Sports Injury Risk Research Articles

Research on Injury Factors of Figure Skaters and Construction of Injury Prediction Model

Objective: This study aims to systematically analyze and screen the main factors affecting injuries of figure skaters and to construct a scientific injury prediction model. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the basic information of 34 figure skaters from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, including the subjects' gender, starting age, years of skating, frequency of on-ice training, duration of each training session, frequency of off-ice training, warm-up time, sleep duration, coach level, ice surface conditions and skate fit during training, as well as the number injuries the subjects had in the past years. The main factors affecting injuries of figure skaters were found through a logistic regression model, and a nomogram was constructed. All data were analyzed in R language. Results and Conclusion: The findings indicate that gender, starting age, height, skating experience, and free skating level are key factors influencing the risk of sport injuries. Based on these factors, this study successfully developed a comprehensive risk assessment model for sports injuries in youth figure skaters. This model can predict and reduce the risk of injuries and provide a scientific basis for personalized training programs

Elite para athletes with active coping behaviour are less likely to report a sports injury

ObjectiveElite para athletes report a high incidence of sports injuries. Research suggests that athletes’ strategies to manage adversities may influence the sports injury risk, but knowledge about para athletes’ coping behaviours and their association with injuries is limited. The aim was to describe the distribution of coping behaviours in Swedish elite para athletes by sex, age, impairment, sport and to examine associations between coping behaviours and the probability of reporting a prospective sports injury during a 52-week study period.MethodEighty-three para athletes participating in the ‘Sports-related injuries and illnesses in Paralympic sport study’ completed the Brief COPE Inventory. Over the following 52 weeks, athletes reported any sports injuries they sustained. The analysis of coping behaviours comprised descriptive statistics and linear regression, and associations between coping behaviour and the probability of being injured were examined by logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe most frequently used coping behaviours were acceptance, active coping and planning. The most common less-useful coping behaviour was self-blame. Athletes with more active coping behaviours were less likely to report an injury, and using humour as coping behaviour was associated with a higher probability of injury among young athletes. Also, athletes with physical impairment reported a higher use of active coping and emotional support compared with athletes with visual impairment, and athletes participating in individual sports used acceptance as a coping behaviour to a larger extent than athletes in team sports.ConclusionUse of active coping in Swedish elite para athletes was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting an injury. Young athletes using humour as a coping strategy had a higher likelihood of reporting an injury. The results suggest that support of active coping behaviours and a sport context fostering help-seeking behaviours should be considered in future prevention measures.

Machine learning-based prediction model for sports injury risk in biomechanics: A case study of joint injuries in basketball at a university in Xi’an

Basketball players are prone to joint injuries due to the sport’s high intensity and physical demands. Early prediction of injury risk is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies. Incorporating biomechanics, this study focuses on basketball players at a university in Xi’an, China, aiming to develop a machine learning-based model to predict joint injury risk using easily collectable data such as training load, fatigue levels, and previous injury history. Considering regional differences, we observed that local and northern Chinese students are generally taller, while students from southern China are typically shorter. This anthropometric variation was included in our sampling and analysis. Utilizing data from 100 basketball players, the Random Forest algorithm achieved the best predictive performance with an accuracy of 85%. Key risk factors identified include high training load, elevated subjective fatigue scores, and a history of previous joint injuries. Additionally, biomechanical data were integrated to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of joint injuries, and the cellular responses to injury were explored. The results demonstrate that even with limited data types, machine learning methods can effectively predict joint injury risk among basketball players, providing a valuable tool for injury prevention.

Sleep Disturbances and Risk of Sports Injury Among Collegiate Student-Athletes.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between collegiate student-athletes' sleep and injury status. This study was a secondary analysis of observational survey data of student-athletes collected across 2 time periods, October 2020 and January 2021. Data were collected as part of an ongoing national (USA) longitudinal survey investigating student-athletes' well-being in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were made-up of a subsample of participants from the parent study. Data from 89 exact matched pairs (across 5 demographics) of injured and noninjured student-athletes (68.5% NCAA Division I, 82.0% women) were assessed. Student-athletes' sleep disturbance levels were the primary independent variable of interest. Analytic models also covaried for gender, racial, and ethnic identities, sport in-seasons, and previous injury status. Participant endorsed injury status was the main outcome measure of interest. Hypotheses were formulated during the data collection of the parent study. Student-athletes injured in January 2021 reported higher average sleep disturbances in both October 2020 and January 2021 than noninjured student-athletes but not student-athletes injured in October. In addition, October 2020 sleep disturbances were a significant predictor (P = 0.007) of injury, such that odds of student-athletes being injured increased 1.07 times for each unit increase in their sleep disturbances controlling for their identities, sport in-season, and previous injury status. Findings signal support for the screening and targeting of student-athletes' sleep problems to reduce potential occurrences of sports-related injuries in student-athletes.

