bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of eccentric hamstring strength exercise on knee flexor strength
Authors: Sato K , Hosokawa T , Mitsueda S , Hosaki K , Okuyama M , Okada T , Kanisawa I , Tsuchiya A , Takahashi K , Sakai H 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundEccentric hamstring strength exercise has been adopted in lower extremity injury prevention programs extensively, but the study of its effect on knee flexor strength is limited.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the effects of eccentric hamstring strength exercise on knee flexor strength using three different measuring methods, and to compare the effects between men and women.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe evaluation was performed in a rehabilitation laboratory.Participants18 healthy volunteers (10 men, 8 women) participated in this study.InterventionAll subjects were asked to perform eccentric hamstring strength exercise (the so-called Nordic hamstring exercise) 3 days a week for 6 weeks.Main outcome measurementsConcentric, eccentric and isometric knee flexor strengths were measured before and after the training periods using the Biodex dynamometer. Concentric and eccentric peak torques at 60 deg/sec, and isometric peak torque with 90° of knee flexion for 5 s, were measured. These were compared before and after intervention. The rate of increase was calculated and compared between men and women.ResultsThe eccentric torque measurements for men after intervention were significantly higher than before intervention (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference in women. No significant differences between before and after intervention were shown for concentric and isometric torques in both sexes. The rate of increase for men (20.0%) was significantly higher than that for women (8.8%) in eccentric torque (p<0.05), while no significant differences were observed between men and women in concentric and isometric torque.ConclusionIt seems that the effect of the eccentric hamstrings strength exercise in women was lower than in men. Therefore, careful attention should be paid in instructing the exercise to women.
Risk factors associated with exercise associated muscle cramping (EAMC) – a prospective cohort study in ironman triathletes
Authors: Schwellnus M , Collins M , Drew N 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundDespite the high prevalence of Exercise Associated Muscle Cramping (EAMC) in endurance athletes, the aetiology and risk factors for this condition are not fully understood.ObjectiveThe objective of this prospective cohort study was to identify risk factors associated with EAMC in endurance triathletes.SettingField study during an international Ironman triathlon.Participants210 triathletes competing in an Ironman triathlon.AssessmentPrior to the race, subjects completed a detailed validated questionnaire and blood samples were taken for serum electrolytes. Immediately before the race, pre-race body weight was obtained. Body weight and blood samples for serum electrolyte concentrations were obtained immediately post-race. Clinical data on EAMC experienced during or immediately after the race were also collected.Main outcome measurementsTraining data, serum electrolyte and body weight changes were compared between 44 triathletes who reported EAMC (CR group) and 166 triathletes who did not report EAMC (NC group). A regression analysis was conducted to determine independent risk factors for EAMC in triathletes.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups in any pre-post race serum electrolyte concentrations and body weight changes. The development of EAMC was associated with faster predicted race times and faster actual race times, despite similarly matched preparation and performance histories in subjects from both groups. A regression analysis identified faster overall race time (and cycling time) and a past history of cramping (in the last 10 races) as the only two independent risk factors for EAMC.ConclusionThe results from this study add to the evidence that dehydration and altered serum electrolyte balance are not causes for EAMC. Rather, endurance runners competing at a fast pace, which suggests that they exercise at a high intensity, are at risk for EAMC.
New device production for preventive measures against the hallux-valgus deformity
Authors: Urabe Y , Kamiya N , Yamanaka Y , Shintaku M 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundMany athletes have foot deformity of hallux-valgus. These deformities lead to decrease of foot function and sports performance. The authors were developed a new device for decrease the angle of hallux-valgus. This device was socks and in use underwear in sports activity and daily living.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was following four points. Does this device can change the hallux-valgus angle? Does this device can change the foot pain? Does this device influence centre of pressure (COP) of the foot? Does this device can decrease the deformity for long-term use?DesignProspective and randomised controlled trial design.SettingThis study was clinical setting for athletes.ParticipantsThe subjects were 34 female volunteer athletes. The hallux-valgus group was consisted 17 athletes, all who has hallux-valgus angle above 20° and complaint of foot pain. The control group was 17, all who has hallux-valgus angle below 19° and pain free of each foot.InterventionThe subjects were used this socks 3 months of their daily life and sports activities.Main outcome measurementsThe hallux-valgus angle and COP of standing position were measured, and checked again after the 3 months.ResultsThe hallux-valgus angle was decreased 7.1° at instance of wearing the socks with hallux-valgus group and 5.5° with control group. The foot pain was decreased 50% at instance of wearing socks with hallux-valgus group and 70% decrease at 2.3 months uses the socks. The COP of the body was changed 3.7% forward on the foot of hallux-valgus group. The 2.3 months later, hallux-valgus angle was decreased 4.7° of average at the bare foot with hallux-valgus group.ConclusionsThis study showed the hallux-valgus prevention socks were decreased not only deformity angle at instance but also use prolonged more angle decreased.
