Effective Injury Prevention Programs Research Articles

Hereditary Anatomical Risk Factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.

Genetic and anatomical factors have been reported as risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. This study aimed to investigate anatomical characteristics in family members sustaining ACL injuries, compared with age- and sex-matched patients with simple meniscus injuries. Medical records of 1548 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were reviewed. Cases of ACL injury occurring in first-degree relatives were selected. Forty-one patients from 20 families were included in the study (F-ACL group). Fifty patients with meniscus injuries were included as controls. Anatomical factors comprising posterior-inferior tibial slope (PITS), notch width index (NWI), notch angle (NA), and intercondylar notch roof inclination angle (RA) were compared between groups. The correlation of these anatomical factors between parent and child or siblings was also investigated. The 41 patients (20 families) consisted of 12 parent-child pairs and 29 siblings (13 pairs and one trio). Injuries occurred during playing the same sport in 11 families (55%). PITS was significantly steeper in the F-ACL group (9.9 vs. 7.8 degrees). NWI and NA were significantly smaller in the F-ACL group (0.262 vs. 0.278 and 50.5 vs. 58.8 degrees). RA was significantly greater in the F-ACL group (130 vs. 126.9 degrees). A positive correlation in NA (r = 0.677) and a weak correlation in NWI and RA were observed between family members. Common anatomical risk factors of ACL injury exist within families, including intercondylar notch stenosis and steep posterior tibial slope. The findings suggest the potential for developing effective ACL injury prevention programs targeting these risk factors.

Ankle Injury Prevention Programs for Youth Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Previous research has demonstrated that using a multicomponent approach to ankle injury preventions can significantly reduce ankle injuries; however, these studies lack specific intervention recommendations. To evaluate the exercise components of prevention programs on ankle injuries specifically in high school athletes. Secondary objectives were to assess the overall effectiveness of prevention programs on ankle injuries in this population and how compliance and education may impact success. A total of 5 databases were searched through September 26, 2022. Study inclusion criteria included randomized control trials (RCTs) investigating exercise interventions in high school athletes aged 13 to 19 years, participation in sports competition, reporting of injury incidence, and specific exercise interventions used. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Level 1. Pooled overall ankle injury incidence rate ratio and 95% CIs were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. A total of 10 studies were included, of which 9 used multicomponent exercise interventions and 1 used only balance training. Of the 10 studies, 3 demonstrated statistically significant reduction in ankle injuries. When data from all 10 studies were pooled and analyzed, there was a statistically significant overall reduction (incidence rate ratio, 0.74; 95% CI 0.60-0.91) in ankle injuries when comparing intervention groups with controls. The most effective injury prevention programs included multiple components, emphasized strengthening and agility exercises, and promoted high adherence to the intervention. The importance of coach and player education on how and why to perform an injury prevention program as well as the frequency and duration of programs was also important. Exercise-based injury prevention programs may reduce ankle injury incidence in youth athletes by 26% when pooling data from a multitude of sport types/settings.

Effects of Injury Prevention Programs on Muscle Flexibility in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Purpose: This study aims to conduct a systematic review of injury prevention programs on muscle flexibility in children and adolescents. Methods: Relevant articles were searched in two electronic databases, PubMed and Scopus. An electronic search was conducted on December 1, 2022, without applying any year constraints. Studies that investigated the effect of injury prevention programs on muscle flexibility in subjects under 17 years of age were included. The study method was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Results: A total of 3563 studies were initially retrieved from databases, and data from 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were used in this systematic review. Injury prevention programs (three out of five articles) can improve the muscle flexibility of children and adolescents (before and after the intervention). Conclusion: Injury prevention programs can improve the muscle flexibility of children and adolescents in the intervention group (before and after the intervention); although no improvement was observed in the control group. Therefore, factors, such as duration, frequency and intensity of the program, gender, activity level, type of sport, and sample size are decisive in muscle flexibility.

Risk factors and injury prevention strategies for overuse injuries in adult climbers: a systematic review.

