Calf Injuries Research Articles

Age Enhances the Effect of Flexibility on Running Economy in Recreational Endurance Runners.

The primary aims of this study were to determine acute and longitudinal relationships between static flexibility measures and running economy(RE). Seventy-one healthy recreational runners (34 males/37 females, age: 36.4 [12.4]y, body mass index: 23.3 [3.1]kg/m2) completed an aerobic fitness assessment (VO2max) based on self-selected half-marathon race pace (RP) and flexibility testing (standing toe-touch test and weight-bearing lunge test) at baseline and 2 to 3weeks prior to an endurance running or multisport race (70 [21]d apart). Participants resumed self-selected training and physical activity between laboratory visits. Hierarchical linear regressions were used to assess relationships between flexibility and RE across timepoints, and pre-post changes in flexibility and RE. Interactions between age and flexibility, and experience and flexibility were also investigated. No significant differences (P > .05) were found between flexibility measurements and RE at RP from visit 1 to visit 2, nor were there any significant associations between RE at RP and scores on the weight-bearing lunge test or standing toe-touch test. However, there was a significant interaction between age and the weight-bearing lunge test on RE at RP (ß = -0.0270, P = .018) such that older runners with less flexibility and younger runners with greater flexibility were less economical at RP at baseline. Our findings suggest that reduced flexibility may decrease the energetic cost of running for older runners to a greater extent than it does for younger runners. When prescribing run training intensity and mileage, coaches and clinicians working with masters runners should be cognizant of the potential performance benefits of decreased ankle joint flexibility as well as the overall greater risk of calf injury in this population. Future research should consider the underlying mechanism by which age enhances the beneficial effects of decreased flexibility on RE.

US of Acute Tendon Tears.

US is an effective tool for appraising acute tendon injury, allowing rapid evaluation of symptoms at bedside and paving the way for prompt diagnosis and treatment selection. It offers three main advantages in the acute or emergent setting. First, it is more sensitive and specific than physical examination. This is beneficial in tendons such as the distal triceps wherein incomplete and complete tears may manifest with similar clinical presentations. Tendon injury may also be clinically innocuous because bruising or a palpable defect is not always present and swelling may mask palpation of the tendon gap. Second, US provides important descriptors that may affect treatment selection, such as injury site, injury extent, and length of retraction. Pectoralis major tears at the tendon or musculotendinous junction warrant operative referral and are readily illustrated at US. A torn distal biceps tendon with significant retraction may require additional graft augmentation rather than reattachment to the insertion alone. Soleus and gastrocnemius strains may mimic each other clinically. Although both are managed conservatively, distinction between the two facilitates formulation of a specific rehabilitation regimen. Finally, US can narrow the differential diagnosis and rule out mimics of musculoskeletal abnormalities. Nonmusculoskeletal conditions, such as deep venous thrombosis and a ruptured Baker cyst, can manifest with the same clinical presentation as acute calf injuries and must be considered in a patient presenting with sudden calf, posterior leg, or ankle pain. The authors review the anatomic features, US techniques, and imaging findings of acute tendon injuries to aid in meaningful reporting and timely treatment selection. ©RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Epidemiology of Non-Contact Muscle Injuries in the Italian Male Elite Under-19 Football (Soccer) Championship

BackgroundWhile extensive research exists on muscle injuries among adult football players, a notable gap persists in studies concerning younger footballers. The aim of the current study is to provide epidemiological data on the characteristics of time-loss muscle injuries in young football players participating in the Italian Under-19 male elite Championship (“Primavera 1”).ResultsConducted as a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study, this research gathered injury data from the 2022-23 season across 14 of the 18 Clubs in the first Italian Under-19 championship. The cohort comprised 391 players with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 18.0 ± 0.4 years. A total of 479 injuries were reported, resulting in 14,231 days of activity lost. Of these, muscle injuries were 209 (44%), accounting for 4,519 (32%) days lost. Overall muscle injuries incidence was 1.82/1000 hours, with a mean injury burden of 39.4 days lost/1000 hours. Almost all muscle injuries (206 out of 209: 98.5%) occurred in hamstrings, quadriceps, adductors, calf and iliopsoas. Hamstrings injuries were the most burdensome (18.8 days lost/1000 hours) accounting for nearly half of all days lost due to muscle injuries. Incidence and burden of adductors injuries (0.25 injuries and 4.1 days lost/1000 hours, respectively) were found to be comparable to calf injuries (0.24 injuries and 4.7 days lost/1000 hours, respectively). Iliopsoas injuries accounted for a noteworthy portion of the total, with an injury incidence of 0.16/1000 hours and a burden of 3.3 days lost/1000 hours. Injuries with myo-tendinous or myo-aponeurotic involvement demonstrated delayed return-to-football compared to those without such involvement (35.6 vs. 18.5 days, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe study highlighted a peculiar distribution of non-contact muscle injuries among elite young football players. While hamstring injuries were confirmed as the most burdensome, incidence and burden of adductors and calf injuries were found to be similar. A significant incidence and burden of iliopsoas injuries were observed. These findings suggest potential implementations for targeted injury prevention strategies in the Italian male elite Under-19 football Championship.

