Sport and leisure activities in the heat: What safety resources exist?
- Authors: Gonsalves, Marlon , O'Brien, Brendan , Twomey, Dara
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 24, no. 8 (2021), p. 781-786
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- Description: Objectives: To conduct a document analysis of sports and leisure activity heat-related injury prevention resources in Australia and develop an understanding of the content within those resources. Design & Methods: Heat resources were included if they dealt specifically with, or could be extrapolated to, prevention of heat-related injuries. Collating strategies for the catalogue included: (1) a detailed search of the organisation's website and (2) an online search for sport specific heat resources. A content analysis of each resource was first performed, and descriptive codes were assigned to the data using qualitative data analysis software. Every coded text was recorded as an individual data point (n). Common sub-categories were identified by thematic analysis and collated under three broader categories. Results: A total of 468 data points were identified within the 64 heat resources found. Guidelines (n = 20) and policies (n = 18) were the most common type of resources followed by factsheets (n = 9), webpages (n = 8), laws and by-laws (n = 2). Three overarching categories emerged through the data analysis process: preventive strategies (n = 299, 63.9%), risk factors (n = 94, 20.1%), treatment (n = 75, 16.0%). Activity modification, which included information on rescheduling games and extra breaks, was the most common intervention. Cricket, soccer, swimming and triathlon had the most complete set of heat resources. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide an insight into the composition of heat-related sports injury prevention resources within Australia and identify areas for development. As the resources were incomplete for many sports, the development of more comprehensive heat safety resources is required to ensure the safety of participants. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Water safety education programs in culturally and linguistically diverse seattle communities : program design and pilot evaluation
- Authors: Koon, William , Bennett, Elizabeth , Stempski, Sarah , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 13, no. 2 (2021), p.
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- Description: Drowning is a public health concern that disproportionally affects children and minorities in Washington State. Community health educators from Seattle Children's Hospital designed a Water Safety Education and Lifejacket Giveaway Program for low-income parents of preschool-aged children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The program was interpreted into multiple languages and parents and children in attendance received free lifejackets. The mixed-methods pilot evaluation of this program found statistically significant relationships between language and self-reported parent swim skill level (English-speaker OR 4.6; 95%CI: 1.84 - 11.54); and confidence of keeping one's child safe (English-speaker OR 3.34; 95%CI: 1.10 - 10.4). Additionally, parents who self-reported that they could swim had four times the odds of feeling confident in keeping their children safe around the water (95% CI: 1.21 - 13.28). Qualitative data from follow-up interviews identified that the program boosted parent knowledge and confidence in safe water practices. Multi-lingual delivery and the role of partner preschools was critical to this program's success. Specific programmatic focus on adult parent/caregiver skills and knowledge that reduce risk around the water should be a priority for future efforts to reduce drowning. © 2021 Human Kinetics Publishers Inc.. All rights reserved.
Epidemiology of hospital-treated cricket injuries sustained by women from 2002-2003 to 2013-2014 in Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Perera, Nirmala , Kemp, Joanne , Joseph, Corey , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 22, no. 11 (Nov 2019), p. 1213-1218
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- Description: Objectives: To present the first comprehensive epidemiological profile of hospital-treated injuries sustained by female cricketers from 2002-2003 to 2013-2014 in Victoria, Australia. Design: Analysis of routinely collected hospital data (detailed case-series). Methods: A retrospective analysis of hospital-treatment data associated with cricket injuries sustained by women between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2014, inclusive were extracted from databases held by the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit in Australia. Results: Over the 12-year period, 668 cases were treated in Victoria. Of these, 547 were emergency department (ED)-presentations. There were 121 hospital-admissions, of which, the length of stay was <2 days for 78.5% cases. All cases were treated and released, and no fatalities were reported. The 10-14 year age group most frequently presented to ED (19.9%) and were most commonly admitted to hospital (16.5% of the total admissions). Fractures were the most common cause of hospital-admissions (47.1%) but only accounted for 17.2% of the ED-presentations. Dislocations, sprains and strains, were the most common (36.4%) cause of ED-presentations. The head was the most commonly injured anatomical location (27.8% of ED-presentations and 28.1% of hospital-admissions), followed by the wrist and hand (27.8% ED-presentations and 17.4% hospital-admissions). Conclusions: These findings provide the first overview of the nature of injuries requiring hospital attendance in female cricketers, and a foundation to inform the development of targeted injury prevention programs for female cricketers. (C) 2019 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The efficacy of an iterative “sequence of prevention” approach to injury prevention by a multidisciplinary team in professional rugby union