Climbing is an increasingly popular activity and imposes specific physiological demands on the human body, which results in unique injury presentations. Of particular concern are overuse injuries (non-traumatic injuries). These injuries tend to present in the upper body and might be preventable with adequate knowledge of risk factors which could inform about injury prevention strategies. Research in this area has recently emerged but has yet to be synthesized comprehensively. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the potential risk factors and injury prevention strategies for overuse injuries in adult climbers. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Databases were searched systematically, and articles were deemed eligible based upon specific criteria. Research included was original and peer-reviewed, involving climbers, and published in English, German or Czech. Outcomes included overuse injury, and at least one or more variable indicating potential risk factors or injury prevention strategies. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed with the Downs and Black Quality Index. Data were extracted from included studies and reported descriptively for population, climbing sport type, study design, injury definition and incidence/prevalence, risk factors, and injury prevention strategies. Out of 1,183 records, a total of 34 studies were included in the final analysis. Higher climbing intensity, bouldering, reduced grip/finger strength, use of a "crimp" grip, and previous injury were associated with an increased risk of overuse injury. Additionally, a strength training intervention prevented shoulder and elbow injuries. BMI/body weight, warm up/cool downs, stretching, taping and hydration were not associated with risk of overuse injury. The evidence for the risk factors of training volume, age/years of climbing experience, and sex was conflicting. This review presents several risk factors which appear to increase the risk of overuse injury in climbers. Strength and conditioning, load management, and climbing technique could be targeted in injury prevention programs, to enhance the health and wellbeing of climbing athletes. Further research is required to investigate the conflicting findings reported across included studies, and to investigate the effectiveness of injury prevention programs. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, PROSPERO (CRD42023404031).

Inequities in the Training Environment and Health of Female Golfers Participating in the 2022 International Golf Federation World Amateur Team Championships.

To assess health problems and training environment of female golfers participating in the 2022 World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) and to compare golfers (a) with and without health problems prior the WATC and (b) living and training in countries ranking in the upper versus lower 50% of the team results at the 2022 WATC. Cross-sectional cohort study using an anonymous questionnaire. International Golf Federation WATC. One hundred sixty-two female golfers from 56 countries. N/A. Golfers' answers on the presence and characteristics of health problems, their training environment, and to the Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire. Almost all golfers (n = 162; 96%) answered the questionnaire. In the 4 weeks before the WATC, 101 golfers (63.1%) experienced 186 musculoskeletal complaints, mainly at the lumbar spine/lower back, wrist, or shoulder. Just half of the golfers (50.6%) performed injury prevention exercises always or often. More than a third (37.4%) of the golfers reported illness complaints and 32.5% mental health problems in the 4 weeks preceding the WATC. General anxiety, performance anxiety, and low mood/depression were the most frequent mental health problems. Golfers with injury complaints rated their daily training environment poorer. Golfers ranking in the lower 50% at the WATC had significantly less support staff, rated their training environment poorer, and had a higher prevalence of illness complaints and mental health problems. Effective illness and injury prevention programs should be implemented and better access to education and health support in the daily training environment provided.

Effectiveness of Injury Prevention Programs With Core Muscle Strengthening Exercises to Reduce the Incidence of Hamstring Injury Among Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Muscles in the hamstring group are frequently injured in sporting activities. Injury prevention programs (IPPs), including eccentric training of the hamstrings, have proven to be of great value in decreasing the injury rate of hamstring muscles. To examine the effectiveness of IPPs that include core muscle strengthening exercises (CMSEs) in reducing hamstring injury rates. This systematic review with meta-analysis was based upon the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted for relevant studies published from 1985 to 2021 using the following databases: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, AMED, PubMed, Web of Science, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The initial electronic search found 2694 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). After removing duplicate entries, 1374 articles were screened by their titles and abstracts, and 53 full-text records were assessed, of which 43 were excluded. The remaining 10 articles were reviewed in detail, from which 5 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the current meta-analysis. Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Level 1a. Two researchers independently completed the abstract review and performed full-text reviews. A third reviewer was consulted to reach a consensus if any discrepancies were noted. Details were recorded about the participants, methodological aspects, eligibility criteria, intervention data, and outcome measures, including age; number of subjects in the intervention/control group; number of injuries in each group; and the duration, frequency, and intensity of the training conducted in the intervention. The pooled results of 4728 players and 379,102 exposure hours showed 47% hamstring injury reduction per 1000 h of exposure in the intervention group compared with the control group with an injury risk ratio of 0.53 (95% CI [0.28, 0.98], P = 0.04). The results indicate that CMSEs incorporated with IPPs reduce susceptibility and risk of hamstring injuries in soccer players.