Medial Gastrocnemius Strain: Clinical Aspects and Algorithmic Approach.

Medial gastrocnemius strain (MGS), is the most common cause of mid-calf pain in athletes due to the stretch of the gastrocnemius muscle when the knee is in extension and the ankle is in dorsiflexion. Chronological age and previous calf injury are the most substantial risk factors for MGS, including high body mass index, previous lower limb injuries, L5 radiculopathy, and inadequate warm-up. The dominant presentation of MGS is a pain that can be diverse from acute to latent, which is felt in the posteromedial aspect of the calf and is often preceded by a feeling of a pop. The signs of MGS include antalgic gait, ecchymosis, swelling, local tenderness, and sometimes a palpable gap felt along the muscle. Passive dorsiflexion of the ankle or resistive ankle plantarflexion with knee extension can indicate a more severe injury, while functional tests can illicit milder injuries of calf muscles-including gastrocnemius. The diagnosis of MGS is usually made by clinical evaluation. However, imaging modalities-including magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound-can be helpful in case of suspicion. In most cases of MGS, the cornerstone of treatment is nonoperative rehabilitation, which can be performed as a 4-phase program and should be tailored individually. Some instances of MGS are referred for early or later surgical treatment if indicated. In this article, we review the literature about various aspects of MGS, from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, and propose a structured approach to this injury.

The Kneeling Isometric Plantar Flexor Test: Preliminary Reliability and Feasibility in Professional Youth Football.

Calf injuries are common in professional football; thus, the establishment of reliable and time-efficient methods of measuring the peak force capabilities of the plantar flexors with equipment that is accessible to football practitioners is valuable. In this study, we determined the preliminary reliability and feasibility of a new test, termed the kneeling isometric plantar flexion test (KIPFT), for footballers. Twenty-one male youth footballers (age = 17.8 ± 1.1 years, height = 182 ± 5 cm, weight = 77.6 ± 5.9 kg) from English League One football clubs completed three trials of the KIPFT on a wireless force plate at the end (2022-2023) and start (2023-2024) of the season. The within-session reliability of the peak force (relative to body weight) was good-excellent for both limbs and both occasions. On average, performance of the KIPFT took just over 1 min per limb and ~2 min to set up. The peak force values were larger for the non-dominant limbs only at the start versus the end of the season, but there were no between-limb differences. From these results, it was determined that (1) the KIPFT is feasible, (2) a minimum of 32 footballers would be required to establish its between-session reliability with ≥80% statistical power and (3) large-cohort normative data for the KIPFT may be best collected at the start of the football season.

Badminton Sports Injury Management Training

The Issues in PB Pelangi Partners Occurrence of injuries in athletes, specifically in the ankle, knee, and calf, resulting in a decline in performance. The objective of this service is to provide an understanding of how to handle these injuries. The methods used include interviews and distributing pre-test injury management questionnaires, coaching clinics, and practical guidance on ankle, knee, and calf injury management. The interview results from 15 athletes and coaches from PB Pelangi revealed that 60% (9 individuals) had experienced injuries, while 40% (6 individuals) had not. The most common injuries among athletes were ankle injuries at 33% (5 individuals), knee injuries at 20% (3 individuals), and calf injuries at 47% (7 individuals). The pre-test results regarding understanding of ankle, knee, and calf injury management showed that 73% (11 individuals) had minimal understanding, while 27% (4 individuals) understood the management. The lack of understanding among athletes and coaches in handling injuries can have an impact on performance decline. To address this, a coaching clinic on ankle, knee, and calf injury management was conducted, attended by 15 participants consisting of athletes and coaches. After the activity, it was concluded that 80% (12 individuals) understood the injury management actions, while 20% (3 individuals) did not. The inclusion of post-test results showed that 80% (12 individuals) understood the management, while 20% (3 individuals) did not. This training is expected to improve the fitness and performance of the athletes

