Injury Rehabilitation Research Articles

Virtual Analysis for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Background Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are debilitating conditions affecting individuals worldwide annually, leading to physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. Effective rehabilitation for SCI patients is crucial for restoring motor function and enhancing their overall quality of life. Advances in technology, including machine learning (ML) and computer vision, offer promising avenues for personalized SCI treatment. Aims This paper aimed to propose an automated and cost-effective system for spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation using machine learning techniques, leveraging data from the Toronto Rehab Pose dataset and Mediapipe for real-time tracking. Objective The objective is to develop a system that predicts rehabilitation outcomes for upper body movements, highlighting the transformative role of ML in personalized SCI treatment and offering tailored strategies for improved outcomes. Methods The proposed system utilized data from the Toronto Rehab Pose dataset and Mediapipe for real-time tracking. Machine learning models, including Support Vector Machines (SVM), Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, and XGBoost, were employed for outcome prediction. Features such as joint positions, angles, velocities, and accelerations were extracted from movement data to train the models. Results Statistical analysis revealed the ability of the system to accurately classify rehabilitation outcomes, with an average accuracy of 98.5%. XGBoost emerged as the top-performing algorithm, demonstrating superior accuracy and precision scores across all exercises. Conclusion This paper emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and adjustment of rehabilitation plans based on real-time progress data, highlighting the dynamic nature of SCI rehabilitation and the need for adaptive treatment strategies. By predicting rehabilitation outcomes with high accuracy, the system enables clinicians to devise targeted interventions, optimizing the efficacy of the rehabilitation process.

Plantar pressure distribution using personalised 3D printed lattice insoles with distributed stiffness

This work presents a proof-of-concept study on the use of additive manufacturing for developing customised lattice topology insoles, with the aim of redistributing plantar pressures. Four cubic lattice structures were applied to five sections of the moulded insole contours, which were based in 3D foot scans using Ansys material designer to predict material properties. The variation of the elastic modulus across the sections was controlled via the lattice cell structure volume ratio. The insole lattice structures were made from elastic photosensitive liquid resin resulting in flexible parts. A commercially available shoe was used to compare pressure distribution between the original and customised insole. Plantar pressure distribution and peak pressures were measured during standing, walking, and running. Pressure redistribution varied between insole conditions. During standing, the customised insole reduced peak pressure at the left heel, while the right foot experienced increased peak pressure compared to the control insole. Substantial peak pressure reduction was observed on the left foot during walking and running whilst the reduction was much less for the right foot. The study highlights the potential of additive manufacturing for cost-effective, accurate, and personalized insole production, offering material control and pressure redistribution benefits for various applications like injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Patient and Caregiver Satisfaction With the Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Improving the Transition Experience (BRITE) Intervention.

To ascertain patient and caregiver satisfaction with an individualized case management intervention to improve transition from inpatient rehabilitation care to the community after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants from 6 National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-funded TBI Model Systems sites in the United States. Adult, English-speaking patients with TBI who had moderate-to-severe TBI and were discharged from a TBI Model Systems site and who were in the intervention arm of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Improving the Transition Experience pragmatic clinical trial, as well as their caregivers. A survey of participants in the intervention arm, which included an individualized case management program administered by a TBI Care Manager (TCM) who facilitated resource connection, education, and support. Satisfaction with intervention was measured through Likert-scaled and open-ended questions. The survey was administered verbally through telephone, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables, and content analysis was conducted for open-ended responses. Patient and caregiver participants were satisfied with the intervention and highlighted the benefits of the interpersonal and practical support provided by the TCM. Participants identified the need for a more intensive intervention and clear expectations of the TCM role, as well as gaps in available medical and rehabilitation services in the community, as areas for improvement. Patients with TBI and their caregivers reported satisfaction with the individualized case management program in supporting their transition from inpatient rehabilitation to the community. Further research is needed to understand the impact on outcomes.

Reliability and Validity of the Spanish Version of the Brief-BESTest in Stroke Patients.