The Kinetic Chain Has a Brain: Could Adding Cognitive Demands in Lower Limb Injury Prevention Programs Improve Outcomes?

SYNOPSIS: The most effective lower limb injury prevention programs include strength training, balance exercises, and instructions on how to land safely from a jump or hop. Yet, the programs are not 100% effective-lower extremity noncontact injuries continue to be a significant problem. We suggest that adding cognitive training to motor tasks that currently comprise current lower limb injury prevention programs might help clinicians, athletes, and coaches continue to make inroads into preventing knee injuries. We ground our hypotheses in robust findings from cognitive neuroscience and rehabilitation, suggesting that when task demands exceed the attentional capacity of an individual, the risk for noncontact lower extremity injuries increases. In this editorial, we explain the concepts of attentional capacity and attentional demands, and the interplay of the two in sport, to justify including cognitive tasks to injury prevention programs to improve outcomes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(4):1-3. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11403.

A qualitative examination of injury prevention strategy and education in Ladies Gaelic football: Understanding the preferences of players and coaches.

The high rates of injury in Ladies Gaelic football impact the wellbeing of players and are a major financial burden for the Ladies Gaelic Football Association. Effective injury prevention programmes have been developed for Gaelic games, but these are not currently widely adopted. The aim of this study was to qualitatively investigate adult Ladies Gaelic football players and coaches' preferences for injury prevention strategies and injury prevention education using a constructivist grounded-theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 currently active Ladies Gaelic football coaches and adult players. The core strategy preferences discussed by participants were the properties of an injury prevention programme, the role of stakeholders, strategy logistics and the need for guidance and support. If the uptake and long-term adoption of an injury prevention programme is to be maximised, the preferences of the players and coaches who will ultimately utilise the programme must be understood and integrated into a wider implementation strategy developed around their needs. For education preferences, the core categories identified were the focus of education, who needs education, the format, educator, roll-out strategy, and time required. Future educational strategies must incorporate the preferences of stakeholders into their design if they are to be successful in spreading injury prevention knowledge and achieving change. To give injury prevention strategies, programmes, and education the best chances at successful adoption, it is crucial that the preferences of end-users are addressed and implemented.

Changes in Attitudes and Functional Performance After an Educational Intervention and Participation in the DIME in Cadets

Introduction: Cadets frequently suffer from lower extremity injuries, but fail to participate in effective injury prevention programs (IPPs). The purpose of this study was to determine if an intervention focused on benefits and barriers of IPP with participation in an IPP would change attitudes towards participating in IPPs and functional performance. Methods: Thirty-four ROTC cadets (Male: n=28, Age: 19.67±1.45 years, Height: 175.57±8.30cm, Mass: 75.38±14.30kg) volunteered to participate in the study. Participants completed the Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS), Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS), Y-Balance test, Landing Error Scoring System, 2-mile run, push-up test, and sit-up test. During the Army Physical Fitness program, the Dynamic Integrated Movement Enhancement (DIME) program was implemented by cadet student leaders whom also tracked compliance. Every 2 weeks, participants would self-report participation in the DIME and also be exposed to the intervention presented as an infographic on the benefits and barriers of the DIME as well as potential solutions for barriers. All testing was repeated at the end of the fall semester. Results: Compliance over the 10-week period was 87.2%. Participants had improvements in individual self-efficacy, Y-Balance test performance, 2-mile run, and sit-up test. However, HBMS perceived consequences, HBMS perceived benefits, HBMS community-led self-efficacy, TPBS perceived benefits, TPBS perceived barriers, TPBS social norms, TPBS social influence, and TPBS intention to participate all worsened. The most common reason for lack of participation in the DIME was time. Discussion: Participants were more confident in their ability to participate in IPPs after the intervention and also improved in several aspects of functional performance. However, several subscales worsened after participation. Future research should focus on determining effective strategies to improve attitudes towards IPP participation to enhance compliance.

