Helmetless Tackling Training Intervention and Preseason Self-efficacy Effects on Head Impacts in Hawai'i High School Football.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how football head impacts are influenced by self-efficacy (SE), helmetless tackling intervention participation (IP), and years of experience (YE) playing football. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Three high schools. PARTICIPANTS: 120 (male; n = 118, female; n = 2, 15.57 ± 1.23 years) participants were recruited from 5 high school teams (3 varsity and 2 junior-varsity). INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: SE, days of IP, and YE playing tackle football. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SE was measured using a 53-question survey and categorized into 5 subscales. The accumulation of total head impacts (THI) was measured using Riddell InSite Speedflex helmets (Elyria, OH) throughout the season. Head impact exposure (HIE) was standardized as a ratio of impacts per session (games, scrimmages, and practices). Multiple regression analyses tested the relationship between THI or HIE with the predictor variables. RESULTS: For THI, 22.1% was explained by the predictors (r = 0.470, r2 = 0.221). Intervention participation had a negative correlation (B = -4.480, P = 0.019), whereas confidence in performing proper tackling and blocking (SE1) (B = 3.133, P = 0.010) and >8 YE (B = 135.9, P = 0.009) positively correlated with THI. For HIE, 25.4% was explained by the predictors (r = 0.504, r2 = 0.254). Intervention participation negatively correlated (B = -0.077, P = 0.007), whereas SE1 (B = 3.133, P = 0.010) and >8 YE (B = 2.735, P ≤ 0.001) correlated positively with HIE. CONCLUSIONS: Increased head impacts were associated with less helmetless tackling participation, more than 8 YE, and more self-confidence in tackling ability. Increasing the amount of time athletes spend practicing proper tackling and blocking techniques to reduce head first and risky play is warranted to reduce the amount of head impacts received over time.

Stance Time and Impact Loading Rates are Significant Predictors of Critical Speed During a 3-Minute All-Out Running Test.

The addition of wearable technology during a 3-minute all-out overground running test (3MAOT) could provide additional insights to guide training and coaching strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between critical speed (CS) and biomechanical parameters (cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, stance time, form power, leg spring stiffness, and impact loading rate), and changes in biomechanical parameters throughout the 3MAOT. Sixty-three (male, n=37, female, n=26) recreationally active college-aged (23.4±3.9 years) subjects completed a 3MAOT while wearing a Stryd foot-pod. The correlations between CS and biomechanical parameters were evaluated using Pearson coefficients. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were used to test if biomechanical parameters could predict CS. Stance time and impact loading rate explained 69% and 63% of the variance in CS, respectively (R2=0.69, p<0.05; R2=0.63, p<0.05). Step-wise multiple linear regression analysis indicated that vertical oscillation, stance time, form power, leg spring stiffness, and impact loading rate explained 90% of the variance in CS (R2=0.90, p<0.05). Throughout the 3MAOT, changes in cadence (-29%), stride length (57%), vertical oscillation (-8%), stance time (82%), form power (-5%), leg spring stiffness (-24%), and impact loading rate (-48%) were observed. Interventions such as auditory cueing or training designed to improve CS should focus on maintaining large impact loading rates and short stance times, and efforts should be made to enhance an athlete's ability to maintain cadence, leg spring stiffness, vertical oscillation, and form power throughout the 3MAOT.

Running Alterations Pre- and Postarthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Labral Tears.

