The Incidence of Shoulder Injury among Collegiate Overhead Athletes

Shoulder injury in overhead athletes, who perform repetitive overhead motions, has been well documented; however, there is a paucity of data regarding the incidence of specific shoulder injuries in these individuals. Data were collected from the preseason medical examinations and medical records maintained throughout the collegiate careers of 371 overhead athletes. Shoulder injuries were documented in 30% of the athletes during their athletic careers. Subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff (RTC) tendonitis were the most common shoulder injuries for each individual sport and accounted for 27% and 24% of the total shoulder injuries respectively. These injuries had a significantly higher incidence rate (p = .001) than any other injury among the athletes. Significant incidence rates were found for baseball players diagnosed with subacromial impingement (p = .001), softball players diagnosed with subacromial impingement and RTC tendonitis (p = .001), swimmers diagnosed with subacromial impingement, RTC tendonitis, and biceps tendonitis (p = .001), and tennis players diagnosed with subacromial impingement and RTC tendonitis (p = .001). No significant incidence rates were found for the number of injured athletes per sport (p = .42) or for the total number of injuries per sport (p = .11). Rotator cuff tendonitis and subacromial impingement syndrome were the most common shoulder injuries reported for each of the five sports

Effects of sensorimotor training on transversus abdominis activation in chronic low back pain patients

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of sensorimotor training on transversus abdominis activation. (2) Methods: Seventy-five patients with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to one of three groups (whole body vibration training using Galileo®, coordination training using Posturomed®, or physiotherapy (control)). Transversus abdominis activation was measured by using sonography pre- and post-intervention. Second, changes in clinical function tests and their correlation with the sonographic measurements were determined. (3) Results: All three groups showed an improvement in activation of the transversus abdominis post-intervention, with the Galileo® demonstrating the largest improvement. There were no relevant (r > 0.5) correlations between activation of the transversus abdominis muscle and any clinical tests. (4) Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that sensorimotor training on the Galileo® significantly improves the activation of the transversus abdominis muscle

Reference data by player position for an ice hockey-specific complex test

The aim of this study was to investigate position-specific (forwards, defenders) reference data for a scientifically evaluated (validity, reliability) ice hockey-specific complex test (IHCT). One hundred and four 3rd league professional ice hockey field players (mean ± standard deviations (SD); age: 26.4 ± 5.62 years) volunteered for the investigation. Players were categorized as forwards (n = 64) and defenders (n = 40). Data from the IHCT were collected over six seasons from three 3rd league teams. The IHCT included parameters for load (e.g., 10 m and 30 m skate times, transition and weave agility times with and without a puck, slap and wrist shots on goal) and stress (e.g., lactate, heart rate). The only significant (p < 0.002) difference between forwards and defenders for performance were found for weave agility with puck (p < 0.001). Forwards showed a higher average performance in this parameter than defenders. Differences were also found in weave agility without a puck (p = 0.008), 30 m backward sprinting without puck (p = 0.012) and goals after test (p = 0.030). This study provides position-specific reference data for a valid and reliable ice hockey-specific complex test for the 3rd league. These results may be used by coaches to judge player performance based on position (forwards vs. defenders). Moreover, coaches may use these data to evaluate the effectiveness of the most recent training period. Further research should extend this database to 1st and 2nd league players in order to enhance the scope of the test

Position-specific reference data for an ice hockey-specific complex test : an update and practical recommendations

This real-life data collection aimed to expand an existing reference database regarding an extensively evaluated ice hockey-specific complex test (IHCT). One hundred and thirty-eight third-league professional ice hockey field players (mean ± SD; age: 26.4 ± 5.24 years; forwards: n = 94, defenders: n = 44) were investigated. IHCT data were collected over eight seasons from three third-league teams. The IHCT included parameters for the load (e.g., 10 m and 30 m sprint times, transition and weave agility times with and without a puck, slap and wrist shots on goal) and stress (e.g., lactate, heart rate). The only relevant (p < 0.002, ηp2 ≥ 0.10) difference between forwards and defenders for performance was found for 30 m backward sprint without a puck (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.10, d = 0.74). As expected, in this regard, defenders performed better than forwards. Significant differences were also found in 10 m backward sprint without a puck (p = 0.005), weave agility with a puck (p = 0.014), heart rate recovery minute 10 (p = 0.057), and goals after the test (p = 0.041). This study provides expanded position-specific third-league reference data for the IHCT. On this basis, coaches are able to evaluate players’ performance (forwards vs. defenders) and the effect of the training periods. Further research is necessary to extend this database to first- and second-league players in order to enhance the scope of the IHCT

