Popular Sport Research Articles

Competitive profile analysis according to playing positions of female handball players during the European Championship 2020

ABSTRACT Handball is one of the most popular team sports and requires the correct analysis of players’ physical condition for its development, especially in women´s handball. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse for the first time the competitive demands of professional handball players during the EHF Championship 2020, using the innovative Local Positioning System (LPS) technology. In order to achieve this goal, 231 female players from 16 national teams were analysed during 47 matches using LPS and a specific handball analytic system developed for this purpose. Players covered more distance in the offensive phase (1205.6 ± 636.7 m) and in all locomotion categories, with the exception of high intensity running, than in the defensive phase (834.2 ± 471.5 m), with a similar average total time on court. The running pace was significantly higher in attack (56.0 ± 26.2 m/min) than in defence (39.2 ± 19.8 m/min). Regarding playing positions, wing players covered higher distances in the high intensity categories than the rest of the playing positions. It could be concluded that the training workload of elite handball players should be programmed according to specific positions.

Clinical evaluation of ophthalmic findings in active, amateur, adult, competitive male boxers in India.

Background: In the popular fighting sport of boxing, opponents strike each other above the belt line in the face, chest, and belly. The physical parts most exposed are therefore the nose and eyes. In amateur boxing, fights go only three rounds - three minutes for men and one minute for women - with a one-minute break in between. They wear gloves, but the head protection used in the men's game has been removed by AIBA due to the high likelihood of concussion when using head protection. Because chronic ocular changes may take longer than the expected short-term effects, this study included at least 3 years of competitive sports participation. Study design and setting: Institutional-based cross-sectional study. Materials and methods: To evaluate ophthalmic outcomes, 200 eyes of 100 active amateur, adult, and competitive male boxers were studied. Results: Of the 100 boxers, 51 had ophthalmic changes in at least one eye, and 49 had normal eyes. The average age of boxers was 24.98 years. The average duration of boxing training was 7.04 years. Healed eyelid scars, subconjunctival hemorrhages, conjunctival papillae, traumatic mydriasis, posterior synechiae, angulation abnormalities, traumatic cataracts, lens subluxation, increased intraocular pressure, and peripapillary atrophy were observed on the ocular side. None of these could be attributed to boxing. Conclusion: Boxing-related eye injuries are common in India and the most common vision-threatening eye abnormalities include traumatic cataracts, lens subluxation, and angle abnormalities. Surprisingly, no macular lesions were found on physical examination and OCT. Additional studies with a larger number of boxers will be needed to evaluate and prevent clinical symptoms. All boxers should have a complete eye exam regularly. Abbreviations: AIBA = Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur, OCT = Optical Coherence Tomography.

Disentangling Gender and Relative Age Effects in Women's and Girls' Rugby Union.

Relative age effects (RAEs) within sports refer to the overrepresentation of athletes born earlier in the selection year and the underrepresentation of those born later in the selection year. Research examining RAEs in women's and girls' rugby union remains limited in comparison to the male literature, whilst the impacts of RAEs on the youth-senior transition are yet to be explored in a female sport context. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine RAEs during entry into the women's and girls' premiership and international rugby union pathways in England, as well as to compare them to their respective senior cohort (n = 1367): (a) U18 England Rugby Centre of Excellence Player (n = 325) vs. Senior Premiership Player (n = 868), and (b) U18 England Player (n = 49) vs. Senior England Player (n = 125). Chi-square (χ2) analyses compared birth quarter (BQ) distributions against expected distributions. The findings revealed no significant difference in BQ distributions at either youth or senior levels, as well as no significant differences in the BQ distributions of those who were likely to transition from youth to senior levels (all p > 0.05). Importantly, though, descriptive statistics showed a skewed birthdate distribution in both U18 England Rugby Centre of Excellence Player (BQ1 = 30% vs. BQ4 = 20%) and U18 England Player cohorts (BQ1 = 33% vs. BQ4 = 18%). We highlight the gender-specific mechanisms that potentially explain the variations between male and female RAEs in rugby union, including developmental differences, sport popularity, and sociocultural norms. We also warn against a 'copy and paste' template from the male provision to ensure the recent growth of female rugby union does not fall victim to the same RAEs in the future.

Parameterization of Biomechanical Variables through Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) in Occasional Healthy Runners.