Risk Assessment of FMS and YBT on Sports Injuries in Collegiate Athletes

AbstractThis prospective cohort study investigated the predictive validity of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Y Balance Test (YBT) for sports injuries in 458 collegiate athletes across various sports. Preseason screening using FMS and YBT was conducted, followed by injury data collection over the competitive season. Logistic regression analysis examined the relationship between screening scores and subsequent injury risk. Results indicated that lower composite FMS scores (≤14) were associated with increased injury risk (OR=2.32; 95% CI: 1.54–3.48; p<0.001), as were YBT anterior reach asymmetries > 4 cm (OR=2.16; 95% CI: 1.43–3.26; p<0.001). The combination of both risk factors demonstrated the strongest association (OR=3.57; 95% CI: 2.18–5.83; p<0.001) when compared to individuals with FMS scores >14 and YBT asymmetry < 4 cm.The combination of low FMS scores and YBT asymmetries demonstrated the strongest predictive value. These findings underscore the value of the FMS and YBT as screening tools to identify collegiate athletes who may be at elevated risk for sports injuries, potentially guiding the implementation of targeted injury prevention strategies.

A069: People with Chronic Ankle Instability Sacrifice Sports Performance to Reduce Injury Risk in Dual Tasks

Background/Purpose: The people with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit intricate neurophysiological changes, particularly evident during dual-task (DT) perturbations, reflecting altered movement strategies. However, there is limited and conflicting information regarding the relationship of sports performance and risk of injury among people with CAI in DT conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of sports performance and injury risk among people with and without chronic ankle CAI when performing 45° side-cutting in single task (ST) and DT conditions. Methods: Forty participants were recruited into CAI (n=20, age: 21.4±1.3years, height: 175.7±8.6cm, body mass: 71.7±12.4kg) or non-CAI (n=20, age: 21.1±2.0years, height: 176.2±7.7cm, body mass: 70.1±11.2kg) groups. Each participant completed five side-cutting trials in both ST (sole side-cutting) and DT (side-cutting combined with random three-digit minus three calculations) conditions. Kinematic data was recorded by a twelve-camera motion capture system at 100Hz. The ankle's maximum (max) inversion angle and velocity of center of gravity (COG) during the side-cutting phase were calculated. Two-factor ANOVA test with repeated measures was used for data analysis. Results: Significant interactions were detected in ankle's max inversion angle (p < 0.001, η2p=0.346) and COG velocity (p < 0.001, η2p=0.304). Compared with ST, people with and without CAI both showed a reduced ankle's max inversion angle (CAI: ST: 24.3±1.6°, DT: 18.8±1.6°, p < 0.001, d=4.11; non-CAI: ST: 27.1±1.6°, DT: 25.8±1.7°, p=0.05, d=0.77) and decreased COG velocity (CAI: ST: 2.5±0.1m/s, DT: 2.1±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=0.77; non-CAI: ST: 2.6±0.1m/s, DT: 2.5±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=1.43) under DT. The ankle's max inversion angle (CAI: ST: 24.3±1.6°, DT: 18.8±1.6°, p < 0.001, d=4.11; non-CAI: ST: 27.1±1.6°, DT: 25.8±1.7°, p=0.05, d=0.77) and COG velocity (CAI: ST: 2.5±0.1 m/s; DT: 2.1±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=0.77; non-CAI: ST: 2.6±0.1m/s, DT: 2.5±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=1.43) of people with CAI was lower than those without CAI under DT. Conclusion: The ankle's max inversion angle and COG velocity of people with CAI was lower than those without CAI under DT. Individuals with CAI sacrifice sports performance to reduce injury risk in DT.

