Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Research Articles

Managing Load to Optimize Well-Being and Recovery During Short-Term Match Congestion in Elite Basketball

First, to compare load during short-term match congestion (ie,≥2-match weeks) with regular competition (ie,1-match weeks) in elite male professional basketball players. Second, to determine changes in well-being, recovery, neuromuscular performance, and injuries and illnesses between short-term match congestion and regular competition. Sixteen basketball players (age 24.8 [2.0]y, height 195.8 [7.5]cm, weight 94.8 [14.0]kg, body fat 11.9% [5.0%], VO2max 51.9 [5.3]mL·kg-1·min-1) were monitored during a full season. Session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) was obtained, and load was calculated (s-RPE × duration) for each training session or match. Perceived well-being (fatigue, sleep quality, general muscle soreness, stress levels, and mood) and total quality of recovery were assessed each training day. Countermovement jump height was measured, and a list of injuries and illnesses was collected weekly using the adapted Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems. Total load (training sessions and matches; P < .001) and training load (P < .001) were significantly lower for ≥2-match weeks. Significantly higher well-being (P = .01) and less fatigue (P = .001) were found during ≥2-match weeks compared with 1-match weeks. Total load and training load were lower during short-term match congestion compared with regular competition. Furthermore, better well-being and less fatigue were demonstrated within short-term match congestion. This might indicate that coaches tend to overcompensate training load in intensified competition.

Forty-five per cent lower acute injury incidence but no effect on overuse injury prevalence in youth floorball players (aged 12–17 years) who used an injury prevention exercise programme: two-armed parallel-group cluster randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo study whether an injury prevention exercise programme would reduce the number of injuries in youth floorball players.Methods 81 youth community level floorball teams (48 clusters=clubs) with female and male...

Limited Coping Skills, Young Age, and High BMI Are Risk Factors for Injuries in Contemporary Dance: A 1-Year Prospective Study.

This study investigated potential risk factors (coping, perfectionism, and self-regulation) for substantial injuries in contemporary dance students using a prospective cohort design, as high-quality studies focusing on mental risk factors for dance injuries are lacking. Student characteristics (age, sex, BMI, educational program, and history of injury) and psychological constructs (coping, perfectionism, and self-regulation) were assessed using the Performing artist and Athlete Health Monitor (PAHM), a web-based system. Substantial injuries were measured with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) Questionnaire on Health Problems and recorded on a monthly basis as part of the PAHM system. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the associations between potential risk factors (i.e., student characteristics and psychological constructs) and substantial injuries. Ninety-nine students were included in the analyses. During the academic year 2016/2017, 48 students (48.5%) reported at least one substantial injury. Of all factors included, coping skills (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.84–0.98), age (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.46–0.98), and BMI (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.05–1.80) were identified as significant risk factors in the multivariate analysis. The model explained 24% of the variance in the substantial injury group. Further prospective research into mental risk factors for dance injuries with larger sample sizes is needed to develop preventive strategies. Yet, dance schools could consider including coping skills training as part of injury prevention programs and, perhaps, providing special attention to younger dancers and those with a higher BMI through transitional programs to assist them in managing the stress they experience throughout their (academic) career.

Injuries And Injury-related Pain Relationships To NSAID Use And Abuse In Collegiate Athletes

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used by athletes to treat musculoskeletal pain and injuries. The relationship between NSAID use and current pain and injuries in collegiate athletes in unknown. Understanding this relationship is important due to the potential for athletes to improperly obtain and abuse NSAIDs. PURPOSE: To investigate how pain and injury effects current collegiate athlete NSAID use during both in and out of season. METHODS: Athletes from all 3 NCAA Divisions self-reported data on in and out of season NSAID use, purchase, and dosage. The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC) was used to evaluate current level of participation and pain. Logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between current NSAID use and OSTRC total score. Models were adjusted for age, gender, NCAA division, history of orthopaedic surgery, and history of major injury, with unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). χ2 and Kruskall Wallis tests assessed the relationship between NSAID use and OSTRC overuse and substantial overuse injuries in and out of season. RESULTS: 252 athletes (age of 19.43 ± 1.2 years; Male: 28%; D1: 101, D2: 74, D3: 77) completed the survey. 33% currently used NSAIDs, 48% self-purchased, and 53% took two pills per dose. 36% did not answer where NSAIDs were obtained and 34% did not answer what dosage was taken. The OSTRC median score was 0 (IQR: 0-22). 53% had overuse injuries, while 20% had substantial overuse injuries. Current NSAID users had greater odds of having increased OSTRC scores (1.03 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.04), p<0.001). OSTRC overuse and substantial overuse injured athletes were more likely to use NSAIDs (over use: χ2 = 34.0, p<0.001; substantial overuse: χ2 = 28.2, p<0.001) and use them out of season (over use: χ2 =24.4, p<0.001; substantial overuse: χ2 = 21.4, p<0.001) as compared to non-overuse and non-substantial overuse injured athletes. CONCLUSION: NSAID use is high and the majority of athletes purchase their own NSAIDs, instead of receiving them from a medical professional. Injured athletes are more likely to use NSAIDs both in and out of season. Sports medicine professionals needs to monitor NSAID use and abuse in order to mitigate potential NSAID-related negative health impacts.

