonja , Schwellnus Martin , Jordaan Esme
Published: August 2017

Background

EAMC is a common clinical syndrome in endurance runners, and can range in severity. Risk factors for EAMC have been identified and include age, gender, racing distance, a history of chronic diseases, medication, training and competition load, and running injuries. However, to date, risk factors for more severe EAMC (recurrent cramping) have not been investigated.

Objective

To document risk factors associated with EAMC in distance runners, including more severe EAMC.

Design

Data analysis from a 2-year prospective cohort study.

Patients (or Participants)

41 698 distance runners (21.1 km and 56 km) who completed an online pre-race medical screening questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measurements

Independent risk factors associated with EAMC (model 1: binary outcome), and risk factors associated with severe EAMC (model 2: defined as recurrent cramping history).

Results

Significant risk factors (p<0.05) for EAMC (model 1: binary outcome) were: males, age>40 yrs, increased BMI, history of any GIT or kidney/bladder disease; chronic or regular medication use, history of a running injury in the last 12 months, running the 56 km race, recreational running for <5 yrs, training/racing <3 times/week, and slower runners (>6 min/km). In model 2, severe EAMC was associated with all the risk factors for EAMC in model 1, but also included a history of any cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms. In model 2, a lower BMI and running in 21.1 km race were also specific risk factors for severe EAMC. Training volume and pace weren't risk factors in model 2.

Conclusions

Risk factors for the clinical syndrome of EAMC in distance runners are identified, including novel risk factors associated with more severe EAMC (a history of CVD symptoms, lower BMI and shorter race distance). Physicians need to consider secondary causes (including underlying chronic diseases) in the diagnosis and prevention of EAMC, and also consider different risk factor for recurrent (severe) EAMC in endurance athletes.
THE PREVENTION OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN ATHLETES: CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING PRACTICES IN UNITED STATES NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES AND PARALYMPIC COMMITTEES
Authors: Toresdahl Brett , Chang Cindy , Confino Jamie , Asif Irfan
Published: August 2017

Background

Cardiac screening in athletes has recently been a focus of investigation and debate among the sports medicine community. Athletic associations and organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, have issued recommendations regarding screening practices in an effort to prevent sudden cardiac death in sport.

Objective

To examine cardiovascular screening strategies among Olympic-level athletic teams.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

United States National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).

Participants

Medical team members for US NGBs and NPCs.

Interventions

Medical team members were surveyed regarding the cardiovascular screening practices of their respective teams.

Main Outcome Measurements

The screening components and screening frequency performed by US NGBs and NPCs.

Results

Medical team members for 49/72 (68%) of the US NGBs and NPCs were identified and contact information was obtained through various sources. 42/49 teams (86%) completed the assessment (34 from NGBs and 8 from NPCs). Twenty-one of 42 teams (50%) reported that there was a periodic health evaluation requirement that directed the cardiovascular screening components, frequency, and/or provider. The following screening components were reported as being performed at least once in all or most athletes: personal history (91% of teams), family history (86%), physical exam (81%), electrocardiogram (33%), echocardiogram (5%), and stress test (2%). For teams who did not screen athletes with ECG, the most frequently cited reasons were lack of ECG equipment (40%), lack of evidence (33%), and lack of consensus regarding follow-up testing (20%).

Conclusion

The US NGBs and NPCs are a heterogeneous collection of athletic teams that have varying approaches to cardiovascular screening. Lack of infrastructure appears to be the biggest barrier to implementing advanced screening protocols. Results from this investigation can be used to support efforts to provide consistent cardiovascular screening practices to NGB and NPC athletes with the goal of preventing tragedy from sudden cardiac death.
PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IN ELITE ROWERS
Authors: Trompeter Katharina , Fett Daniela , Platen Petra
Published: August 2017

Background

Rowing is a popular sport and considered to be among the most physically demanding endurance sports. Especially elite rowers are exposed to high strain of the musculoskeletal system due to their high training volume. Currently, there is no information on the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the German Elite.

Objective

This study aims to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in German elite rowers.

Design

The study was designed as a cross-sectional retrospective survey.

Setting

An online questionnaire based on the valid Nordic Questionnaire (Kuorinka, 1987) was sent to German elite division rowers.