Thermal radiation optical motion capture based on depth camera perception for basketball fatigue detection simulation

Traditional fatigue detection methods usually rely on physiological indicators and subjective evaluation, which has certain limitations. Because of its non-contact and high sensitivity, thermal radiation optical motion capture technology has gradually become a research hotspot in fatigue detection. This paper aims to explore the application of thermal radiation optical motion capture technology based on depth camera perception in the fatigue detection of basketball players, so as to provide a new method for improving sports load management and reducing the risk of sports injuries. In this paper, depth camera and thermal imaging technology are used to collect the thermal radiation information of basketball players under different fatigue states. Through data preprocessing and feature extraction, a fatigue recognition model based on machine learning was constructed. In the experiment, the athletes completed standardized basketball training sessions, during which the heat radiation data was recorded in real time and compared with physiological indicators (such as heart rate and breathing rate). The experimental results show that the fatigue detection model based on thermal radiation optical motion capture has higher accuracy than the traditional method, and can reflect the change of fatigue state of athletes in time. There is a significant correlation between thermal imaging data and physiological indicators, which verifies the effectiveness of the method. Thermal radiation optical motion capture technology based on depth camera perception provides an effective solution for fatigue detection of basketball players.

Prospects for diagnosis and treatment of minimal trauma and injury of large joints in underage athletes: a review

Introduction. The vast majority of modern sports exert a significant load on the musculoskeletal system (MSS). The ever-growing popularity of sports among underage children, their active participation in various competitions and trainings impose an increased risk of sports injuries, particularly minimal trauma and injury of large joints. Although numerous works have addressed the development of clinical diagnostic and therapeutic methods used for MSS injuries, there is a lack of publications on sports injuries in underage athletes.Objective. Evaluation of current methods for diagnosis and therapy of minimal trauma and injury of large joints in underage athletes with the purpose of selecting the most promising and effective methods.Findings. The main causes and mechanisms of injuries are considered. Such injuries are generalized depending on the sports type. A review of available methods for clinical and instrumental research and innovative therapeutical methods is carried out. Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) was found to be the most promising minimally-invasive biotherapy for MSS injuries, particularly with respect to children and adolescent athletes. This method restores the anatomical integrity of damaged elements and relieves pain at rest, during physical exertion, and in a stress test with the possibility of preserving the function of the injured joint and rehabilitation in the shortest possible time. PRP therapy is an alternative to conventional treatment methods, offering new prospects in regenerative and sports medicine.Conclusions. A comprehensive personalized approach combining clinical examination and instrumental studies is key to ensuring the accuracy and objectivity of the health status of young athletes. Such an approach allows diseases to be identified at an early stage, differential diagnosis to be conducted, and treatment efficacy to be evaluated, taking the specifics of pediatric practice into account.

Sports training injury risk assessment combined with dynamic analysis algorithm

To explore the application of dynamic analysis algorithm in sports training injury risk assessment, this paper takes the Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Network (ST-GCN) as the main algorithm, and introduces the Adaptive Graph Convolution Module (AGCM) and Residual Channel Attention Module (RCAM). ST-GCN is improved to form AGCM + RCAM-ST-GCN (ARST-GCN) motion posture recognition algorithm. Meanwhile, combined with the extreme gradient boosting (XG Boost), the final physical training injury risk assessment model is formed. The performance of the improved ARST-GCN and the proposed damage risk assessment model is verified by experiments. The results show that ARST-GCN, which combines AGCM and RCAM modules, performs best in all indicators. Compared with ST-GCN, the accuracy rate is increased by 1.94% and the F1 value is increased by 4.3%. In addition, in the performance comparison of different sports injury risk models, the recall rate and F2 value of XGBoost are 0.937 and 0.893, respectively, and the overall performance is the best, indicating that XGBoost has significant advantages in dealing with sports injury risk assessment (SIRA) tasks. The research results provide theoretical basis and practical reference for injury prevention in sports training, and help to improve the accuracy and reliability of SIRA.

ANÁLISE EPIDEMIOLÓGICA DE LESÕES EM UMA EQUIPE DE ATLETISMO UNIVERSITÁRIO: UM ESTUDO DE COORTE RETROSPECTIVO

This study aims to analyze the physical profiles and sports-related injuries in a track and field team. A total of 31 participants, from both genders, from the medical college’s track and field team were included. Data on their physical characteristics were collected, and participants responded to a survey adapted from the “NCAA Injury Surveillance System.” Among them, 65% reported at least one injury, with 73.9% of the injuries categorized as severe. The injury rate was 0.27 injuries per 1000 hours of exposure. Injured athletes demonstrated a practice time twice that of their uninjured counterparts. Injuries to the quadriceps and shin accounted for 52.17% of the reported injuries. This study suggests that collegiate athletics poses a substantial risk of severe sports injuries, particularly in the lower body. A key contributing factor appears to be the duration of practice time.