The Effect Of Injuries And Pain On Athletic Identity Across NCAA Divisions

There is a high prevalence of pain and injury in collegiate athletes, which can affect playing time and performance. Previous studies have observed that surgery and concussions can affect athletic identity. Currently, there is a paucity of research investigating how current pain and injury affect athletic identity. PURPOSE: To determine how current collegiate athlete pain and injury affect athletic identity and how these relationships differ across NCAA divisions. METHODS: NCAA division 1 (D1), 2 (D2), and 3 (D3) athletes were administered a questionnaire through an encrypted database. The Athletic Identity Questionnaire (AIM) and Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC) were used within the survey. AIM estimates self-perceived athletic identity while OSTRC measures level of participation, training volume, performance, and pain. Athletes were further classified by OSTRC scores into overuse and substantial overuse injuries. Multivariable and logistic regressions assessed the relationship between Aim, OSTRC scores, and overuse injury. Models were adjusted for age, gender, NCAA division, history of orthopedic surgery, and history of major injury, with unadjusted and adjusted coefficients and Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: 252 athletes (age of 19.4 years (1.2); female: 181, male: 70; D1: 101, D2: 74, D3: 77) participated. Mean AIM scores were D1: 37.98 (7.61), D2: 37.03 (37.03), and D3: 38.86 (6.98). The OSTRC median score was 0 (IQR: 0-22). 127 (50%) athletes had an overuse injury while 47 (19%) had a substantial overuse injury. Adjusted total OSTRC score was -0.67 (95% CI: -2.4, 1.1; p=0.474). Adjusted OR for OSTRC overuse injury was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.04; p=0.589) and substantial overuse injury was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.99; p=0.036). Similar results were observed between gender and division subgroups. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for confounding variables, it was determined that substantial overuse injuries negatively affected athletic identity, regardless of gender or NCAA division. Sports medicine professionals need to consider the possibility of lost athletic identity when an athlete sustains an injury. Measures should be taken to ensure that athletes continue to have meaningful contribution to sport following pain or injury.

The Relationship Between Flourishing, Pain, And Injury In Collegiate Athletes

Flourishing encompasses a holistic representation of physical, psychological, and social health. However, pain and injury can negatively affect health. Currently, there is little research on flourishing within collegiate athletes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship of pain and injury with flourishing in NCAA athletes and to compare by division. METHODS: NCAA division 1 (D1), 2 (D2), and 3 (D3) athletes were given a questionnaire incorporating the flourishing scale and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC). Athletes were further classified by OSTRC scores into overuse and substantial overuse injuries. Multivariable regressions with logarithmic transformations and ANCOVAs were performed to investigate the relationship between flourishing and OSTRC pain and flourishing, overuse and substantial overuse injury. Confounders controlled for included age, gender, history of orthopaedic surgery and major injury, hours of sleep, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use. Unadjusted and adjusted effect size and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported. RESULTS: 253 athletes (Age: 19.43 (1.18) years; Male: 70; D1: 102, D2: 74, D3: 77; 7-8 hours of sleep: 157) participated. Mean flourishing scores were D1: 48.59 (10.43), D2: 50.08 (5.31), and D3: 48.58 (8.09). The median OSTRC score was 0 (0-22). 124 reported an overuse injury and 47 a substantial overuse injury. There was a unadjusted negative relationship between OSTRC total score and flourishing (-5.2% (95% CI: -10%, 1%), p=0.037); however there was no relationship after controlling for confounders (0.1% (95% CI: -2.6%, 2.7%), p=0.989). There was no relationship between overuse injury and flourishing (-0.23 (95% CI: -2.57, 2.11), p= 0.848). There was an unadjusted negative relationship between substantial overuse injuries and flourishing (-2.77 (95% CI: -5.43, -0.12), p=0.042), but there was no relationship after controlling for confounders (1.97 (95% CI: -4.95, 1.01), p=0.196). These relationships were similar by division. CONCLUSION: College athletes have high flourishing, and have similar flourishing between all NCAA divisions. Pain and injury have a negative relationship to flourishing; however, these relationships are confounded by surgical and injury history, and lifestyle.

