Bipolar radiofrequency ablation treatment of liver cancer employing monopolar needles : a comprehensive investigation on the efficacy of time-based switching
- Authors: Yap, Shelley , Ooi, Ean , Foo, Ji , Ooi, Ean Tat
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers in Biology and Medicine Vol. 131, no. (2021), p.
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- Description: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a thermal ablative treatment method that is commonly used to treat liver cancer. However, the thermal coagulation zone generated using the conventional RFA system can only successfully treat tumours up to 3 cm in diameter. Switching bipolar RFA has been proposed as a way to increase the thermal coagulation zone. Presently, the understanding of the underlying thermal processes that takes place during switching bipolar RFA remains limited. Hence, the objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding on the thermal ablative effects of time-based switching bipolar RFA on liver tissue. Five switch intervals, namely 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 s were investigated using a two-compartment 3D finite element model. The study was performed using two pairs of RF electrodes in a four-probe configuration, where the electrodes were alternated based on their respective switch interval. The physics employed in the present study were verified against experimental data from the literature. Results obtained show that using a shorter switch interval can improve the homogeneity of temperature distribution within the tissue and increase the rate of temperature rise by delaying the occurrence of roll-off. The coagulation volume obtained was the largest using switch interval of 50 s, followed by 100, 150, 200 and 300 s. The present study demonstrated that the transient thermal response of switching bipolar RFA can be improved by using shorter switch intervals. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Comparisons between impedance-based and time-based switching bipolar radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of liver cancer
- Authors: Yap, Shelley , Ooi, Ean , Foo, Ji , Ooi, Ean Tat
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers in Biology and Medicine Vol. 134, no. (2021), p.
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- Description: Switching bipolar radiofrequency ablation (bRFA) is a cancer treatment technique that activates multiple pairs of electrodes alternately based on a predefined criterion. Various criteria can be used to trigger the switch, such as time (ablation duration) and tissue impedance. In a recent study on time-based switching bRFA, it was determined that a shorter switch interval could produce better treatment outcome than when a longer switch interval was used, which reduces tissue charring and roll-off induced cooling. In this study, it was hypothesized that a more efficacious bRFA treatment can be attained by employing impedance-based switching. This is because ablation per pair can be maximized since there will be no interruption to RF energy delivery until roll-off occurs. This was investigated using a two-compartment 3D computational model. Results showed that impedance-based switching bRFA outperformed time-based switching when the switch interval of the latter is 100 s or higher. When compared to the time-based switching with switch interval of 50 s, the impedance-based model is inferior. It remains to be investigated whether the impedance-based protocol is better than the time-based protocol for a switch interval of 50 s due to the inverse relationship between ablation and treatment efficacies. It was suggested that the choice of impedance-based or time-based switching could ultimately be patient-dependent. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Unidirectional ablation minimizes unwanted thermal damage and promotes better thermal ablation efficacy in time-based switching bipolar radiofrequency ablation
- Authors: Ooi, Ean H. , Ooi, Ean Tat
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers in Biology and Medicine Vol. 137, no. (2021), p.