ABSTRACT: Freemyer, B, Beeler, D, Crawford, S, Durkin, R, and Stickley, C. Running alterations pre- and postarthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and labral tears. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 501-509, 2024-Running is essential to sports participation and activity over the lifespan; however, running biomechanics are not fully described in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAIS). The purpose was to compare FAIS patient report outcome surveys (PRO) and running biomechanics preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively with controls. Nineteen subjects (FAIS, n = 10 and age-matched controls, n = 9) were included. The UCLA, Hip Outcome Score activity of daily living (HOS ADL ) and sports subscale (HOS SS ), and 3-D running biomechanics were evaluated. Statistical parametric mapping was conducted on biomechanics data. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Femoroacetabular impingement had similar UCLA activity scores compared with controls by 6 months (FAIS: 8.4 ± 1.7, CON: 8.6 ± 2.0, p = 0.80), despite lower HOS ADL (FAIS-Six: 89.3 ± 6.3, CON: 100 ± 0, p = 0.04) and HOS SS (FAIS-Six: 82.6 ± 18.5, CON: 100 ± 0, p = 0.05). The FAIS group had lower knee adduction moments (KAM) around 22-27% of stance ( p = 0.05) and lower sagittal plane ankle power generation during the final 5% of stance compared with the controls ( p = 0.04) preoperatively. The FAIS also had lower vertical ground reaction forces the first 2% of stance ( p = 0.05) and lower KAM from 20 to 30% stance ( p = 0.03) at the postoperative time vs. controls. Femoroacetabular impingement had higher hip external rotation angles the first 5% stance ( p = 0.05) and the last 20% of stance ( p = 0.01) vs. controls. This is the first study to describe FAIS running pre- and postoperatively. Despite higher activity and health 6 months postarthroscopy, the patients with FAIS had altered running biomechanics. Clinicians should consider these findings when creating rehabilitation protocols and during running progressions across the postoperative care of patients with FAIS.

Allometric Scaling Hip Joint Moments Optimally Reduces Anthropometric Differences in Males and Females.

Running biomechanics are scaled to reduce the effects of anthropometric differences between participants. Ratio scaling has limitations, and allometric scaling has not been applied to hip joint moments. The aim was to compare raw, ratio and allometrically scaled hip joint moments. Sagittal and frontal plane moments of 84 males and 47 females were calculated while running at 4.0 m/s. Raw data were ratio scaled by body mass (BM), height (HT), leg length (LL) and BM multiplied by HT (BM*HT) and LL (BM*LL). Log-linear (for BM, HT and LL individually) or log-multilinear regression (BM*HT and BM*LL) exponents were calculated. Correlations and r2 values assessed the effectiveness of each scaling method. Eighty-five per cent of raw moments were positively correlated to the anthropometrics with r2 values of 10-19%. In ratio scaling, 26-43% were significantly correlated to the moments and a majority were negative, indicating overcorrections. The most effective scaling procedure was the allometric BM*HT, as the mean shared variance between the hip moment and anthropometrics was 0.1-0.2% across all sexes and moments and none had significant correlations. Allometric scaling of hip joint moments during running are advised if the goal is to remove the underlying effects of anthropometrics across male and female participants.

Preoperative and Postoperative Walking Gait in Women With Acetabular Labral Tears and Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

CONTEXT: Symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is a painful condition that leads to decreased function. How walking gait changes over time within the first year after surgery for FAIS and how these changes present in women are currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine biomechanical gait differences between women with FAIS or labral tears and control individuals preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 18 female participants comprising 9 women in the FAIS group (age = 31.44 ± 7.47 years, height = 1.73 ± 0.08 m, mass = 73.61 ± 14.44 kg) and 9 women in the control group (age = 31.44 ± 6.65 years, height = 1.69 ± 0.06 m, mass = 60.93 ± 5.58 kg). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Between-groups comparisons of the Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living subscale (HOSADL) and gait biomechanics were conducted preoperatively and at the 3- and 6-month postoperative sessions. Statistical parametric mapping was performed on normalized time-series data. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the FAIS group had poor HOSADL scores (FAIS group = 64.1 ± 15.4 versus control group = 100.0 ± 0, P < .001), walked 15% slower, and exhibited several gait differences compared with the control group. Three months postoperatively, the FAIS group displayed greater vertical ground reaction force (P = .01), ankle-dorsiflexion angle (P = .02), and external dorsiflexion moment (P = .01) in midstance, as well as a greater knee-flexion angle through the second half of stance (P < .001). The FAIS group also demonstrated less hip-extension angle (P = .02) and hip-abduction angle (P = .01) through the second half of stance, which transitioned into less hip extension (P = .040) and hip abduction (P = .03) during the subsequent swing phase. The FAIS group improved their HOSADL to 87.6 ± 7.6 by 6 months postoperatively and had a greater dorsiflexion moment (P = .003) and ankle external rotation during stance (P = .03). In addition, the FAIS group showed a greater external hip external-rotation moment in late stance (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The biomechanical differences between groups were most evident at 3 months postoperatively, suggesting that women with FAIS had more postoperative gait compensations in the short term after surgery. By 6 months postoperatively, patient-reported outcomes had markedly improved, and the FAIS group displayed few gait differences compared with the control group.