Participants

N=84 German elite rowers (m=43, f=41; 20.7±3.4 yrs., 183.9±8.3 cm, 77.3±11.5 kg) took part in the survey.

Main Outcome Measurements

Lifetime prevalence (LTP) and point prevalence (PP) of musculoskeletal pain were determined.

Results

The most frequently occurring localization of pain was the lower back. LTP of low back pain (LBP) was 87%, followed by the neck (66%), knee (65%), shoulder (61%) thoracic spine (58%), wrist (53%), ankle (33%), hip (32%) and elbow (17%). The highest PP was found in the lower back (48%) followed by the neck (30%), wrist (25%), shoulder (23%), knee (22%), thoracic spine (20%), hip (15%), ankle (7%) and elbow (4%). There were no differences in prevalence regarding sex and age.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that musculoskeletal pain and especially LBP is a relevant medical problem in elite rowing. This is in line with findings in the literature. Bahr (2004) described a LTP of LBP of 63% and a PP of 25% in elite rowers, and Fass (2012) found values of 68% and 19%, respectively. The results underline the necessity of LBP prevention and intervention programs in addition to the discipline specific training loads.

Acknowledgement

The study was supported by the Federal Institute for Sport Science, Germany (ZMVI1–080102A/11–18).
TRANSFER OF A JUMP-LANDING TASK TO SIDESTEP CUTTING: IMPLICATIONS FOR ACL INJURY PREVENTION
Authors: Benjaminse Anne , Welling Wouter , Otten Bert , Gokeler Alli
Published: August 2017

Background

It is unknown if learned motor skills as practiced in ACL injury prevention training carry over to other tasks.

Objective

Determine if training of a jump-landing task results in transfer of improvement in lower extremity biomechanics during sidestep cutting.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Controlled laboratory setting, recreational athletes.

Participants

Twenty male and twenty female healthy team ball sport athletes were randomly assigned to a verbal internal focus (IF, n=10), verbal external focus (EF, n=10), video (VI, n=10) or control group (CTRL, n=10).

Interventions

A jump-landing task was performed at baseline followed by training blocks (TR1 and TR2), an immediate post-test and an one-week retention test. Subjects in the IF, EF and VI groups received group specific instructions in TR1 and TR2. Transfer was determined after one week with a 45° unanticipated sidestep cutting task.

Main Outcome Measurements

Hip and knee flexion range of motion (ROM).

Results

During sidestep cutting, males in the VI (5.1°±1.0) and CTRL (5.1°±1.0) group showed greater hip flexion ROM compared to the IF (3.7°±0.0) and EF (3.0°±1.5) groups (p<0.05). For females, the VI group (7.0°±1.0) showed greater hip flexion ROM compared to the IF (0.6°±0.0), EF (1.3°±0.7) and CTRL (2.7°±0.0) groups (p<0.05). The EF (males −15.8°±3.9, females −11.0°±3.0) and VI (males −15.1°±2.6, females −16.7°±1.8) groups showed greater knee flexion ROM compared to the IF (males −6.6°±3.9, females −6.0°±1.3) group (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Athletes who received VI instructions demonstrated transfer of improved movement technique from jump-landing to sidestep cutting. Adding visual instruction to ACL injury prevention programs seems promising for transfer to sport specific situations.
DECISION-MAKING AND TECHNIQUE: EVIDENCE FOR INCREASED HEAD INJURY RISK DURING TACKLING IN RUGBY UNION
Authors: Tucker Ross
Published: August 2017

Background

The tackle is the most injurious game event in Rugby Union. We recently found that tackles account for 76% of head injury events in professional rugby. Specific analysis of the tackle is required to understand how interventions such as law change or educational programmes can minimize head-injury risk from tackles.

Objective

Analyze tackles to identify high risk situations and behaviors.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

1,516 Rugby matches in six professional tournaments.

Participants

Head injury cases resulting from tackles.

Assessment of Risk Factors

A professional video analyst evaluated every tackle-induced head injury event. Propensity was calculated for various tackle characteristics.

Main Outcome Measurements

Head-injury propensity for tackles, focused on tackle type, player's speeds and body positions.

