Analysis of Gauntlet Test Performance and Injury Risk in Intercollegiate Division I Female Soccer (Football) Players: A Retrospective Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 536-543
Author(s):  
Brandon M. Ness ◽  
Kory Zimney ◽  
William E. Schweinle

Context:Injury risk factors and relevant assessments have been identified in women’s soccer athletes. Other tests assess fitness (eg, the Gauntlet Test [GT]). However, little empirical support exists for the utility of the GT to predict time loss injury.Objectives:To examine the GT as a predictor of injury in intercollegiate Division I female soccer athletes.Design:Retrospective, nonexperimental descriptive cohort study.Setting:College athletic facilities.Participants:71 female Division I soccer athletes (age 19.6 ± 1.24 y, BMI 23.0 ± 2.19).Main Outcome Measures:GT, demographic, and injury data were collected over 3 consecutive seasons. GT trials were administered by coaching staff each preseason. Participation in team-based activities (practices, matches) was restricted until a successful GT trial. Soccer-related injuries that resulted in time loss from participation were recorded.Results:71 subjects met the inclusion criteria, with 12 lower body time loss injuries sustained. Logistic regression models indicated that with each unsuccessful GT attempt, the odds of sustaining an injury increased by a factor of 3.5 (P < .02). The Youden index was 2 GT trials for success, at which sensitivity = .92 and specificity = .46. For successive GT trials before success (1, 2, or 3), the predicted probabilities for injury were .063, .194, and .463, respectively.Conclusions:The GT appears to be a convenient and predictive screen for potential lowerbody injuries among female soccer athletes in this cohort. Further investigation into the appropriate application of the GT for injury prediction is warranted given the scope of this study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Hughes ◽  
Richard D. Riley ◽  
Michael J. Callaghan ◽  
Jamie C. Sergeant

ABSTRACTThis study used periodic health examination (PHE) data from 134 outfield elite male football players, over 5 seasons (1st July 2013 to 19th May 2018). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine prognostic associations between 36 variables and time-loss, lower extremity index indirect muscle injuries (I-IMIs). Non-linear associations were explored using fractional polynomials. During 317 participant-seasons, 138 I-IMIs were recorded. Univariable associations were determined for previous calf indirect muscle injury (IMI) frequency (OR=1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09 to 2.97), hamstring IMI frequency (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.17 to 2.09), if the most recent hamstring IMI occurred > 12 months but < 3 years prior to PHE (OR= 2.95, 95% CI = 1.51 to 5.73) and age (OR =1.12 per 1-year increase, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.18). Multivariable analyses demonstrated that if a player’s most recent previous hamstring IMI was >12 months but <3 years prior to PHE (OR= 2.24, 95% CI = 1.11 to 4.53), then this was the only variable with added prognostic value over and above age (OR=1.12 per 1-year increase, 95%CI = 1.05 to 1.18). Allowing non-linear associations conferred no advantage over linear ones. Therefore, PHE has limited use for injury risk prediction.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1297-1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert McCunn ◽  
Hugh H.K. Fullagar ◽  
Sean Williams ◽  
Travis J. Halseth ◽  
John A. Sampson ◽  
...  

Purpose: American football is widely played by college student-athletes throughout the United States; however, the associated injury risk is greater than in other team sports. Numerous factors likely contribute to this risk, yet research identifying these risk factors is limited. The present study sought to explore the relationship between playing experience and position on injury risk in NCAA Division I college football players. Methods: Seventy-six male college student-athletes in the football program of an American NCAA Division I university participated. Injuries were recorded over 2 consecutive seasons. Players were characterized based on college year (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) and playing position. The effect of playing experience and position on injury incidence rates was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed-effects model, with a Poisson distribution, log-linear link function, and offset for hours of training exposure or number of in-game plays (for training and game injuries, respectively). Results: The overall rates of non-time-loss and time-loss game-related injuries were 2.1 (90% CI: 1.8–2.5) and 0.6 (90% CI: 0.4–0.8) per 1000 plays, respectively. The overall rates of non-time-loss and time-loss training-related injuries were 26.0 (90% CI: 22.6–29.9) and 7.1 (90% CI: 5.9–8.5) per 1000 h, respectively. During training, seniors and running backs displayed the greatest risk. During games, sophomores, juniors, and wide receivers were at greatest risk. Conclusions: Being aware of the elevated injury risk experienced by certain player groups may help coaches make considered decisions related to training design and player selection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary B. Wilkerson ◽  
Kevin A. Simpson ◽  
Ryan A. Clark