Poster 393: The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Rate of Injuries in the National Basketball Association

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on injury rates experienced by athletes of the National Basketball Association (NBA). We hypothesized that there would be a change in the incidence rates of sports-related injuries on return to play post-lockdown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing data retrieved from Pro Sports Transactions Archive. This database records all transactions occurring in the NBA, including injuries, trades, signings, and waivings. Information about all injuries to players in the NBA over the last 10 years were collected. All injury descriptions in the dataset were stratified by key anatomical locations and the dataset was shortened to the eight most common. These specific locations were selected due to higher injury rates overall comparatively to the rest of the body. We then compared basketball players who played after the COVID-19 NBA suspension to a propensity score generated control group before the suspension. They were matched for age, body mass index (BMI), regions of the country and positions played. The study outcome variable was the injuries stratified into 4 different groups. Demographics for every player injured (height, weight, years played, and birth dates) were collected from Basketball Reference, in line with publicly available information from the NBA. Results: We compared 789 players during the post-suspension to 3,945 match controlled pre- suspension players. The mean age of players was 27.1± 5 years, mean BMI was 25.0± 1.2. The eight most common injuries were knee, ankle, back, hamstring, shoulder, calf, groin, and elbow injuries. Prior to propensity score matching, the rates of the three most common were: knee (pre-suspension: 33.79%; postsuspension: 36.88%), ankle (pre: 27.28%; post: 26.62%), back (pre: 18.52%, post: 14.45%) (p-value: 0.022). Following propensity score matching, the results are as follows: knee (pre-suspension: 29.89%; post-suspension: 36.88%), ankle (pre: 27.10%; post: 26.62%), back (pre: 19.06%, post: 14.45%) (p-value: &lt;0.001). Conclusions: Our study concluded that among the three most common injuries, the knee was noted to have a statistically significant increase post the COVID-19 NBA suspension. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of players who suffered back and ankle injuries [Table: see text][Table: see text]

Research on skeletal muscle impact injury using a new rat model from a bioimpact machine.

Introduction: Skeletal muscle impact injury occurs frequently during sports, falls, and road traffic accidents. From the reported studies on skeletal muscle injury, it is difficult to determine the injury parameters. Therefore, we developed a new model of gastrocnemius impact injury in rats with a bioimpact machine, with which the experimental operation could be conducted in feasibility from the recorded parameters. Through this novel model, we study the skeletal muscle impact injury mechanisms by combining temporal and spatial variation. Methods: The gastrocnemius of anesthetized rats was injured by a small pneumatic-driven bioimpact machine; the moving speed and impact force were determined, and the whole impact process was captured by a high-speed camera. We observed the general condition of rats and measured the changes in injured calf circumference, evaluating calf injuries using MRI, gait analysis system, and pathology at different times after the injury. Results: The gastrocnemius was injured at an impact speed of 6.63m/s ± 0.25m/s and a peak force of 1,556.80 N ± 110.79 N. The gait analysis system showed that the footprint area of the RH limb decreased significantly on the first day and then increased. The calf circumference of the injured limb increased rapidly on the first day post-injury and then decreased in the next few days. MRI showed edema of subcutaneous and gastrocnemius on the first day, and the area of edema decreased over the following days. HE staining showed edema of cells, extensive hyperemia of blood vessels, and infiltration of inflammatory cells on the first day. Cell edema was alleviated day by day, but inflammatory cell infiltration was the most on the third day. TEM showed that the sarcoplasmic reticulum was dilated on the first day, the mitochondrial vacuolation was obvious on the second day, and the glycogen deposition was prominent on the fifth day. Conclusion: In our experiment, we developed a new and effective experimental animal model that was feasible to operate; the injured area of the gastrocnemius began to show "map-like" changes in the light microscope on the third day. Meanwhile, the gastrocnemius showed a trend of "edema-mitochondrial vacuolation-inflammatory cell aggregation" after impact injury.

MRI classification of calf injuries - a reliability study and correlation with return to play in professional rugby players.