The Relationships between Ankle Kinematics during Running and Static Ankle Measurements in Youth Soccer Players

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is the most common injury in youth soccer. The mechanisms of LAS should be identified to develop effective injury prevention programs. Alignment and range of motion (ROM) are considered factors affecting kinematics during movement. Therefore, this study was designed to identify whether static measurements, including alignment and ROM, affect ankle kinematics related to LAS during running in youth soccer players. For this study, 100 participants were recruited. Data on rearfoot angle in the prone position (PRA), tibial varum, weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), passive eversion, passive inversion (PIN), and ankle kinematics during running of all participants were collected. Ankle kinematics were computed for dorsiflexion at the initial contact (IC), inversion at IC, maximum dorsiflexion (MDF), and maximum inversion (MIN). Stepwise multiple regressions were conducted with an alpha level of 0.05. PRA, WBLT, and PIN significantly predicted dorsiflexion at IC (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.144, P < 0.001), and PRA was a significant predictor on inversion at IC (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.227, P < 0.001). PRA and WBLT were significant predictors on MDF (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.330, P < 0.001), and PRA significantly predicted MIN (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.188, P < 0.001). Of significant predictors, only WBLT can be treated by joint mobilization. Thus, WBLT related to pronation, which makes the ankle in a closed-packed position, should be treated to increase DF ROM and ankle stability. In addition, low-speed running video analysis might be useful in screening for ankle malalignment.

The effectiveness of injury prevention programs that include core stability exercises in reducing the incidence of knee injury among soccer players: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The knee is one of the most common sites of injuries among soccer players. The incidence of knee injuries can be reduced by improving the neuromuscular control and core stability. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of injury prevention programs that include core stability exercises in reducing the incidence of knee injuries among soccer players. METHODS: Data were obtained from different databases (1985–2021). Only randomized controlled trials that used injury prevention programs that include core stability exercise to prevent knee injuries were included. The keywords used during the search were ‘knee injuries’, ‘core stability exercises’, ‘FIFA 11+’, ‘prevention of knee injuries’, ‘anterior cruciate ligament injury’ and variations of these search terms. RESULTS: The pooled results of 7828 soccer players and 863700 exposure h showed an overall injury reduction of 56% per 1000 h of exposure in the intervention group compared to the control group with an injury risk ratio of 0.44 (95% CI 0.321–0.619; P= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Injury prevention programs that include core stability exercises reduce knee injury rates among soccer players by 56% (46% in male and 65% in female soccer players).

Injury prevention programs that include balance training exercises reduce ankle injury rates among soccer players: a systematic review.

What is the effect of injury prevention programs that include balance training exercises on the incidence of ankle injuries among soccer players? Systematic review of randomised trials with meta-analysis. Soccer players of any age, sex or competition level. The experimental intervention was an injury prevention program that included balance training exercises. The control intervention was the soccer team's usual warm-up program. Exposure-based ankle injury rates. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results of injury prevention programs that included balance training exercises among 4,959 soccer players showed a 36% reduction in ankle injury per 1,000 hours of exposure compared to the control group with an injury risk ratio (IRR) of 0.64 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.77). The pooled results of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) injury prevention programs caused a 37% reduction in ankle injury (IRR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.84) and balance-training exercises alone cause a 42% reduction in ankle injury (IRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.84). This meta-analysis demonstrates that balance exercises alone or as part of an injury prevention program decrease the risk of ankle injuries. PROSPERO CRD42017054450.

Self-Reported Usage of Safety Equipment Provided Through a Community Partnership Approach to Injury Prevention in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Previous studies have shown that educational programs in conjunction with provision of free or low-cost safety equipment increases the likelihood of parents changing behaviors at home. This project surveyed caregivers in the pediatric emergency department (ED) about safety behaviors before and after provision of education and safety equipment related to medication storage, firearm storage, and drowning. A convenience sample of families presenting to the ED for any complaint with a child of any age were approached for participation in this feasibility study. Exclusion criteria included patients presenting for a high acuity problem (Emergency Severity Index 1 or 2) and non-English-speaking caregivers. Enrollment, surveys, and educational intervention were performed by the graduate student investigator from the School of Public Health. Participants were surveyed regarding presence of firearms and medications within the home and their storage practices. Additional questions included relationship to the patient, number and age of children younger than 18 years in the home, and zip code of residence. Educational handouts were reviewed, and participants were provided with a medication lock box, trigger lock, toilet lock, and/or pool watcher tag as indicated by answers given to the survey questions. Process measures were collected for number of products given out, number of children potentially affected by the intervention, and time spent by the investigator. Follow-up calls assessed use of the products provided. The student investigator spent a total of 180 hours and enrolled 357 caregivers accounting for 843 children. Fifty-seven percent of the participants answered the follow-up phone call. Only 9% initially reported that they stored medications in a locked or latched place. Medication lock boxes were given to 316 participants. On follow-up, 88% of those who received a lock box reported using it to store medications and 86% reported satisfaction with the lock box and how it worked. Of the 161 participants who admitted to gun ownership, 45% reported storing their guns locked and unloaded. Of those who reported unsafe manners of gun storage, 96% also reported unsafe manners of medication storage. Although only 161 participants endorsed gun ownership, 236 participants took a gun lock when offered. At follow-up, 66% of participants had used the gun lock and 67% of participants who took the gun lock reported satisfaction with the device. For water safety, 195 toilet latches and 275 drowning prevention lanyards were provided. On follow-up, 48% of those who had received a toilet latch were using it and 62% reported satisfaction with the device. Data were not collected on use of or satisfaction with the drowning prevention lanyards. Families often report unsafe home storage of medications and firearms, which together account for a large amount of morbidity and mortality in pediatrics. Drowning risk for young children is ubiquitous in the home setting, and low rates of use of home safety devices indicates need for further education and outreach on making the home environment safe. Despite relying on self-reported behaviors and the risk of reporting bias skewing the data, the behaviors reported in the preintervention survey were still very unsafe, suggesting that children may have a much higher risk of injury in the actual home environments. The ED is traditionally thought of as a place to receive care when injuries happen, but any encounter with families should be seen as an opportunity for injury prevention messaging. Partnering with a local school of public health and other community resources can result in the establishment of a low-cost, consistent, and effective injury prevention program in the pediatric ED that reaches a large number of individuals without the added burden of additional tasks that take time away from already busy ED providers and staff.

Risk of surgery and epidemiological profile of athletes presenting to a single sports injury clinic in Hong Kong

Background Although participation in sports and exercise is promoted widely due to its health benefits, sports-related injuries can also be a detriment to an individual's health and a burden for the healthcare system. Herein, the aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive review on the epidemiological profile and the risk for surgery of athletes presented to a sports injuries clinic in Hong Kong. Methods A total of 566 patients attending the sports injuries clinic at a local hospital between October 2017 and September 2018 were reviewed. Only 271 patients sustaining injuries from sports activities were included. These patients attended a survey-based data collection session, which recorded their demographic, injury site, events leading to injury, exercise details (type, level-of-play, frequency, experience), and functional score according to the injury site. Results The highest proportion of injuries was observed in amateur athletes (45.4%) than in recreational (28.8%) and professional (25.8%). Those patients aged between 18–29 years old (50.2%) had the most injuries. Both soccer (25.1%) and basketball (25.1%) were the two most common sports to incurred injuries. Whereas, the lower extremities being the most common injured sites. Based on our logistic model, athletes with less experience were more prone to required surgeries with injuries in the lower extremities. Conclusion Preventive measures should be targeted at less experience athletes, focusing on strengthening the knee region, to reduce sports-related injuries and surgeries. Importantly, this study demonstrates the need to further identify factors to develop effective sports injury prevention programmes for tailoring athletes at different levels-of-play.