Running is one of the most popular sports practiced today and biomechanical variables are fundamental to understanding it. The main objectives of this study are to describe kinetic, kinematic, and spatiotemporal variables measured using four inertial measurement units (IMUs) in runners during treadmill running, investigate the relationships between these variables, and describe differences associated with different data sampling and averaging strategies. A total of 22 healthy recreational runners (M age = 28 ± 5.57 yrs) participated in treadmill measurements, running at their preferred speed (M = 10.1 ± 1.9 km/h) with a set-up of four IMUs placed on tibias and the lumbar area. Raw data was processed and analysed over selections spanning 30 s, 30 steps and 1 step. Very strong positive associations were obtained between the same family variables in all selections. The temporal variables were inversely associated with the step rate variable in the selection of 30 s and 30 steps of data. There were moderate associations between kinetic (forces) and kinematic (displacement) variables. There were no significant differences between the biomechanics variables in any selection. Our results suggest that a 4-IMU set-up, as presented in this study, is a viable approach for parameterization of the biomechanical variables in running, and also that there are no significant differences in the biomechanical variables studied independently, if we select data from 30 s, 30 steps or 1 step for processing and analysis. These results can assist in the methodological aspects of protocol design in future running research.

Sustainability of an exercise concept for healthy and physically inactive senior citizens for new or re-entry into popular sports

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Laut WHO gehört Deutschland mit 42,4 % körperlich Inaktiven weltweit zu den Ländern, in denen in den letzten Jahren am meisten die Bewegungsarmut zugenommen hat [8]. Bisherige Bewegungsprogramme erreichen entweder bereits sportlich aktive Menschen oder sind nicht so angelegt, sodass ein Übergang in den regelmäßigen Sport gelingt [16]. Insbesondere Männer fühlen sich vom meist angebotenen Gesundheitssport wenig angesprochen [13]. Ziel der Studie Die vorliegende Studie stellt ein neuartiges Bewegungskonzept für gesunde und zuvor körperlich inaktive Senior*innen vor und untersucht, ob die Teilnehmer*innen auch nach dem Projekt weiterhin sportlich aktiv bleiben, indem sie die Breitensportangebote von lokalen Vereinen annehmen. Weiterhin soll herausgefunden werden, welche Sportangebote bevorzugt werden und inwiefern es geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede gibt. Methodik An der Studie nahmen 107 Teilnehmer*innen zwischen 60–82 Jahren (70 w), welche per Zeitungsannonce rekrutiert wurden, teil. Das Konzept beinhaltet ein 24-Wochen-Programm mit 2 Trainingseinheiten (à 90 min) pro Woche. Neben einer Fitnesseinheit pro Woche, werden am zweiten Trainingstermin Schnupperkurse zu speziellen Breitensportangeboten durch die lokalen Sportvereine präsentiert. Gründe für die bisherige sportliche Inaktivität, den aktuellen Sportmotiven und die weiterführende sportliche Aktivität durch die Wahl eines Sportangebotes wurden schriftlich befragt. Ergebnisse Von den Teilnehmer*innen sind nach Ende des Bewegungsprogramms alle in den regelmäßigen Sport übergangen. 93 Senior*innen sind durch Mitgliedschaften in die lokalen Sportvereine gewechselt, die restlichen 14 Senior*innen führen den Sport selbstständig fort. Dabei wurden neben den typischen Alterssportangeboten wie Senioren- oder Gesundheitssport auch Breitensportarten gewählt. Vor allem im Kegeln, Badminton und Bosseln sind Männer mit 20–30 % der Teilnehmer häufiger in den Sportkursen vertreten als Frauen. Schlussfolgerung Die positive Resonanz des vorgestellten Bewegungskonzepts zeigt, dass die nachhaltige Bindung von gesunden aber körperlich inaktiven Senior*innen an den Sport durch eine zielgruppenspezifische Anpassung der Sportangebote in den Vereinen hinsichtlich ihrer Vielfalt und Intensität erfolgversprechend ist.