- Authors: Tee, Jason , Bekker, Sheree , Collins, Rob , Klingbiel, Jannie , van Rooyen, Ivan , van Wyk, David , Till, Kevin , Jones, Ben
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 21, no. 9 (2018), p. 899-904
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- Description: Objectives: Due to the complex systems nature of injuries, the responsibility for injury risk management cannot lie solely within a single domain of professional practice. Interdisciplinary collaboration between technical/tactical coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, team doctors, physical therapists and sport scientists is likely to have a meaningful impact on injury risk. This study describes the application and efficacy of a multidisciplinary approach to reducing team injury risk in professional rugby union. Design: Observational longitudinal cohort study. Methods: Epidemiological injury data was collected from a professional rugby union team for 5 consecutive seasons. Following each season, these data informed multidisciplinary intervention strategies to reduce injury risk. The effectiveness of these strategies was iteratively assessed to inform future interventions. Specific examples of intervention strategies are provided. Results: Overall team injury burden displayed a likely beneficial decrease (−8%; injury rate ratio (IRR) 0.9, 95%CI 0.9–1.0) from 2012 to 2016. This was achieved through a most likely beneficial improvement in non-contact injury burden (−39%; IRR 0.6, 95%CI 0.6–0.7). Contact injury burden was increased, but to a lesser extent (+18%; IRR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1–1.3, most likely harmful) during the same period. Conclusions: The range of skills required to effectively manage complex injury phenomena in professional collision sport crosses disciplinary boundaries. The evidence presented here points to the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach to reducing injury risk. This model will likely be applicable across a range of team and individual sports.
Multivariate modelling of subjective and objective monitoring data improve the detection of non-contact injury risk in elite Australian footballers
- Authors: Colby, Marcus , Dawson, Brian , Peeling, Peter , Heasman, Jarryd , Rogalski, Brent , Drew, Michael , Stares, Jordan , Zouhal, Hassane , Lester, Leanne
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 20, no. 12 (2017), p. 1068-1074
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- Description: Objectives: To assess the association between workload, subjective wellness, musculoskeletal screening measures and non-contact injury risk in elite Australian footballers. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Across 4 seasons in 70 players from one club, cumulative weekly workloads (acute; 1 week, chronic; 2-, 3-, 4-week) and acute:chronic workload ratio’s (ACWR: 1-week load/average 4-weekly load) for session-Rating of Perceived Exertion (sRPE) and GPS-derived distance and sprint distance were calculated. Wellness, screening and non-contact injury data were also documented. Univariate and multivariate regression models determined injury incidence rate ratios (IRR) while accounting for interaction/moderating effects. Receiver operating characteristics determined model predictive accuracy (area under curve: AUC). Results: Very low cumulative chronic (2-, 3-, 4- week) workloads were associated with the greatest injury risk (univariate IRR = 1.71–2.16, 95% CI = 1.10–4.52) in the subsequent week. In multivariate analysis, the interaction between a low chronic load and a very high distance (adj-IRR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.07–6.34) or low sRPE ACWR (adj-IRR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.01–6.29) was associated with increased injury risk. Subjectively reporting “yes” (vs. “no”) for old lower limb pain and heavy non-football activity in the previous 7 days (multivariate adj-IRR = 2.01–2.25, 95% CI = 1.02–4.95) and playing experience (>9 years) (multivariate adj- IRR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.03–4.06) was also associated with increased injury risk, but screening data were not. Predictive capacity of multivariate models was significantly better than univariate (AUCmultivariate = 0.70, 95% CI 0.64–0.75; AUCunivariate range = 0.51–0.60). Conclusions: Chronic load is an important moderating factor in the workload–injury relationship. Low chronic loads coupled with low or very high ACWR are associated with increased injury risk.