Epidemiological characteristics of injury in Georgia: A one-year retrospective study

IntroductionInjury is a major health problem worldwide and a leading cause of death and disability. Disability caused by traumatic injury is often severe and long-lasting. Injuries place a large burden on societies and individuals in the community, both in cost and lost quality of life. Progress in developing effective injury prevention programs in developing countries is hindered by the lack of basic epidemiological injury data regarding the prevalence of traumatic injuries. The aim of this research was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of injury in all hospitals in Georgia. MethodsThe database of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia for 2018, which includes all hospital admissions, was used to identify injury cases treated in hospitals. Cases were included based on the S and T diagnosis coded of ICD-10. ResultsA total of 25,103 adult patients were admitted for an injury, of whom 14,798 (59%) were males and 10,305 (41%) were females, between the ages of 18 and 108 years old. The highest prevalence was among the age group 25–44 years old (n = 8654; 34%), followed by 45–64 years old (n = 6852; 27%). The main mechanism of injury was falls (n = 13,932; 55%) and exposure to mechanical forces (n = 2701; 11%). Over 1,50% (n = 379) of injuries resulted in death after hospitalization. The median hospital length of stay (LOS) was 2 days. There was a significant association between age, mechanism of injury, type of injury, performed surgical interventions, and longer LOS. ConclusionInjuries are prevalent throughout the life course and cause substantial hospitalization time. This research can help focus prevention efforts can focus on the demographic and injury causes that are most prevalent.

Evaluation of the Rate of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Basketball Players and Appropriate Training Patterns to Prevent Non-contact Injury

Background and Aims The most essential and common sports injury in the lower limb in many sports fields is the injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Knowledge in this field and appropriate exercise programs can help prevent this injury for all athletes and coaches. The present research aims to investigate the prevalence of this injury in different sports fields and the results of various training programs in reducing the risk of injury to ACL. Methods The current review was conducted using international information resources, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, ProQuest, Emerald Insight, ScienceDirect, Springer, Web of knowledge, and internal information resources including Magiran, Civilica, SID, and Iran Medex were applied. The research date range was defined between 2000 to 2020. In international articles, keywords such as Single-leg Landing, Landing, Injury, Knee injury, Drop-landing, Training, Exercise, ACL, and in domestic papers, keywords such as ACL, Knee Injury, Single-leg Landing, Jump, Land, and Training program were considered. According to the exclusion criteria, only 42 articles were selected and examined out of 220. Results Women with this injury are more affected at all skill levels, so at the professional skill level, women were affected up to 5 times more than men, and at the amateur level, the infection rate is about 3 to 4 times higher. The highest incidence is related to women professional basketball players with a speed of 5.5 per 1000 athletes training, and the lowest is among amateur male athletes with a rate of 0.02 with the same criteria. Of the articles reviewed in the appropriate injury prevention training program, 32% examined the effect of neuromuscular training, 18% combined training, 26% strength training, and 24% central core stability training. With 80% effectiveness, core stability training seems to be the most effective injury prevention program. Conclusion Considering the rate of this injury and the impact of this injury on treatment costs, the duration of returning to exercise, and creating the ground for other injuries, a comprehensive review of exercises effective in preventing this injury for athletes and coaches it’s important. This is especially important for professional female basketball players due to the incidence rate. The central core stability training program had the most practical effect among the training programs. The combined training program had the least impact according to different criteria for assessing and preventing injury.

Current ankle sprain prevention and management strategies of netball athletes: a scoping review of the literature and comparison with best-practice recommendations

BackgroundAnkle sprains are the most commonly reported injury in netball. Approximately four in five netball athletes will sustain an ankle sprain, up to half will go on to sustain recurrent ankle sprains, and nine in ten report perceived ankle instability. Historically, prevention and management strategies of ankle sprains and injuries have been investigated for a variety of sports, however, no literature reviews have investigated these in netball athletes, or compared these with current best-practice within the literature. Therefore, this scoping review aims to understand how netball athletes currently prevent and manage ankle sprains and to compare these approaches with best-practice recommendations.MethodsA literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases using keywords to capture studies with data or information related to the prevention and management of ankle sprains and injuries in netball.ResultsThe search strategy captured 982 studies across all databases, with 30 netball studies included in this scoping review. Studies suggest netball athletes are not commonly referred to health professionals, do not undertake adequate rehabilitation, and almost immediately return to court following an ankle sprain or injury. Current best-practices suggest injury prevention programs and external ankle support effectively reduce ankle sprains and injuries; however, poor compliance and implementation may be a significant barrier. Currently, there is a lack of evidence that netball-specific footwear reduces the risk of ankle sprains.ConclusionThe findings suggest netball athletes do not implement current best-practice prevention and management strategies following an ankle sprain. This is despite evidence of the effectiveness of injury prevention programs, external ankle support, and adequate rehabilitation in reducing ankle sprain rates. Current-best practice prevention and management of ankle sprains should be considered by clinicians, coaches, and athletes to reduce the prevalence and chronicity of ankle sprains in netball.