To assess the validity and reliability of the calf injury classification system proposed by the Olympic Park group which focuses on connective tissue structure integrity on MRI. A retrospective study analysing calf muscle group injuries in an English Premiership professional rugby union club using the MRI classification proposed by the Olympic Park group. Classification on MRI examinations of 28 calf injuries sustained over a 6-year period was performed by three independent musculoskeletal radiologists to determine the inter-observer variability and correlation of the grade of injury with return-to-full-training (RTFT) time. RTFT time ranged from 5 to 110days (mean = 40.1, SD = 26.4) following calf muscle injury. The Olympic Park classification injury grade demonstrated moderate to strong correlation with RTFT time (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, 0.661-0.715, p < 0.01). RTFT time was statistically different between different injury grades (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.01). Inter-observer agreement of the overall grade between radiologist pairs was fair to moderate (weighted kappa 0.406-0.583). The Olympic Park classification system demonstrates moderate to strong correlation with time to RTFT following calf injury. Inter-observer reliability is fair to moderate.

Is Workload Associated With Hamstring and Calf Strains in Professional Baseball Players? An Analysis of Days of Rest, Innings Fielded, and Plate Appearances.

The influence of player workload on hamstring and calf injuries in professional baseball players remains unknown. Increased workload would significantly increase hamstring and calf strain injury risk. Case-control. Level 3. All professional baseball players who sustained a hamstring or calf injury between 2011 and 2017 were identified using the Major League Baseball (MLB) Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS). A separate player usage dataset was used to determine workload. We then compared these variables between player games 2, 6, 12, and >12 weeks before a documented calf strain to player games from a noncalf injury control group. In a paired analysis, we compared the acute workload (2, 6, and 12 weeks) before injury with the injured player's workload >12 weeks before injury. There were 175 unique calf strains (71% occurred in position players) and 1042 unique hamstring strains (97.8% occurred in position players) documented in the MLB HITS database from 2011 to 2017. In all time periods, position players with fewer days rest, more innings fielded, and more plate appearances were associated with a higher risk of subsequent hamstring and calf strains. Having only 1 day rest was associated with a 2.08-fold increase in percentage of players who sustained a subsequent calf strain compared with those with 4 days rest. Position players with >5 days of rest had a 4.03-fold decrease in percentage of players who sustained a hamstring strain compared with players with 1 day rest. Position players who fielded >9 innings per game had a 2.01-fold increase in percentage of players with a subsequent calf strain and a 3.68-fold increase in percentage of players who sustained a subsequent hamstring strain compared with players who only fielded 1 innings per game. Position players with fewer days rest, more innings fielded, and more plate appearance per game had an increased risk of sustaining a hamstring or calf injury. Increased workload had a direct relationship with risk of hamstring and calf strains in professional baseball players. Teams should consider more days rest for position players to avoid calf injuries.

Increased Regular Season Soft Tissue Injury Rates in National Football League (NFL) Players May Be Associated With the Canceled 2020 NFL Preseason Due to COVID-19.

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the rates of regular season soft tissue injuries in National Football League (NFL) players during the 2020 season, which had a canceled preseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis study retrospectively reviewed the injury rates of the 2020-2021 NFL regular season in comparison to the 2018-2019 NFL regular season using publicly available injury data. The focus of our analysis was comparing the following soft tissue injuries: hamstring, groin, calf, quadriceps, thigh, knee - anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), pectoral, and Achilles. The week of injury occurrence, duration of injury in weeks, position of the injured player, and age of the NFL player at injury were obtained. Injury rates were calculated per 1000 athletic exposures with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A chi-square test and Student’s t-test were utilized as appropriate.ResultsThere were 1370 total injuries in the 2018-2019 regular NFL season and 2086 total injuries reported in the 2020-2021 regular NFL season. The total number of injuries per 1000 athletic exposures was significantly higher in the 2020-2021 NFL season compared to the 2018-2019 NFL season (88.57 versus 58.17, p < 0.001). The rates of injuries per 1000 athletic exposures for hamstring (9.98 versus 5.31, p = 0.043), groin (5.56 versus 2.46, p = 0.007), calf (4.08 versus 1.61, p = 0.006), quadriceps (2.00 versus 0.72, p = 0.030), and thigh (1.23 versus 0.30, p = 0.012) injuries were significantly higher in the 2020-2021 regular NFL season compared to the 2018-2019 NFL regular season.ConclusionsThe 2020-2021 NFL season had a significantly higher incidence of soft tissue injuries compared to the 2018-2019 regular NFL season, which may have been associated with the absent preseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an abrupt increase in the athletic workload of players.