Background: Balance disorders and postural control treatments play an important role in fall prevention. The Brief-BESTest is a short-scale employed to evaluate balance and fall risk in different populations. Balance assessment is a fundamental element in patients with Acquired Brain Injury rehabilitation since postural alteration is one of the most frequent sequelae. The objective was to validate the Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest questionnaire in the stroke population. Methods: Subjects of both sexes aged over 18 years with a diagnosis of acute/chronic stroke were included. The BESTest, Mini-BESTest, Brief-BESTest, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up & Go Test were used to assess balance. The scales were implemented once. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency and confirmatory factorial analysis was employed to assess validity. Results: A total of 44 patients with a mean age of 65.35 years (SD = 10.665) participated. Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed a high internal consistency with a value of 0.839. In the criterion validity, there was a high positive correlation between the Brief-BESTest and BESTest (r = 0.879), Mini-BESTest (r = 0.808), and Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.711). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest scale is valid and reliable, showing adequate psychometric properties for balance assessment in patients with acute or chronic stroke.

Study on Anxiety Following Sports Injury Using the Sports Injury Anxiety Scale

Background: Anxiety is a common emotional response among athletes, often exacerbated by the occurrence of sports injuries.Objective: To study anxiety among sports personnel following sports injuries and to explore the correlation of demographic and injuryrelated variables with Sports Injury Anxiety Scale (SIAS) scores.Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted in the Northeastern region of India. Convenient sampling was employed to recruit sports personnel who sustained injuries during sports events or practice in this cross-sectional study. The SIAS questionnaire was utilized to quantify anxiety levels and demographic variables were correlated with anxiety scores.Results: Out of 97 cases, participants aged 20-30 with 6-10 years of experience reported 75% experiencing physical injuries. The most common injuries were contusions (31%) and fractures/dislocations (28%). Hospitalization occurred in 10% of cases, and 37% took a career break averaging 0-2 weeks. Factors like age, sex, and experience did not significantly affect anxiety levels, but athletes with fractures, longer career breaks, and less experience showed higher anxiety. Overall, 85% of athletes experienced anxiety, with 15% having severe anxiety, 70% average anxiety, and 15% no or borderline anxiety.Conclusion: The study’s findings will contribute to a better understanding of the psychological challenges faced by athletes during injury rehabilitation and their eventual return to sports in the Northeastern region of IndiaInternational Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 08 No. 02 Apr’24 Page: 185-191

THE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CORPORATION (ACC)-FUNDED PRIMARY TOTAL KNEE AND TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY IN AOTEAROA

IntroductionIndividuals with significant hip and knee trauma receive total knee (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) as definitive end-stage procedures. In Aotearoa, injury-related costs, including workers compensation, may be funded by ACC. With a steady increase of arthroplasty procedures in Aotearoa, we aim to understand the magnitude and characteristics of such procedures to inform future healthcare strategies.MethodThis is a longitudinal collaborative study from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2020, using ACC and New Zealand Joint Registry databases. Total cost was subcategorised into social and medical cost for analysis.ResultsACC funded 10179 TKA and 5611 THA, amounting to 918 million New Zealand Dollars. Most clients were between 55 and 65 years of age at time of surgery, with greater representation by Male sex and European prioritised ethnicity. Māori and Pacific peoples represent less than 10% of the study population.ACC identified requiring more than 182 days of workers’ compensation as a significant marker for needing additional supports. Risk of this was 21% for TKA and 11% for THA, with risk factors being younger age (RR 0.96), Male sex (TKA RR 1.12, THA RR 1.23), and heavy work-types (TKA RR 1.50, THA RR 1.57).DiscussionSupporting individuals with post-traumatic lower limb arthroplasty is costly. Workers’ compensation contributes to a significant proportion of social expenditure. Risk factors for increased cost utilisation can be used to highlight vulnerable clients and target interventions.ConclusionsThis is one of few nationwide studies investigating the healthcare cost of post-traumatic lower limb arthroplasty. We need to focus on injury prevention, targeted treatment, and rehabilitation protocols to improve recovery and reduce time off work. These findings would be of interest to multiple stakeholders.

The value of work simulation rehabilitation: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Using simulation methods that replicate specific job demands can accelerate return-to-work following an illness or injury. However, the components of simulation vary markedly. OBJECTIVE: The current study explores the perceptions and experiences of service users to better understand what aspects are required to facilitate a well-designed, work-specific simulation. METHODS: Thirteen injured workers (10 men, 3 women) and four staff (3 allied health, 1 manager) involved in a simulation-based rehabilitation program were interviewed. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three major themes resulted: 1) simulation can facilitate successful rehabilitation, 2) the importance of offering multiple, realistic simulations to replicate varying occupations, and 3) effective simulation involves collaboration with a worker’s existing health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation tasks can be effectively integrated into injury rehabilitation, although are challenging to implement and require further validation studies. The present findings may provide some guidance for rehabilitation services looking to implement this method within a broader, biopsychosocial return-to-work program.