The epidemiology of shoulder injuries in rugby union football
Authors: Usman J , McIntosh A S , Best J P 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundShoulder injuries are a significant risk in rugby union football. However, the aetiology and the risk factors associated with shoulder injuries are not well understood.ObjectiveTo analyse the incidence and risk factors for shoulder injuries in rugby union football.DesignA prospective shoulder injury study was carried out in 2009 using a recursive injury model framework.SettingCommunity level adult male rugby union players.Participants75 players at the start and 54 players at the end.Assessment of risk factorsThe effects of player size, age, injury history and usage of shoulder padding were assessed.Main outcome measurementsShoulder injury incidence rate (IIR). Performance on shoulder assessments using the Constant Score Protocol was measured pre-, mid- and end-season. Weekly training and shoulder impairment was measured.ResultsA total of 1138.1 player participation hours (pph) were recorded. The overall shoulder IIR was 4.4 injuries per 1000 pph with an average severity of 1.0 missed game. Previous injury and shoulder pads were the main observed intrinsic and extrinsic injury risk factors, respectively. An IIR of 3.5/1000 pph were recorded in players with no history of shoulder injury in the last 3 years (80%). There was a non-significant reduction in injury incidence for players wearing shoulder pads during a match. The tackle has been identified as the intrinsic factor that contributed to 67% of the total time loss to injury. Shoulder pain and impairment were reported by 41% of the players throughout the season but none caused the players to miss any games.ConclusionA recursive injury model was applied however shoulder pain and impairment did not appear to be correlated with injury risk. Recursiveness may not be relevant to the shoulder injuries observed in this cohort. Pre-season screening and appropriate rehabilitation may prevent repeat shoulder injury.
Risk factors for patellar tendinopathy in basketball and volleyball players: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: van der Worp H , van Ark M , Zwerver J , van den Akker-Scheek I 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundPatellar tendinopathy has a multifactorial aetiology, and many potential risk factors have been described in the literature. Findings are conflicting though, and most research is conducted on elite athletes.ObjectiveAim of the study is to determine risk factors for patellar tendinopathy in a large representative sample of basketball and volleyball players.DesignCross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire.SettingBasketball and volleyball players of all playing levels.ParticipantsAll basketball and volleyball players between ages 18 and 35 years (n=7740) from the Dutch Basketball Association and the Dutch Volleyball Association were invited to complete the questionnaire. 1561 volleyball players completed the questionnaire.Assessment of risk factorsThe following independent variables were collected: Gender, age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, years playing basketball/volleyball, hours of training during the last week, number of games during the last month, average hours of other sports per week, training increase compared to last year, playing surface, playing level and playing position.Main outcome measurementsPresence of symptomatic patellar tendinopathy was the dependent variable.ResultsRisk factors for patellar tendinopathy were age, playing at the national level, being male and playing volleyball (compared to playing basketball). Risk factors for men and women were comparable. Among volleyball players outside hitters and middle blockers/hitters had an increased risk compared to setters. For basketball players no risk factors could be identified. No differences in risk factors were found between athletes with unilateral and bilateral patellar tendinopathy.ConclusionSeveral potential risk factors for patellar tendinopathy were identified. These findings should be taken into account for prevention and rehabilitation purposes.
A prospective study of injuries in elite soccer referees and assistant referees
Authors: Wilson F , Gissane C , Byrne A 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundInjury incidence in soccer players has received wide attention, but there is a lack of information dealing with match officials.ObjectiveTo examine the profile and incidence of injury in soccer match officials.DesignA 12 month prospective cohort injury surveillance programme.SettingElite soccer referees and assistant referees who were part of the Football Association of Ireland referee database.Participants31 participants (27 males and 4 females), mean age 33.2 (6.2) years old (69% of the available cohort).Assessment of risk factorsWeekly web based survey, followed up by a telephone interview in those cases who reported injury.Main outcome measurementsDetails of training and match officiating. New injuries in terms of site of the body, type of injury, where, when and how it took place.ResultsMost activity time was spent training (61%) with 39% spent officiating. 38 injuries were recorded, (8.8/1000 h training (CI 6.2 to 12.0) and 16.4/1000 h for match officiating (CI 10.9 to 23.8), (RR 4.3, 2.1 to 8.9)). 55% (CI 40 to 70%) were injuries to muscles. 76% (CI 61 to 87) were to the lower leg. Overuse injuries represented 61% (CI 45 to 74%) of all cases. Achilles tendinopathy and hip/groin muscle strain were the most common injuries (18.4% of all injuries each). The proportion of overuse injuries that took place in matches (68%) and training (40%) were not significantly different (difference=28%, 95% CI −6 to 55). Only two injuries (5.3%, 95% CI 1.5 to 17.0) involved contact, both during training.ConclusionElite match officials complete high volumes of training and officiating. Match officials are at risk of sustaining injury which in training, is similar to the incidence reported in soccer players.