Time to return to full training and recurrence of rectus femoris injuries in elite track and field athletes 2010-2019; a 9-year study using the British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification.

Rectus femoris (RF) injuries are common in sports requiring maximal acceleration and sprinting. The British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification (BAMIC) describes acute muscle injury based on the anatomical site of injury and has been associated with return to play in hamstring and calf muscle injury. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the time to return to full training (TRFT) and injury recurrence for BAMIC-classified RF injuries sustained by elite track and field (T&F) athletes over a 9-year period. All rectus femoris injuries sustained by elite T&F athletes on the British Athletics World Class Program between September 2010 and September 2019 that were investigated with an MRI within 7days of acute onset anterior thigh pain were included. Injuries were graded from the MRI by a specialist musculoskeletal radiologist using the BAMIC, and TRFT and injury recurrence were determined by evaluation of the Electronic Medical Record. Athlete demographics and World Athletics event discipline were recorded. Specific injury details including mechanism, location of injury, and whether surgical or rehabilitation management was undertaken were recorded. There were 38 RF injuries in 27 athletes (24.7±2.3years; 10male, 17 female). Average TRFT for rehabilitation managed cases was 20.4±14.8days. Grade 1 injuries had significantly shorter TRFT compared with grades 2 (p=0.04) and 3 (p=0.01). Intratendinous (c) and surgically managed RF injuries each had significantly longer TRFT compared with other injury classes (p<0.001). Myofascial (a) injuries had reduced repeat injury rates compared with b or c classes (p=0.048). Grade 3 injuries had an increased repeat injury rate compared with other grades (p=0.02). There were 4 complete (4c) proximal free tendon injuries sustained during sprinting and all in female athletes. The average TRFT for RF injuries in elite T&F is similar to that previously identified in elite football and Australian Rules. Similar to previous research in hamstring and calf injury, RF injuries extending into the tendon (BAMIC class c) had delayed TRFT which may reflect the longer duration required for tendon healing and adaptation. Grade 3 injuries had in increased repeat injury rate compared with grades 1 and 2. The BAMIC diagnostic framework may provide useful information for clinicians managing rectus femoris injuries in T&F.

Using beat frequency in music to adjust running cadence in recreational runners: A randomized multiple baseline design

ABSTRACT Running with music has been shown to acutely change cadence. However, it is unclear if the increased cadence remains long-term when running without music in an in-field situation. The aim of this 12-week study was to investigate the effect of a 4-week music running program on cadence, speed and heartrate during and after the music running program. Seven recreational runners with a cadence of <170 steps per minute were randomly assigned to a baseline and post-intervention period of different durations. During the intervention phase, the participants ran with a musical beat that was 7.5–10% higher than their mean cadence at the start of the study. Cadence, heartrate and running speed were measured twice a week during a 5-kilometer run with a watch, and were analyzed using randomization tests and visual data inspection. Two participants dropped-out due to shortage of time (n = 1) and an acute calf injury (n = 1). Cadence significantly increased during the intervention period (+8.5%), and remained elevated during the post-intervention period (+7.9% (p = .001)) in comparison with the baseline period. Heartrate and running speed did not significantly change during any period. This study among five participants shows that four weeks of running with a musical beat that is 7.5–10% higher than the preferred cadence may be an effective and feasible intervention to increase running cadence. Importantly, the increased cadence occurred without simultaneous increases in running speed and heartrate, hereby potentially reducing mechanical loading without increasing metabolic load. Highlights Running with a musical rhythm that is higher than the preferred cadence leads to an increased running cadence, without increasing heartrate and running speed. This cadence remains elevated for at least three to five weeks after the music intervention period. All individuals showed a practically relevant increase in cadence during and after the intervention.

Hamstrung: Do Sex Differences in Hamstring Injury Profile Necessitate a Different Approach to Rehabilitation and Prevention Programs in Female Athletes?

Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is one of the most common injuries encountered in running sports and can lead to significant morbidity, with time lost from participation and high rates of recurrence. Though the incidence is high in both sexes, male athletes appear to have a two to four-fold greater risk of HSI compared to female athletes, with a longer recovery. Multiple potential risk factors have been studied and age, history of hamstring injury, ACL injury and calf injury appear to be the most significant factors in predicting index injury and recurrence. Female athletes may be relatively protected by less hamstring unit stiffness and greater muscle endurance. Other potential sex-influenced risk factors including differences in pelvic, hip and knee structural morphology and limb alignment, musculotendinous flexibility and joint mobility, and kinetic chain (primary posterior) strength imbalances require further investigation. Further research focusing both exclusively on female athlete as well as more robust comparative studies with male athletes will help us to better understand differences in HSI profile. Future investigation is necessary to determine whether a sex-specific approach to HSI rehabilitation and prevention programs will optimize clinical care for both male and female athletes.

Navigating the complexity of calf injuries in athletes: a review of MRI findings.

The calf muscle group is a common area for injury within the professional athlete population. Anatomical and biomechanical differences between the different component muscles vary their individual predispositions to and patterns of injury. However, there is a common unifying factor: injuries involving tendinous components have greater clinical implications with regards to rehabilitation, potential intervention, length of time to return to play, and re-injury rates. As such, accurate understanding of the underlying anatomy and subsequent interpretation of the injury patterns carry significant clinical ramifications. Ultrasound is a useful tool but has limitations, particularly when assessing soleus. As such, magnetic resonance imaging remains the workhorse in calf injury investigation.

Characterization of Injuries in Male and Female Ultimate Frisbee Players at the Elite Club-Level.

BackgroundUltimate Frisbee is a rapidly growing sport played in all levels of competition in men’s, women’s, and coed divisions. Despite widespread popularity, there remains a lack of research on injury risk and prevalence during a season.PurposeTo determine the prevalence of injuries among elite club-level men and women Ultimate Frisbee players and to identify elements associated with injury during a single season.Study DesignDescriptive epidemiological study.MethodsVoluntary preseason and postseason online surveys were distributed to local elite club-level Ultimate teams in 2019. Surveys assessed players’ lifetime Ultimate-associated injury history, injury status, training regimen, and other related elements.ResultsFifty-seven and 84 players were eligible to complete the preseason and postseason surveys, respectively. Prior to the 2019 season, 97% of female respondents and 100% of male respondents reported a previous Ultimate-related injury in their career, with all reporting a prior lower extremity injury. During the 2019 season, 56% of respondents reported being injured, and 12% missed one month or more of the season, with 88% of injured players reporting a lower extremity injury. Men reported more ankle and calf injuries than women, and there was a strong negative correlation between time missed due to injury during the 2018 season and the number of days per week spent weight-training and accumulated training.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of lower extremity injury among elite club-level Ultimate players during a single season and pervasive lower extremity injury history may contribute to high injury prevalence. Observed injury patterns suggest targeted interventions including Nordic Hamstring Exercises and balance and proprioceptive training may decrease injury risk. Further research into this topic is needed to help reduce injury in these athletes.Levels of EvidenceLevel 3.

Lower extremity compression garments use by athletes: why, how often, and perceived benefit

BackgroundStudies on the benefits of lower extremity compression garments (CGs) have focused on their effects on post-exercise recovery and performance improvement. Less is known about why athletes actually use CGs, the frequency with which they use them, and perceived benefits from using CGs. The purpose of this study was to investigate which athletes use CGs, why athletes use CGs, when CGs are worn by athletes, and, in case of an injury or injury prevention, for which injuries CGs are used.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 512 athletes who used lower extremity CGs. Athletes completed a questionnaire on the type of CGs they used, and when and why they used them. They also reported their sports participation, past and current sports injuries, and the perceived benefits of using CGs.Results88.1% (n=451) of the athletes were endurance athletes and 11.9% (n=61) were non-endurance athletes. Endurance and non-endurance athletes reported running (84.7%, n=382) and obstacle course racing (24.6%, n=15) the most frequently as primary sports, respectively. The most-used CG was the compression sock (59.2%, n=303). In total, 47.5% (n=246) of the athletes used a CG primarily to prevent re-injury and 14.5% (n=74) to reduce symptoms of a current sports injury. Other primary reported aims were primary prevention (13.6%), post-exercise recovery (14.3%), sports performance improvement (8.8%), and to look good (0.2%). The point prevalence of past and current sports injuries among all athletes was 84.2 and 20.2%, respectively. The most common current sports injuries were shin and calf injuries. Many athletes “always” or “often” used their CGs during training (56.8%, n=279) and competitions (72.9%, n=264). Furthermore, almost 90% of the athletes that aimed to prevent re-injury by using CGs reported that CGs contributed to secondary injury prevention.Conclusion88% of the CG-users were endurance athletes, of which 85% were runners. All athletes mainly used CGs to prevent injury recurrence, but also to reduce symptoms of a current sports injury. A majority of the athletes reported positive perceived effects from the CGs. CGs were used more during than after sports participation.