Context:Neurocognitive reaction time has been associated with musculoskeletal injury risk, but visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) derived from tests that present greater challenges to visual stimulus detection and motor response execution may have a stronger association.Objective:To assess VMRT as a predictor of injury and the extent to which improvement may result from VMRT training.Design:Cohort study.Setting:University athletic performance center.Participants:76 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I FCS football players (19.5 ± 1.4 y, 1.85 ± 0.06 m, 102.98 ± 19.06 kg).Interventions:Preparticipation and postseason assessments. A subset of players who exhibited slowest VMRT in relation to the cohort’s postseason median value participated in a 6-wk training program.Main Outcome Measures:Injury occurrence was related to preparticipation VMRT, which was represented by both number of target hits in 60 s and average elapsed time between hits (ms). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified the optimum cut point for a binary injury risk classification. A nonparametric repeated-measures analysis of ranks procedure was used to compare posttraining VMRT values for slow players who completed at least half of the training sessions (n = 15) with those for untrained fast players (n = 27).Results:A preparticipation cut point of ≤85 hits (≥705 ms) discriminated injured from noninjured players with odds ratio = 2.30 (90% confidence interval, 1.05–5.06). Slow players who completed the training exhibited significant improvement in visuomotor performance compared with baseline (standardized response mean = 2.53), whereas untrained players exhibited a small performance decrement (group × trial interaction effect, L2 = 28.74; P < .001).Conclusions:Slow VMRT appears to be an important and modifiable injury risk factor for college football players. More research is needed to refine visuomotor reaction-time screening and training methods and to determine the extent to which improved performance values can reduce injury incidence.


Author(s):  
Panayiotis Papadopoulos ◽  
Robin J. Lund ◽  
Travis K. Ficklin ◽  
Jacob P. Reed

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 64-75
Author(s):  
Cody A. Stahl ◽  
Mann J.B ◽  
Robert G. Lockie ◽  
J. Jay Dawes

The estimated one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and NFL-225 (225-lb or 102-kg) repetition test are commonly used to assess upper-body muscular strength and endurance among football players. However, little research has been focused on the relationship of these tests to playing status. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if significant relationships exist between these tests and playing status in Division I football athletes. Archival data from 31 NCAA Division I football players (age: 20.1±1.4 yrs., height: 188.07 ± 5.93 cm, body mass: 112.4 ± 19.5 kg) on the 1RM Bench press test, NFL-225 test and playing status were utilized for this analysis. A one-way ANOVA was used to detect any differences in 1RM and NFL-225 performance between skill groups: big (linemen), medium (linebackers, quarterbacks, tight ends) and small (receivers, backs, and corners) (p < 0.05). Playing status (starters vs. non-starters) were compared within position groups. A point bi-serial correlation was then utilized to examine the relationship in test performance between groups, as well as between starters and non-starters. Significant differences were discovered in NFL-225 test performance between big and small skill groups. Moderate-to-strong relationships between playing status and performance on the 1RM bench press (r = .660) and the NFL-225 test (r = .685) for the big skills group. The results of this study suggest that playing status and upper-body strength and endurance are strongly related for the big skills position group.


2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103159
Author(s):  
Jan Ekstrand ◽  
Armin Spreco ◽  
Håkan Bengtsson ◽  
Roald Bahr

BackgroundThe UEFA Elite Club Injury Study is the largest and longest running injury surveillance programme in football.ObjectiveTo analyse the 18-season time trends in injury rates among male professional football players.Methods3302 players comprising 49 teams (19 countries) were followed from 2000–2001 through 2018–2019. Team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries.ResultsA total of 11 820 time-loss injuries were recorded during 1 784 281 hours of exposure. Injury incidence fell gradually during the 18-year study period, 3% per season for both training injuries (95% CI 1% to 4% decrease, p=0.002) and match injuries (95% CI 2% to 3% decrease, p<0.001). Ligament injury incidence decreased 5% per season during training (95% CI 3% to 7% decrease, p<0.001) and 4% per season during match play (95% CI 3% to 6% decrease, p<0.001), while the rate of muscle injuries remained constant. The incidence of reinjuries decreased by 5% per season during both training (95% CI 2% to 8% decrease, p=0.001) and matches (95% CI 3% to 7% decrease, p<0.001). Squad availability increased by 0.7% per season for training sessions (95% CI 0.5% to 0.8% increase, p<0.001) and 0.2% per season for matches (95% CI 0.1% to 0.3% increase, p=0.001).ConclusionsOver 18 years: (1) injury incidence decreased in training and matches, (2) reinjury rates decreased, and (3) player availability for training and match play increased.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 232596712097399
Author(s):  
Markus Geßlein ◽  
Johannes Rüther ◽  
Michael Millrose ◽  
Hermann Josef Bail ◽  
Robin Martin ◽  
...  