Higher Values of Force and Acceleration in Rear Cross Than Lead Jab: Differences in Technique Execution by Boxers

Background: Boxing, a globally popular combat sport, demands technical precision and powerful strikes at the same time. The kinetic assessment of straight punches, specifically the rear cross and lead jab, is crucial for understanding the biomechanical factors influencing punch effectiveness. This study aims to explore the kinetic properties of these punches in trained boxers, focusing on punch force, acceleration, and the concept of a proximal-to-distal pattern. Methods: Thirteen advanced-level male boxers (body weight 90.6 ± 19.2 kg, height 184.0 ± 7.4 cm, experience 9.5 ± 6.5 y) from local clubs participated in this study. Using a force plate and wireless IMU sensors, we recorded punch force and limb acceleration during the execution of rear-cross and lead-jab punches. Data analysis involved statistical tests to compare the kinetic differences (Mann–Whitney U-test) between the two punch types and assessment of the influence of body mass and training tenure on punch effectiveness (multiple regression analysis). Significant differences were observed between the rear cross and lead jab in terms of total ground reaction force (x¯ = 1709.28 N vs. x¯ = 1176.55 N), acceleration of the fist (x¯ = 94.33 m/s2 vs. x¯ = 66.07 m/s2), forearm (x¯ = 67.11 m/s2 vs. x¯ = 41.62 m/s2) and arm (x¯ = 88.40 m/s2 vs. x¯ = 81.36 m/s2), and target contact time (x¯ = 0.03 s vs. 0.02 s). The rear-cross punch exhibited higher kinetic values, indicating greater effectiveness. Additionally, body mass and training tenure were identified as significant factors influencing punch force (R2 score = 0.640). Conclusions: This study confirmed the biomechanical superiority of the rear cross over the lead jab in terms of generated force among trained boxers. The findings highlight the importance of coordination between each segment’s acceleration to generate a powerful strike. These insights are valuable for coaches and athletes in optimizing training strategies for boxing.

Toward trustworthy COVID-19 interventions: Building vaccine trust through community-university partnerships.

Prior research identifies trust as critical to increase vaccine acceptance and uptake. However, few intervention studies have sought to develop or test strategies for bolstering vaccine-related trust. To address this gap, this exploratory study identifies features of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy interventions that can promote or undermine trust across three interconnected domains: institutional, interpersonal, and product (the vaccine itself). We draw on focus groups (N = 27 participants) with community and university partners involved with hosting COVID-19 testing and vaccine events in underserved Oklahoma communities. Focus groups explored participants' experiences serving community health needs and elicited feedback on proposed vaccine hesitancy interventions. Proposed interventions included two technology-based strategies (text message reminders and tablet-based testimonials and education) and one dialogue-based strategy (anti-body test interpretation). We find that community partners perceived local universities as trustworthy institutions because of their association with popular sports programs, academic credentials, and proximity, creating opportunities to address vaccine-related distrust through community-university partnerships. The most promising intervention strategies for building interpersonal trust included engaging in one-on-one dialogue and using autonomy enhancing approaches. Finally, interventions that successfully encouraged vaccine trust did so by incorporating personalized health information about individuals' potential level of protection and susceptibility to the COVID-19 virus. These findings can inform future public health efforts to create trustworthy vaccine hesitancy interventions.

Why win a World Cup? Thirty-six years of football and nation(alisms) in Argentina

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the categories established to study the connections between national identities and football in Latin America. It focuses particularly on that of the ‘public arena’, inspired by the work of Clifford Geertz, and that of ‘free zones’ in culture, introduced by the Argentine anthropologist Eduardo Archetti in his research into a ‘popular sports nationalism’ at the dawn of the twentieth century. As part of the analysis, it looks at the narrative of Argentina’s recent victory of the Qatar World Cup 2022 on television and in the experience of fans, as well as the (futile) attempts by politicians to channel the fervour. Finally, the article explores how the political hero moves into post-politics: the narrative twists that enable the shift from Maradona to Messi.

Promoting sport and the birth of Fiorentina: the contribution of Mayor Antonio Garbasso

Antonio Garbasso was mayor and podestà of Florence from 1920 to 1928. During his mandate, in keeping with the strategies dictated by the fascist government in matters of sport, he promoted the construction of new facilities and worked to create a football association that could best represent Florence in the most popular sport. The article highlights the contribution that he, as mayor, made to the genesis of Fiorentina, a club founded in 1926 at the behest of the regime.