Multiple psychiatric diagnoses and return-to-work following posttraumatic stress injury rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) is a term used to describe a range of psychiatric difficulties which arise following exposure to a psychologically traumatic event. The impact of being diagnosed with multiple psychiatric conditions on the return-to-work (RTW) outcomes of individuals with PTSI has not been adequately researched. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined whether the presence of two or more psychiatric conditions occurring simultaneously is predictive of RTW outcomes in workers with PTSI. METHOD: A population-based cohort design was conducted using archival data from injured workers admitted to a PTSI rehabilitation program. Differences in RTW outcomes and demographic, administrative, and clinical variables were compared between individuals with single and multiple psychiatric diagnoses. A range of variables were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model predicting RTW. RESULTS: The final logistic regression model indicated workers had higher odds of RTW if they had a single psychiatric diagnosis (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 2.20), non-elevated scores on a measure of traumatic stress (AOR 1.85), and reported higher self-perceived readiness to RTW (AOR 1.24). CONCLUSION: Being diagnosed with multiple psychiatric conditions appears to be associated with more negative RTW outcomes following PTSI rehabilitation.

Injury Rehabilitation in Badminton: An Evidence-based Approach to Player Well-being- A Systematic Review

Badminton, as a sport that demands speed, accuracy, and agility, often causes injuries to players. These injuries can reduce their quality of life and athletic careers. Therefore, effective and evidence-based injury rehabilitation is crucial for recovery and prevention of re-injury. This study aims to systematise the current evidence regarding injury rehabilitation methods in badminton and evaluate their effectiveness in supporting player well-being. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines; this study screened and analysed studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria included studies that evaluated injury rehabilitation programmes specifically for badminton players, with outcome measures of functional recovery, pain reduction, and prevention of re-injury. Quality assessment was conducted using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) tool, and data were extracted for thematic analysis. The results showed that a combination of physical therapy, strengthening exercises, and manual intervention techniques such as joint mobilisation and manipulation provided the most effective outcomes in injury rehabilitation. There is strong evidence supporting the use of proprioceptive training to prevent re-injury. Factors such as player age, initial injury severity, and adherence to the rehabilitation programme were shown to influence recovery success. This study concludes that the approach to injury rehabilitation in badminton should be multidisciplinary, integrating various physiotherapy techniques for optimal outcomes. The findings emphasise the importance of a tailored and evidence-based rehabilitation programme in supporting athletes' recovery and preventing possible future injuries. This study also suggests the need for further research to develop specific and standardised rehabilitation guidelines for badminton players.

Team-based rehabilitation after mild traumatic brain injury – description of the clinical pathway

ABSTRACT Purpose Describe clinical practice, inter-disciplinary clinical pathway and core principles of care within a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) rehabilitation team. Methods An observational study examined inter-disciplinary practice, nested within an observational trial investigating team-based mTBI rehabilitation. Data were collected to describe clinical service over 12 months. Activity data quantified clinical sessions per participant, mode of service delivery and content of sessions using custom-designed codes. The clinical team gathered narrative data to confirm the inter-disciplinary clinical pathway and individual discipline practice. Results 168 participants entered the rehabilitation program during the 12 months. A single Allied Health Screening Assessment identified patient priorities. Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy (PT) provided the majority of clinical sessions; the team also comprised Social Work, Rehabilitation Medicine, Speech Pathology and Clinical Psychology. Telehealth was the most common service delivery mode (54%). Median session numbers per participant ranged 1–4 for all disciplines; mean/maximum occasions of service were highest for PT (6.9/44) and OT (6.8/39). Conclusion A small proportion of participants received much higher number of sessions, consistent with intractable issues after mTBI. High attendance rates indicate the predominantly telehealth-delivered model was feasible. The clinical approach included early prioritizing of discipline input and follow-up after discharge.

Limited Return to Preinjury Performance in NCAA Division I American Football Players With Hamstring Injuries.