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- Description: Switching bipolar radiofrequency ablation (bRFA) is a thermal treatment modality used for liver cancer treatment that is capable of producing larger, more confluent and more regular thermal coagulation. When implemented in the no-touch mode, switching bRFA can prevent tumour track seeding; a medical phenomenon defined by the deposition of cancer cells along the insertion track. Nevertheless, the no-touch mode was found to yield significant unwanted thermal damage as a result of the electrodes’ position outside the tumour. It is postulated that the unwanted thermal damage can be minimized if ablation can be directed such that it focuses only within the tumour domain. As it turns out, this can be achieved by partially insulating the active tip of the RF electrodes such that electric current flows in and out of the tissue only through the non-insulated section of the electrode. This concept is known as unidirectional ablation and has been shown to produce the desired effect in monopolar RFA. In this paper, computational models based on a well-established mathematical framework for modelling RFA was developed to investigate if unidirectional ablation can minimize unwanted thermal damage during time-based switching bRFA. From the numerical results, unidirectional ablation was shown to produce treatment efficacy of nearly 100%, while at the same time, minimizing the amount of unwanted thermal damage. Nevertheless, this effect was observed only when the switch interval of the time-based protocol was set to 50 s. An extended switch interval negated the benefits of unidirectional ablation. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Epidemiology of injury and illness in 153 Australian international-level rowers over eight international seasons
- Authors: Trease, Larissa , Wilkie, Kellie , Lovell, Greg , Drew, Michael , Hooper, Ivan
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 54, no. 21 (2020), p. 1288-1293
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- Description: Aim To report the epidemiology of injury and illness in elite rowers over eight seasons (two Olympiads). Methods All athletes selected to the Australian Rowing Team between 2009 and 2016 were monitored prospectively under surveillance for injury and illness. The incidence and burden of injury and illness were calculated per 1000 athlete days (ADs). The body area, mechanism and type of all injuries were recorded and followed until the resumption of full training. We used interrupted time series analyses to examine the association between fixed and dynamic ergometer testing on rowers' injury rates. Time lost from illness was also recorded. Results All 153 rowers selected over eight seasons were observed for 48 611 AD. 270 injuries occurred with an incidence of 4.1-6.4 injuries per 1000 AD. Training days lost totalled 4522 (9.2% AD). The most frequent area injured was the lumbar region (84 cases, 1.7% AD) but the greatest burden was from chest wall injuries (64 cases, 2.6% AD.) Overuse injuries (n=224, 83%) were more frequent than acute injuries (n=42, 15%). The most common activity at the time of injury was on-water rowing training (n=191, 68). Female rowers were at 1.4 times the relative risk of chest wall injuries than male rowers; they had half the relative risk of lumbar injuries of male rowers. The implementation of a dynamic ergometers testing policy (Concept II on sliders) was positively associated with a lower incidence and burden of low back injury compared with fixed ergometers (Concept II). Illness accounted for the greatest number of case presentations (128, 32.2% cases, 1.2% AD). Conclusions Chest wall and lumbar injuries caused training time loss. Policy decisions regarding ergometer testing modality were associated with lumbar injury rates. As in many sports, illness burden has been under-recognised in elite Australian rowers. ©
Rib stress injuries in the 2012-2016 (Rio) Olympiad : a cohort study of 151 Australian rowing team athletes for 88 773 athlete days
- Authors: Harris, Rachel , Trease, Larissa , Wilkie, Kellie , Drew, Michael
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 54, no. 16 (2020), p. 991-996
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- Description: Aim To describe the demographics, frequency, location, imaging modality and clinician-identified factors of rib stress injury in a cohort of elite rowers over the Rio Olympiad (2012-2016). Methods Analysis of prospectively recorded medical records for the Australian Rowing Team in 2013-2015 and the combined Australian Rowing Team and Olympic Shadow Squad in 2016, examining all rib stress injuries. Results 19 rib stress injuries (12 reactions and 7 fractures) were identified among a cohort of 151 athletes and included 12 female and 7 male cases, 11 open weight, 8 lightweight, 12 scull and 7 sweep cases. The most common locations of injury identified by imaging, were the mid-axillary line and rib 6. Period prevalence varied from 4 to 15.4 and incidence ranged from 0.27 to 0.13 per 1000 athlete days. There were no significant differences in prevalence by sex, sweep versus scull or weight class. There was a statistically significant increase in incidence in the pre-Olympic year (2015, p<0.001). MRI was the most commonly used modality for diagnosis. Stress fracture resulted in median 69 (IQR 56-157) and bone stress reaction resulted in 57 (IQR 45-78) days lost to full on water training. Conclusions In our 4-year report of rib stress injury in elite rowing athletes, period prevalence was consistent with previous reports and time lost (median
A novel hamstring strain injury prevention system: post-match strength testing for secondary prevention in football
- Authors: Wollin, Martin , Thorborg, Kristian , Drew, Michael , Pizzari, Tania
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Editorial
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. , no. (2019), p.
