Implementation of Calf Endurance Training in a Touring Group of Professional Circus Performers: A Feasibility Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60
Author(s):  
Charlotte Ganderton ◽  
Michael Henry ◽  
Andrew Walker ◽  
Paul McGinley ◽  
Evert Verhagen
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Lower Limb Injuries ◽  
Trauma Research ◽  
Cirque Du Soleil ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Program Adherence

BACKGROUND: Demanding performance schedules in modern professional circus can result in less time for injury rehabilitation and strength and conditioning for injury prevention. Lower limb injuries are a common injury presentation in Cirque du Soleil touring show performers. OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of introducing a calf raise exercise program in an established professional touring circus show over a 9-week period. METHODS: Twenty-nine professional Cirque du Soleil circus performers were recruited (mean age 31.28 [SD 4.99] yrs). Performers completed the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse (OSTRC) questionnaire each week for 18 weeks. In the second 9-week period, performers completed one set of single-leg calf raises to fatigue on each limb, once per day, every workday. Health problems between each 9-week period were compared. Feasibility was measured via program adherence and an end-of-study survey. Calf endurance was assessed by measuring the number of single leg calf raises to fatigue. RESULTS: Adherence was high throughout the program, with 93.5% of all exercise sessions completed. Endurance increased by a mean of 22.62 (SD 27.99) calf raises. No significant changes in the prevalence of self-reported soreness and injury were found: 51.9 (95%CI 44.4, 57.5) of the population reported lower limb injuries during the pre-intervention period and 52.5 (95%CI 49.2, 55.8) during the intervention. Similarly, no significant changes were found in severity scores: 20.7 (95%CI 17.7, 23.7) pre-intervention and 20.9 (95%CI 19.4, 22.4) during intervention. CONCLUSION: A single-leg calf raise exercise program can be feasibly introduced into a touring, performing professional circus show without increasing injury numbers or self-reported soreness. Furthermore, gains in calf raise endurance can be obtained during a 9-week intervention period.

scholarly journals Self-Managed Exercises, Fitness and Strength Training, and Multifidus Muscle Size in Elite Footballers

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 649-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Hides ◽  
Jazmin C. Walsh ◽  
Melinda M. Franettovich Smith ◽  
M. Dilani Mendis
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Strength Training ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Lower Limb Injuries ◽  
Multifidus Muscle ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Limb Injuries

Context: Low back pain (LBP) and lower limb injuries are common among Australian Football League (AFL) players. Smaller size of 1 key trunk muscle, the lumbar multifidus (MF), has been associated with LBP and injuries in footballers. The size of the MF muscle has been shown to be modifiable with supervised motor-control training programs. Among AFL players, supervised motor-control training has also been shown to reduce the incidence of lower limb injuries and was associated with increased player availability for games. However, the effectiveness of a self-managed MF exercise program is unknown.Objective: To investigate the effect of self-managed exercises and fitness and strength training on MF muscle size in AFL players with or without current LBP.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Professional AFL context.Patients or Other Participants: Complete data were available for 242 players from 6 elite AFL clubs.Intervention(s): Information related to the presence of LBP and history of injury was collected at the start of the preseason. At the end of the preseason, data were collected regarding performance of MF exercises as well as fitness and strength training. Ultrasound imaging of the MF muscle was conducted at the start and end of the preseason.Main Outcome Measure(s): Size of the MF muscles.Results: An interaction effect was found between performance of MF exercises and time (F = 13.89, P ≤ .001). Retention of MF muscle size was greatest in players who practiced the MF exercises during the preseason (F = 4.77, P = .03). Increased adherence to fitness and strength training was associated with retained MF muscle size over the preseason (F = 5.35, P = .02).Conclusions: Increased adherence to a self-administered MF exercise program and to fitness and strength training was effective in maintaining the size of the MF muscle in the preseason.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Injuries in New Zealand Army Recruits as Defined by Physical Therapy Service Presentations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narelle Hall ◽  
Maria Constantinou ◽  
Mark Brown ◽  
Belinda Beck ◽  
Suzanne Kuys
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Basic Training ◽  
Lower Limb Injuries ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Army Recruits ◽  
Therapy Service

ABSTRACT Introduction Army recruit injuries occurring during basic training can lead to high personal and organizational burdens potentially threatening deployment capability. Previous military surveillance describing recruit injury as defined by physical therapy presentations is limited to 1-year duration or includes only male infantry recruits or trained personnel. Research describing injury incidence and trends specific to New Zealand Army basic training recruits over a longer period will better inform future injury prevention programs. Aims To identify the incidence and patterns of injuries reported from physical therapy presentations for New Zealand Army recruits undertaking basic training over a 4-year period. Materials and Methods This retrospective observational study identified injuries from physical therapy service presentations in New Zealand Army recruits from 2008 to 2011. All male and female New Zealand Army recruits who presented to physical therapy, following medical triage, were included. Recruit physical therapy presentations for injury and respiratory and other conditions were collated. Injury incidence was grouped by body region (upper limbs, lower limbs, and combined spinal regions) and site (joint or segment), and cumulative and injury incidence rates were calculated. Results One thousand eight hundred and ninety-six (1,697 males and 199 females) New Zealand Army recruits commenced basic training between 2008 and 2011. One thousand six hundred and eighty-three physical therapy presentations occurred for recruit injury during New Zealand Army basic training over 4 years. Lower limb injuries accounted for over 75% (n = 1,285) of the overall demand for physical therapy service during recruit basic training. Injuries sustained at the knee and below accounted for 67% of all reported injury presentations. Conclusion Four years of injury surveillance using physical therapy presentations identified the lower limb, with the knee and below as the most commonly injured regions in New Zealand Army recruits. Injury prevention interventions for New Zealand Army recruits should aim to reduce lower limb injuries. Future research on injury surveillance would benefit from incorporating clear injury and severity definitions, established injury classification systems, and standardized incidence calculations.

scholarly journals The short musculoskeletal functional assessment (SMFA) score amongst surgical patients with reconstructive lower limb injuries in war wounded civilians

Injury ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1996-2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Teicher ◽  
Nancy L. Foote ◽  
Ali M.K. Al Ani ◽  
Majd S. Alras ◽  
Sufyan I. Alqassab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Lower Limb Injuries ◽  
Limb Injuries

EP.FRI.771 National audit on VTE prophylaxis for lower limb injuries treated in a plaster cast

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Karagiannidis ◽  
Omar Toma
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Plaster Cast ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
National Audit ◽  
Lower Limb Injuries ◽  
Nice Guidelines ◽  
Vte Prophylaxis ◽  
Limb Injuries

Abstract Aims Audit to assess Orthopaedic departments’ compliance with NICE guidelines on Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis published in 2010, specifically looking at VTE practices for patients with lower limb injuries treated in a plaster cast. Methods A telephonic survey was carried out on junior doctors within orthopaedic departments of 66 hospitals across all regions of England. A questionnaire was completed regarding VTE risk assessment, prophylaxis and hospital guidelines etc. Data collected from August 2016 till February 2017. Results 83% (n = 55) of trusts routinely give VTE prophylaxis to these patients. 96% (n = 64) give Chemoprophylaxis of some sort. Formal VTE assessments are performed in 81% (n = 54) and 77% (n = 51) have a local VTE prophylaxis policy. Conclusions We conclude that Orthopaedic departments across England have increased compliance with NICE guidelines for VTE prophylaxis. However there is considerable variation in practice, especially in duration and chemoprophylaxis agent. We attribute this to the lack of specific NICE guidelines for this cohort of patients. We aim that this study can influence NICE to introduce added guidance that will standardise practice.

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