Description:
Introduction: In Australia, the National League competition (Commonwealth BankTrophy (CBT)) provided an opportunity to gain an understanding of injuries sustained at the elite level. The purpose of this review therefore is to examine the injury incidence in the CBT competition (2003–2005) and considerations for future injury prevention strategies. Methods: All players in the CBT competition are included in the injury data surveillance scheme. Each team physiotherapist is responsible for assessing, treating and recording injuries within the team. An injury is defined as any netball related physical damage that caused the athlete to miss or modify one or more training sessions, matches or both, and/or required a consultation with a health professional. Results and discussion: The exposure to risk has been estimated from the data supplied for CBT games only to be 71.4, 61.8 and 66.7 injuries per 1000 participations for 2003–2005 respectively. Game injuries account for the majority of injuries with the ankle remaining the most common site of injury across the 3-year period, despite the fact that the majority of players wear ankle tape. The knee was the second highest recorded site of injury for 2004 (14.9%) and 2005 (14%). The majority of injuries are new injuries with three most common mechanisms of injury being collision with a player, landing and overuse injury. Ongoing injury prevention strategies are warranted to reduce injuries resulting from a non-contact mechanism. In addition, training exposure is required to accurately assess the overall risk of injury in netball.
Description:
The significant cost of injury rehabilitation to the individual and the community combined with the funding provided for injury prevention (IP) research over the past decade demands some measurement of the effectiveness of IP programs. The measurement of IP strategies is a complex issue because injury prevention relies on the behaviours of the sports people involved. This study involved qualitative analyses of interviews conducted with ten netball players and seven football players. The players were selected from the highest and lowest senior grades of a semi-rural community level club. Data collected from the interviews were transcribed and analysed using themes to categorise the information. The findings highlight the different structural issues faced by community level netball and Australian Rules football players. Players who had been exposed to higher levels of competition appeared to have an increased use of and better attitude towards the use of IP measures. Some of the contrasts highlighted were the structure, access and availability of IP measures to players. Netball players did not have access to sports trainers or protective equipment and the choice to use IP strategies was a more personal choice. In contrast, the football clubs had sports trainers and protective equipment was offered to players at no cost. The most significant theme emerging from the study related to the social influences at the community level. The players’ attitudes and beliefs were directly attributable to the acceptance and promotion of IP strategies by significant people within the clubs.
Description:
BACKGROUND: Fitness facilities provide an avenue to engage in physical activity, which is widely encouraged to improve health. However, there is risk of injury. This study aimed to identify the specific causes of injuries sustained at fitness facilities and the activity being participated in, to aid in the development of injury prevention strategies. METHODS: Analysis of routinely collected emergency department case-series data were obtained from July 1999 to June 2013. Fitness activity-related injury cases were identified from narratives of injury events, with narrative information recoded into cause of injury and activity at time of injury categories. Recoded data were then analysed. RESULTS: Overall, 2,873 cases were identified that specified the exact cause of injury associated with injuries that occurred at fitness facilities. Injuries due to overexertion were most common overall (36.2% of all cases), as well as the main cause of injuries related to general free weight activities (52.6% of this activity) and group exercise classes (35.9%). Crush injuries due to falling weights were common for all free weight activities. Falls and awkward landings were common causes of injuries during group exercise classes (28.5% and 25.8%, respectively). Trips and falls were common throughout facilities, as well as from cardiovascular equipment more specifically. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed information on the causes of injuries allows the development of injury prevention strategies for fitness facilities and fitness activities. Facilities should implement risk management strategies to reduce the risk of injuries in their clientele, based on the identified major causes of injury in this study.
Description:
BACKGROUND: Fitness facilities provide an avenue to engage in physical activity, which is widely encouraged to improve health. However, there is risk of injury. This study aimed to identify the specific causes of injuries sustained at fitness facilities and the activity being participated in, to aid in the development of injury prevention strategies. METHODS: Analysis of routinely collected emergency department case-series data were obtained from July 1999 to June 2013. Fitness activity-related injury cases were identified from narratives of injury events, with narrative information recoded into cause of injury and activity at time of injury categories. Recoded data were then analysed. RESULTS: Overall, 2,873 cases were identified that specified the exact cause of injury associated with injuries that occurred at fitness facilities. Injuries due to overexertion were most common overall (36.2% of all cases), as well as the main cause of injuries related to general free weight activities (52.6% of this activity) and group exercise classes (35.9%). Crush injuries due to falling weights were common for all free weight activities. Falls and awkward landings were common causes of injuries during group exercise classes (28.5% and 25.8%, respectively). Trips and falls were common throughout facilities, as well as from cardiovascular equipment more specifically. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed information on the causes of injuries allows the development of injury prevention strategies for fitness facilities and fitness activities. Facilities should implement risk management strategies to reduce the risk of injuries in their clientele, based on the identified major causes of injury in this study.