The Incidence and Risk Factors for Injuries in Girls Volleyball: A Prospective Study of 2072 Players.

Girls high school volleyball is very popular across the United States. There is limited prospective data regarding the incidence and risk factors of time loss (TL) and non-time loss (NTL) injuries sustained in this population. To estimate the incidence and describe the characteristics of injuries (TL and NTL) sustained in a girls' high school volleyball season. Descriptive epidemiology study. Convenience sample of 78 high school interscholastic volleyball programs. High school volleyball players participating during the 2018 interscholastic season. TL and NTL injury rates, proportions, rate ratios, and with 95%CI. A total of 2,072 girls enrolled in the study with 468 subjects (22.5%) sustaining 549 injuries (NTL=28.4%, TL=71.6%) for an overall injury rate of 5.31 [4.89, 5.79] per 1000 AEs. The competition injury rate was greater than the practice injury rate for all injuries (IRR: 1.19, [1.00, 1.41]) and TL injuries (IRR: 1.31, [1.07, 1.60]). Players with a previous musculoskeletal injury had a higher rate of TL than NTL injuries (IRR; 1.36 [1.12, 1.65]). Ankle injuries accounted for the greatest proportion of TL injuries (n=110, 28%), while the greatest proportion of NTL injuries occurred in the hand/fingers (n=34, 22%). Moreover, ligament sprains accounted for 40% of TL injuries (n=156), whereas muscle/tendon strains (n=79, 51%) accounted for over half of all NTL injuries. While the majority of injuries sustained by adolescent girls' volleyball athletes were TL in nature, nearly a third of all injuries were NTL injuries. Injury characteristics differed widely between TL and NTL injuries. Understanding the most common types and characteristics of injury among high school volleyball players is critical for the development of effective injury prevention programs.

Women, older age, faster cycling speed and increased wind speeds are independent risk factors for acute injury-related medical encounters during a 109 km mass community-based participation cycling event: a 3-year study in 102251 race starters—SAFER XII

BackgroundThere are limited data on acute injury-related medical encounters (injuries) in endurance cycling events.ObjectiveTo determine the risk factors for injuries during a mass community-based endurance cycling event.DesignRetrospective, cross-sectional study.SettingCape Town...

Does an effective shoulder injury prevention program affect risk factors in handball? A randomized controlled study.

Shoulder problems are common in handball, but injury risk reduction is possible by implementing a prevention program. However, player compliance to the program remains a challenge, with feedback from players that the program is too time consuming. To develop a more efficient program, we aimed to assess the effect of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center shoulder injury prevention program on external rotation (ER) strength and internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM), considered to represent key risk factors for injury. Four youth handball teams (three females, one males, 57 players, mean age 17.1years) were randomized to an intervention or control group. The intervention program was conducted three times per week as a part of handball warm-up for 18weeks, supervised by physical therapists. The main outcome variables were the between-group differences in ER strength and IR ROM change from baseline to postintervention. Isometric ER strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer and IR ROM with a digital goniometer. Mean dominant shoulder isometric ER strength increased both in the intervention (10%) and the control group (6%) during the intervention, but there was no significant group by time interaction (group difference: 0.06N/kg (95% CI: -0.04 to 0.17). IR ROM did not change in either group during the intervention. The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center shoulder injury prevention program did not affect the risk factors ER strength and IR ROM. The preventive effect of the program must therefore be due to other factors.