Weight-Bearing Versus Traditional Strength Assessments of the Hip Musculature.

CONTEXT: Traditional nonweight-bearing (NWB) hip-strength assessments may not directly translate to functional strength during weight-bearing (WB) activity. How NWB assessments of hip muscle strength compare with WB assessments in various positions is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude of the differences and correlations between NWB hip strength and WB functional strength during the squatting and lunge (LNG) positions in female athletes. DESIGN: Crossover design. SETTING: Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Female athletes (N = 51, age = 16.2 ± 3.5 years, height = 161.5 ± 8.3 cm, mass = 58.3 ± 11.6 kg). INTERVENTION(S): Isometric resistance (N/kg) was determined for the dominant and nondominant limbs via WB assessments (squat-bilateral [legs tested simultaneously], squat-unilateral, and lunge positions) and NWB assessments (hip external rotation [HER], hip extension [HEXT], and hip abduction [HAB]). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): To compare differences between positions (P ≤ .05), we used effect sizes (d) and matched-pairs t tests, and we calculated Pearson r and R2 values. RESULTS: During the squat-bilateral on the dominant limb, females produced the most hip torque (6.13 ± 1.12 N/kg). The magnitudes of differences were very large compared with HER (3.96 ± 0.83, d = 2.2), HEXT (3.22 ± 0.69, d = 3.2), and HAB (3.80 ± 1.01, d = 2.2; all P values ≤ .01), and positions were moderately correlated (r = 0.347-0.419, R2 = 0.12-0.18). The lunge position produced the least amount of torque in the dominant limb (2.44 ± 0.48 N/kg) compared with HER (d = -2.3), HEXT (d = -1.3), and HAB (d = -1.7; all P values ≤ .001), and correlations were small to moderate (r = 0.236-0.310, R2 = 0.06-0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Strength in WB positions was different than strength evaluated using traditional NWB assessments in female athletes. Weight-bearing tests may provide clinicians with additional information regarding strength and function.

Sex differences in competitive surfers' generic and specific strength capacity.

To compare the pop-up and counter movement jump (CMJ) and to analyse the relationships among the variables between sexes and different ages [under (U16), over (O16) 16 years] in male and female competitive surfers. Eighty-three surfers were divided according to sex, male (n = 55) and female (n = 28), and to age, U16 (n = 47) and O16 (n = 36). Vertical jump and pop-up movements were measured through the vertical ground reaction force with a force plate. CMJ demonstrated that the O16 male group exhibited significantly greater force compared to females in the concentric phase of the jump (CMJFMAX) (p < 0.01, ES = 1.82, large). Female U16 and O16 groups presented increased unloading rates in the eccentric phase compared to male surfers (CMJULR) (p < 0.05, ES = 0.73, moderate and p < 0.05, ES = 0.12, trivial, respectively). O16 males obtained significantly greater values than O16 females in the push-up phase (POPPUSH) (p < 0.05, ES = 0.76, moderate). Moderate correlations were found between lower-body power capacity and the pop-up (r = 0.32; ± 0.16 CL, p < 0.01, 98.1/1.9/0, very likely, moderate). General and skill-specific strengths are different in competitive male and female surfers, dependent upon their age range. The moderate association between CMJ and pop-up suggests that the pop-up might be influenced by other factors such as coordination or upper-body strength. Therefore, competitive surfers should also train the upper body strength and overall coordination in order to improve the performance of the pop-up movement.

Competition Load Described by Objective and Subjective Methods During a Surfing Championship.