Results

464 Head Injury Events (HIEs) occurred during tackles, with a propensity of 1.94 HIEs/1000 tackles. For body position, the greatest risk was for falling ball carriers (9.8 HIEs/1000 tackles), or for upright tacklers (2.44 HIEs/1000 tackles). In combination, risk was highest when both players were upright, particularly for active shoulder tackles (17.4 HIEs/1000 tackles). Regardless of the tackler position, the lowest risk was for a ball carrier bent at the waist (1.15 HIEs/1000 tackles). Regarding speed, for static or low-speed tacklers, HIE risk increased with ball-carrier speed. However, when the tackler was at high speed, HIE risk decreased from 6.1 HIEs/1000 tackles for a static ball-carrier to 3.3 HIEs/1000 tackles for a high-speed tackler.

Conclusions

Complex interplay exists between tackle type, body position and speeds. The ability to anticipate and protect oneself in a tackle is crucial for reduced risk, as is the correct selection of tackle type and direction based on relative speeds. The execution of higher force tackles to avoid high risk head impacts is also critical. Decision-making and tackle execution offer potential areas for intervention to reduce HIE risk.
IS MOVEMENT OF LOWER EXTREMITY DURING SPORTS MANEUVERS SIMILAR?
Authors: Urabe Yukio , Nobuaki Moriyama , Miho Morita , Yuta Suzuki , Noriaki Maeda
Published: August 2017

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury occurs in left leg more frequently than right leg. Authors have developed new screening test using a situationally bicycle to detecting malalignment represented by a toe-out which may cause ACL injuries during sports.

Objective

To measure foot abduction (toe-out) angle during pedalling movement in collegiate athletes and to examine whether pedalling movement can detect by comparing with those during running.

Design

Repeated measures design.

Setting

Laboratory setting.

Patients (or Participants)

A total of 120 collegiate basketball athletes with no orthopaedic diagnosis in lower extremities participated in this study. This study was approved by the institutional review board of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University (ID:1335).

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

Pedalling movement and running.

Main Outcome Measurements

Foot abduction (toe-out) angle during pedalling was calculated based on video images. To compare foot abduction angle between during pedaling and straight running and circle running (clockwise and counterclockwise) was also measured.

Results

Higher foot abduction angle was observed in right feet (5.7°±3.5°) compared with those in left feet (4.5°±2.9°) during pedalling (p<0.05). The same difference was observed in straight running (p<0.05). Especially, during circle running, foot adduction angle of outside feet was larger compared with inside feet (p<0.05). In addition, the angle of right feel during counterclockwise circle running was larger compared with that of left feet during clockwise running (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The result of this study showed that foot abduction angle during pedalling movement was similar to that during running. Foot abduction angle of right was larger compared with that of left. This tendency was remarkable during circle ruining. Although, this result is contradict to the fact that ACL injury during sports occurs more frequently in left legs compared with right legs, it deserves further discussion.
RISK FACTORS FOR GROIN INJURIES IN ELITE MALE SOCCER PLAYERS
Authors: van Beijsterveldt Anne-Marie , Tak Igor , Langhout Rob , Stubbe Janine
Published: August 2017

Background

Groin pain is common in sports. More insight in risk factors is important to prevent groin injuries.

Objective

To examine potential risk factors for groin injuries.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Project focusing on prevention and rehabilitation of groin injuries in elite male soccer players.

Participants

Teams of the first and second division in the Netherlands were invited to participate. The final cohort consisted of 238 players from 10 teams.

Assessment of risk factors

During the 2015-preseason the soccer players were examined through a baseline questionnaire on player characteristics and complaints (including Hip And Groin Outcome Score, HAGOS), and a clinical examination of the hip/groin (including several Range of Motion (ROM) tests and eccentric strength tests).

Main outcome measurements

The dependent variable is the occurrence of a groin injury. The hypothesis is that intrinsic risk factors, like previous (groin) injuries, hip/groin complaints, low hip ROM, and low hip muscle strength, are associated with increased risk of groin injuries. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the relationship between the occurrence of a groin injury and potential risk factors.

Results

In total, 28 groin injuries were reported, affecting 21 players. The incidence of groin injuries was 0.14 injuries per 1000 training hours (95% CI 0.06–0.31), and 2.41 injuries per 1000 match hours (95% CI 1.30–4.48). There were 6 minor injuries (time-loss <7 days), 7 moderate injuries (8–28 days) and 8 severe injuries (>28 days). In a multivariate model only injury history (moderate/severe injury during the previous season) was significantly associated with increased risk of groin injuries (OR=3.11, 95% CI 1.20–8.09, p=0.02). A multivariate analysis without minor injuries revealed no significant risk factors.

