Athletics Therapy

Conventional thought on ACL injury mechanism challenged

Sunday, February 19, 2012 00:00 MST

Landing from a jump can cause a non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. But evidence presented at the Orthopaedic Research Society 2012 Annual Meeting demonstrates that the injury mechanism that causes that ACL injury involves a combination of factors rather than a single factor as some have claimed. Many hold the view that an athlete ruptures the ACL via a single plane motion -- the tibia moving forward due to a large quadriceps contraction.

Cold water baths reduce muscle soreness but evidence lacking on safety

Saturday, February 18, 2012 00:00 MST

Plunging into cold water after exercise may be an effective way to reduce muscle soreness, but it is unclear whether there are harmful side effects. These are the conclusions of a new systematic review of cold water immersion interventions published in the Cochrane Library.

Elbow position not a predictor of injury

Friday, February 17, 2012 00:00 MST

Elbow position alone appeared to not affect injury rates and performance in college-level, male pitchers say researchers presenting at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in San Francisco, Calif.

Helmet fit critical to preventing concussion, say researchers

Thursday, February 16, 2012 00:00 MST

Concussions and the issues that can occur following one, continue to be a serious problem for football players. However, one simple game strategy: proper helmet fit, may be one of the easiest game winners for prevention, say researchers presenting their study at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in San Francisco.

Treatment aids healing of elbow injuries say researchers

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 00:00 MST

As elbow injuries continue to rise, especially in pitchers, procedures to help treat and get players back in the game quickly have been difficult to come by. However, a newer treatment called platelet rich plasma (PRP) may pose hope, according to researchers presenting their findings at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day meeting in San Francisco.

Amateur football players not always keen on returning to play after ACL injuries

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 00:00 MST

Despite the known success rates of reconstructive Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery, the number of high school and collegiate football players returning to play may not be as high as anticipated, say researchers presenting at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in San Francisco, Calif.

Focus on self-improvement, rather than winning, benefits young athletes

Monday, February 13, 2012 00:00 MST

Underserved youth athletes report more life skill and character development when their coaches place greater emphasis on creating caring climates instead of focusing on competition, according to research from Michigan State University's Institute for the Study of Youth Sports.

To perform with less effort, practice beyond perfection

Sunday, February 12, 2012 00:00 MST

Whether you are an athlete, a musician or a stroke patient learning to walk again, practice can make perfect, but more practice may make you more efficient, according to a surprising new University of Colorado Boulder study.

Risks of traumatic neuromechanical injury associated with boxing and mixed martial arts

Saturday, February 11, 2012 00:00 MST

Researchers simulated head and neck injuries from hook punches sustained during boxing and mixed martial arts and tested whether injury risks are mitigated by available head and hand padding. Padding lowered linear but not rotational impact dosages, and did not eliminate the risk of brain strain injury. The authors indicate the need for new standards of measuring head and neck injury risks, taking into account rotational and linear-rotational parameters, and improved protective padding to lower impact dosages.

Padded headgear, boxing gloves may offer some protection for fighters

Wednesday, February 08, 2012 00:00 MST

The use of padded headgear and gloves reduces the impact that fighters absorb from hits to the head, according to newly published research from Cleveland Clinic.

Football findings suggest concussions caused by series of hits

Tuesday, February 07, 2012 00:00 MST

A two-year study of high school football players suggests that concussions are likely caused by many hits over time and not from a single blow to the head, as commonly believed.

Study flags over-reliance on computer tests in return-to-plan decisions after concussion

Monday, February 06, 2012 00:00 MST

A new study by researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus and Pace University is critical of the widespread use of computerized neuropsychological tests in decisions regarding when athletes can return to play after suffering a concussion. The study points to inadequate levels of reliability and validity in the tests; their strain on brains that should be resting; and the fact that they miss elements that could be more important to recovery.

Massage is promising for muscle recovery

Friday, February 03, 2012 00:00 MST

While massage is well accepted as a therapy for relieving muscle tension and pain, the researchers delved deeper to find it also triggers biochemical sensors that can send inflammation-reducing signals to muscle cells.

Optimal basketball shooting rate proposed based on mathematical model

Monday, January 30, 2012 00:00 MST

NBA players may be too conservative with their shots, according to a comparison with a theoretical model describing shot selection reported Jan. 25 in the online journal PLoS ONE.

Foot and ankle structure differs between sprinters and non-sprinters

Friday, January 27, 2012 00:00 MST

The skeletal structure of the foot and ankle differs significantly between human sprinters and non-sprinters, according to Penn State researchers. Their findings not only help explain why some people are faster runners than others, but also may be useful in helping people who have difficulty walking, such as older adults and children with cerebral palsy.