Relationships Between Functional Movement Quality and Sports Performance in Elite Figure Skating Athletes of China.

Zhitao, L, Junlong, D, Rui, Y, Leijiao, Y, Cheng, G, and Jun, Y. Relationships between functional movement quality and sports performance in elite figure skating athletes of China. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): e678-e685, 2024-This study aimed to determine the optimal functional movement screen (FMS) cut score for assessing the risk of sports injuries and to explore the correlations between functional movement quality and sports performance among elite figure skaters. A total of 22 elite figure pairs skaters in China underwent FMS, sports performance, and clinical examinations for sports injuries. The FMS cut score was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Pearson's rank correlation analysis was used to quantify associations between the variables. (a) The optimal FMS cut score for assessing the risk of sports injuries was 13 (p = 0.008), with an area under curve of 0.838. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.889 and 0.692, respectively. (b) The trunk stability push-up (TSPU), an individual FMS test, predicted injuries in figure skaters (p = 0.015). (c) Moderate correlations were found between shoulder mobility and bench strength (r = -0.453, p = 0.034), counter movement jump (r = -0.582, p = 0.007), and 30-m sprint (r = 0.567, p = 0.009). A strong correlation was observed with squat jump (r = -0.774, p = 0.001). In addition, TSPU scores moderately correlated with 30-m sprint times (r = -0.511, p = 0.021) and 30-s average anaerobic power (r = 0.503, p = 0.024). These findings indicate that both the FMS total score ≤13 and the FMS individual score serve as indicators of injury risk in figure skaters. However, only the FMS individual score reflected the sports performance. This likely results from the similarity in kinetic chain systems and movement patterns involved in both the FMS individual test and sports performance, suggesting a promising assessment strategy for sports performance.

Analysis of changes in lower limb joints of athletes during the movement of wild horses’ mane parting based on biomechanics

In the era of fitness, more and more young people are familiar with Taijiquan, a kind of physical fitness exercise. By conducting biomechanical analyses of the movements of Taijiquan, it is possible to exercise the body better. Numerous techniques in Taijiquan make it difficult to study each individually. Therefore, this paper studied the movement of “wild horses’ mane parting” in terms of biomechanics by analyzing the joint angle, stiffness, and impulse during this movement. Twenty male athletes were selected as subjects and divided into a professional group and a beginner group according to their training periods. High-speed cameras were used to shoot the “wild horses’ mane parting” movement. The angles of lower limb joints in these athletes were measured to calculate joint impulse and stiffness. The results showed that, compared with the professional group, there were significant differences in the adduction and abduction angle and the internal and external rotation angle between the beginner group and the professional group in the single-leg support movement stage (P< 0.05). There were also significant differences in joint impulse and stiffness (P< 0.05). Compared with beginners, long-term professional practitioners can make their movements more standardized. By comparing movements and data analysis, beginners can make their movements more standardized when practicing Taijiquan and avoid the risk of sports injury. The novelty of this article lies in the use of high-speed cameras to capture athletes’ movements, enabling accurate analyses of their joints and providing effective references for precise training.

Physiological Response and Sports Injury Risk Relevant Biomechanics in Endurance Obstacle Course Races

Obstacle course races (OCR) have experienced significant growth in recent years, with millions of participants worldwide. However, there is limited research on the specific physiological demands and injury prevention strategies required for these events. This study aimed to analyze the physiological responses and injury risks in participants of a 5 km (Sprint) and 13 km (Super) OCR. Sixty-eight participants were assessed for cortical arousal, leg strength, isometric handgrip strength, blood lactate, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, urine composition, spirometry values, hamstring flexibility, lower limb stability, foot biomechanics, and scapular kinematics, one hour before and immediately after the races. The results showed a significant decrease in leg strength (Sprint: r = −0.56, p < 0.01; Super: r = −0.54, p = 0.01) and urine pH (Sprint: r = −0.70, p = 0.03; Super: r = −0.67, p = 0.01) in both distances, with increases in urine colour, protein, and glucose (Sprint: p < 0.04). In the 13 km race, lower limb stability decreased significantly post-race (r = −0.53, p = 0.01). Positive correlations were found between performance and pre-race handgrip strength (Sprint: r = 0.71, p = 0.001; Super: r = 0.72, p = 0.01) and spirometry values (FVC, FEF 25–75%, FEV1) (Sprint: r = 0.52, p = 0.031; Super: r = 0.48, p = 0.035). Thermoregulation capacity, reflected in a higher pre-race body temperature and lower post-race body temperature, also correlated with improved performance (r = 0.49, p = 0.046). Injury risk increased post-race, with a significant decline in lower limb stability (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of targeted training programs, focusing on grip strength, leg strength, respiratory muscle training, and hydration strategies to optimize performance and reduce injury risk in OCR athletes.