Conclusion

Injury history is a significant risk factor for groin injuries: players with an injury lasting at least one week previous season have a three times higher injury risk.
PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE ON THE EFFICACY OF CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
Authors: Burm Frederic Van , Goedhart Arnold
Published: August 2017

Background

The training and match injury-incidence in professional men's football remains high and current preventive strategies only seem partially effective, allowing players to present with intrinsic weaknesses each consecutive season. Professional football is a balance-reliant, open skill performed in an environment rich in visual, vestibular and proprioceptive input. Pre-season balance ability - a significant independent intrinsic predictor of injuries and a long-term persisting between-individual difference in injury susceptibility – depends on this input. Measurements of postural control while in a unilateral stance have been shown to predict football injury-susceptibility. Therefore, effective prevention of injury may start with the measurement of postural control followed by interventions targeted at internal risk factor(s). Stomatognathic conditions/malocclusion may have a strong negative impact on the athletes proprioceptive abilities. Therefore, the primary question in this study was: do cranial osteopathic interventions that reduce malocclusion to the better improve balance control in male elite football players?

Aim

This study aimed at investigating dental/occlusal factors and unilateral balance as non-contact injury risk factors in professional football players and the contribution of osteopathic techniques to decrease these risks.

Method

Sixty three injury-free male professional football players with malocclusion were recruited amongst three Belgian Premier League teams and were tested individually. Balance was measured using COF area recordings during a validated unipodal force plate balance test. Four balance test conditions (dominant/non-dominant leg×eyes open/closed) were used to evaluate the short-term effects of three standardized cranial osteopathic techniques.

Results

All the post-treatment measures show smaller mean COF values (balance improvement) when compared to pre-treatment base-line recordings, with the strongest improvement for the conditions with eyes closed (paired t-test, p<0.0005). Indicators of stomatognathic conditions showed significant correlations with base-line COF and balance improvement.

Conclusions

This study indicates that cranial osteopathic interventions with professional football players result in substantial improvement of balance in challenging test conditions (i.e. standing on one leg with eyes closed), and especially if one or more specific stomatognathic conditions are present. Improvement of balance as a non-specific indicator of injury susceptibility and of soccer performance is a dynamic process that involves many features, that could be included in future prospective studies. The results are suggestive for implementation of this approach in football, but at the same time point at the need for follow-up studies with a larger sample size and long-term evaluation.
LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN SPORT
Authors: Vertommen Tine , Kampen Jarl , Veldhoven Nicolette Schipper-van , Eede Filip Van Den
Published: August 2017

Background

A recent prevalence study in the Netherlands and Belgium showed that 38% of children in sport experienced psychological violence, 11% physical violence, and 14% sexual violence. Ethnic minority, lesbian/gay/bisexual (LGB) and disabled athletes, and those competing at the international level reported significantly more experiences with interpersonal violence in sport.

Objective

While general literature has repeatedly shown that exposure to interpersonal violence in childhood is associated with adverse psychological outcomes in adulthood, this relationship has not yet been demonstrated in athletes. This study aims to explore the long-term consequences of these experiences on adult psychopathology and quality of life.

Design

A cross-sectional, retrospective design, using an online survey, provides a prevalence estimate of interpersonal violence in sport in a representative sample of adults, prescreened on having participated in organized sport before the age of 18 (N=4043). In this sample, psychopathology (depression, anxiety and somatic problems) was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory. Quality of life was measured with the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL BREF). Using Poisson and ordinal logistic regression, the impact on psychopathology and quality of life was investigated, while controlling for demographics, as well as disability, sexual orientation and adverse childhood experiences outside sport.

Results

Moderate and severe experiences with interpersonal violence in sport (psychological, physical and sexual) proved to have a significant negative impact on psychopathology and quality of life in adulthood.

Conclusions

This study shows that interpersonal violence against children in sport is related to mental health problems and lower quality of life in adulthood. With its Consensus Statement on non-accidental violence in sport, the IOC gives a strong impetus to prioritize athlete welfare and implement prevention policies. Sport medicine practitioners can actively contribute to a safer sports climate by being attentive to signs of violence against athletes and effectively respond to disclosures.
INJURY TYPES, INJURY RISKED BODY PARTS AND SPORT TYPE SPECIFICITY OF ELITE ATHLETES
Authors: Wang Victor , Mayer Frank , Hang Yi-Hsiong
Published: August 2017

Background

Elite athletes' injuries are multi-factorial and sport specific. However, the inter-relationships between sport type characteristics and injury types and related variables are not clear.