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Controlled ecological evaluation of an implemented exercise-training programme to prevent lower limb injuries in sport : Population-level trends in hospital-treated injuries
- Authors: Finch, Caroline , Gray, Shannon , Akram, Muhammad , Donaldson, Alex , Lloyd, David , Cook, Jill
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 53, no. 8 (2019), p. 487-492
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- Description: Objective Exercise-training programmes have reduced lower limb injuries in trials, but their population-level effectiveness has not been reported in implementation trials. This study aimed to demonstrate that routinely collected hospital data can be used to evaluate population-level programme effectiveness. Method A controlled ecological design was used to evaluate the effect of FootyFirst, an exercise-training programme, on the number of hospital-treated lower limb injuries sustained by males aged 16-50 years while participating in community-level Australian Football. FootyFirst was implemented with a € support' (FootyFirst+S) or a € without support' (FootyFirst+NS) in different geographic regions of Victoria, Australia: 22 clubs in region 1: FootyFirst+S in 2012/2013; 25 clubs in region 2: FootyFirst+NS in 2012/2013; 31 clubs region 3: control in 2012, FootyFirst+S in 2013. Interrupted time-series analysis compared injury counts across regions and against trends in the rest of Victoria. Results After 1 year of FootyFirst+S, there was a non-statistically significant decline in the number of lower limb injuries in region 1 (2012) and region 3 (2013); this was not maintained after 2 years in region 1. Compared with before FootyFirst in 2006-2011, injury count changes at the end of 2013 were: region 1: 20.0% reduction (after 2 years support); region 2: 21.5% increase (after 2 years without support); region 3: 21.8% increase (after first year no programme, second year programme with support); rest of Victoria: 12.6% increase. Conclusion Ecological analyses using routinely collected hospital data show promise as the basis of population-level programme evaluation. The implementation and sustainability of sports injury prevention programmes at the population-level remains challenging.
The effects of electrical and thermal boundary condition on the simulation of radiofrequency ablation of liver cancer for tumours located near to the liver boundary
- Authors: Ooi, Ean Hin , Lee, Khiy , Yap, Shelley , Khattab, Mahmoud , Liao, Iman , Ooi, Ean Tat , Foo, Ji , Nair, Shalini , Ali, Ahmad
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers in Biology and Medicine Vol. 106, no. (2019), p. 12-23
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- Description: Effects of different boundary conditions prescribed across the boundaries of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) models of liver cancer are investigated for the case where the tumour is at the liver boundary. Ground and Robin-type conditions (electrical field) and body temperature and thermal insulation (thermal field) conditions are examined. 3D models of the human liver based on publicly-available CT images of the liver are developed. An artificial tumour is placed inside the liver at the boundary. Simulations are carried out using the finite element method. The numerical results indicated that different electrical and thermal boundary conditions led to different predictions of the electrical potential, temperature and thermal coagulation distributions. Ground and body temperature conditions presented an unnatural physical conditions around the ablation site, which results in more intense Joule heating and excessive heat loss from the tissue. This led to thermal damage volumes that are smaller than the cases when the Robin type or the thermal insulation conditions are prescribed. The present study suggests that RFA simulations in the future must take into consideration the choice of the type of electrical and thermal boundary conditions to be prescribed in the case where the tumour is located near to the liver boundary.