Brain loading in concussive head impacts: implications for injury prevention
Authors: Patton D , McIntosh A , Kleiven S 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundConcussion is a prominent injury risk in sport, but the mechanisms that cause concussion are unclear. An important debate centres on the roles of angular and linear head acceleration in the mechanism of concussion. Resolving this debate is a prerequisite for developing injury prevention methods.ObjectiveTo estimate the brain loading patterns in a case series of concussive and no-injury head impacts. To assess the relative affects of linear and angular acceleration on brain loading and injury.DesignBiomechanical analysis of head impacts using the validated KTH human head finite element model to analyse brain loading patterns in reconstructed head impacts.SettingProfessional male unhelmeted contact football.ParticipantsBiomechanical data from a previous case series study of 40 male football players (concussed and no-injury).Main outcome measurementsMaximum principle strain, a predictor of injury, was measured in discrete brain locations.ResultsThe highest maximum principle strains were recorded in both the white and grey matter of the cerebrum. Strains in all brain regions were similar across all three grades of concussion (Cantu Revised Concussion Grading Guidelines), but lower (33–47%) for no-injury cases. Concussion was most correlated with strains in the brainstem and thalamus. Angular, rather than linear, resultant accelerations correlated higher to strains in all regions of the brain. Angular accelerations in the coronal plane and linear accelerations directed inferiorly had the greatest correlation to concussion and loss of consciousness. For linear accelerations, those directed laterally and inferiorly were most correlated with strain. Angular accelerations in the coronal plane correlated highly with strains in the brainstem, thalamus, and midbrain. Angular accelerations in the transverse plane correlated highly with strains in the cerebrum and corpus callosum.ConclusionBrain loading differences were observed between concussion and no-injury cases. Angular acceleration may play a more important role in the mechanism of concussion than linear acceleration.
Neuromuscular patterns in chronic ankle instability
Authors: Leumann A , Ebneter L , Von Tscharner V , Valderrabano V 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundAnkle sprains are the most frequent injury in sports. Up to 40% of acute sprains develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). CAI may be seen either as mechanical (ligamentous) instability or functional (neuromuscular) instability. So far, no method is known to objectivate functional instability.PurposeTo measure neuromuscular patterns in patients with mechanical ligamentous CAI.DesignProspective cohort study.Setting and patients15 Patients (age 15–58 years) were included evidencing chronic unilateral mechanical ankle instability undergoing ligament reconstruction. As control, the contralateral healthy ankle and 15 sex- and age-matched participants were used.InterventionsSuperficial Electromyography (EMG) analysis of four muscles were recorded: gastrocnemius medialis (GM), tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL) and soleus (SO) while the patient performed single stance tests on a Biodex Balance System (BBS).Main outcome measurementsEMG was analyzed by intensity and frequency using Wavelet Transformation. Neuromuscular controal was analyzed by the results of the BBS.ResultsCAI patients showed significantly decreased results in neuromuscular ankle joint control correlating to increased ankle pain. EMG analyses showed a significant decrease in frequency recruitment for the PL (average frequency, 138.3 Hz for the unstable ankle versus 158.3 Hz for the contralateral healthy side, p<0.001). Instead, no change in intensity was found for the PL. For the GM, TA, and SO, changes neither for intensity, nor frequency were found.ConclusionThis shift of frequency in the PL muscle due to chronic ligamentous ankle instability is the sign of lower muscle activation coming along with type II muscle atrophy. This is the first study to report on the fact that functional ankle instability may be measured as muscle damage seen by a shift in EMG frequency. Therefore, prevention and rehabilitation of chronic ligamentous instability has to address also a functional chronic muscle damage.
