Background:Return to play(RTP)in elite rugby is managed using a 6-stage graduated RTP protocol,which can result in clearance to play within 1 week of injury.We aimed to explore how symptom,cognitive,and balance presen...Background:Return to play(RTP)in elite rugby is managed using a 6-stage graduated RTP protocol,which can result in clearance to play within 1 week of injury.We aimed to explore how symptom,cognitive,and balance presentation and evolution during concussion screens 2 h(head injury assessment(HIA2)and 48 h(HIA3)after injury were associated with time to RTP)to identify whether a more conservative graduated RTP may be appropriate.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 380 concussed rugby players from elite men’s rugby over 3 consecutive seasons.Players were classified as shorter or longer returns,depending on whether RTP occurred within 7 days(allowing them to be considered to play the match 1 week after injury)or longer than 8 days,respectively.Symptom,cognitive,and balance performance during screens was assessed relative to baseline(normal or abnormal)and to the preceding screen(improving or worsening).Associations between sub-test abnormalities and RTP time were explored using odds ratios(OR,longer vs.shorter).Median day absence was compared between players with abnormal or worsening results and those whose results were normal or improving.Results:Abnormal symptom results during screens 2 h and 48 h after concussion were associated with longer return time(HIA2:OR=2.21,95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.39-3.50;HIA3:OR=3.30,95%CI:1.89-5.75).Worsening symptom number or severity from the time of injury to 2 h and 48 h post-injury was associated with longer return(HIA2:OR=2.49,95%CI:1.36-4.58;HIA3:OR=3.34,95%CI:1.10-10.15).Median days absence was greater in players with abnormal symptom results at both HIA2 and HIA3.Cognitive and balance performance were not associated with longer return and did not affect median days absence.Conclusion:Symptom presentation and evolution within 48 h of concussion were associated with longer RTP times.This may guide a more conservative approach to RTP,while still adhering to individualized concussion management principles.展开更多
Purpose Sled towing has been shown to be an effective method to enhance the physical qualities in youth athletes.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 6-week sled towing intervention on muscular streng...Purpose Sled towing has been shown to be an effective method to enhance the physical qualities in youth athletes.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 6-week sled towing intervention on muscular strength,speed and power in elite youth soccer players of differing maturity status.Method Seventy-three male elite youth soccer players aged 12-18 years(Pre-Peak Height Velocity[PHV]n = 25;Circa-PHV n = 24;Post-PHV n = 24)from one professional soccer academy participated in this study.Sprint assessments(10 m and 30 m),countermovement jump and isometric mid-thigh pull were undertaken before(T1)and after(T2)a 6-week intervention.The training intervention consisted of 6 weeks(2xper week,10 sprints over 20 m distance)of resisted sled towing(linear progression 10%-30%of body mass)during the competitive season.Bayesian regression models analysed differences between T1 and T2 within each maturity group.Results There were minimal changes in strength,speed and power(P=0.35-0.80)for each maturity group across the 6-week intervention.Where there were changes with greater certainty,they are unlikely to represent real effect due to higher regres-sion to the mean(RTM).Conclusion It appears that a 6-week sled towing training programme with loadings of 10%-30%body mass only maintains physical qualities in elite youth soccer players pre-,circa-,and post-PHV.Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of this training method in long-term athletic development programmes.展开更多
The pacing behaviors used by elite athletes differ among individual sports,necessitating the study of sport-specific pacing profiles.Additionally,pacing behaviors adopted by elite runners differ depending on race dist...The pacing behaviors used by elite athletes differ among individual sports,necessitating the study of sport-specific pacing profiles.Additionally,pacing behaviors adopted by elite runners differ depending on race distance.An“all-out”strategy,characterized by initial rapid acceleration and reduction in speed in the later stages,is observed during 100 m and 200 m events;400 m runners also display positive pacing patterns,which is characterized by a reduction in speed throughout the race.Similarly,800 m runners typically adopt a positive pacing strategy during paced“meet”races.However,during championship races,depending on the tactical approaches used by dominant athletes,pacing can be either positive or negative(characterized by an increase in speed throughout).A U-shaped pacing strategy(characterized by a faster start and end than during the middle part of the race)is evident during world record performances at meet races in 1500 m,5000 m,and 10,000 m events.Although a parabolic J-shaped pacing profile(in which the start is faster than the middle part of the race but is slower than the endspurt)can be observed during championship 1500 m races,a negative pacing strategy with microvariations of pace is adopted by 5000 m and 10,000 m runners in championship races.Major cross country and marathon championship races are characterized by a positive pacing strategy;whereas a U-shaped pacing strategy,which is the result of a fast endspurt,is adopted by 3000 m steeplechasers and half marathoners.In contrast,recent world record marathon performances have been characterized by even pacing,which emphasizes the differences between championship and meet races at distances longer than 800 m.Studies reviewed suggest further recommendations for athletes.Throughout the whole race,800 m runners should avoid running wide on the bends.In turn,during major championship events,1500 m,5000 m,and 10,000 m runners should try to run close to the inside of the track as much as possible during the decisive stages of the race when the 展开更多