- Description: Objectives: To assess the association between workload, subjective
The delivery of injury prevention exercise programmes in professional youth soccer : Comparison to the FIFA 11
- Authors: O'Brien, James , Young, Warren , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 20, no. 1 (2016), p. 26-31
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
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- Description: OBJECTIVES: Injury prevention exercise programmes for amateur soccer have gained considerable attention, but little is known about their relevance and adaptability to professional soccer settings. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the delivery and content of injury prevention exercise programmes used by professional youth soccer teams, compared to the industry standard injury prevention exercise programme for soccer, the Federation Internationale de Football Association's FIFA 11+. The second aim was to document specific challenges to implementing injury prevention exercise programmes in this context. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: The participants were soccer coaches, fitness coaches and physiotherapists (n=18) from four teams in a professional youth soccer academy. Each team's chosen injury prevention exercise programmes were observed weekly across an entire soccer season (160 sessions). The delivery and content of the programmes were documented on a standardised worksheet and compared to the FIFA 11+. Specific implementation challenges were recorded. RESULTS: Fitness coaches were the primary deliverers of injury prevention exercise programmes, with support from physiotherapists. Multiple delivery formats and locations were employed, along with the extensive use of equipment. Across all injury prevention exercise programme sessions, a median of one FIFA 11+ exercise was performed in its original form and a further four in a modified form. Implementation challenges included poor staff communication, competing training priorities and heavy game schedules. CONCLUSIONS: Although the basic components of the FIFA 11+ hold relevance for professional youth male teams, the delivery and content of injury prevention exercise programmes require considerable tailoring for this context. Recognising this will inform the development of improved, context-specific injury prevention exercise programmes, along with corresponding strategies to enhance their implementation.
The impact of injury definition on injury surveillance in novice runners
- Authors: Kluitenberg, Bas , van Middelkoop, Marienke , Verhagen, Evert , Hartgens, Fred , Huisstede, Bionka , Diercks, Ron , van der Worp, Henk
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 19, no. 6 (Jun 2016), p. 470-475
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- Description: Objectives: Despite several consensus statements, different injury definitions are used in the literature. This study aimed to identify the impact of different injury definitions on the nature and incidence of complaints captured during a short-term running program for novice runners. Methods: 1696 participants completed weekly diaries on running exposure and musculoskeletal complaints during a 6-week running program. These data were used to compare six different injury definitions (presence of running-related pain, training-reduction, time-loss of.one day or one week). Injuries were registered under these different definitions. Consequently incidence and the nature of complaints were compared between definitions. Results: The different injury definitions resulted in incidences that varied between 7.5% and 58.0%, or 18.7 and 239.6 injuries per 1000 h of running. The median duration of injury complaints was 4-7 days for injuries registered under a 'day definition', while complaints registered under a 'week definition' lasted 20-22 days. For running-related pain injuries the median of the maximum amount of pain was 3.0. In training-reduction and time-loss injuries these median values were scored between 5.0 and 7.0. No significant differences in anatomical locations between injuries that were registered under a 'day definition' or a 'week definition' were found. Injuries registered under a time-loss definition were located relatively more often at the knee, while complaints at the pelvis/sacrum/buttock were captured more often under a running-related pain definition. Conclusions: Injury definitions largely impact injury incidence. Location of injury is also affected by choice of injury definition. This stressed the need for standardized injury registration methods. (C) 2015 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Groningen, Netherlands.
The NLstart2run study : Training-related factors associated with running-related injuries in novice runners
- Authors: Kluitenberg, Bas , van der Worp, Henk , Huisstede, Bionka , Hartgens, Fred , Diercks, Ron , Verhagen, Evert , van Middelkoop, Marienke
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 19, no. 8 (2016), p. 642-646
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- Description: Objectives: The incidence of running-related injuries is high. Some risk factors for injury were identified in novice runners, however, not much is known about the effect of training factors on injury risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the associations between training factors and running-related injuries in novice runners, taking the time varying nature of these training-related factors into account. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: 1696 participants completed weekly diaries on running exposure and injuries during a 6-week running program for novice runners. Total running volume (min), frequency and mean intensity (Rate of Perceived Exertion) were calculated for the seven days prior to each training session. The association of these time-varying variables with injury was determined in an extended Cox regression analysis. Results: The results of the multivariable analysis showed that running with a higher intensity in the previous week was associated with a higher injury risk. Running frequency was not significantly associated with injury, however a trend towards running three times per week being more hazardous than two times could be observed. Finally, lower running volume was associated with a higher risk of sustaining an injury. Conclusions: These results suggest that running more than 60 min at a lower intensity is least injurious. This finding is contrary to our expectations and is presumably the result of other factors. Therefore, the findings should not be used plainly as a guideline for novices. More research is needed to establish the person-specific training patterns that are associated with injury. © 2015 Sports Medicine Australia.