Description:
Introduction: Neuromuscular control during high-risk sports tasks is viewed as a primary risk factor in ACL injury. Attention has also been given to the role of the hip as a possible explanation contributing to ACL injury rates. Typically neuromuscular predictors of ACL injury have arisen from lab-based assessments; however it is possible that this approach excludes important components of actual game-play that may contribute directly to injury risk. The current study therefore, examined muscle recruitment patterns (MRP) during game-play and lab-based conditions that included hip musculature, to consider strategies for lower limb control. Methods: Nine female subjects had EMG data recorded continuously during a netball game. At a subsequent session, in the lab, EMG data was also recorded for three landing conditions. Bilateral EMG was collected via telemetry for rectus femoris, biceps femoris, medial hamstring and gluteus medius. Muscle onset relative to initial contact and the subsequent pattern/s of onset for each land, for each subject, were examined. Results and discussion: Results indicate that the average number of MRP across subjects was 3.6 and 5.8 for the game-play and the lab-based conditions, respectively. When muscles crossing the knee joint were examined only, results revealed that the average number of MRP across subjects was 2.1 and 2.4 for the game-play and the lab-based conditions, respectively. Differences exist when comparing game-play and lab-based measures and the role of the hip musculature in affecting lower limb control warrants ongoing investigation in relation to ACL injury risk.
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:
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:
In Australia, the vast majority of sport is played at the community level rather than at an elite level. This paper will explore the congruence of participants’ beliefs about various aspects of sports injury at the community level and their injury prevention (IP) practices. The results of the study will help to direct our efforts as injury prevention researchers and practitioners in the field. The study used survey data of 165 basketball and hockey players to explore attitudes to injury prevention using the health belief model. The study explored the benefits and barriers to injury prevention strategies such as the use of mouthguards, shin pads, taping/bracing and warming-up and cooling-down. Hockey players felt that they were significantly more susceptible to injury than basketball players. The perception of benefits and barriers as factors in injury prevention use was significantly different between the groups. Hockey players demonstrated more positive attitudes to IP use and this is borne out in their behaviours. The significant predictor of IP usage in basketball games was the number of injuries sustained. The Health Belief Model does not appear to be useful in predicting IP use in basketball. It may be possible to influence the uptake of IP use in basketball by incorporating educational programs which relate the realistic potential for individuals to be injured. In hockey, perceived barriers were the most important predictors of IP gear use, with barriers to mouthguard use being significant. The more positively participants viewed mouthguards, the more IP strategies they employed overall.
Description:
Neuromuscular control during high risk sporting movements, such as abrupt landings found in netball, is viewed as a risk factor contributing to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Although the mechanism of injury remains relatively unclear, it has been found that intervention studies have reduced the risk of ACL injury. However, there are limited studies that investigate the neuromuscular contribution to the success of a program. Therefore the purpose of this investigation was to compare neuromuscular characteristics for a balance training group (BT) and landing training group (LT). Twenty-four female netball players from three teams (age 22 ± 5 years) had EMG data recorded for the right lower limb (rectus femoris, medial and lateral hamstrings, gluteus medius) pre and post a 6-week intervention period. Each team was randomly assigned the BT, LT or control group. Subjects performed the intervention program three times per week. The repetitions and complexity of balance or landing tasks during the training period increased each week with a concurrent reduction in feedback regarding torso, hip and knee positioning.
Description:
Introduction: Published netball data have indicated that the ankle and knee are common sites for injury, often as a result of incorrect landing technique. Promising results have been demonstrated across various sports using training intervention studies designed to reduce lower limb injury rates. This qualitative study examines the barriers and facilitators towards the implementation of a 6-week landing intervention program (“Down to Earth”) by coaches of junior netball teams. Methodology: Coaches of junior teams (n = 30) were recruited prior to the competition season (October 2007 to March 2008) and attended a workshop where the coaching requirements of the program were demonstrated. Coaches were instructed to implement the program at training, noting any issues regarding program compliance. Pre- and post-season surveys modelled on the Theory of Planned Behaviour were used to indicate coaches’ attitudes, perceived social norms and behavioural control towards safe landing programs in netball. Retention of correct landing principles was assessed and barriers and facilitators for broader implementation among junior netball coaches were determined. Results and discussion: Results will be presented to indicate how coaches’ attitudes and knowledge towards landing intervention programs can assist in the development of an effective implementation strategy of a training injury prevention intervention, to a broader netball community. An example of feedback provided was”…we have noticed quite an improvement in the kids, and their landing and balancing, so it is all been worth while. We were also discussing…about including the program into our junior training next year and how best to do this”.
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Within this chapter we have focused almost exclusively on the actions of teachers of HPE. Every state version of the national curriculum in Australia makes reference to students learning about themselves and caring for the wellbeing of themselves and others. Our intention here is to suggest that in providing safety education and involving students in considering this safety lens, teaching HPE can help prevent foreseeable and immediate injury. The basis of this chapter has been to suggest that changes in community beliefs and the development of a risk society has created a new risk framework regarding injuries in which teachers of HPE must work.
Description:
Sport and recreation settings have been used to encourage healthier behaviours through a legislative and policy approach to health promotion via the replacement of tobacco industry sponsorship with health-focused sponsorship. Few studies have used standard and rigorous evaluation tools to identify health promotion policies and practices in sport settings. This study identified health promotion changes within Sport Governing Organisations (SGOs) with respect to the implementation of sport-related health promotion policies and practices in the context of SGO-organised events and in terms of the support provided by SGOs to their affiliated clubs. The Health Promotion and Sport Assessment Tool (HP-SAT) was used to measure health promotion policies and practices regarding smoke-free environments, responsible serving of alcohol, healthy eating, sun protection, injury prevention, club management, and a miscellaneous “other” category (e.g., engagement of health inequality groups). The HP-SAT has moderate to excellent reliability (0.41–0.99). Participants completed the HP-SAT in two phases—first they identified their SGOs current health promotion policies and practices (2007); and second they reflected of their SGO's health promotion policies and practices prior to funding from a health promotion body (2003). For each substantive area in the HP-SAT (e.g. smoke-free environments) a composite score was calculated by summing the numerically coded responses to each item pertaining to the particular area. The scores represented the existence and implementation of health promotion policies and practices and were expressed on a scale of 0-100. Paired samples t-tests were used to test for differences in the scores between the two time points. The mean existence and implementation scores for sport-related health promotion policies and practices for SGO-organised events ranged from 42.9 to 77.6 at the retrospective survey, and increased significantly for the current survey (range: 67.8–90.6; p < 0.05) for all composite scores except sun protection and injury prevention policies. The mean existence and implementation score for sport-related health promotion policies and practices for SGO affiliated clubs ranged from 20.8 to 64.7 at the retrospective survey and 46.3–88.5 at the current survey. Statistically significant increases were found for all composite scores except sun protection and injury prevention (p < 0.05). The existence and implementation of items relating to healthy eating were lowest for both surveys; whilst responses for club management and injury prevention were highest for both surveys. These data indicate that sport has increased its capacity and role in promoting good health since 2003.
Description:
This study examined coach influence on players to use injury prevention (IP) measures and whether coaching accreditation influences a coach’s knowledge of injury prevention. Twenty-seven coaches were surveyed in a face to face interview. A total of 132 players completed surveys with approximately one half being in teams with a coach. The researchers also observed games and noted IP measures before and after games. Twenty of the coaches had completed a coach accreditation course with 70.3% believing that they had good or better knowledge of IP measures. Over 50 % of coaches obtained their knowledge from playing and only 18.5% of coaches believed that their knowledge came from coach accreditation courses. Three-quarters of the coaches believed that they had a major role in IP education of players and they believed that warm-up was the major IP measure which reduced the risk of injury. Only 29.6% of coaches indicated that they would not allow an injured player to compete in a game. A total of 65.9% of players indicated that they warmed up prior to a game however 100% warmed-up on observation although the maximum warm-up observed was 3 minutes. The coach was the major influence (42.5%) on players’ IP use. Players believed that the coach encouraged warmups the most followed by cool-downs however no team cooled-down after games. Coached players displayed more IP strategies than players without a coach. This study highlighted the importance of coaches in IP and efforts must be made to include IP information in accreditation courses.
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.