Population demographics and angler exploitation of Suwannee Bass in two Georgia rivers

AbstractObjectiveSuwannee Bass Micropterus notius are a unique black bass that are endemic to riverine systems in Georgia and Florida, USA. Despite their “near threatened” status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, Suwannee Bass are a popular sport fish that can be harvested throughout their range under a single harvest regulation with all black basses (genus Micropterus). However, a single harvest regulation may have disproportion effects on Suwannee Bass because of their rarity, limited distribution, and sex‐specific growth patterns.MethodsBoat electrofishing was used to collect Suwannee Bass and Largemouth Bass M. nigricans from both the Withlacoochee and Ochlockonee rivers to assess population demographics and angler exploitation. Common fisheries assessment metrics were calculated and annual exploitation rate was estimated from high reward (US$100) tags under simulated variability in tag loss and angler reporting rates.ResultWe observed different relative abundance and size structure among river systems. Electrofishing catch per unit effort of Suwannee Bass was higher in the Withlacoochee River (6.89 fish/h) than the Ochlockonee River (2.01 fish/h). Length‐frequency histograms suggested a wide breadth of lengths and presumed ages except for a lack of stock size Suwannee Bass in the Ochlockonee River. Eight percent of monetary reward tags were returned from anglers, yielding an overall exploitation estimate of 3.2%.ConclusionAnnual angler exploitation rates of Suwannee Bass and Largemouth Bass were low (<9.1%) in the Withlacoochee and Ochlockonee rivers of Georgia. Low exploitation coupled with a wide breadth of lengths and ages suggest these populations are currently not at risk of overexploitation.

Watching sport enhances well-being: evidence from a multi-method approach

ABSTRACT The extant literature supporting the relationship between watching sport and well-being often includes a specific sample population (e.g. sport fans), with the evidence highlighted by limited research approaches (i.e. subjectively measured well-being). It is imperative to assess the robustness of the evidence by implementing diverse methods to understand the contributions of sport-watching behavior to well-being. The current research aimed to provide evidence on the effects of watching sport on well-being in the general population through three studies that uniquely operationalized well-being. Study 1 examined the relationship between watching sport and well-being by analyzing publicly available open data with a large sample size (N = 20,000). Study 2 used an online survey experiment focusing on the general Japanese population (N = 208) to show the changes in well-being after watching videos of various sports. Study 3 conducted a neuro-imaging experiment (N = 14) using MRI to examine the effect of watching sport on brain activity and structure. Findings from the three studies indicated that watching sport was positively associated with participants’ self-reported well-being, as well as increased brain activity and the structural volume in the specific brain regions related to well-being. Furthermore, its positive effect was intensified when watching a popular sport (e.g. baseball) compared to watching a less popular sport (e.g. golf). The current research adds novel contributions to the literature, showing that watching sport can have a positive psychological and neurophysiological impact on human well-being.

Into the Rhythm: Evaluating Breathing Instruction Sound Experiences on the Run with Novice Female Runners

Running is a popular sport throughout the world. Breathing strategies like stable breathing and slow breathing can positively influence the runner’s physiological and psychological experiences. Sonic breathing instructions are an established, unobtrusive method used in contexts such as exercise and meditation. We argue sound to be a viable approach for administering breathing strategies whilst running. This paper describes two laboratory studies using within-subject designs that investigated the usage of sonic breathing instructions with novice female runners. The first study (N = 11) examined the effect of information richness of five different breathing instruction sounds on adherence and user experience. The second study (N = 11) explored adherence and user experience of sonically more enriched sounds, and aimed to increase the sonic experience. Results showed that all sounds were effective in stabilizing the breathing rate (study 1 and 2, respectively: mean absolute percentage error = 1.16 ± 1.05% and 1.9 ± 0.11%, percent time attached = 86.81 ± 9.71% and 86.18 ± 11.96%). Information-rich sounds were subjectively more effective compared to information-poor sounds (mean ratings: 7.55 ± 1.86 and 5.36 ± 2.42, respectively). All sounds scored low (mean < 5/10) on intention to use.

