The reliability of and agreement between devices used to measure eccentric hamstring strength: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Isokinetic dynamometry (IKD) is considered as the gold standard method of eccentric hamstring strength measurement, but other devices are more portable, cost-effective, provide real-time data and are thus better suited to the mass testing required in sport. This review aims to synthesise the evidence related to the reliability of and agreement between devices that measure eccentric hamstring strength and isokinetic dynamometers in adults. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and Sport Discus databases, alongside a search of grey and pre-print literature (from inception to 2021), are used. Forward and backward snowballing will also be used. Studies will be included if the reliability and/or agreement between devices used to quantify eccentric hamstring strength in healthy, recreationally active or amateur/elite sportspeople has been investigated. Studies will be excluded if (1) participants were injured or unwell at the time of testing and (2) concentric strength measurements or if non-hamstring muscle groups were investigated. The COnsenus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) tool will be used to assess the quality of reporting of included studies. If possible, data will be pooled and a meta-analysis and/or meta-regression may be performed if appropriate. We will aim to conduct a narrative synthesis using an adapted Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). DISCUSSION: This systematic review will aim to analyse the reliability of devices that measure eccentric hamstring strength, and the agreement of these devices with isokinetic dynamometers when used in an adult population. It is anticipated that the results of this review could be used to inform clinicians regarding suitable devices that can be employed to monitor eccentric hamstring strength in clinical practice. No ethics approval is required. It is anticipated that this review will be submitted to a leading peer-reviewed journal in this field for publication consideration. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: www.researchregistry.com (reviewregistry1070).

Effect of a cervical collar on head and neck acceleration profiles during emergency spinal immobilisation and extrication procedures in elite football (soccer) players: protocol for a randomised, controlled cross-over trial.

When immobilisation after a cervical spine or head injury is required, the role of the rigid cervical collar is unclear and controversial. There is a need for further studies investigating the use of a rigid cervical collar when head and neck trauma occurs in sport. This study will compare present practice (immobilisation with a cervical collar) to the same procedure without a collar during a simulated spinal immobilisation and extraction scenario from the field of play to the side-line in football (soccer). It will use a prospective cohort within-subjects cross over randomised, controlled trial design. Healthy participants will assume the role of players with a head or neck injury. Clinical practitioners will perform the immobilisation and extrication procedure according to current clinical guidelines. Three dimensional linear and angular acceleration profiles of the head and torso will be measured and the time taken to complete the procedure. The interventions will be a 'cervical collar' or 'no collar' in random order. Data from the IMUs will be transferred wirelessly to a computer for analysis. Accordingly, within-subject differences between each condition (collar vs no collar) will be assessed with parametric or non-parametric inferential statistics. Statistical significance will be set at p<0.05. Trial registration number: ISRCTN16515969.