ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: The incidence of ankle sprains is high in adolescent female soccer players. The highest risk factor for ankle sprains is having a preexisting ankle injury, as athletes with prior sprains have a higher risk of recurrence. This study investigated the results of the static and dynamic balance tests and one-leg jump tests in adolescent female soccer players with and without a history of ankle sprains to develop measures for the prevention of ankle sprain injuries. METHODS: The study included a total of 217 female soccer players aged 13.2 ± 0.9 years with 6.8 ± 2.3 years of soccer experience. A survey was conducted to determine whether the players had a history of ankle sprains, whether the injury occurred within 1 year, the injured side, etc. The Y-balance test (YBT), closed-eye single-leg balance test (SLBT), and single-leg hop test (SHT) were executed. In all participants, the results of each test were compared between the left and right lower extremities with and without a history of an ankle sprain and with and without injury within 1 year. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test for independent samples, t-test for corresponding samples, and χ2 goodness-of-fit test, with a 5% significance level. This study was conducted after obtaining approval from the Konan Women’s University Research Ethics Review Committee (Approval No. 2024005). RESULTS: In this study, 82 (31%) and 63 (24%) participants had a history of ankle sprain in the right and left lower extremities, and 52 (20%) and 37 (14%) had it in the right and left lower extremities within 1 year, respectively. Overall, the YBT result was significantly lower only in the posterior lateral reach of the left lower extremity (p < 0.05). Participants with a history of left ankle sprain had significantly more positive results in the closed-eye SLBT (p < 0.05). The YBT result was significantly lower in participants with a history of left ankle sprain within 1 year (p < 0.05) as was the right anterolateral lower extremity reach on the YBT (p < 0.05). The SHT results were not significantly different between the right and left extremities for all participants or those with or without a history of an ankle sprain. CONCLUSION: Participants with a history of left ankle sprains showed asymmetry between the left and right lower extremities in the closed-eye SLBT and YBT. Soccer requires asymmetrical performance between the left and right lower extremities. Therefore, asymmetry in single-leg postural control has been reported to increase the risk of sports injuries. The results of this study indicate the need for interventions, which consider the results of this study, to prevent recurrent ankle sprains. Therefore, interventions to prevent ankle sprain recurrence must consider the injured side and timing of the injury.
Read CV yuri inoueECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: We previously investigated the relationship between jump landing ability, intrinsic foot muscles, and toe grip strength in adolescent athletes, and no correlations were found between these variables [1]. However, it was reported that sex differences in foot arch and function exist during adolescence [2], suggesting that the foot-related factors contributing to balance ability may differ between males and females. This study aimed to examine the relationship between intrinsic foot muscle morphology, toe grip strength, and jump landing ability in adolescent athletes, separately for males and females. METHODS: The study focused on the left foot of 104 males and 67 females. The cross-sectional areas of the abductor hallucis (AbH), flexor hallucis brevis (FHB), and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) were measured using an ultrasonography. Toe grip strength was assessed with a toe grip dynamometer. The arch height ratio was calculated to represent foot morphology. The stability of the single-leg forward jump landing was evaluated using the Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI), which is derived from composite ground reaction forces in the anterior-posterior (APSI), medial-lateral (MLSI), and vertical (VSI) directions. Sex differences in each measurement item were examined using an unpaired t-test. Correlation coefficients between the muscle cross-sectional areas of each intrinsic foot muscle, toe grip strength, and jump landing ability were calculated separately for males and females to explore the relationships. RESULTS: All the cross-sectional areas of the intrinsic foot muscles, toe grip strength, and arch height ratio were significantly higher in males than females (p<0.05), but there was no difference in DPSI. In males, the cross-sectional area of the FHB showed a significant negative correlation with DPSI, MLSI, APSI, and VSI, and toe grip strength showed a significant positive correlation with DPSI and VSI (p<0.05). In females, the FHB showed a significant negative correlation with DPSI, MLSI, and VSI, while the FDB showed a significant positive correlation with APSI (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There were sex differences in the foot factors related to jump landing ability between adolescent athletes. In males, improving only toe grip strength may reduce jump landing ability. In females, it is important to consider both conditions, as the development of FDB alone or a decrease in the foot arch height ratio may hinder the improvement of jump landing ability. It was also suggested that the development of FHB is important for improving jump landing ability in both sexes. The muscle morphology of FHB is involved in good jump landing ability in healthy adults [3], and active improvement of muscle function would be important in adolescent athletes. References: 1. Arima S et al. Gait Posture. 99 (1): 146-151, 2023. 2. Lee H et al. J Athl Train. 53 (1). 255-261, 2018. 3. Morikawa M et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 18 (9): 4511, 2021.
Read CV Arima SatoshiECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: Understanding gender-specific functional characteristics in youth basketball is essential for developing targeted training and injury prevention strategies. Variations in balance, agility and jumping ability may be attributed to differences in biomechanical demands, neuromuscular adaptations and training responses between male and female athletes (Márquez et al. 2017). Basketball performance relies on agility, strength, balance and power, making these attributes critical for skill execution and injury prevention (Sattler et al. 2015). This study aims to examine functional performance during preseason screening of male and female youth basketball players to conclude on gender specific injury prevention approaches. METHODS: 55 male and female youth Basketball players (F: n 21, age 15.8 ± 1.7; BMI 20.9 ± 2.6; M: n 34, age 16.3 ± 1.7; BMI 21.6 ± 2.5) underwent a test battery with standardized functional performance tests assessing balance (Y-Balance Test), agility (T-Test) and jumping (Countermovement Jump, Hop for Distance, Side Hop Tests) (Scinicarelli et al. 2021). A one-way ANOVA (p < .05) was performed to compare the means of single-leg results (dominant, non-dominant and limb symmetry index) across two independent groups (male and female). RESULTS: Preliminary analysis revealed gender differences. As to be expected, male athletes outperformed females in jumping-related tests (CMJ-Dom: p < .001; df, 1; F, 45,307; CMJ-NDom: p < .001; df, 1; F, 25.146; JFD-NDom: p < .001; df, 1; F, 15.337; SH-NDom: p .01; df, 1; F, 7.057), while female athletes demonstrated better balance performance (YBT-Dom: p .03; df, 1, F, 4.489). Agility measures showed results favouring male athletes (T: p < .001; df, 1; F, 32.912). CONCLUSION: The observed gender differences highlight the need for gender specific training as well as injury prevention programs. To address performance gaps female athletes should focus on plyometric and strength training to enhance jumping and agility, while male athletes would benefit from balance, core stability, and proprioceptive exercises to improve postural control. These strategies may optimize performance, contribute to more effective training adaptations and reduced injury risk. Márquez, G. et al. (2017). Sex differences in kinetic and neuromuscular control during jumping and landing. Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions, 17(1), 409–416. Sattler, T. et al. (2015). Analysis of the Association Between Motor and Anthropometric Variables with Change of Direction Speed and Reactive Agility Performance. Journal of human kinetics, 47, 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2015-0069 Scinicarelli, G. et al. (2021). The Reliability of Common Functional Performance Tests within an Experimental Test Battery for the Lower Extremities. Sports, 9(7), 100. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports9070100
Read CV Christiane WilkeECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH24