Incidence Of Lower Limb Injuries Research Articles

Occurrence of acute lower limb injuries in artistic gymnasts in relation to event and exercise phase

Objectives: To record the incidence of lower limb injuries (acute and overuse syndromes) in Greek artistic gymnasts in relation to the event and exercise phase. Methods: A total of 162...

Survival of the Fittest? The Scientific Basis for the Royal Navy Pre-Joining Fitness Test

The Royal Navy introduced a pre-joining fitness test to the selection procedures for RN Ratings from Summer 2003. The scientific basis for the test came from the present study to investigate if anthropometric and physical fitness measures predicted training failure. Fitness and anthropometric data from 1641 trainees were collected, together with their training outcome (i.e. pass or fail), during the period from September 2001 to March 2002. In addition, a retrospective interrogation of medical records identified those who reported any lower limb injuries. The overall rate of training attrition was 22%. Success in training was associated with: gender; age; physical fitness; and, in the case of females, Body Mass Index (BMI). The reported incidence of lower limb injury (LLI) was associated with: gender; physical fitness; and, for female trainees, BMI. The reported incidence of LLI was approximately 50% in the 'least-fit' female group compared to 10% in the 'most-fit' male group. 16% of females and 2% of males were considered 'unfit' (i.e. did not attain the prescribed run standards of 13 min 15 s and 11 min 13 s respectively). 3% of trainees were considered 'obese' (a BMI > 30 kg.m-2) whereas more than 25% were overweight (BMI > 25 kg.m-2). As a result of this work, selection candidates must now demonstrate a minimum standard of aerobic fitness prior to arrival at HMS Raleigh. The future impact of this selection measure on the reported incidence of lower limb injury and financial costs of training requires further investigation.

Lower extremity injuries in motor vehicle collisions: a survey of NASS 1997-1999

Lower extremity injury is common in front seated occupants of motor vehicles involved in collisions. The recent introduction of air bags, while intended to reduce injury to vital body regions, namely the head and chest, may influence the incidence of lower limb injury. The current study examined lower extremity injuries recorded in the National Automotive Sampling System in order to identify injury rates and trends. NASS data from 1995-1999 suggests drivers sustain a lower extremity injury in 35% of collisions. However, the rate of moderate-to-severe injury is low occurring in approximately 11% of front seat occupants. The most common site for moderate-to-serious injury was the foot/ankle. The thigh was most frequently the site of serious lower extremity injuries, with the majority of these injuries due to instrument panel contact. Air bag deployment does not appear to alter the risk of lower extremity injury, while seat belt use tends to slightly decrease the risk.

Injuries in Australian Army Recruits. Part I: Decreased Incidence and Severity of Injury Seen with Reduced Running Distance

Three hundred fifty male recruits were randomly allocated to either the standard recruit training program (N = 180) or substituted a weighted march activity for all running periods in the physical training program (N = 170). There were no other differences in the formal training program. The incidence of injury was 37.6 and 46.6% in the walk and run groups, respectively. The rate of injury was 52.9/100 recruits in the walk group and 61.7/100 in the run group. The exposure incidence was 12.8/1,000 hours of physical training in the walk group and 14.9/1,000 hours in the run group. There was no statistically significantly difference in the total number of injured recruits in the two groups (64 vs. 85, chi(2) = 2.90, p = 0.09, relative risk [RR] = 1.24). There were, however, significantly more lower-limb (43 vs. 75, chi(2) = 9.77, p = 0.0018, RR = 1.65) and knee injuries (15 vs. 35, chi(2) = 6.54, p = 0.011, RR = 2.14) in the Run group. Lower-limb injuries constituted 79.8% of all Run injuries and 61.1% of all Walk injuries. Injuries in the Run group produced more morbidity, with nearly double the number of days of restriction, hospitalization, and not fit for duty. Standardized morbidity rates showed an average of 5.4 days of restriction per injury in the Run group and 3.96 days of restriction per injury in the Walk group. Reduction of running distance in the physical training program resulted in significant reductions in both the incidence of lower-limb injury and the overall severity of injury.