Time-to-event analysis for sports injury research part 1 : Time-varying exposures
- Authors: Nielsen, Rasmus , Bertelsen, Michael , Ramskov, Daniel , Møller, Merete , Hulme, Adam , Theisen, Daniel , Finch, Caroline , Fortington, Lauren , Mansournia, Mohammad , Parner, Erik
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 53, no. 1 (2019), p. 61-68
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- Description: Background: 'How much change in training load is too much before injury is sustained, among different athletes?' is a key question in sports medicine and sports science. To address this question the investigator/practitioner must analyse exposure variables that change over time, such as change in training load. Very few studies have included time-varying exposures (eg, training load) and time-varying effect-measure modifiers (eg, previous injury, biomechanics, sleep/stress) when studying sports injury aetiology. Aim: To discuss advanced statistical methods suitable for the complex analysis of time-varying exposures such as changes in training load and injury-related outcomes. Content: Time-varying exposures and time-varying effect-measure modifiers can be used in time-to-event models to investigate sport injury aetiology. We address four key-questions (i) Does time-to-event modelling allow change in training load to be included as a time-varying exposure for sport injury development? (ii) Why is time-to-event analysis superior to other analytical concepts when analysing training-load related data that changes status over time? (iii) How can researchers include change in training load in a time-to-event analysis? and, (iv) Are researchers able to include other time-varying variables into time-to-event analyses? We emphasise that cleaning datasets, setting up the data, performing analyses with time-varying variables and interpreting the results is time-consuming, and requires dedication. It may need you to ask for assistance from methodological peers as the analytical approaches presented this paper require specialist knowledge and well-honed statistical skills. Conclusion: To increase knowledge about the association between changes in training load and injury, we encourage sports injury researchers to collaborate with statisticians and/or methodological epidemiologists to carefully consider applying time-to-event models to prospective sports injury data. This will ensure appropriate interpretation of time-to-event data. © 2019 Author(s).
Time-to-event analysis for sports injury research part 2 : Time-varying outcomes
- Authors: Nielsen, Rasmus , Bertelsen, Michael , Ramskov, Daniel , Møller, Merete , Hulme, Adam , Theisen, Daniel , Finch, Caroline , Fortington, Lauren , Mansournia, Mohammad , Parner, Erik
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 53, no. 1 (2019), p. 70-78
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- Description: Background: Time-to-event modelling is underutilised in sports injury research. Still, sports injury researchers have been encouraged to consider time-to-event analyses as a powerful alternative to other statistical methods. Therefore, it is important to shed light on statistical approaches suitable for analysing training load related key-questions within the sports injury domain. Content: In the present article, we illuminate: (i) the possibilities of including time-varying outcomes in time-to-event analyses, (ii) how to deal with a situation where different types of sports injuries are included in the analyses (ie, competing risks), and (iii) how to deal with the situation where multiple subsequent injuries occur in the same athlete. Conclusion: Time-to-event analyses can handle time-varying outcomes, competing risk and multiple subsequent injuries. Although powerful, time-to-event has important requirements: researchers are encouraged to carefully consider prior to any data collection that five injuries per exposure state or transition is needed to avoid conducting statistical analyses on time-to-event data leading to biased results. This requirement becomes particularly difficult to accommodate when a stratified analysis is required as the number of variables increases exponentially for each additional strata included. In future sports injury research, we need stratified analyses if the target of our research is to respond to the question: 'how much change in training load is too much before injury is sustained, among athletes with different characteristics?' Responding to this question using multiple time-varying exposures (and outcomes) requires millions of injuries. This should not be a barrier for future research, but collaborations across borders to collecting the amount of data needed seems to be an important step forward.
