Prevalence of sport specialisation and association with injury history in youth football

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of sport specialisation in youth football, and to investigate the associations of sport specialisation and volume of sport participation with injury history.DesignCross-sectional questionnaire.SettingNew Zealand youth football teams.Participants414 youth football players aged 10–15 years.Main outcome measuresThe level of specialisation, average weekly sport participation and free-play volume were recorded. 12-month injury history was captured and grouped by injury type. Associations between level of specialisation and demographic variables were analysed using chi square tests. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between injury history, level of specialisation, and volume of participation.ResultsParticipants were classified as high (43%), moderate (38%), or low (19%) specialised (n = 399 complete). High specialisation was more likely in boys, older participants, and those from large schools. Highly specialised participants were more likely to report a history of gradual onset injury than those who were low specialised (n = 340 with complete injury data). Odds of reporting a gradual onset injury also increased with greater weekly and annual sport participation volume.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of sport specialisation in youth football, and it is associated with increased incidence of gradual onset injury.     

The prevalence of chronic ankle instability and its relationship to foot arch characteristics in female collegiate athletes

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) and to investigate its relationship to the foot arch in collegiate female athletes by each sports event.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingUniversity setting.Participants138 collegiate female athletes.Main outcome measuresAll subjects were asked about previous ankle sprains, and the arch height index (AHI) was calculated. Athletes with a previous sprain history were evaluated based on the criteria by the International Ankle Consortium (IAC), the severity of ankle instability (CAIT), and foot and ankle function (FAAM). The prevalence of CAI and the relationship between the AHI and ankle instability were analyzed by each sports event.ResultsOf 106 athletes with a previous ankle sprain, 10 (9.4%) met the IAC criteria below the cut-off value of the CAIT, and only 1 athlete (0.9%) was below the FAAM cut-off value. The AHI was not significantly different in athletes with CAI. The AHI was significantly lower in swimmers than in track and field (sprint) athletes.ConclusionMost female athletes with CAI were aware of the severity of ankle instability, but they did not feel dysfunction of the ankle during sports. Additionally, the AHI may depend on the characteristics of sports events.     

Postural stability in athletes: The role of sport direction

BackgroundThe bulk of relevant studies compare individual or very few sports and on small samples of athletes. This requires extensive analysing postural stability in various sports.Research questionThe main objective of our study was to identify the features of postural stability in a normal vertical stance in athletes of various kinds.MethodsThis study compares postural stability in a normal bipedal stance with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions among athletes (n = 936, age: 6–47 years) from different sports and performance level. Postural stability was measured through the center of pressure (COP) sway area (AS) and velocity (VCP) while standing quietly in a normal bipedal position with EO and EC on a stabiloplatform (50 Hz).ResultsThe order of VCP-EO increase in athletes compared to Control was as follows: Shooting (-11.3 %, p < .0001) < Football (-10.4 %, p < .0001) < Boxing (-8.7 %, p < .0001) < Cross-Country Skiing (-7.2 %, p < .0001) < Gymnastics (-7.0 %, p < .0001) < Running (-6.9 %, p < .0001) < Team Games Played with Hands (-6.8 %, p < .0001) < Wrestling (-6.3 %, p < .0001) < Tennis (-5.5 %, p = .0004) < Alpine Skiing (-5.4 %, p = .002) < Rowing (-5.0 %, p = .194) < Speed Skating (-4.7 %, p = .004) < Figure Skating (-3.6 %, p = .034) < Control.SignificancePracticing any kind of sport was associated with increased postural stability in normal bipedal stance. This is the first study that provides reference values of COP sway and velocity with and without visual control on a stable force platform for different sport groups.     

Part II: presentation,diagnosis, classification,treatment, and prevention of stress fractures in female athletes

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Stress fractures (SFx) occur as the result of repetitive loads over short periods of time, which leads to micro-damage of the bone through cortical resorption, ultimately leading to fracture. They are a common injury in female athletes and often cause significant morbidity. The goal of this study is to review the presentation, diagnosis, classification, treatment, and prevention of SFx in female athletes.

Results: A thorough history, physical exam, and appropriate imaging can facilitate early diagnosis of stress fracture (SFx) and faster resolution of symptoms with more conservative management. The female athlete triad is an especially important factor that contributes to the increased risk of SFx in females. The continuum of stress injuries ranges from mild microfailure to complete fracture, which has resulted in the development of newer grading schemas through MRI and radiographic findings. Stress fractures are also classified as low- or high-risk according to anatomic location, as blood supply and applied forces at different locations affect the likelihood of fracture propagation, displacement, delayed union, or non-union.

Conclusions: The ability to screen for at-risk athletes is paramount in preventing SFx. Recognition and prompt treatment of the female athlete triad requires a multidisciplinary approach in order to restore energy balance, correct menstrual irregularities, and improve bone health. This review provides a basis for understanding how to identify and treat stress fractures, which may allow treating physicians to diagnose this condition earlier and minimize any associated morbidity.