Fernández-Gamboa, I, Yanci, J, Granados, C, Freemyer, B, and Cámara, J. Competition load described by objective and subjective methods during a surfing championship. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1329-1335, 2018-The aims of this study were to describe the competition load of surfers during a single heat through objective and subjective methods and to analyze the relationship between objective and subjective methods with the judges' score. Ten competitive surfers were fitted with a global positioning system (GPS) during a competitive heat. The GPS was synchronized with a chronometer and a stationary video camera to identify the surfer's specific actions. After the end of each heat, participants were assessed for the rating of perceived respiratory and muscular exertion (RPEres, RPEmus), and also, official scores from every participant were collected. A very large significant relationship between wave-riding distance and respiratory perceived exertion heat load (RPEres HL, r = 0.79; ±0.26 confidence limit [CL], p < 0.01, 99.5/0.4/0.1, very likely) was found. Active time was also very large and significantly related to both RPEres HL (r = 0.75; ±0.29 CL, p < 0.05, 99.0/0.8/0.2, very likely) and muscular perceived exertion heat load (RPEmus HL, r = 0.83; ±0.22 CL, p < 0.01, 99.8/0.2/0.0, most likely). Very large significant correlation was obtained between the RPEres and score (r = 0.83; ±0.22 CL, p < 0.01, 99.8/0.2/0.0, most likely). The subjective method seems to be a good instrument to assess the HL of a surf competition. Wave characteristics seem to be an important factor in perceived exertion during competitive surfing.

Allometric scaling of Wingate anaerobic power test scores in men.

This study examined the appropriate magnitude of allometric scaling of the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) power data for body mass (BM) and established normative data for the WAnT for adult men. Eighty-three men completed a standard WAnT using 0.1 kg·kg(-1) BM resistance. Allometric exponents and percentile ranks for 1-second peak power (PP), 5-second PP, and mean power (MP) were established. The Predicted Residual Sum of Squares (PRESS) procedure was used to assess external validity while avoiding data splitting. The mean 1-second PP, 5-second PP, and MP were 1,049.1 ± 168.8 W, 1,013.4 ± 158.6 W, and 777.9 ± 105.0 W, respectively. Allometric exponents for 1-second PP, 5-second PP, and MP scaled for BM were b = 0.89, 0.88, and 0.86, respectively. Correlations between allometrically scaled 1-second PP, 5-second PP, and MP, and BM were r = -0.03, -0.03, and -0.02, respectively, suggesting that the allometric exponents derived were effective in partialling out the effect of BM on WAnT values. The PRESS procedure values resulted in small decreases in R² (0.03, 0.04, and 0.02 for 1-second PP, 5-second PP, and MP, respectively) suggesting acceptable levels of external validity when applied to independent samples. The allometric exponents and normative values provide a useful tool for comparing WAnT scores in college-aged females without the confounding effect of BM. It is suggested that exponents of b = 0.89 (1-second PP), b = 0.88 (5-second PP), and b = 0.86 (MP) be used for allometrically scaling WAnT power values in healthy adult men and that the confidence limits for these allometric exponents be considered as 0.66-1.0 for PP and 0.69-1.0 for MP. The use of these exponents in allometric scaling of male WAnT power values provide coaches and practitioners with valid means for comparing power production between individuals without the confounding influence of BM.

Isokinetic peak torque ratios and shoulder injury history in adolescent female volleyball athletes.

CONTEXT: Few researchers have examined shoulder strength in adolescent volleyball athletes despite increasing levels of participation in this age group. OBJECTIVE: To compare medial and lateral isokinetic peak torque of the rotator cuff among skill levels and between athletes with and without a history of shoulder injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. SETTING: The Human Performance Lab and Athletic Training Lab. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight female adolescent club volleyball athletes from 10 to 15 years of age (mean = 13.02 +/- 1.60 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We measured concentric and eccentric peak torque of the medial and lateral rotators of the shoulder and calculated resultant cocking and spiking ratios based on peak torque values. RESULTS: Athletes at higher skill levels had higher peak torque measurements in concentric and eccentric medial and lateral rotation compared with the athletes at lower skill levels. No differences in peak torque existed between participants with or without an injury history 6 months before the study. Strength ratios did not differ across skill levels, but previously injured participants produced lower eccentric medial rotation to concentric lateral rotation ratios compared with participants without a history of injury (P = .02). At the highest skill level, previously injured participants produced lower eccentric lateral rotation to concentric medial rotation ratios compared with participants without an injury history (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in medial and lateral shoulder rotator strength ratios appear to be related more to injury prevalence than to absolute strength. Shoulder dysfunction related to strength ratio deficits also may exist in adolescent female volleyball athletes. Preventive shoulder strengthening programs focused on improving eccentric strength and correcting imbalances between medial and lateral rotators may be warranted for all female adolescent volleyball athletes.