The application of aquatic resistance exercises in different diseases

Aquatic exercise is an active exercise that make full use of the physical and hydrodynamic characteristics of water in a water environment to achieve a similar strength increase effect as land training, while avoiding the aggravation of joint stress and muscle microdamage caused by repetitive training. It has been widely studied in the field of sports rehabilitation and public fitness, while its form is basically presented in the form of aerobic exercise or interval training, the aquatic resistance exercises are often ignored by people. Due to the influence of the physical characteristics of water, the main form of muscle contraction of athletes performing resistance training in water is similar to isokinetic contraction, and the force used by practitioners is proportional to the resistance of water, which increases the centrifugal load of muscles and greatly reduces the risk of sports injury. In addition to the athletes, aquatic resistance exercises also have certain benefits for other clinical diseases. In this paper, the application of this training in swimming performance, rheumatoid arthritis, postmenopausal osteoporosis and knee osteoarthritis was reviewed in order to improve the clinical understanding and promote its rational application.

Right knee ACL, PCL and MCL reconstruction with sports-related anxiety

Introduction: JM, a 20-year-old male professional ice hockey player, presented with a 2-week history of lack of range of motion, weakness, and pain in his right knee, after a 2-year post-medical collateral ligament repair of the right knee and 3 year-post anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament reconstruction of the right knee. Case Description: In the course of history taken, it was revealed that 5 months prior to admission the patient had been informed by a psychiatrist that he had sport-related anxiety. With an unremarkable psychiatric history prior to age 18, the competitive nature of his sports career in addition to financial pressure may have contributed to his sports-related anxiety. His examination findings were consistent with a diagnosis of complete tears of the right anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament along with grade III medial collateral ligament injury. Discussion: The biopsychosocial model was used to explicate JM's case. JM's current injuries prompted reconstruction of the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, and medial collateral ligaments. Psychologically, JM's sports-related anxiety is not a rare phenomenon as recent studies have discovered an increased risk of sports-related anxiety amongst young professional athletes. Sports-related anxiety, along with competitive trait anxiety, may be factors that contribute to sports injury occurrence. Other psychological stressors can add to sports-related or competitive trait anxiety, further increasing the risk of sports injury reoccurrence. Summary: JM was admitted for a right knee open medial collateral ligament repair with internal bracing, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and platelet rich plasma injection. As part of a holistic patient-centered treatment plan, a referral to psychiatry was made to address JM's sports-related anxiety with the goal of decreasing future risk of sports injury. Patient's Consent Obtained: Yes

A Discussion Related to the Impact of Incorporating Standardised Individualised Strength Training in the Physical Education Curriculum of Colleges and Universities on the Mental Health of College Students

This study explores the far-reaching impact of standardised personalised strength training on college students' mental health. With the continuous improvement of the comprehensive quality requirements for college students in modern society, mental health problems have gradually come to the forefront and become an important issue to be solved in the field of higher education. Traditional physical education programmes tend to be designed and implemented in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ teaching mode, ignoring the significant differences between students in terms of physical condition, athletic ability and interest preferences. This neglect not only limits the overall development of students' physical abilities, but may also adversely affect their mental health. In response to this challenge, standardised and individualised strength training has been developed. The core of this approach is ‘personalisation’, i.e., a training programme that is tailored to the specific needs of each student. The individualised training programme not only takes into account the student's physical condition and athletic ability, but also respects their preferences. In this way, students are able to train at an intensity and tempo that suits them, thus improving the training effect and reducing the risk of sports injuries.

Enhancing Sports Injury Risk Assessment in Soccer Through Machine Learning and Training Load Analysis.

