Female Lacrosse Research Articles

Differences in Knee Kinematics during Single and Both Limb Athletic Tasks

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often occur during single limb landing or cutting. However, research studies investigating ACL biomechanics often analyze tasks involving both limbs. There are few studies that have examined the differences between knee kinematics during single and both limb tasks. PURPOSE: To identify screening tests as well as the mechanism of ACL injury estimated by single and both limb athletic tasks. METHODS: Twenty four female collegiate basketball and lacrosse athletes participated in this study. IRB approved informed consent was obtained from all subjects. The subjects performed both limb jump-landing, single limb landing and single limb plant-cutting tasks. The tasks were recorded using a high speed (200Hz) motion analysis system. Three dimensional knee motion analysis was used to calculate the differences in peak joint angle and angular joint excursion. ANOVA with repeated measures was performed to compare the differences between the tasks. RESULTS: At the time of foot contact, the position of the knee was in varus rotation during all tasks and in external tibial rotation during single limb tasks. After foot contact, knee valgus and internal tibial rotation increased with time. The peak knee valgus angle was significantly larger in both limb jump-landing compared to single limb landing and plant-cutting (7.1±5.5, −1.2±5.3, −2.6±6.1, respectively; p<0.01). Excursion for internal tibial rotation was significantly larger in single limb landing and plant-cutting compared to both limb jump-landing (21.4±6.4, 26.8±6.8, 12.1±4.8, respectively; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The most likely mechanism of non-contact ACL injury is internal tibial rotation and valgus rotation of the knee. Both limb jump-landing is an appropriate screening test for knee valgus, however single limb tasks should be used for examining internal tibial rotation.

Relationship Of Total Energy Intake To Body Mass Index In Collegiate Female Athletes

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between total energy intake of female collegiate lacrosse players, soccer players, cross-country runners and controls to body mass index (BMI) within the respective athletes competitive season. METHODS: Participants were 27 lacrosse players, 28 soccer players, 14 crosscountry runners and 104 non-athlete controls. Participants completed a five day dietary record for 3 weekdays and 2 weekend days during the competitive season. All participants' self-reported height and weight or data was gathered from their respective coaches. Group mean correlations between total energy intake and BMI were performed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation procedure. RESULTS: Significant positive relationships were found between total energy intake and BMI in cross country runners (p = 0.0043) and controls (p = 0.025). However, no significant relationships were established between total energy intake and BMI in the lacrosse (p = 0.065) and soccer (p = 0.074) populations. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that BMI may not be related to total energy intake in sports requiring a higher degree of motor skill development and the inclusion of higher intensity training regimens including heavy resistance training. These athletes may be of a different general body type (mesomorphic) and hence may have greater muscle mass leading to higher BMI scores irrespective of total energy intake. These differences may be important to understand when working with a female collegiate athletic population on energy intake recommendations.

Descriptive characteristics of NCAA Division I women lacrosse players

The purpose of this investigation was to describe anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of Division I college female lacrosse players. An additional aim of the study was to examine positional differences in this sample of athletes. Eighty-four university lacrosse players (age=19.8+/-1.1 years; height=168.3+/-5.9 cm; body mass=64.7+/-6.9 kg) volunteered to participate and were evaluated at the end of their off-season. Test items included standing height, body mass, linear sprint speed (9.14-36.58 m), agility (pro-agility and Illinois), countermovement jump height and the 20 Meter Shuttle Run Test (MSRT). Standing height was different between positions, pairwise comparisons indicating that attackers were taller than defenders (p=0.029). No other dependent variable differed between positions. Homogeneity between positions for women's lacrosse players indicates that the tests used do not have a high discriminatory value or could reflect the lack of development of positional specificity due to relatively minimal playing experience by participants. Although positional distinctions were not observed in this study, quartiles and ranges provide evidence that performance in female lacrosse players varies markedly.

Recent crosse designs increase ball velocity: Implications for injury in women's lacrosse

The aim of this preliminary investigation was to describe the kinematics of ball release from 24 different lacrosse stick models during the performance of an overhand pass. Multiple trials (N=120) of an overhand lacrosse pass, performed by an elite female lacrosse athlete, were captured in the sagittal plane using two-dimensional videography and analysed using motion analysis software. On average, there was a tendency for balls to release earlier from wood crosses (180.8+/-16.0 degrees ) than from synthetic crosses (183.6+/-6.0 degrees ) (p>0.15) and earlier from non-planar linear (179.7+/-6.7 degrees ) and non-planar curvilinear (182.5+/-9.5 degrees ) crosse heads than from traditional, planar-headed sticks (185.6+/-11.7 degrees ). Peak angular velocities of the stick shaft were lower for the wood as compared to the synthetic crosses (p<0.001) with mean values of 15.4+/-0.6rads(-1) and 16.6+/-0.7rads(-1), respectively. Similarly, the resultant velocity of the ball at release was significantly lower (p<0.001) for the wood crosses (13.9+/-0.8ms(-1)) as compared to the synthetic crosses (14.8+/-0.6ms(-1)). These results indicate that changes in the material composition and design of lacrosse sticks are changing the timing and rate at which balls release from the crosse pocket. Strict rule enforcement, good coaching, the mandatory use of protective equipment and continuous monitoring of changes in stick technology will be required if the frequency and severity of ocular, head and facial injuries are to be controlled.