Hamstring strains are common among elite athletes, but their effect on return to the same level of play in American football has been incompletely characterized. Data on National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I college football players with acute hamstring strains were gathered to identify the effects these injuries have on both return to play and athletic performance regarding velocity, workload, and acceleration. Case Series; Level of evidence, 4. Injury data for a single Division I football team were prospectively recorded over a 4-year period. Players wore global navigation satellite system and local positioning system (GNSS/LPS) devices to record movement data in practices and games. The practice and game data were cross-referenced to evaluate players with isolated acute hamstring strains. Comparisons were made regarding players' pre- and postinjury ability to maintain high velocity (>12 mph [19.3 kph]), maximal velocity, triaxial acceleration, and inertial movement analysis (IMA). There were 58 hamstring injuries in 44 players, of which 25 injuries from 20 players had GNSS/LPS data. Players were able to return to play from all 25 injury incidences at a mean of 9.2 days. At the final mean follow-up of 425 days, only 4 players had reached preinjury function in all measurements; 12 players were able to return in 2 of the 4 metrics; and only 8 players reached their preinjury ability to maintain high velocity. For those who did not achieve this metric, there was a significant difference between pre- and postinjury values (722 vs 442 m; P = .016). A total of 14 players were able to regain their IMA. Players who returned to prior velocity or acceleration metrics did so at a mean of 163 days across all metrics. While players may be able to return to play after hamstring strain, many players do not reach preinjury levels of acceleration or velocity, even after 13.5 months. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, assess clinical relevance on imaging performance, and improve hamstring injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Translation and Adaptation of the Reinjury Anxiety Inventory, the Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale, and the Athletic Injury Self-Efficacy Questionnaire Into Turkish.

Psychological difficulties can adversely affect rehabilitation outcomes and make return to sport more difficult. Identifying psychological difficulties is possible with valid and reliable measurement tools. The purpose of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the Reinjury Anxiety Inventory (RIAI), the Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (SIRAS), and the Athletic Injury Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (AISEQ) into Turkish and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish versions. Cross-sectional study. The instruments were forward- and back-translated, culturally adapted, and validated on 248 athletes and 34 physical therapists. The physical therapists of the athletes completed the SIRAS to evaluate the athletes. Statistical analysis included reliability tests (Cronbach alpha and test-retest), exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlational analysis. Floor and ceiling effects (<15%) were also assessed. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a satisfactory model fit for the RIAI and the AISEQ, and exploratory factor analysis revealed the 1-factor structure for the SIRAS as in the original. All 3 instruments displayed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficients ranged from .84 to .88) and test-retest reliability (coefficients ranged from .81 to .93). Convergent validity of the instruments was supported by significant correlations between the AISEQ and both the RIAI and the SIRAS. Our results suggest that the Turkish versions of the instruments were valid, consistent, and reliable in athletes who have serious injuries. Scores on these instruments could be useful for evaluating the contributions of psychological factors to return to sport following serious injuries. Clinicians are encouraged to use RIAI-Turkish (RIAI-TR), SIRAS-Turkish (SIRAS-TR), and AISEQ-Turkish (AISEQ-TR) together to make decisions about the treatment and rehabilitation plans of injured athletes.

МЕТОДИКА МЕДИЦИНСКОГО СОПРОВОЖДЕНИЯ ПАЦИЕНТОВ ПОСЛЕ ПРОВЕДЕНИЯ ДЕНТАЛЬНОЙ РЕПЛАНТАЦИИ

Modern dentistry is aimed at using minimally invasive interventions to preserve dentition. This fact determines the need for wider use of various types of tooth-preserving operations. In modern conditions, tooth-preserving operations are increasingly being carried out with a predictable successful outcome. Treatment of dental trauma involves complex endodontic or surgical treatment protocols. An important aspect in the rehabilitation of dental injuries is the development of clear diagnostic tactics both at the initial appointment and at all stages of treatment. We observed 127 patients from 2012 to 2022 with diagnoses: complete, incomplete tooth dislocation, uncomplicated or complicated by fractures of the coronal part of the teeth, men and women aged 18 to 40 years. The first group consisted of 66 people with traumatic dislocations of teeth, who sought medical help within 24 hours after the injury, who underwent tooth replantation surgery, endodontic treatment, a complex treatment developed aimed at stopping an acute inflammatory reaction of a post-traumatic nature, and carrying out the necessary splinting measures. The second group consisted of 61 people with traumatic dislocations of teeth who sought medical help after 24 hours or later. Patients in each group were divided into subgroups; in the control subgroups, traditional treatment and rehabilitation after dental replantation were carried out; in the main subgroups, the technique we developed using M-Chip nanomatrices and LED radiation was used. All patients underwent macrohistochemical examination and measurement of dentogingival attachment using a periodontal probe. The results of a macrohistochemical study 7 days after replantation showed that in groups 1b and 2b, whose patients received complex treatment according to the developed method, the area of inflammation of the mucogingival complex was smaller than in patients in groups 1a and 2a, who were treated according to the traditional method. Results of probing of the dentogingival attachment found that in groups 1b and 2b, whose patients received complex treatment using the developed method, the dentogingival attachment corresponds to normal indicators of a healthy periodontal complex than in patients in groups 1a and 2a, who were treated using the traditional method. The inclusion in the complex of rehabilitation measures after dental replantation surgery of drugs that have antiseptic, reparative, hemostatic and immunoadjuvant effects, using LED radiation, increases the effectiveness of these measures by 2-3 times.

Current Status of Neurorehabilitation Services in the OIC Countries: Results of an International Online Survey

Objectives: Neurorehabilitation services are not widely available to most persons with disability (PWD) in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries. This study aimed to document status of neurorehabilitation services in OIC countries. Study Design and Setting: Cross-sectional online survey. Methods: Self-administered online survey conducted using Google Forms. Key resource persons for each OIC country working in field of neurorehabilitation were identified from various databases. The questionnaire was emailed to 20 identified resource persons. The response rate was 60% (12/20). Results: Neurorehabilitation services were available in 9 out of 12 surveyed countries. Only 2 countries reported providing access to neurorehabilitation services to 76-100% of their population. Five countries reported less than 25% of population had access to these services. Most commonly available neurorehabilitation services included services for stroke, spinal cord injury, pediatric neurorehabilitation, brain injury, and neuromuscular rehabilitation. Three countries had none of these specialized services. Five countries had neurorehabilitation training programs for physicians and other rehabilitation professionals. Patients had to pay out of pocket for these services in most of surveyed countries, followed by public funding and private insurance. Tele-neurorehabilitation and local disease-specific neurorehabilitation guidelines were not available in most of surveyed countries. Conclusion: Neurorehabilitation services in OIC region are not widely available, with significant variability in availability and quality. There is a need to develop and improve these services. Sharing knowledge and expertise through various forms, such as exchange visits and online sessions, can help improve neurorehabilitation services in these countries

A study of sports injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies in physical education teaching in colleges and universities

A study of sports injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies in physical education teaching in colleges and universities

Impact of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms on Severe Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation: An Observational Study.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIa) and antimicrobial resistance are expected to be the next threat to human health and are most frequent in people with severe acquired brain injury (SABI), who can be more easily colonized by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). The study's aim is to investigate the impact of MDRO colonizations and infections on SABI rehabilitation outcomes. This retrospective observational study was performed in a tertiary referral specialized rehabilitation hospital. The main outcomes were the presence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) colonization, type and timing of HAI and MDRO HAI, and the number of CPE transmissions. We included 48 patients, 31% carrying CPE on admission and 33% colonized during the hospitalization. A total of 101 HAI were identified in 40 patients, with an overall incidence of 10.5/1000 patient days. Some 37% of patients had at least one MDRO infection, with a MDRO infection incidence of 2.8/1000 patient days. The number of HAIs was significantly correlated with the length of stay (LOS) (r = 0.453, p = 0.001). A significant correlation was found between colonization and type of hospital room (p = 0.013). Complications and HAI significantly affected LOS. We suggest that CPE carriers might be at risk of HAI and worse outcomes compared with non-CPE carriers.

Advances in cervical spinal cord injury rehabilitation

Objective Provide background in cervical spinal cord injury and updates in rehabilitation for patients with cervical spinal cord injury.Findings Cervical Spinal Cord injury is a catastrophic event that can be life-altering. The introduction of physiatrists, along with the rehabilitation team, early after cervical spinal cord injury has been shown to help decrease acute care length of stay and medical complications and provide education to patients and families facing life with spinal cord injury.Conclusion There are newer technologies and modalities in spinal cord rehabilitation, including but not limited to functional electrical stimulation, epidural stimulation, and robot-assist gait training that are opening up the prospect of prolonged recovery after spinal cord injury and are an area of future potential and innovation.