文摘Background:Return to play(RTP)in elite rugby is managed using a 6-stage graduated RTP protocol,which can result in clearance to play within 1 week of injury.We aimed to explore how symptom,cognitive,and balance presentation and evolution during concussion screens 2 h(head injury assessment(HIA2)and 48 h(HIA3)after injury were associated with time to RTP)to identify whether a more conservative graduated RTP may be appropriate.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 380 concussed rugby players from elite men’s rugby over 3 consecutive seasons.Players were classified as shorter or longer returns,depending on whether RTP occurred within 7 days(allowing them to be considered to play the match 1 week after injury)or longer than 8 days,respectively.Symptom,cognitive,and balance performance during screens was assessed relative to baseline(normal or abnormal)and to the preceding screen(improving or worsening).Associations between sub-test abnormalities and RTP time were explored using odds ratios(OR,longer vs.shorter).Median day absence was compared between players with abnormal or worsening results and those whose results were normal or improving.Results:Abnormal symptom results during screens 2 h and 48 h after concussion were associated with longer return time(HIA2:OR=2.21,95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.39-3.50;HIA3:OR=3.30,95%CI:1.89-5.75).Worsening symptom number or severity from the time of injury to 2 h and 48 h post-injury was associated with longer return(HIA2:OR=2.49,95%CI:1.36-4.58;HIA3:OR=3.34,95%CI:1.10-10.15).Median days absence was greater in players with abnormal symptom results at both HIA2 and HIA3.Cognitive and balance performance were not associated with longer return and did not affect median days absence.Conclusion:Symptom presentation and evolution within 48 h of concussion were associated with longer RTP times.This may guide a more conservative approach to RTP,while still adhering to individualized concussion management principles.
文摘Purpose Sled towing has been shown to be an effective method to enhance the physical qualities in youth athletes.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 6-week sled towing intervention on muscular strength,speed and power in elite youth soccer players of differing maturity status.Method Seventy-three male elite youth soccer players aged 12-18 years(Pre-Peak Height Velocity[PHV]n = 25;Circa-PHV n = 24;Post-PHV n = 24)from one professional soccer academy participated in this study.Sprint assessments(10 m and 30 m),countermovement jump and isometric mid-thigh pull were undertaken before(T1)and after(T2)a 6-week intervention.The training intervention consisted of 6 weeks(2xper week,10 sprints over 20 m distance)of resisted sled towing(linear progression 10%-30%of body mass)during the competitive season.Bayesian regression models analysed differences between T1 and T2 within each maturity group.Results There were minimal changes in strength,speed and power(P=0.35-0.80)for each maturity group across the 6-week intervention.Where there were changes with greater certainty,they are unlikely to represent real effect due to higher regres-sion to the mean(RTM).Conclusion It appears that a 6-week sled towing training programme with loadings of 10%-30%body mass only maintains physical qualities in elite youth soccer players pre-,circa-,and post-PHV.Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of this training method in long-term athletic development programmes.
文摘The pacing behaviors used by elite athletes differ among individual sports,necessitating the study of sport-specific pacing profiles.Additionally,pacing behaviors adopted by elite runners differ depending on race distance.An“all-out”strategy,characterized by initial rapid acceleration and reduction in speed in the later stages,is observed during 100 m and 200 m events;400 m runners also display positive pacing patterns,which is characterized by a reduction in speed throughout the race.Similarly,800 m runners typically adopt a positive pacing strategy during paced“meet”races.However,during championship races,depending on the tactical approaches used by dominant athletes,pacing can be either positive or negative(characterized by an increase in speed throughout).A U-shaped pacing strategy(characterized by a faster start and end than during the middle part of the race)is evident during world record performances at meet races in 1500 m,5000 m,and 10,000 m events.Although a parabolic J-shaped pacing profile(in which the start is faster than the middle part of the race but is slower than the endspurt)can be observed during championship 1500 m races,a negative pacing strategy with microvariations of pace is adopted by 5000 m and 10,000 m runners in championship races.Major cross country and marathon championship races are characterized by a positive pacing strategy;whereas a U-shaped pacing strategy,which is the result of a fast endspurt,is adopted by 3000 m steeplechasers and half marathoners.In contrast,recent world record marathon performances have been characterized by even pacing,which emphasizes the differences between championship and meet races at distances longer than 800 m.Studies reviewed suggest further recommendations for athletes.Throughout the whole race,800 m runners should avoid running wide on the bends.In turn,during major championship events,1500 m,5000 m,and 10,000 m runners should try to run close to the inside of the track as much as possible during the decisive stages of the race when the