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in 8 Division I Female Lacrosse Athletes: A Case Series

XERTIONAL RHABDOMYOLYSIS (ER) is a complication of exercise that can be fatal if not recognized and treated appropriately. It is defined as the dissolution of skeletal muscle that produces a nonspecific clinical syndrome that causes leakage of toxic intracellular contents into the circulatory system. 1 This dissolution is manifested by increased extracellular myoglobin, potassium, phosphate, creatine kinase (CK), or urate that is released by the damaged myocytes. Release of these products into the bloodstream can result in decreased cellular function, renal failure, and even death in severe cases. 2 Most cases of ER are a result of muscle overexertion, alcohol abuse, muscle compression, or the use of certain medications. Initially, ER presents with symptoms similar to those observed with cases of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Both DOMS and ER can occur after moderately strenuous physical exertion. Because of the similar manifestations of DOMS and ER, it is essential to obtain a proper history of an athlete’s activity levels, hydration levels, and medical history to ensure a proper course of treatment. 2 The pathophysiology of ER is a direct result of the energy requirements exceeding the athlete’s ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). As these requirements exceed production, the ATP-dependent sodium-potassium pump begins to fail, which results in an electrochemical disruption across the cell membrane and increased intracellular calcium levels. This increase initiates normally dormant enzymes that destroy the cell membrane, resulting in leakage of intracellular contents into the local circulation. ER is typically characterized by the release of intracellular contents into the local circulatory system that are signaled by an elevation in CK levels. 1,3 There are no toxic properties in CK, but elevated CK levels serve as a marker for increased permeability of muscle membranes. Although slightly elevated levels of CK might be observed in cases of DOMS, ER alone results in gross elevations of serum CK. 1 Serious complications of ER include renal failure, cardiac dysrhythmias, compartment syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, lactic acidosis, and possibly death. 4 These can all be avoided with early recognition and treatment.

Stress fractures of the femoral shaft in women’s college lacrosse: a report of seven cases and a review of the literature

Background: Stress fractures do not often occur in the shaft of the femur. They are more common in the femoral neck, the tibial shaft, the metatarsals, and other bones of...

First-Time Inversion Ankle Ligament Trauma

Background Inversion ankle trauma is disabling, yet little is known regarding the incidence rate of first-time ankle sprains and how it is influenced by factors including sex, level of competition, and sport. Hypothesis The incidence rates of first-time ankle ligament sprains are influenced by sex, level of competition (high school vs college), and type of sports participation (basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey). Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Between 1999 and 2003, high school and college athletes were evaluated before participation in their sports. Subjects were included in the study if they had not experienced a prior ankle or lower extremity injury and were then followed during participation in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, or field hockey to document their days of exposure to sport and injuries sustained. The relative risk associated with sex, level of competition, and sport was estimated by Cox regression. Results A total of 901 athletes had 50 680 person-days of exposure to sports, and 43 (4.8%) had an inversion injury that produced an ankle ligament sprain. Overall, the injury incidence rate was 0.85 sprains per 1000 person-days of exposure to sport. There were 0.68 and 0.97 ankle sprains per 1000 person-days of exposure to sport for the men and women, respectively. Although the risk of suffering an ankle sprain was higher for women than for men (relative risk, 1.51), the difference was not statistically significant (P=. 21) and was owing to the increased risk in female basketball athletes compared to male basketball athletes (relative risk, 4.11; P=. 045). Risk of injury was similar for the high school athletes in comparison to the college athletes (relative risk, 1.16). For the men, there was no difference in the risk of suffering an ankle sprain between the sports of basketball, soccer, and lacrosse, whereas for the women, the risk of suffering an ankle sprain was significantly greater during participation in basketball compared to lacrosse. Conclusion In this study of first-time ankle sprains, for most sports, the incidence rate of inversion injury is less than 1 per 1000 days of exposure to sport, a value lower than previously reported. Among female athletes, ankle injury is associated with type of sport. Risk is highest for female basketball athletes, who are at significantly greater risk than male basketball athletes and female lacrosse athletes. The risk of first-time ankle injury is similar for high school and college-level athletes.

Eye Injury – Conditioning

0406 HISTORY: A 19-year-old African American female lacrosse college player sustained a bilateral eye injury while involved in resistance training. She was exercising with an elastic band that snapped and struck her across the face, hitting both eyes. Symptoms were more pronounced in the left eye and included intense bilateral pain, tearing, photophobia and blurring. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Examination in the training room revealed 1–2+ edema in the superior and inferior eyelids bilaterally; 1+ conjunctivae injection bilaterally; normal motility bilaterally; pupils 5mm irregular and non reactive bilaterally; and presence of coagulated blood in the anterior chamber at 9 o'clock bilaterally. Patient experienced difficulty in performing visual field and visual acuity testing due to pain and photophobia. She was immediately brought to the emergency room for an ophthalmologic examination. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: *Bilateral Traumatic Hyphema *Corneal Injury (abrasion; laceration) *Retinal Hemorrhage/Detachment/Commotio *Orbital Fracture TEST AND RESULTS: Visual Acuity/Refraction: OD: 20/25+3; OS: 20/80 Visual Fields: Normal bilaterally Intraocular Pressure (mm Hg) (Tonopen): OD: 18; OS: 28 Cornea: Epithelial defects: OD: 1–5 o'clock, peripherally; OS: 3–5 o'clock, peripherally Anterior Chamber: Deep with 4+ cell and flare; Clots at 9 o'clock bilaterally Iris: Multiple sphincter tears bilaterally Lens: Clear bilaterally Ophthalmoscopy: OD: Commotio retinae and preretinal hemorrhage inferotemporally OS: Commotio retinae and preretinal hemorrhage approaching the macula; Retinal hemorrhage and preretinal hemorrhage inferonasally Optic Nerve: Pink and flat bilaterally Sickle Cell Screen: Negative FINAL/WORKING DIAGNOSIS: *Bilateral Traumatic Hyphema *Bilateral Iris Sphincter Tear *Bilateral Corneal Epithelial Defects *Bilateral Commotio with Preretinal hemorrhage *Probable Bilateral Angle Recession *Unilateral Choroidal Rupture (OS) *Unilateral Transient Elevation in Intracocular Pressure (OS) TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES: *Topical steroid, scopolamine and erythromycin *Bilateral eye shields, bed rest and sleeping in the upright position *Daily intraocular pressure measurements *Developed acute increase in intraocular pressure in the left eye 9 days after trauma that resolved with the use of acetazolamide, brimonide and dorzamide plus timolol *Patient discontinued all medications and resumed physical activity 6 weeks after the incident

DIFFERENCES IN BODY ATTITUDE BETWEEN AESTHETIC AND NON-AESTHETIC SPORTS IN FEMALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

PURPOSE To compare body attitude measurements of female collegiate lacrosse players (non-aesthetic), dance team (aesthetic) members and controls within the competitive season. METHODS Participants were 27 lacrosse players, 20 dance team members and 64 non-athlete controls. Participants were administered a nine-figure silhouette scale and asked to circle the best representation of how they think they look (cognitive), how they feel they look (emotional) and how they want to look (ideal) on separate scales. Within and across group differences for body attitude were compared using one-way ANOVA. Post-hoc analysis was performed using the Tukey procedure. RESULTS Significant differences were found within the individual groups including the lacrosse (p < 0.0001) and dance (p < 0.0001) teams ideal versus cognitive and emotional perceptions. A significant difference was also found between the ideal scores of both athletic groups compared to the controls (p = 0.032) suggesting both athletic groups idealized a smaller body size than age-matched controls. However, no significant differences were found between the two athletic groups on any body attitude parameter. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate no differences in body attitude between these aesthetic and non-aesthetic sports. Nonetheless, the results do suggest that female collegiate athletes may suffer from a higher degree of body dissatisfaction or idealize a smaller body size than their age-matched counterparts. This higher degree of body dissatisfaction could potentially lead to an increased risk for the development of eating disordered behaviors in a population were performance and not body size should be the focus.

Effect of Body Position on Hamstring Muscle Group Average Torque

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of the supine and prone position on concentric and eccentric isokinetic strength of the hamstring muscle group. Twelve university female lacrosse players were tested for hamstring average torque on a Kinetic Communicator(R) dynamometer at 60 degrees /sec from the supine and prone positions. Analysis of variance indicated average torque generated from the prone was greater than the supine position. Greater torque was also generated during eccentric contraction than during concentric contraction. The influence of the tonic labyrinthine and the symmetrical tonic neck reflexes is proposed as the mechanism for the differences observed between the two test positions. The prone position facilitates optimal generation of torque while approximating a length-tension relationship observed during sprinting. These findings suggest consideration be given to assessment and strength training of the hamstring muscle group in the prone position. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1990;11(10):449-452.

Use of Mental Preparation Strategies by International Elite Female Lacrosse Players from Five Countries

Fifty-five lacrosse players from five countries (Australia, Canada, England, the United States, and Wales) competing in the 1986 Lacrosse World Cup Tournament completed a questionnaire regarding their use of mental preparation in training and competition. The findings revealed that 81 % of the subjects considered mental preparation to be very important or extremely important in preparing for competition, and only 2% considered it to be unimportant. A one-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference among the countries on 3 of 10 variables studied. A significant difference was demonstrated between lacrosse teams from various countries in the use of visualization/imagery and frequency of dreams about play (Canada made most frequent use). There was also a significant difference in the frequency of mental training received from a trained sport psychologist. Perhaps not coincidentally, the lacrosse team that had the most frequent contact with a trained sport psychologist (Australia) was the most successful team at the tournament.