The Effect of 12 Weeks of Rebound Therapy Exercise Training on Walking Ability of Spinal Cord Injury Patients.

Walking ability is a crucial factor for recovery and rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of rebound therapy on walking parameters in SCI patients. Thirty members of Isfahan Spinal Cord Injury Association participated in this experimental study using a convenience sampling method. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Isfahan (IR.UI.REC.1400.118). The participants were randomly assigned to control and rebound groups using a matched randomization method. Data were collected before and after 12 weeks of rebound therapy exercise (three sessions per week) in the walking laboratory, using a seven-camera 3D motion capturing system (Qualisys motion analysis). The final data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS software (significance level p < .05). Rebound therapy training significantly improved all dependent variables (p < .05) except hip rotation, indicating its effectiveness for enhancing walking ability. Given the importance of walking function, we recommend the use of rebound therapy training as an exercise rehabilitation method for spinal cord injury patients.

Technical Sprinting in the Early Phase of Hamstring Injury Rehabilitation to Accelerate Return to Full Participation in Track and Field Athletes: A Comparative Study of Two Rehabilitation Strategies.

Hamstring injuries are common in track and field athletes with a higher incidence in males than females. It causes a significant loss in training time and a decline in performance. This study evaluated rehabilitation strategies to accelerate return to full participation following hamstring injury. Thirty-three athletes (22 males; 11 females) were screened from November 2021 to October 2023 until their final major competition. Out of these, 17 athletes with hamstring injuries were included in this study which were further divided into two groups, A (n=8) and B (n=9), using stratified random sampling with single blinding. Group A received technical sprints using mini hurdles as part of their training from the early stages of rehabilitation, while Group B underwent high-volume low-intensity rehabilitation before progressing to sprints. The progress of each group was monitored on a weekly basis. The average time loss was calculated using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft® Corp., Redmond, WA) and Google Forms (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA) with built-in validation. The two groups demonstrated a significant difference in recovery times. In group A, the length of hamstring tenderness (LHT) improved from 9 ± 2.7 (95% CI 2.27) to 0.15 ± 0.3 (95% CI 0.62), active total knee extension (ATKE) from 161.8 ± 7.1 (95% CI 5.95) to 175.4 ± 2 (95% CI 2.3), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) in the isometric test from 5.6 ± 1.09 (95% CI 0.88) to 0.6 ± 0.5 (95% CI 0.63) with p<0.05, and in Group B, LHT improved from 6.8 ± 2.1 (95% CI 1.62) to 0.6 ± 0.7 (95% CI 0.55), ATKE improved from 168.7 ± 8.2 (95% CI 6.3) to 178.7 ± 2.7 (95% CI 2.06) and NPRS with resisted isometric test improved from 6 ± 1.4 (95% CI 1.08) to 0.8 ± 0.7 (95% CI 0.51) with p<0.05. However, Group A took an average of 3.55 weeks (1.22 SD 95% CI 1.08) and Group B took an average of 4.53 weeks (1.98 SD, 95% CI 1.52) to resume full participation. Three athletes from Group A and six athletes from Group B experienced hamstring tightness during the competition, two athletes from Group B were forced to withdraw from the competition due to hamstring reinjury. The findings indicate that an early technical sprint program can facilitate an early return to full participation. This research can be a guide towardaccelerated and integrated hamstring injury rehabilitation among track and fieldathletes.

Rethinking running biomechanics: a critical review of ground reaction forces, tibial bone loading, and the role of wearable sensors.

This study presents a comprehensive review of the correlation between tibial acceleration (TA), ground reaction forces (GRF), and tibial bone loading, emphasizing the critical role of wearable sensor technology in accurately measuring these biomechanical forces in the context of running. This systematic review and meta-analysis searched various electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect) to identify relevant studies. It critically evaluates existing research on GRF and tibial acceleration (TA) as indicators of running-related injuries, revealing mixed findings. Intriguingly, recent empirical data indicate only a marginal link between GRF, TA, and tibial bone stress, thus challenging the conventional understanding in this field. The study also highlights the limitations of current biomechanical models and methodologies, proposing a paradigm shift towards more holistic and integrated approaches. The study underscores wearable sensors' potential, enhanced by machine learning, in transforming the monitoring, prevention, and rehabilitation of running-related injuries.