Comparison of postural stability and regulation among male athletes from different sports

The purpose of this study was to assess the postural control of 50 male athletes (age: 24.9 ± 4.55 years) who participate in different elite-level competitive sports. Athletes from two team sports from the third German league (ice hockey: n = 16; soccer: n = 23), and one individual sports (diving: n = 11) were included. These athletes were investigated using posturography under different conditions (e.g., stable surface, unstable surface; eyes open, eyes closed) to determine postural stability and regulation. Most of the performance maxima were found among the divers (6), followed by ice hockey (5) and soccer (4). The biggest effect of sport was found in the stability indicator, where the subject was standing on a stable surface and their eyes were closed (NC; p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.273). This significance was observed between the soccer (17.3 ± 5.66) and diving (24.9 ± 6.98) subjects. The stability indicator had the largest significant effect (50%, 2/4). These results provide coaches and athletes insight into the postural stability and regulation of male athletes in sports with different demands on postural control. Especially for soccer players, it may be beneficial to address muscular imbalances to reduce the risk of lower extremity injuries

Characterization of gait and postural regulation in late-onset pompe disease

Pompe disease is a multisystemic disorder with the hallmark of progressive skeletal muscle weakness that often results in difficulties in walking and balance. However, detailed characterization of gait and postural regulation with this disease is lacking. The objective of this investigation was to determine if differences exist between the gait and postural regulation of LOPD patients and a matched control group. The gaits of 16 patients with LOPD were assessed using a gait analysis mobile system (RehaGait) and a dynamometric treadmill (FDM-T 1.8). The Interactive Balance System (IBS) was used to evaluate postural regulation and stability. All measures were compared to individual reference data. Demographic (age, gender), morphological (body height, body mass) and clinical data (muscle strength according to the Medical Research Council Scale (MRC Scale), as well as the 6-min walking test and a 10-m fast walk) were also recorded. Compared to individual reference data, LOPD patients presented with reduced gait velocity, cadence and time in single stand. A total of 87% of LOPD patients had abnormalities during posturographic analysis presenting with differences in postural subsystems. This study provides objective data demonstrating impaired gait and posture in LOPD patients. For follow-up analysis and as outcome measurements during medical or physiotherapeutic interventions, the findings of this investigation may be useful.Publikationsfond ML

Comparison of Upper Extremity Physical Characteristics Between Adolescent Competitive Swimmers and Nonoverhead Athletes

Alterations to upper extremity physical characteristics of competitive swimmers (posture, range of motion [ROM], and subacromial-space distance) are commonly attributed to cumulative training load during a swimmer's competitive career. However, this accepted clinical belief has not been established in the literature. It is important to understand whether alterations in posture and associated physical characteristics occur as a result of sport training or factors other than swimming participation to better understand injury risk and possible interventions

Postural stability and regulation before and after high tibial osteotomy and rehabilitation