The Effect Of Injuries And Pain On Athletic Identity Across NCAA Divisions

There is a high prevalence of pain and injury in collegiate athletes, which can affect playing time and performance. Previous studies have observed that surgery and concussions can affect athletic identity. Currently, there is a paucity of research investigating how current pain and injury affect athletic identity. Purpose: To determine how current collegiate athlete pain and injury affect athletic identity and how these relationships differ across NCAA divisions. METHODS: NCAA division 1 (D1), 2 (D2), and 3 (D3) athletes were administered a questionnaire through an encrypted database. The Athletic Identity Questionnaire (AIM) and Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC) were used within the survey. AIM estimates self-perceived athletic identity while OSTRC measures level of participation, training volume, performance, and pain. Athletes were further classified by OSTRC scores into overuse and substantial overuse injuries. Multivariable and logistic regressions assessed the relationship between Aim, OSTRC scores, and overuse injury. Models were adjusted for age, gender, NCAA division, history of orthopedic surgery, and history of major injury, with unadjusted and adjusted coefficients and Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: 252 athletes (age of 19.4 years (1.2); female: 181, male: 70; D1: 101, D2: 74, D3: 77) participated. Mean AIM scores were D1: 37.98 (7.61), D2: 37.03 (37.03), and D3: 38.86 (6.98). The OSTRC median score was 0 (IQR: 0-22). 127 (50%) athletes had an overuse injury while 47 (19%) had a substantial overuse injury. Adjusted total OSTRC score was -0.67 (95% CI: -2.4, 1.1; p=0.474). Adjusted OR for OSTRC overuse injury was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.04; p=0.589) and substantial overuse injury was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.99; p=0.036). Similar results were observed between gender and division subgroups. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for confounding variables, it was determined that substantial overuse injuries negatively affected athletic identity, regardless of gender or NCAA division. Sports medicine professionals need to consider the possibility of lost athletic identity when an athlete sustains an injury. Measures should be taken to ensure that athletes continue to have meaningful contribution to sport following pain or injury.

Health problems in youth competitive alpine skiing: A 12-month observation of 155 athletes around the growth spurt.

Alpine ski racing is known as a high-risk sport; however, little is known on the health problems occurring at youth level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of health problems in youth competitive alpine skiers with respect to sex, age, and season differences, to describe their severity and location and to assess the influence of biological maturation. Over a 12-month period, 155 youth competitive alpine skiers around the growth spurt were prospectively monitored for health problems using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire. These data were verified by supplemental interviews at the end. Biological maturation was estimated by a non-invasive, anthropometric-based assessment method. During competition season, 42.2% of the skiers suffered from health problems and 19.8% reported their problem being substantial. Females had significantly higher rates of acute and overuse injuries compared to males, while there was no sex difference in duration, severity, and time loss. Skiers of the category U15 showed higher prevalence of acute and overuse injuries than U14 skiers. During preparation season, health problem prevalence was substantially lower. The knee was found to be the most affected body part for both acute and overuse injuries. There was a direct association between the offset to the age at peak height velocity (APHV) and the occurrence and severity of acute injuries. In conclusion, youth competitive alpine skiers suffer from a large number of health problems. Since sex, age, and biological maturation are important, effective injury prevention should already start before reaching the APHV.

Injury risks among elite competitive alpine skiers are underestimated if not registered prospectively, over the entire season and regardless of whether requiring medical attention.

Prospective studies assessing the injuries occurring in elite competitive alpine skiers are lacking, and a full picture of all injuries, including those not requiring medical attention, is absent. Likewise, little is known about the sex-specific injury risks and patterns of elite skiers throughout an entire season (i.e. an off-season preparation period and a competition period). Accordingly, this study investigated the injuries of a national team cohort with respect to season period and sex. Over an entire season, all injuries occurring in 44 SwissNational Ski Team members (25 females and 19 males) were registered, regardless of whether they required medical attention. Skiers were prospectively monitored by the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire and by continuously updated team medical records. Finally, these data were used as a reference for supplemental interviews, in which the correctness and completeness of the prospective data were verified. The risk of suffering at least one injury during an entire season was 75.0% with a 95% confidence interval (73.1%, 76.9%) for traumatic injuries, and 52.3% (50.0%, 54.5%) for overuse injuries. Traumatic injuries concerned the head, lower leg and knee, while overuse injuries affected the lumbar spine, knee and hip. During the competition period, skiers were more prone to traumatic injuries, while during the off-season preparation period, skiers' risk was higher for overuse injuries. Over an entire season, there were no sex differences. However, females were more vulnerable to traumatic injuries during the preparation period and overuse injuries during the competition period, while males had a higher risk for overuse injuries during the preparation period. When prospectively registering injuries among elite competitive alpine skiers over an entire season, regardless of whether the injuries required medical attention, the injury risks were alarmingly high and substantially larger than those previously reported. Moreover, since injury risks and patterns are season period and sex dependent, it is strongly recommended that (1) injury registration focuses on both the off-season preparation period and the competition period and (2) prevention efforts are specifically tailored to the sex of the athletes. II.

Characteristics, Properties, and Associations of Self-Assessed Pain Questionnaires: A Literature Review and Prospective Cohort Study Among Dance Students

To provide an overview of measurement properties of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire (OSTRCQ), pain visual analogue scale (VAS-pain) and Self-Estimated Functional Inability Because of Pain (SEFIP) scale in dance populations, and to investigate the relationship between these questionnaires in pre-professional contemporary dancers. A search of PubMed was conducted and studies were included if they 1) used one of the three questionnaires within a dance population and 2) assessed the reliability, validity, or responsiveness of the questionnaire(s). 134 dance students (67.5% female; 19.4±1.5 yrs) were prospectively followed during 1 academic year. The OSTRCQ, VAS-pain, SEFIP, and injuries were self-assessed on a monthly basis. Pearson correlation analyses and repeated measures correlation analyses were performed to identify possible associations. The literature overview resulted in two studies describing measurement properties of the SEFIP (n=1) and OSTRCQ (n=1). Prevalence of injuries ranged from 23.1 to 42.6%. Weak monthly correlations (r=0.14-0.50) were found between OSTRCQ and SEFIP. Moderate monthly correlations (r=0.54-0.71) were found between OSTRCQ and VAS-pain, and weak/moderate monthly correlations (r=0.30-0.62) were found between SEFIP and VAS-pain. Repeated measures correlation demonstrated a moderate overall correlation between ORSTCQ and VAS-pain (r=0.57), with weak overall correlations between ORSTCQ and SEFIP (r=0.26) and SEFIP and VAS-pain (r=0.34). Studies on measurement properties of questionnaires in dance are scarce. Weak/moderate associations were found between the OSTRCQ, SEFIP, and the VAS-pain questionnaires. Future high-quality research should investigate measurement properties of these questionnaires within dance populations. The results contribute by substantiating choices when developing a surveillance system.

Implementation of a behavioural change intervention to enhance oral health behaviours in elite athletes: a feasibility study

BackgroundPoor oral health of elite athletes is common and is associated with negative performance impacts. There is a need for oral health promotion strategies that are effective within the elite...

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.

High Rates of Overuse-Related Structural Abnormalities in the Lumbar Spine of Youth Competitive Alpine Skiers: A Cross-sectional MRI Study in 108 Athletes.

Background:Alpine ski racing is known as a sport with unfavorable spinal loads and high rates of back overuse injuries at the elite level. However, little is known about overuse-related structural abnormalities occurring in the spine of youth athletes.Purpose:To describe the prevalence of abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the lumbar spine of youth competitive alpine skiers within the U16 category (under 16 years) with respect to sex, height growth, multifidus size, increasing age, and clinical relevance.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A total of 108 youth competitive alpine skiers aged 13 to 15 years underwent MRI examination of the lumbar spine and measurement of the multifidus cross-sectional area on a 3-T Magnetom Prisma scanner. Complementary assessments included the determination of anthropometrics and biological maturation. Athletes were classified as symptomatic when, pursuant to the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center questionnaire on health problems, at least 1 substantial back overuse–related health problem episode had been registered during the 12 months before the MRI examination.Results:Of the analyzed youth skiers, 37.0% presented with ≥1 abnormal MRI finding in the lumbar spine. The most prevalent findings in both sexes were disc degeneration (23.1%), Schmorl nodes (19.4%), end plate changes (10.2%), and pars interarticularis anomalies (10.2%); the pars interarticularis anomalies occurred exclusively in males. A smaller relative lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area was related to more frequent occurrence of disc protrusions (P = .018; R2 = 0.116) and end plate changes (P = .024; R2 = 0.096). Overall, the occurrence of abnormal MRI findings in the lumbar spine increased with age (P = .034; R2 = 0.054). Disc degeneration (particularly disc dehydration and disc protrusion) were significantly more prevalent in symptomatic versus asymptomatic athletes (P < .05 for all).Conclusion:As early as age 15 years or younger, competitive alpine skiers demonstrated distinct overuse-related structural abnormalities in the lumbar spine, with some of them being clinically relevant and restrictive of sports participation. As sex, height growth, multifidus size, and increasing age seem to play an important role for the occurrence of such abnormalities, considering these factors might be essential for prevention.

Remarkably high prevalence of overuse-related knee complaints and MRI abnormalities in youth competitive alpine skiers: a descriptive investigation in 108 athletes aged 13–15 years

Background/aimCompetitive alpine skiing is known to be associated with a high risk of traumatic knee injuries. However, little is known about the exact prevalence of knee overuse injuries and their...

Incidence, prevalence and consequences of illness in academy rugby league players

ObjectivesTo assess the incidence, prevalence and consequences of illness in one professional academy rugby league club during an in-season period. DesignObservational prospective cohort study. MethodSeventeen male rugby league players (age 17.7±0.7 years, stature 178.8±5.1cm, body mass 87.2±9.6kg) completed a weekly self-report illness questionnaire using an amended version of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire on health problems. ResultsA total of 24 new illnesses were reported over the 25-week study period. 65% of players experienced at least one illness during the study. The incidence of illness in this cohort was 14.3 per 1000-player days, with the respiratory system being most commonly affected (n=15; 62.5%). The average weekly illness prevalence was 10.3%. Time-loss illness incidence was 1.4 per 1000-player days. Loss of body mass and sleep disruptions were the most commonly reported consequences of illness episodes. Mean body mass loss during a period of illness was 2.2±0.6kg. ConclusionsAcademy rugby league players are most commonly affected by respiratory illness with a total of nineteen training and competition days lost to illness. Associated consequences of illness, such as loss of body mass and sleep disruptions may present a challenge and negatively impact a rugby league player’s development. Appropriate medical provisions should be provided for Academy rugby league players to support them during periods of illness to limit the impact of these consequences.

Improved reporting of overuse injuries and health problems in sport: an update of the Oslo Sport Trauma Research Center questionnaires

In 2013, the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC-O) was developed to record the magnitude, symptoms and consequences of overuse injuries in sport. Shortly afterwards, a modified...

Prevalence and Burden of Health Problems in Male Elite Ice Hockey Players: A Prospective Study in the Norwegian Professional League.

Background:As previous epidemiological studies in elite ice hockey have focused on acute time-loss injuries, little is known about the burden of overuse injuries and illnesses in ice hockey.Purpose:To report the prevalence and burden of all health problems in male professional ice hockey players in Norway during a single competitive season.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiological study.Methods:A total of 225 male ice hockey players in the GET League (the premier professional league) in Norway reported all health problems (acute injuries, overuse injuries, and illnesses) during the 2017-2018 competitive season. Players reported all injuries and illnesses for 31 weeks using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems.Results:At any given time, 40% (95% CI, 37%-43%) of players reported symptoms from an injury or illness, and 20% (95% CI, 19%-22%) experienced health problems with a substantial negative impact on training and performance. Acute injuries represented the greatest incidence, prevalence, and burden (defined as the cross-product of severity and incidence). The most burdensome acute injuries were to the head/face, shoulder/clavicle, knee, and ankle. The most burdensome overuse injuries were to the knee, lumbar spine, and hip/groin.Conclusion:This registration captured a greater burden from overuse injuries than traditional injury registration, but acute injuries did represent a major problem. These data provide guidance in the development of prevention programs for both acute and overuse injuries, which should focus on the lumbar spine, hip/groin, and knee.

Preventing injuries among recreational adult volleyball players: Results of a prospective randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise-based warm-up programme (“VolleyVeilig”) on the one-season occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries among recreational adult volleyball players. A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted over the 2017–2018 volleyball season. Recreational adult volleyball players were allocated either to an intervention or control group. The Dutch version of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre questionnaire was used to register and monitor acute and overuse injuries. A total of 672 volleyball players were enrolled: 348 in the intervention group (mean age: 30) and 324 in the control group (mean age: 27). The incidence rate of acute injury was 21% lower in the intervention group, namely 8.9 versus 11.3 per 1,000 h in the control group (Cox mixed effects crude model: hazard ratio = 0.82 [95%CI: 0.69–0.98]; Cox mixed effects adjusted model: 0.85 [95%CI: 0.71–1.02]). No significant difference in mean prevalence of overuse injury was found between the intervention (4.8%) and control (4.2%) groups. The severity of injuries was not significantly different between groups, while injury burden was slightly lower in the intervention group. The exercise-based warm-up programme led to a trend in less acute injuries among recreational adult volleyball players.

Self-reported jumpers’ knee is common in elite basketball athletes – But is it all patellar tendinopathy?

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence and pain location of self-reported patellar tendinopathy and patellar tendon abnormality in a male elite basketball population. DesignCross-sectional. SettingPre-season tournament. ParticipantsSixty male athletes from the Australian National Basketball League. Main outcome measuresSelf-reported patellar tendinopathy (PT) using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Questionnaire (OSTRC). Pain location using pain mapping (dichotomised: focal/diffuse) and severity during the single leg decline squat. Ultrasound tissue characterisation scans of both patellar tendons. ResultsThirteen participants (22.7%) self-reported PT. Only 3 who reported PT had localised inferior pole pain. Thirty athletes reported pain during the decline squat, 15 described focal pain; 10 diffuse pain (5 missing data). Those with diffuse pain had greater years played [Md = 21 (13–24), n = 10 than focal pain (Md = 12 (7–26), n = 15), p = 0.042, r = 0.3]. Bilateral tendon abnormality was found in 45% of athletes and 15% had unilateral tendon abnormality. ConclusionElite male basketball athletes self-reporting PT had heterogeneity in pain location. When focal pain with loading was used as a primary definition of PT, ‘jumpers’ knee’ was not common in this cohort. This study found that abnormality of the patellar tendon was common and did not correlate with symptoms.

Risk Factors for Lower-Extremity Injuries Among Contemporary Dance Students.

To determine whether student characteristics, lower-extremity kinematics, and strength are risk factors for sustaining lower-extremity injuries in preprofessional contemporary dancers. Prospective cohort study. Codarts University of the Arts. Forty-five first-year students of Bachelor Dance and Bachelor Dance Teacher. At the beginning of the academic year, the injury history (only lower-extremity) and student characteristics (age, sex, educational program) were assessed using a questionnaire. Besides, lower-extremity kinematics [single-leg squat (SLS)], strength (countermovement jump) and height and weight (body mass index) were measured during a physical performance test. Substantial lower-extremity injuries during the academic year were defined as any problems leading to moderate or severe reductions in training volume or in performance, or complete inability to participate in dance at least once during follow-up as measured with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) Questionnaire on Health Problems. Injuries were recorded on a monthly basis using a questionnaire. Analyses on leg-level were performed using generalized estimating equations to test the associations between substantial lower-extremity injuries and potential risk factors. The 1-year incidence of lower-extremity injuries was 82.2%. Of these, 51.4% was a substantial lower-extremity injury. Multivariate analyses identified that ankle dorsiflexion during the SLS (OR 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.52) was a risk factor for a substantial lower-extremity injury. The findings indicate that contemporary dance students are at high risk for lower-extremity injuries. Therefore, the identified risk factor (ankle dorsiflexion) should be considered for prevention purposes.