A prospective study of risk factors for hamstring injury in Australian football league players

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the association between hamstring strength, age and lower limb soft tissue injury history and subsequent hamstring injury among Australian Football League (AFL) players. This prospective cohort study recruited 125 players from three professional AFL teams. Eccentric knee flexor strength was assessed while performing the Nordic hamstring exercise in pre-season, and injury data were collected retrospectively (hamstring, groin, calf, quadriceps and knee), and prospectively (hamstring injuries) for one AFL playing season. Fourteen players (11%) sustained a hamstring injury in the subsequent playing season. Nordic strength was not significantly associated with future hamstring injury (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.9, p = 0.36), whereas player age greater than 25 years (OR = 2.9, p < 0.05), report of a hamstring injury within the previous year (OR = 3.7, p = 0.01), or greater than 1-year (OR = 3.6, p = 0.01), a previous groin (OR = 8.6, p < 0.01) or calf injury (OR = 4.6, p = 0.01) were factors significantly associated with subsequent hamstring injury. Based on these findings, increasing age and previous hamstring, groin and calf injury are all associated with an elevated risk of subsequent hamstring injury in AFL players.

Common Running Musculoskeletal Injuries and Associated Factors among Recreational Gorge Marathon Runners: An Investigation from 2013 to 2018 Taroko Gorge Marathons.

Many studies exist on the incidence and related risk factors of running injuries, such as those obtained during marathons. However, in gorge-terrain marathons, an insufficient number of reports exist in the relevant literature. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries occurring in participants in the 2013 to 2018 Taroko Gorge Marathons in Taiwan and the distribution of running injuries and related influencing factors. A total of 718 runners who entered the physiotherapy station presented with records of treatment and injuries and filled out a running-related injury and self-training questionnaire for further statistical analysis. The association between risk factors and injury were evaluated by logistic regression. The injured areas on the lower extremities after the gorge marathon were as follows: 28% in the knees, 20% in the posterior calves, 13% in the thighs, 10% in the ankles, and 8% in the feet. The analysis of injury-related risk factors showed that male athletes demonstrated a higher risk of thigh injury than female athletes (OR = 2.42, p = 0.002). Underweight runners exhibited a higher risk of thigh injury (OR = 3.35, p = 0.006). We conclude that in the gorge marathon the rates of knee, calf, thigh, and foot injuries are significantly increased. Medical professionals, coaches, and runners may use the findings of this study to reduce the potential risk of running injuries in marathons.

Correlating clinical assessment and MRI findings in diagnosing calf injuries in elite male Australian rules footballers.

Calf complex injuries represent a significant injury burden among Australian Rules athletes. To date, there has been limited research correlating clinical and radiological findings of pathology within the calf. The objective of this study is to determine how accurately magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings correlate with clinical measures of calf muscle complex pathology in elite male athletes. A prospective cohort study was conducted on Australian rules elite athletes. A cohort of 45 athletes underwent a high-load training session of approximately 10 km of running. Athletes were then assessed by a sports physiotherapist who made a diagnosis of no pathology, delayed onset muscle soreness, strain or other. Subsequently, the athletes underwent MRI of their bilateral calf complexes. Radiologists interpreted the MRI findings and radiological diagnosis were correlated with clinical diagnosis. A total of 90 calf MRIs were performed. Correlation of clinical and radiological diagnosis occurred in 57 cases. Of the 33 cases which did not correlate, there were 4 radiologically significant acute calf strains in clinically asymptomatic athletes, 3 of which involved old scar tissue. MRI may detect clinically insignificant injuries within the calf complex. If an athlete does not have any clinically relevant symptoms, abnormal signal on MRI may represent a different diagnosis to muscle strain. Signal change on MRI proximal to scar tissue may represent reactive oedema. Clinical history and examination should be correlated with radiological findings is recommended when diagnosing calf injury in elite athletes.