Knee osteoarthrosis (OA) is a widespread orthopedic problem and a high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a common treatment to minimize degeneration of the affected compartment. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the postural regulation and stability among patients who underwent HTO and rehabilitation. This prospective study included 32 patients (55.3 ± 5.57 years) diagnosed with medial tibiofemoral OA. Each subject completed postural regulation and stability testing (Interactive Balance System), as well as pain intensity (visual analogue scale) and quality of life questionnaires (SF-36) prior to HTO (exam 1), and at six weeks (exam 2), twelve weeks (exam 3) and six months (exam 4) post HTO. For postural comparison, all patients were matched (sex, age, height) with asymptomatic subjects. Significant time effects (exam 1 vs. exam 4) were found for weight distribution index (WDI; ηp2 = 0.152), mediolateral weight distribution ηp2 = 0.163) and anterior–posterior weight distribution ηp2 = 0.131). The largest difference (exam 3: ηp2 = 0.251) and the most significant differences to the matched sample were calculated for the stability indicator (exam 1: ηp2 = 0.237; exam 2: ηp2 = 0.215; exam 3: ηp2 = 0.251; exam 4: ηp2 = 0.229). Pain intensity showed a significant reduction (ηp2 = 0.438) from exam 1 (50.7 ± 20.0 mm) to exam 4 (19.3 ± 16.0 mm). Physical pain was the quality of life parameter with the largest improvement between exams 1 and 4 (ηp2 = 0.560). HTO allows patients to improve their mediolateral weight distribution, whereas postural stability is consistently lower than in asymptomatic subjects. This surgery leads to marked improvements in quality of life and pain.Publikationsfond ML

Clinical characteristics of sarcoma patients: a population-based data analysis from a German clinical cancer registry

Purpose: Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms with a wide range of histological types and occur in almost any anatomic site and side. This study evaluated the prognostic factors in sarcoma patients based on German clinical cancer registry data. Methods: The German clinical cancer register of Saxony-Anhalt was used for all data analyses. Sarcoma cases of all clinical or pathological T-stages (T1a–T4c), all N-stages (N0-3) and M-stages (0–1b) corresponding to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stages I to IVB were considered. In our analyses, 787 cases diagnosed between 2005 and 2022 were included. Further, we assessed the association of cancer-related parameters with mortality and hazard ratios (HR) from the Cox proportional hazard models. We included sex, age at diagnosis, histological grade, T-, N- and M-stages, tumor size, tumor localization and tumor side as parameters in our regression models. Results: The majority of sarcoma patients were diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma (12%), liposarcoma (11%), angiosarcoma (5.3%) and myxofibrosarcoma (2.7%). In our univariate regression models, tumors localized in more than one location, head, face and neck region as well as the pelvis and lower extremity were associated with increased mortality risk (more than one location: HR 7.10, 95% CI 2.20–22.9; head, face and neck: HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.89–2.06; pelvis: HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.86–1.89; lower extremity: HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.05–1.96). Higher histological grades, UICC-grades and TNM-stages were related to a higher mortality risk. Differing histological subtypes had significant influence on overall survival and progression-free survival. Patients diagnosed with fibromyxoid sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and angiosarcoma were related to higher mortality risk compared to other histological subtypes (fibromyxoid sarcoma: HR 5.2, 95% CI 0.71–38.1; rhabdomyosarcoma: HR 2.93, 95% CI 1.44–6.00; angiosarcoma: HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.53–2.18). Conclusions: Histological grade, tumor size, nodal and distant metastasis, tumor localization and histological subtype were determined as prognostic factors in terms of survival

Passive range of motion of the hips and shoulders and their relationship with ball spin rate in elite finger spin bowlers

Objectives: Investigate rotational passive range of motion of the hips and shoulders for elite finger spin bowlers and their relationship with spin rate. Design: Correlational. Methods: Spin rates and twelve rotational range of motion measurements for the hips and shoulders were collected for sixteen elite male finger spin bowlers. Side to side differences in the rotational range of motion measurements were assessed using paired t-tests. Stepwise linear regression and Pearson product moment correlations were used to identify which range of motion measurements were linked to spin rate. Results: Side to side differences were found with more external rotation (p = 0.039) and less internal rotation (p = 0.089) in the bowling shoulder, and more internal rotation in the front hip (p = 0.041). Total arc of rotation of the front hip was found to be the best predictor of spin rate (r = 0.552, p =  0.027), explaining 26% of the observed variance. Internal rotation of the rear hip (r = 0.466, p =  0.059) and the bowling shoulder (r = 0.476, p =  0.063) were also associated with spin rate. Conclusions: The technique and performance of elite finger spin bowlers may be limited by the passive range of motion of their hips and shoulders. The observed side to side differences may indicate that due to the repetitive nature of finger spin bowling adaptive changes in the rotational range of motion of the hip and shoulder occur