Blood flow of the achilles tendon during military training
Authors: Mahieu N , Van Tiggelen D , De Muynck M , Dumalin M , Witvrouw E 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundThe link between the hypervascularisation and the pain symptoms in a tendinopathy is still obscure. It can be hypothesised that it is important to take the stage of the tendinopathy into account.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the vascular response of the achilles tendon during a basic military training program of 6 weeks.DesignA prospective study.SettingOfficer cadets followed the same 6-week basic military training. This training mainly consists of running, roadwork, military tactical exercises, drills, shooting, marching with backpacks and some theoretical classes.Patients49 male military recruits (98 tendons) volunteered for this study. The mean age was 18.3 years. None of the persons had a history of achilles tendon problems.InterventionsBefore and during the military training program, clinical symptoms, structural tendon changes and hypervascularisation were weekly screened.Main outcome measurementsThe achilles tendons were screened by gray – scale ultrasonography and power Doppler US. Reactive tendinopathies were registered by means of a clinical examination, VAS – scores and VISA – A scores.Results13 of the 98 tendons developed a reactive tendinopathy. Three of these 13 symptomatic tendons showed intratendinous Doppler activity. In these tendons, pain was always present before the vascular response of the tendon. Both pain and hypervascularisation remained visible during till the end of the training program. In five asymptomatic tendons with no structural changes in the tendon, a vascular response was seen during one measurement.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first prospective study that looked at the development of hypervascularisation in a specified subpopulation, that is, reactive tendinopathy. The results of this study show that there is no link between the vascular response of the tendon and the pain sensation of the patient in this early stage of tendinopathy. Other pain mechanism should be investigated.
The effectiveness of a preconditioning program on the incidence of running-related injuries in female novice runners: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zijlstra S , Buist I , Bredeweg S W 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundThe incidence of running-related injuries (RRI) in (female) novice runners is high. Preconditioning programs have shown to be effective on the incidence of sports and overuse injuries in different populations.ObjectiveIs a preconditioning program effective for preventing RRIs in female novice runners?DesignThe prospective study is a large 2-arm randomised clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to a preconditioning group and a control group. Stratification for current sporting activities status, previous injury, and gender was applied.SettingFemale novice runners preparing for a recreational 4-mile running event.ParticipantsHealthy female novice runners (age 18–65), who had not sustained an injury of the lower extremity in the last 3 months and who had not been running on a regular basis in the previous 12 months. After randomisation 283 participants (mean age=36, mean body mass index=23) were allocated to the intervention group or the control group. Finally 113 participants in the intervention group and 126 in the control group were included for analyses.Interventions4-week preconditioning program, in which the biomechanical load was gradually increased on the lower extremity with functional activities like hopping in place and walking. The program was directly followed by a 9-week running program for both groups.Main outcome measurementsThe primary outcome measure was RRIs per 100 runners. An RRI was defined as any musculoskeletal complaint of the lower extremity or back causing a restriction of running for at least 1 week.Results15% (19 of 126) of the runners in the preconditioning group and 13% (15 of 113) of the control group sustained a RRI. This difference was not significant (÷2=0.16, df=1, p=0.69).ConclusionThe preconditioning program did not have an effect on the incidence of RRIs in female novice runners.
Physical activity promotion and safety prevention: what is the relationship in different population groups?
Authors: Diener-Martin E , Bruegger O , Martin BW 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundThe bfu has the mandate to make sure that the aspects of injury prevention are taken into consideration in the process of promoting sports and physical activity for the sake of improving public health.ObjectiveTo determine to what extent the promotion of physical activity and sports can have a effect on the risk of incurring an injury at the population level.MethodsSystematic review of pertinent literature and consultation proceedings involving national and international experts.ResultsThere is evidence demonstrating that children who intensively engage in sports activities run a higher risk of incurring an injury, with some indication of a dose-effect relationship. Playing sports and doing strenuous physical activity are closely linked to a higher risk of incurring bone fractures as well as to a higher global injury risk. There is no correlation between non-sport related physical activity and global injury risk and that less intensive sports and physical activity can even help prevent accidents resulting in bone fractures.An increased level of sport and physical activity may be associated with more cases of sport and activity related injuries when considering the general population. People who do not do sport or physical activity on a regular basis are more likely to incur more severe injuries when engaging in such activity. Higher levels of physical activity are not necessarily related to an increased all-cause injury rate.There is a reduction in the risk of falls for those who do participate in physical activity programmes. Higher levels of physical activity can also be associated with a reduced risk of incurring osteoporotic fractures.ConclusionThe bfu will participated in a study 2011 to determine for children and adults at working age which instructions and training programmes lead to a decrease in injury risk, in order to optimise sports and physical activity promotion programmes.