Too many rib ticklers? Injuries in Australian women's cricket (PhD Academy Award)
- Authors: Perera, Nirmala
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Editorial Material
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 53, no. 22 (Nov 2019), p. 1436-1437
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Body mass index is negatively associated with telomere length : A collaborative cross-sectional meta-analysis of 87 observational studies
- Authors: Gielen, Marij , Hageman, Geja , Antoniou, Evangelia , Nordfjall, Katarina , Mangino, Massimo , Balasubramanyam, Muthuswamy , De Meyer, Tim de , Hendricks, Audrey , Giltay, Erik , Hunt, Steven , Nettleton, Jennifer , Salpea, Klelia , Diaz, Vanessa , Farzaneh-Far, Ramin , Atzmon, Gil , Harris, Sarah , Hou, Lifang , Gilley, David , Hovatta, Iiris , Kark, Jeremy , Nassar, Hisham , Kurz, David , Mather, Karen , Willeit, Peter , Zheng, Yun-Ling , Pavanello, Sofia , Demerath, Ellen , Rode, Line , Bunout, Daniel , Steptoe, Andrew , Boardman, Lisa , Marti, Amelia , Needham, Belinda , Zheng, Wei , Ramsey-Goldman, Rosalind , Pellatt, Andrew , Kaprio, Jaakko , Hofmann, Jonathan , Gieger, Christian , Paolisso, Giuseppe , Hjelmborg, Jacob , Mirabello, Lisa , Seeman, Teresa , Wong, Jason , Van Der Harst, Pim , Broer, Linda , Kronenberg, Florian , Kollerits, Barbara , Strandberg, Timo , Eisenberg, Dan , Duggan, Catherine , Verhoeven, Josine , Schaakxs, Roxanne , Zannolli, Raffaela , Dos Reis, Rosana , Charchar, Fadi , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Mons, Ute , Demuth, Ilja , Molli, Andrea , Cheng, Guo , Krasnienkov, Dmytro , D'Antono, Bianca , Kasielski, Marek , McDonnell, Barry , Ebstein, Richard , Sundquist, Kristina , Pare, Guillaume , Chong, Michael , Zeegers, Maurice
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 108, no. 3 (2018), p. 453-475
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1123472
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Background: Even before the onset of age-related diseases, obesity might be a contributing factor to the cumulative burden of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation throughout the life course. Obesity may therefore contribute to accelerated shortening of telomeres. Consequently, obese persons are more likely to have shorter telomeres, but the association between body mass index (BMI) and leukocyte telomere length (TL) might differ across the life span and between ethnicities and sexes. Objective: A collaborative cross-sectionalmeta-analysis of observational studies was conducted to investigate the associations between BMI and TL across the life span. Design: Eighty-seven distinct study samples were included in the meta-analysis capturing data from 146,114 individuals. Studyspecific age- and sex-adjusted regression coefficients were combined by using a random-effects model in which absolute [base pairs (bp)] and relative telomere to single-copy gene ratio (T/S ratio) TLs were regressed against BMI. Stratified analysis was performed by 3 age categories ("young": 18-60 y; "middle": 61-75 y; and "old": >75 y), sex, and ethnicity. Results: Each unit increase in BMI corresponded to a-3.99 bp (95% CI: -5.17, -2.81 bp) difference in TL in the total pooled sample; among young adults, each unit increase in BMI corresponded to a -7.67 bp (95% CI:-10.03,-5.31 bp) difference. Each unit increase in BMI corresponded to a -1.58 × 10-3 unit T/S ratio (0.16% decrease; 95% CI: -2.14 × 10-3, -1.01 × 10-3) difference in ageand sex-adjusted relative TL in the total pooled sample; among young adults, each unit increase in BMI corresponded to a -2.58 × 10-3 unit T/S ratio (0.26% decrease; 95% CI: -3.92 × 10-3, -1.25 × 10-3). The associations were predominantly for the white pooled population. No sex differences were observed. Conclusions: A higher BMI is associated with shorter telomeres, especially in younger individuals. The presently observed difference is not negligible. Meta-analyses of longitudinal studies evaluating change in body weight alongside change in TL arewarranted.