Objective

To test the inter-relationships between 2 injury related variables and 2 adapted sport types of elite athletes.

Design and Setting

A bi-national, cross-sectional and retrospective injury incident survey was conducted. Currently active or retired national delegation athletes trained for international competitions of Olympic sports were targeted.

Participants

269 Taiwanese (f/m: 119/150, age 23±6.7) and 66 German (f/m: 32/34, age=25.8±6.9) elite athletes were recruited from national sport training centres, sport federations and universities.

Assessment of Risk Factors

The assessment of injury incidence and injury risk of body parts was conducted by adapting 8 injury types (muscle, bone_acute, bone_chronic, tissue_chronic, exceeded range of motion, connective tissue, soft tissue and others) and 4 body sections (head & neck, chest & back, upper_extremity and lower_extremity) categorized from total of 87 injury options on entry form. Five sport_formats (individual_no contact, team_no contact, team_contact, individual_combat, team_combat) and 5 sport_locations (on land_no locomotion, on land_with locomotion, on water, in snow, on ice) categories were used to classify 38 original Olympic sport types.

Main Outcome Measurements

Sport training related injury incidences were taken as outcome measurement. 2 adapted sport related category-variables (sport_format and sport_location) were formulated for test of hypothesis.

Results

Sport_format variable influenced the results of 4 injury types (muscle, bone_chronic, exceeded range-of-motion and connecting-tissues) and 1 injured body section (head&neck) significantly. Sport_location variable influenced the results of 4 injury types (muscle, bone_acute, tissue_chronic and exceeded range-of-motion) and 3 injured body sections (head & neck, upper extremity and lower extremity). Age influenced the results of 3 injury types (bone_chronic, tissues_chronic and other injuries) and all 4 body sections. Gender influenced the results of connecting tissue type of injury and the injury result of head & neck section.

Conclusions

With these sport type, injury type/injury section specificity information, elite athletes, coach and sport trainer/therapist can further utilize and build detailed injury prevention or rehabilitation program.
EXERCISE ASSOCIATED HYPONATREMIA (EAH) AND FLUID INTAKE DURING THE 2016 LONDON MARATHON
Authors: Whatmough Steven , Mears Stephen , Kipps Courtney
Published: August 2017

Background

Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia (EAH) is a potentially fatal condition during endurance exercise (Petzoldet al, 2007). Excessive fluid intake over and above normal fluid losses is the most common risk factor in the development of EAH. A “drink to thirst” fluid regime is considered best practice (Hew-Butleret al, 2015).

Objective

To investigate fluid intake and changes in serum sodium concentrations ([Na]+) in runners during a marathon

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

2016 London Marathon.

Participants

28 amateur athletes were recruited at the marathon registration.

Independent Variables

Online and printed medical advice was available to all participants. A drink to thirst fluid regime was recommended to all athletes by the event organisers.

Main Outcome Measures

Serum sodium samples were collected and body mass measured at the marathon start and finish lines. Questionnaires regarding estimated fluid intake data were collected at the finish.

Results

The average volume of fluid intake during the marathon was 1.4 litres (range 0–5.5 litres). Change in serum sodium concentration was inversely correlated with change in body mass (r=−0.383, p=0.044) and with estimated fluid intake (r=−0.406, p=0.032). A significant correlation between fluid intake and weight change was not found. The average pre-race and post-race [Na]+were 141.7 mmol/L and 141.5 mmol/L, respectively (p=0.8673). One runner (1/28, 3.6%) was found to have asymptomatic hyponatraemia ([Na]++=130 mmol/L). This runner had consumed an estimated 5l of fluid over the course of the marathon. A trend in correlation was seen between fluid intake and race time (r=0.349, p=0.069).

Conclusions

Runners consumed potentially dangerous volumes of fluid during a marathon despite the written guidance recommending against such practices. The consequence of this behaviour is overhydration and an increased risk of developing potentially fatal EAH. The optimal medium for runner education on safe drinking practices is yet to be determined.