Different methods of training load quantification and their relationship to injury and illness in elite Australian football
- Authors: Veugelers, Kristopher , Young, Warren , Fahrner, Brendan , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. , no. (2015), p.
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Objectives: To compare different methods of training load (TL) quantification and their relationship to injury and illness in elite Australian footballers. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Forty-five elite Australian footballers (mean ± standard deviation: age = 23.4 ± 3.8 years) from one elite club participated in this 15 week pre-season study. TL was quantified every session for each individual using four different methods involving rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Two of these methods enabled the quantification of TL for all exercise modalities whilsttwo were applicable only to outdoor field activities. One- and two-weekly cumulative TL was investigated against injury and illness data using a logistic regression model where the low TL group was considered as the reference group. Results: A general trend existed across all TL methods which suggested lower odds of injury and illness in high TL groups. The one-week RPE (all) and one-week RPE x Duration (all) methods detected reduced odds ofinjury inhighTL groups comparedto low TL groups (p < 0.05, OR = 0.199–0.202). Similarly,the one-week RPE (field) method identified lower illness odds in the high TL groups (p < 0.05, OR = 0.083–0.182). Conclusions: Higher TL appeared to provide a protective effect against both injury and illness. The inclusion of duration in the quantification of TL via RPE did not improve the ability of RPE to predict change in odds of injury or illness. © 2015 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Improving the diffusion of safety initiatives in community sport
- Authors: Poulos, Roslyn , Donaldson, Alex
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 18, no. 2 (2015), p. 139-144
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Objectives: The "Mayday Safety Procedure" (MSP) is included in the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) Medical and Safety Recommendations and the mandatory SmartRugby training for coaches. Previous research indicates that translating the Mayday Safety Procedure into practice among community rugby coaches is challenging. This study investigated whether Mayday Safety Procedure translation could be enhanced by systematically planning and implementing a range of theory-informed and context-specific diffusion strategies. Design: A controlled before-and-after study. Methods: Coaches of senior community rugby teams in five zones in New South Wales (Australia) were invited to complete a questionnaire about their Mayday Safety Procedure knowledge and practice at the end of the 2010 and 2011 rugby seasons. During 2011, coaches in the intervention zone were exposed to a range of strategies to promote Mayday Safety Procedure diffusion which were planned by following Step 5 of the Intervention Mapping protocol. Coaches in the other four zones were exposed to usual strategies to promote Mayday Safety Procedure diffusion. Results: Using the RE-AIM evaluation framework, statistically significant improvements were found among intervention zone coaches in: knowledge of most Mayday Safety Procedure key criteria; the number of coaches recognising their zone policy requiring them to train players in the Mayday Safety Procedure; frequency of provision of Mayday Safety Procedure training to players; coach perceptions of the quality of Mayday Safety Procedure training for players; and in confidence that referees could implement the Mayday Safety Procedure during a game if required. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the translation of injury prevention policy into community practice can be enhanced by developing and implementing a theory-informed, context-specific diffusion plan, undertaken in partnership with key stakeholders. © 2014 Sports Medicine Australia.
Changes in muscle activation following balance and technique training and a season of Australian football
- Authors: Donnelly, Cyril , Elliott, Bruce , Doyle, Tim , Finch, Caroline , Dempsey, Alasdair , Lloyd, David
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 18, no. 3 (2014), p.348-352
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
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- Description: Objectives: Determine if balance and technique training implemented adjunct to 1001 male Australian football players' training influenced the activation/strength of the muscles crossing the knee during pre-planned and unplanned sidestepping. Design: Randomized Control Trial. Methods: Each Australian football player participated in either 28 weeks of balance and technique training or 'sham' training. Twenty-eight Australian football players (balance and technique training, n = 12; 'sham' training, n = 16) completed biomechanical testing pre-to-post training. Peak knee moments and directed co-contraction ratios in three degrees of freedom, as well as total muscle activation were calculated during pre-planned and unplanned sidestepping. Results: No significant differences in muscle activation/strength were observed between the 'sham' training and balance and technique training groups. Following a season of Australian football, knee extensor (p = 0.023) and semimembranosus (p = 0.006) muscle activation increased during both pre-planned sidestepping and unplanned sidestepping. Following a season of Australian football, total muscle activation was 30% lower and peak valgus knee moments 80% greater (p = 0.022) during unplanned sidestepping when compared with pre-planned sidestepping. Conclusions: When implemented in a community level training environment, balance and technique training was not effective in changing the activation of the muscles crossing the knee during sidestepping. Following a season of Australian football, players are better able to support both frontal and sagittal plane knee moments. When compared to pre-planned sidestepping, Australian football players may be at increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury during unplanned sidestepping in the latter half of an Australian football season.
When 'just doing it' is not enough: Assessing the fidelity of player performance of an injury prevention exercise program
- Authors: Fortington, Lauren , Donaldson, Alex , Lathlean, Tim , Young, Warren , Gabbe, Belinda , Lloyd, David , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 18, no. 3 (May 2014 2014), p.272-277
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565907
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
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- Description: Objectives: To obtain benefits from sports injury prevention programs, players are instructed to perform the exercises as prescribed. We developed an observational checklist to measure the quality of exercise performance by players participating in FootyFirst, a coach-led, exercise-based, lower-limb injury prevention program in community Australian Football (AF). Design: Observational. Methods: The essential performance criteria for each FootyFirst exercise were described in terms of the technique, volume and intensity required to perform each exercise. An observational checklist was developed to evaluate each criterion through direct visual observation of players at training. The checklist was trialled by two independent raters who observed the same 70 players completing the exercises at eight clubs. Agreement between observers was assessed by Kappa-statistics. Exercise fidelity was defined as the proportion of observed players who performed all aspects of their exercises correctly. Results: The raters agreed on 61/70 observations (87%) (Kappa = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55; 0.89). Of the observations with agreed ratings, 41 (67%) players were judged as performing the exercises as prescribed. Conclusions: The observational checklist demonstrated high inter-rater reliability. Many players observed did not perform the exercises as prescribed, raising concern as to whether they would be receiving anticipated program benefits. Where quality of exercise performance is important, evaluation and reporting of program fidelity should include direct observations of participants.
Identifying risk factors for contact injury in professional rugby league players - Application of a frailty model for recurrent injury
- Authors: Gabbett, Tim , Ullah, Shahid , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 15, no. 6 (November 2012), p. 496-504
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: Well-developed physical qualities may protect against contact injuries. However, the potential contribution of physical qualities as risk or protective factors to contact injury risk is yet to be determined for rugby league. This study applied a frailty survival model that accounts for recurrent injury to identify risk factors for all physiotherapist-reported contact injury in professional rugby league players. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Sixty-six professional rugby league players participated in this three successive year prospective study. At the start of each season, all players underwent measurements of standard anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of seven skinfolds), speed (10 m and 40 m sprint), muscular strength (1 repetition maximum [RM] bench press, 1RM squat, 1RM weighted chin-ups), power (vertical jump, bench throw, 1RM power clean, jump squat), and endurance (maximum repetition bench press with 60 kg resistance), repeated-sprint ability (12 × 20 m sprints performed on a 20 s cycle), prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability (8 × 12 s maximal effort shuttles performed on a 48 s cycle), and maximal aerobic power (multi-stage fitness test). Data was used to demonstrate the application of the frailty model extension of the Cox proportional regression model for recurrent events to identify factors associated with a high hazard ratio (HR) of injury. Results: Heavier (body mass, HR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2-5.7), and faster (40 m sprint, HR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.0-4.2) players, and those with poorly developed prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability (HR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.7-5.0) and upper-body strength (chin-up, HR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.7) had a higher incidence of contact injuries. Conclusions: This study demonstrates application of a novel statistical approach for the analysis of injury data that is recurrent in nature. This approach identified that the greater impact forces generated from heavier players with faster speed may result in an increase in recurrent contact injury rates. However, the development of prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability and upper-body strength and power may assist to reduce the risk of contact injury in professional rugby league players.
Encouraging junior community netball players to learn correct safe landing technique
- Authors: White, Peta , Ullah, Shahid , Donaldson, Alex , Otago, Leonie , Saunders, Natalie , Romiti, Maria , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol.15 , no.1 (2011), p.19-24
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Behavioural factors and beliefs are important determinants of the adoption of sports injury interventions. This study aimed to understand behavioural factors associated with junior community netball players' intentions to learn correct landing technique during coach-led training sessions, proposed as a means of reducing their risk of lower limb injury. 287 female players from 58 junior netball teams in the 2007/2008-summer competition completed a 13-item questionnaire developed from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). This assessed players' attitudes (four items), subjective norms (four), perceived behavioural control (four) and intentions (one) around the safety behaviour of learning correct landing technique at netball training. All items were rated on a seven-point bipolar scale. Cluster-adjusted logistic regression was used to assess which TPB constructs were most associated with strong intentions. Players had positive intentions and attitudes towards learning safe landing technique and perceived positive social pressure from significant others. They also perceived themselves to have considerable control over engaging (or not) in this behaviour. Players' attitudes (p < 0.001) and subjective norms (p < 0.001), but not perceived behavioural control (p = 0.49), were associated with strong intentions to learn correct landing technique at training. Injury prevention implementation strategies aimed at maximising junior players' participation in correct landing training programs should emphasise the benefits of learning correct landing technique (i.e. change attitudes) and involve significant others and role models whom junior players admire (i.e. capitalise on social norms) in the promotion of such programs. © 2011 Sports Medicine Australia.
The impact of adherence on sports injury prevention effect estimates in randomised controlled trials : Looking beyond the CONSORT statement
- Authors: Verhagen, Evert , Huuperans, Maarten , Finch, Caroline , van Mechelen, Willem
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 14, no. 4 (July 2011 2011), p. 287-292
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To investigate estimated outcome effects of a sports injury prevention intervention when analysed by means of a per protocol (PP) analysis approach. Design: Randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving 522 athletes who sustained a lateral ankle sprain allocated to either an intervention (received a preventive programme in addition to usual care) or control group who were followed prospectively for one year. Methods: Secondary analysis of data relating to registered ankle sprain recurrences, exposure and adherence to the allocated intervention using a PP analysis approach. Results: Twenty-three percent of the RCT intervention group indicated to have fully adhered with the neuromuscular training programme. A per protocol analysis only considering fully adherent athletes and control athletes, showed a Hazard Ratio of 0.18 (95% CI: 0.07-0.43). Significantly fewer recurrent ankle sprains were found in the fully adherent group compared to the group that was not adherent (relative risk = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43-0.99). Conclusions: A PP analysis on fully adherent athletes versus control group athletes showed that the established intervention effect was over threefold higher compared to an earlier intention-to-treat based analysis approach. This shows that outcomes of intervention studies are heavily biased by adherence to the allocated intervention.
The safety attitudes of people who use multi-purpose recreation facilities as a physical activity setting
- Authors: Finch, Caroline , Otago, Leonie , White, Peta , Donaldson, Alex , Mahoney, Mary
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion Vol. 18, no. 2 (2011), p. 107-112
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Multi-purpose recreation facilities (MPRFs) are a popular setting for physical activity and it is therefore important that they are safe for all patrons. However, the attitudes of MPRF users towards safety are a potential barrier to the success of injury prevention programmes implemented within MPRFs. This article reports a survey of the safety attitudes of over 700 users of four indoor MPRFs. Factor analysis of 12 five-point Likert scale statements showed that the attitudes clustered around three major dimensions - the importance of safety, the benefits of safety and the perceptions of injury risk. Together, these three dimensions accounted for 49% of the variability in the attitudes. More than 85% of respondents agreed/strongly agreed that: safety was an important aspect of physical activity participation; being injured affected enjoyment of physical activity; people should adopt appropriate safety measures for all physical activity; and individuals were responsible for their own safety. The MPRF users, particularly women and older people, were generally safety conscious, believed in adopting safety measures, and were willing to take responsibility for their own safety. Facility managers can be confident that if they provide evidence-based injury prevention interventions in these settings, then users will respond appropriately and adopt the promoted behaviours. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.
Trends in hospitalised sport/leisure injuries in New South Wales, Australia-Implications for the targetting of population-focussed preventive sports medicine efforts
- Authors: Finch, Caroline , Mitchell, Rebecca , Boufous, Soufiane
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 14, no. 1 (January 2011), p. 15-21
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Sport/leisure injuries are a population health issue in Australia. Over 2003-2004 to 2007-2008, the rate of sport/leisure injury NSW hospitalisations was 195.5/100,000 residents. Males and children/young people had consistently highest rates of hospitalisation. There was no significant decline in rates over this period and no change in the profiles of the types of sport/leisure injuries. The extent to which effective preventive programs have been developed and implemented needs to be determined as current programs do not seem to be impacting on hospitalisation rates. Medical/health promotion agencies and sports bodies need to jointly formulate and implement policies to reduce sport/leisure injuries. This is one of the most significant challenges facing sports medicine professionals today.
Modelling the population-level impact of tai-chi on falls and fall-related injury among community-dwelling older people
- Authors: Day, Lesley , Finch, Caroline , Harrison, James , Hoareau, Effie , Segal, Leonie , Ullah, Shahid
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Prevention Vol. 16, no. 5 (2010), p. 321-326
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To model the population level impact of tai-chi on future rates of falls and fall-related injury in older people as a tool for policy development. Design: An epidemiological and economic model for estimating population-level effectiveness of tai-chi. Setting: Australia, 2009. Patients or subjects: Australian community-dwelling population aged 70+ years, ambulatory and without debilitating conditions or profound visual defects. Intervention: Group-based tai-chi, for 1 h twice weekly for 26 weeks, assuming no sustained effect beyond the intervention period. Main outcome measure: Total falls and fall-related hospitalisation prevented in 2009. Results: Population-wide tai-chi delivery would prevent an estimated 5440 falls and 109 fall-related hospitalisations, resulting in a 0.18% reduction in the fall related hospital admission rate for community-dwelling older people. The gross costs per fall and per fall-related hospital admission prevented were $ A4414 ((sic)3013) and $A220 712 ((sic)150 684), respectively. A total investment of $A24.01 million ((sic)16.39 million), equivalent to 4.2% of the cost of fall-related episodes of hospital care in 2003/4, would be required to provide tai-chi for 31 998 people and achieve this effect. Conclusions: Substantial investment in, and high population uptake of, tai-chi would be required to have a large effect on falls and fall-related hospitalisation rates. Although not accounted for in this study, investment in tai-chi is likely to be associated with additional significant health benefits beyond falls prevention. This approach could be applied to other interventions to assist selection of the most cost effective falls-prevention portfolio for Australia and other countries.
Towards evidence-informed sports safety policy for New South Wales, Australia : Assessing the readiness of the sector
- Authors: Poulos, Roslyn , Donaldson, Alex , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Prevention Vol. 16, no. 2 (2010), p. 127-131
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
Safety in the Victorian thoroughbred horseracing industry
- Authors: Cowley, Stephen , Bowman, Bindi , Lawrance, Michael
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand Vol. 23, no. 5 (2007), p. 421-431
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Employees in the Victorian thoroughbred horseracing industry who work closely with horses are exposed to a significant risk of traumatic injury. Although jockeys are the main focus of attention in this industry sector and in the literature, a large number of injuries are sustained by track riders and stable attendants. Exploratory research into the nature of the injury problem was undertaken and it was found that there is a culture in the Victorian thoroughbred horseracing sector that leads to a greater focus on horses and their performance rather than on the health, safety and wellbeing of employees. Workers are exposed to a significant risk of injury as a result of shortcomings with regard to OHS management, the work environment, equipment, rules and procedures, and training and education. There appears to be little understanding of the mutual responsibilities at shared workplaces and a low level of responsiveness by those in a position to control hazards at training tracks and racetracks.
- Description: C1