Sports injuries pose significant challenges in athlete welfare and team dynamics, particularly in high-intensity sports like soccer. This study used machine learning algorithms to assess non-contact injury risk in professional male soccer players from physiological and mechanical load variables. Twenty-five professional male soccer players with a first-time, non-contact muscle injury were included in this study. Recordings of external load (speed, distance, and acceleration/deceleration data) and internal load (heart rate) were obtained during all training sessions and official matches over a 4-year period. Machine learning model training and evaluation features were calculated for each of nine different metrics for a 28-day period prior to the injury and an equal-length baseline epoch. The acute surge in the values of each workload metric was quantified by the deviation of maximum values from the average, while the variations of cumulative workload over the last four weeks preceding injury were also calculated. Seven features were selected by the model as prominent estimators of injury incidence. Three of the features concerned acute load deviations (number of sprints, training load score-incorporating heart rate and muscle load- and time of heart rate at the 90-100% of maximum). The four cumulative load features were (total distance, high speed and sprint running distance and training load score). The accuracy of the muscle injury risk assessment model was 0.78, with a sensitivity of 0.73 and specificity of 0.85. Our model achieved high performance in injury risk detection using a limited number of training load variables. The inclusion, for the first time, of heart rate related variables in an injury risk assessment model highlights the importance of physiological overload as a contributor to muscle injuries in soccer. By identifying the important parameters, coaches may prevent muscle injuries by controlling surges of training load during training and competition.

Effect of COVID-19 on Injury Incidence and Severity in Professional Female Football Players: A Cohort Prospective Study.

Earlier statements suggested a negative impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on sports performance and injury risk. With the COVID-19 pandemic under control and the dominance of a less-severe strain of the virus, there is a need to confirm whether these adverse effects still apply to the current situation. Infected players would have a higher noncontact muscle injury incidence compared with noninfected counterparts. Cohort observational study. Level 3. Seven teams (n = 147 players) competing in the Spanish professional women's football league (Liga F) were prospectively monitored during the 2021-2022 season. Data from noncontact injuries were recorded and classified following the latest consensus statement from the International Olympic Committee. COVID-19 was certified by the medical staff by regular polymerase chain reaction analysis. Ninety-two players suffered at least 1 noncontact muscle injury during the season. Injury incidence during the season was similar in players with COVID-19 (n = 83) and players without infection (5.1 ± 6.7 versus 4.9 ± 10.0 injuries/1000 h of play, respectively; P = 0.90). Players with COVID-19 were not more likely to suffer noncontact injuries compared with those players without infection (R2 = 0.02; odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.36-1.38; P = 0.31). There was no effect of COVID-19 on the days of absence due to injury (R2 = 0.01; OR 95% CI = 1.00-1.01; P = 0.44) or in the classification of the severity of the injury (P = 0.79). COVID-19 has no significant effect on noncontact injury incidence and severity in professional female football players. Currently, COVID-19 infection does not alter noncontact muscle injury risk in professional football and requires no further attention in terms of injury management. Usual return-to-play protocols apply to COVID-19 considering the particularities of each player since the severity of infection, period of inactivity, and effects on the player's health and performance.

Investigation of the effectiveness of a complex injury prevention programme among young swimmers

AbstractPurposeThe training load required at elite level can lead to shoulder pain even among the youngest swimmers, thus, besides modern water training plans and swimming technique development, the planning of dryland training with a preventive approach is of the utmost importance. The aim of the present study was to map kinetic patterns and sports injury risk factors among young competitive swimmers (between 9 and 12 years of age) and to investigate the effectiveness of a complex injury prevention programme on dry land.Materials and methodsA total of 37 swimmers (19 girls and 18 boys, aged 10.8 ± 1 yrs) participated in the research. We performed a physical examination using the PostureScreen11.1 application, a digital goniometer, a manual dynamometer, and functional and diagnostic orthopaedic tests. The swimmers were divided into a trained group and a control group. A three-month complex injury prevention programme was developed for the trained group. We analysed our data using Statistica for Windows.ResultsWe found that 19% of the swimmers had experienced shoulder pain since starting swimming. We also found several postural faults, a reduction in the rotational arc of motion in the shoulder joint, rotational muscle imbalance, serratus anterior weakness, and scapular dyskinesia. Following the programme, swimmers in the trained group showed significant improvement in the rotational arc of the shoulder joint, internal rotational range of motion, rotational muscle strength, and upper limb stability. Progress was also made in many other areas, although these results were not significant.ConclusionsAs shoulder pain and its risk factors can be observed even among the youngest competitors, a dryland training plan tailored to this group can reduce the occurrence of sports injuries.

‘Every turn can be the last one I do’ - Perceptions of injury risk in high-performance snow sports and its implication for injury prevention

ObjectivesHigh-performance snow sports (HPSS) athletes compete in a performance-driven context with a high risk of injury. While there is a lack of evidence on effective prevention measures in snow sports,...