Effectiveness of online tailored advice to prevent running-related injuries and promote preventive behaviour in Dutch trail runners : A pragmatic randomised controlled trial
- Authors: Hespanhol, Luiz , van Mechelen, Willem , Verhagen, Evert
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British journal of sports medicine Vol. 52, no. 13 (2018), p. 851-858
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- Description: BACKGROUND: Trail running is popular worldwide, but there is no preventive intervention for running-related injury (RRI). AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of adding online tailored advice (TrailS6 ) to general advice on (1) the prevention of RRIs and (2) the determinants and actual preventive behaviour in Dutch trail runners. METHODS: Two-arm randomised controlled trial over 6 months. 232 trail runners were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. All participants received online general advice on RRI prevention 1 week after baseline. Every 2 weeks, participants in the intervention group received specific advice tailored to their RRI status. The control group received no further intervention. Bayesian mixed models were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Trail runners in the intervention group sustained 13% fewer RRIs compared with those in the control group after 6 months of follow-up (absolute risk difference -13.1%, 95% Bayesian highest posterior credible interval (95% BCI) -23.3 to -3.1). A preventive benefit was observed in one out of eight trail runners who had received the online tailored advice for 6 months (number needed to treat 8, 95% BCI 3 to 22). No significant between-group difference was observed on the determinants and actual preventive behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Online tailored advice prevented RRIs among Dutch trail runners. Therefore, online tailored advice may be used as a preventive component in multicomponent RRI prevention programmes. No effect was observed on determinants and actual preventive behaviours. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR5431).
Head impact velocities in FIS World Cup snowboarders and freestyle skiers : Do real-life impacts exceed helmet testing standards?
- Authors: Steenstrup, Sophie , Mok, Kam-Ming , McIntosh, Andrew , Bahr, Roald , Krosshaug, Tron
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 52, no. 1 (2018), p. 32-40
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- Description: Introduction Prior to the 2013-2014 season, the International Ski Federation (FIS) increased the helmet testing speed from a minimum requirement of 5.4 to 6.8 m/s for alpine downhill, super-G and giant slalom and for freestyle ski cross, but not for the other freestyle disciplines or snowboarding. Whether this increased testing speed reflects impact velocities in real head injury situations on snow is unclear. We therefore investigated the injury mechanisms and gross head impact biomechanics in four real head injury situations among World Cup (WC) snowboard and freestyle athletes and compared these with helmet homologation laboratory test requirements. The helmets in the four cases complied with at least European Standards (EN) 1077 (Class B) or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2040. Methods We analysed four head injury videos from the FIS Injury Surveillance System throughout eight WC seasons (2006-2014) in detail. We used motion analysis software to digitize the helmet's trajectory and estimated the head's kinematics in two dimensions, including directly preimpact and postimpact. Results All four impacts were to the occiput. In the four cases, the normal-to-slope preimpact velocity ranged from 7.0(±SD 0.2) m/s to 10.5±0.5 m/s and the normalto-slope velocity change ranged from 8.4±0.6 m/s to 11.7±0.7 m/s. The sagittal plane helmet angular velocity estimates indicated a large change in angular velocity (25.0±2.9 rad/s to 49.1±0.3 rad/s). Conclusion The estimated normal-to-slope preimpact velocity was higher than the current strictest helmet testing rule of 6.8 m/s in all four cases. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved.
Head injury mechanisms in FIS World Cup alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders
- Authors: Steenstrup, Sophie , Bakken, Arnhild , Bere, Tone , Patton, Declan , Bahr, Roald
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 52, no. 1 (2018), p. 61-69
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- Description: Introduction Head injuries represent a concern in skiing and snowboarding, with traumatic brain injuries being the most common cause of death. Aim To describe the mechanisms of head and face injuries among World Cup alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Methods We performed a qualitative analysis of videos obtained of head and face injuries reported through the International Ski Federation Injury Surveillance System during 10 World Cup seasons (2006-2016). We analysed 57 head impact injury videos (alpine n=29, snowboard n=13, freestyle n=15), first independently and subsequently in a consensus meeting. Results During the crash sequence, most athletes (84%) impacted the snow with the skis or board first, followed by the upper or lower extremities, buttocks/pelvis, back and, finally, the head. Alpine skiers had sideways (45%) and backwards pitching falls (35%), with impacts to the rear (38%) and side (35%) of the helmet. Freestyle skiers and snowboarders had backwards pitching falls (snowboard 77%, freestyle 53%), mainly with impacts to the rear of the helmet (snowboard 69%, freestyle 40%). There were three helmet ejections among alpine skiers (10% of cases), and 41% of alpine skiing injuries occurred due to inappropriate gate contact prior to falling. Athletes had one (47%) or two (28%) head impacts, and the first impact was the most severe (71%). Head impacts were mainly on snow (83%) on a downward slope (63%). Conclusion This study has identified several characteristics of the mechanisms of head injuries, which may be addressed to reduce risk.