Background: Hand and wrist injuries are a common but underestimated issue in taekwondo. Detailed data on injury risk, patterns, and mechanism are missing. Purpose: To evaluate (1) the fight time exposure-adjusted injury incidence rate (IIR) and clinical incidence and (2) injury site, type, sport-specific mechanism, and time loss in taekwondo. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Athletes from a single national Olympic taekwondo training center were investigated prospectively for hand and wrist injuries during training and competition over 5 years. The Orchard Sports Injury Classification System Version 10 was used to classify injury type, and analysis of the anatomic injury site was performed. The mechanism of injury was classified as due to either striking or blocking techniques. Results: From a total of 107 athletes, 79 athletes (73.8%) with a total exposure time of 8495 hours were included in the final data set. During the study period, 75 injuries of the hand and wrist region were recorded despite the athletes using protective hand gear. The IIR was 13.9 (95% CI, 10.5-17.5) and was significantly higher during competition. The clinical incidence as an indicator for risk of injury was 60.7% (95% CI, 50.9-70.5). Finger rays were the most affected location (68%), and fractures (43%) and joint ligament injuries (35%) were the most common type of injury. Significantly more injuries were found on the dominant hand side ( P < .001). Comparison of injury mechanisms demonstrated significantly more injuries at the finger rays deriving from blocking techniques ( P = .0104). The mean time loss for all hand and wrist injuries was 15.7 ± 13.5 days (range, 3-45 days) and was highest for distal radial fractures, with a mean of 39.7 ± 4.8 days (range, 32-45 days). Conclusion: There was a significantly higher IIR for acute hand and wrist injuries in elite taekwondo athletes during competition, which resulted in considerable time loss, especially when fractures or dislocations occurred. Significantly more injuries to the finger rays were found during blocking despite the use of protective hand gear. Improvement of tactical skills and blocking techniques during training and improved protective gear appear to be essential for injury prevention.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane Malone ◽  
Mark Roe ◽  
Dominic A. Doran ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
Kieran D. Collins

Purpose:To examine the association between combined session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) workload measures and injury risk in elite Gaelic footballers.Methods:Thirty-seven elite Gaelic footballers (mean ± SD age 24.2 ± 2.9 y) from 1 elite squad were involved in a single-season study. Weekly workload (session RPE multiplied by duration) and all time-loss injuries (including subsequent-wk injuries) were recorded during the period. Rolling weekly sums and wk-to-wk changes in workload were measured, enabling the calculation of the acute:chronic workload ratio by dividing acute workload (ie, 1-weekly workload) by chronic workload (ie, rolling-average 4-weekly workload). Workload measures were then modeled against data for all injuries sustained using a logistic-regression model. Odds ratios (ORs) were reported against a reference group.Results:High 1-weekly workloads (≥2770 arbitrary units [AU], OR = 1.63–6.75) were associated with significantly higher risk of injury than in a low-training-load reference group (<1250 AU). When exposed to spikes in workload (acute:chronic workload ratio >1.5), players with 1 y experience had a higher risk of injury (OR = 2.22) and players with 2–3 (OR = 0.20) and 4–6 y (OR = 0.24) of experience had a lower risk of injury. Players with poorer aerobic fitness (estimated from a 1-km time trial) had a higher injury risk than those with higher aerobic fitness (OR = 1.50–2.50). An acute:chronic workload ratio of (≥2.0) demonstrated the greatest risk of injury.Conclusions:These findings highlight an increased risk of injury for elite Gaelic football players with high (>2.0) acute:chronic workload ratios and high weekly workloads. A high aerobic capacity and playing experience appears to offer injury protection against rapid changes in workload and high acute:chronic workload ratios. Moderate workloads, coupled with moderate to high changes in the acute:chronic workload ratio, appear to be protective for Gaelic football players.


1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 688-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Jackson ◽  
Hobart G. Osburn ◽  
Kenneth R. Laughery ◽  
Kent P. Vaubel

Cracking, opening, and closing valves are physically demanding tasks required of chemical plant process operators. This study determined if isometric strength tests predicted the capacity to: 1) crack valves; and 2) fully open or close them. The study involved three interrelated steps: 1) compete task analyses to define the torque required to crack valves and the total amount of work required to open or close industrial valves; 2) develop valve turning simulation tests; and 3) complete laboratory studies to define the level of isometric strength demanded for valve turning performance. A total of 405 valves at two major chemical plants were measured to find the torque required to crack, open, and close industrial valves. These data were used to develop two job simulation tests, one measured valve cracking capacity, and the second the endurance needed to open or close a valve. An electronic torque wrench measured valve cracking capacity in eight different ways, and a valve turning ergometer measured the subject's endurance to work for 15 minutes at a power output of 1,413.5 foot-pounds/minute. The sum of isometric grip, arm lift, and torso lift strength tests (ɛIS) measured strength. The isometric strength and endurance work valve tests were administered to 26 men and 25 women. The isometric strength and valve cracking tests were administered to a second sample of 118 men and 66 women. The correlations between ɛIS and work test performance were 0.65 and 0.83 for valve cracking and valve endurance tests respectively. Logistic regression models defined the strength level needed to crack valves and completely close valves.


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