The psychological characteristics of football players under the age of 17 in Indonesia

Football is the most popular sport in Indonesia and involves thousands of players and millions of spectators. As the sport continues to grow, it demands an accelerated development of players and adjustments to their needs. However, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has created a curriculum that only focuses on the physical, tactical, and technical aspects, ignoring the psychological aspect. This study aimed to investigate the role of psychology in the development of football players in Indonesia, focusing on the weaknesses of the current curriculum. The study was concentrated on the development and psychological characteristics that soccer players under 17 years of age require to maintain their performance into adulthood. The study used a grounded theory approach and semi-structured open questions in data collection. The sample included youth player-coaches with a minimum of 5 years of experience, as well as football players under the age of 17. These players typically begin practicing football at the age of 6 and continue until they reach 17 years old in Indonesia. The results of this study can be a reference for the PSSI and football coaches in Indonesia to create a comprehensive training program that includes physical, technical, tactical, and psychological aspects, enabling them to develop successful football players in the future.

Visual tracking in camera-switching outdoor sport videos: Benchmark and baselines for skiing

Skiing is a globally popular winter sport discipline with a rich history of competitive events. This domain offers ample opportunities for the application of computer vision to enhance the understanding of athletes’ performances. However, this potential has remained relatively untapped in comparison to other sports, primarily due to the limited availability of dedicated research studies and datasets. The present paper takes a significant stride towards bridging these gaps. It conducts a comprehensive examination of skier appearance tracking in videos capturing their entire performance—an essential step for more advanced performance analyses. To implement this investigation, we introduce SkiTB, the largest and most annotated dataset tailored for computer vision applications in skiing. We subject a range of visual object tracking algorithms to rigorous testing, including both well-established methodologies and a novel skier-specific baseline algorithm. The results yield valuable insights into the suitability of various tracking techniques for vision-based skiing analysis and into the generalization of state-of-the-art algorithms to complex target behaviors and conditions set by winter outdoor environments. To foster further development, we make SkiTB, the associated code, and the obtained results accessible through https://machinelearning.uniud.it/datasets/skitb.

Cricket performance predictions: a comparative analysis of machine learning models for predicting cricket player’s performance in the One Day International (ODI) world cup 2023

Background and purpose
 Cricket, a globally renowned bat and ball sport, is the second most popular sport worldwide. The objective of the study is to utilize machine learning algorithms to predict the performance probabilities of Indian cricket players participating in the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023. Furthermore, we aim to assess and compare the predictive precision of three machine learning models such as, Random Forest, Support Vector Regression, and XGBoost.
 Materials and Methods
 Data collection centered on Indian One Day International cricket statistics, encompassing matches played, batting and bowling averages, catches taken, and performance predictions. We sourced this data from reputable platforms such as ESPNcricinfo and the International Cricket Council website. Our performance prediction utilized of three machine learning models such as, Random Forest, Support Vector Regression, and XGBoost. Comparative analysis was conducted, evaluating these models through essential metrics including Mean Squared Error, Root Mean Squared Error, Mean absolute Error, and R-squared.
 Results
 The comparative analysis revealed that the XGBoost model consistently outperformed the others. It exhibited lower errors with the lowest Mean Squared Error, Root Mean Squared Error, and Mean Absolute Error, signifying greater predictive accuracy. XGBoost achieved the highest R-squared value, indicating a robust relationship between predictions and actual performance probabilities. Random Forest produced satisfactory results but fell short of XGBoost's accuracy, while Support Vector Regression displayed less accurate predictions across all metrics.
 Conclusions
 This research demonstrates the superior predictive ability of the XGBoost model in the performance probabilities of Indian cricket players in the ODI Cricket World Cup. The practical implications underscore the significance of data-driven insights for team selection and strategy.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: Numerical investigation of environmental factors affecting security in sports facilities

Sports are one of the most essential categories of developed and developing societies, among which football, as the most popular sport in the world, receives special attention from governments. Therefore, to increase the attendance of people in stadiums, it is necessary for the managers to identify the factors influencing the attendance of spectators, both psychological and internal factors, as well as external and environmental factors, and to design and implement a written and specific strategy and plan. Having a sense of security is one of the influential factors in creating satisfaction in the audience. Due to the high cost of building sports facilities and spaces, care should be taken about many factors and variables, especially the correct location of such spaces, to enable easier access, fairer distribution, and greater security. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the environmental factors that affect security in sports facilities with the approach of crime prevention through environmental design in stadiums. The instrument in this research is a questionnaire on security in sports facilities with the effectiveness of crime prevention through environmental design. Finally, the artificial neural network system method was used in MATLAB (A 2018) and SPSS (V24) software to analyze the data and answer the research questions. Environmental factors of access, light and illumination, readability, visibility and natural surveillance, repair and maintenance, dynamics, functional disorders, and guide signs respectively had a positive effect on security and crime prevention through environmental design in sports facilities. Therefore, sports directors and architects must pay attention to these indicators in the design of sports stadiums. Keywords: Stadiums, Sport Management, Sports Events, CPTED Approach, Neural Networks.

Sports Journalism at the height of Portugal’s Dictatorship: Bureaucracy and Censorship (1935-1960)

During Portugal’s dictatorship (1926-1974) there were said to be three pillars to appease its population: Fado (the music connected to culture and tradition), Fátima (symbolizing the Catholic religion) and Football (the most popular sport). Because of the importance of these three F’s, news outlets that specialized in these subjects were, in theory, given a bigger freedom. And yet, all periodical publications were targeted by the Portuguese censorship and were regularly constrained by it.
 With this in mind this study will centre on the relationship between the censorship services and the journalistic publications of the third F, newspapers and news bulletins that were mainly concerned with covering sports and sporting events. We will analyse the censorship records and public archives during the height of the dictatorial regime, 1935-1960, in an effort to perceive how these journalistic publications were controlled through bureaucracy and surveillance.

Return to Play in the Professional Athlete.

The management of any injury in elite athletes poses unique challenges distinct from the general population because the goal is rapid recovery and return to play (RTP) while simultaneously managing residual symptoms and minimizing risk of reinjury. The time required for treatment, recovery, and return to peak performance can have consequences for both the athlete and his or her team: financial implications, psychological stressors, team dynamics, and future performance. RTP after an injury in the professional athlete requires a complex decision-making process with many stakeholders. Several factors influence this decision, not the least of which is the type and mechanism of injury. This article provides an overview of the RTP process including nonmedical factors that may influence this decision, common injuries seen in professional athletes, injury patterns particular to certain popular sports, and imaging guidelines for such injuries.

Beyond the Finish Line: Examining the Role of Children in Marathon Races-A Narrative Review.

Compared with other sports, running is popular sport for children throughout the world. Over the last few decades, marathon running has become increasingly popular even in the age group below 18 years. While the majority of youth athletes fall within the 16-18 age range, it is noteworthy that there are also participants younger than 12 years engaging in marathon races. Advice on the safety of youth athletes participating in these events is frequently sought by parents, coaches, sport scientists, and medical professionals, particularly concerning potential short- and long-term health consequences. The act of marathon running has the potential to impact key organ systems during the crucial phases of growth and development. To ensure the safety of marathon running in youth runners, it is essential to address multiple physiological and psychological aspects of health. These recommendations are directed towards ensuring the safe participation of youth athletes in marathon races through proper and individualized assessments.

Musculoskeletal injuries during trail sports: Sex- and age-specific analyses over 20 years from a national injury database.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries in US trail sports are understudied as trail sport popularity grows. This study describes MSK injury patterns among hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers from 2002 through 2021 and investigates MSK injury trends acquired during mountain sports. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was used to identify US emergency department (ED) patients from 2002-2021 (inclusive) who endured MSK injuries during hiking, trail running, or mountain biking. Injury rates and national estimates were calculated across demographics. 9835 injuries were included (48.4% male, 51.6% female). Injuries increased over time, with 1213 from 2002-2005 versus 2417 from 2018-2021. No sex differences existed before 2010, after which female injury rates exceeded those of males. The following findings were statistically significant, with P<0.05: females endured more fractures and strains/sprains; males endured more lacerations; concussions and head injuries were higher among those <18 y; dislocations and strains/sprains were higher for 18 to 65 y; fractures were higher for >65 y; <18 y had high mountain-biking and low running rates; 18 to 65 y had high running rates; and >65 y had low biking and running rates. Although all diagnoses increased in number over time, no significant differences existed in the proportion of any given diagnosis relative to total injuries. MSK injuries during trail sports have increased since 2002. Males endured more injuries until 2009, after which females endured more. Significant sex and age differences were found regarding injury diagnosis and body parts. Further studies are needed to confirm these trends and their causes.