Infographic : We have the programme, what next? Developing a plan of action to implement injury prevention exercise programmes in community sport
- Authors: Bekker, Sheree , Donaldson, Alex , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British journal of sports medicine Vol. 52, no. 22 (2018), p. 1419-1420
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Exercise programmes to prevent injuries, such as lower-limb injuries that are common in community Australian Football
Reconstruction of head impacts in FIS World Cup alpine skiing
- Authors: Steenstrup, Sophie , Mok, Kam-Ming , McIntosh, Andrew , Bahr, Roald , Krosshaug, Tron
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 52, no. 11 (2018), p. 709-715
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Introduction Prior to the 2013/2014 season, the International Ski Federation (FIS) increased the helmet testing speed from 5.4 to 6.8 m/s for alpine downhill, super-G and giant slalom. Whether this increased testing speed reflects head impact velocities in real head injury situations on snow is unclear. We therefore investigated the injury mechanisms and gross head impact biomechanics in seven real head injury situations among World Cup (WC) alpine skiers. Methods We analysed nine head impacts from seven head injury videos from the FIS Injury Surveillance System, throughout nine WC seasons (2006-2015) in detail. We used commercial video-based motion analysis software to estimate head impact kinematics in two dimensions, including directly preimpact and postimpact, from broadcast video. The sagittal plane angular movement of the head was also measured using angle measurement software. Results In seven of nine head impacts, the estimated normal to slope preimpact velocity was higher than the current FIS helmet rule of 6.8 m/s (mean 8.1 (±SD 0.6) m/s, range 1.9±0.8 to 12.1±0.4 m/s). The nine head impacts had a mean normal to slope velocity change of 9.3±1.0 m/s, range 5.2±1.1 to 13.5±1.3 m/s. There was a large change in sagittal plane angular velocity (mean 43.3±2.9 rad/s (range 21.2±1.5 to 64.2±3.0 rad/s)) during impact. Conclusion The estimated normal to slope preimpact velocity was higher than the current FIS helmet rule of 6.8 m/s in seven of nine head impacts.
'VisionZero': Is it achievable for rugby-related catastrophic injuries in South Africa?
- Authors: Brown, James , Viljoen, Wayne , Readhead, Clint , Baerecke, Gail , Lambert, Mike , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 51, no. 15 (2017), p. 1106-1107
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
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- Description: The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund (CBPJPF) was founded by Morne Du Plessis when his provincial rugby teammate—Chris Burger—was fatally injured during a match (www.playersfund.org.za). The CBPJPF aims to assist all seriously injured rugby players through donations made by individuals and organisations, including SA RUGBY. These seriously injured players form the CBPJPF ‘membership’ who often mention their appreciation for this lifeline. However, the founding member of the CBPJPF—Morne Du Plessis—is quick to say ‘we don’t want any new members’.5
A call to capture fatalities in consensus statements for sports injury/illness surveillance
- Authors: Fortington, Lauren , Kucera, Kristen , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Editorial
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 51, no. 14 (2017), p. 1052-1053
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Back to basics with some new tools : First ensure the safety of sporting environments
- Authors: Finch, Caroline , Brown, James , Readhead, Clint , Lambert, Mike , Viljoen, Wayne
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Editorial
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 51, no. 15 (2017), p. 1109-1110
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed: