No abstract

This study aims to determine if biomechanically informed injury prevention training can reduce associated factors of anterior cruciate ligament injury risk among a general female athletic population. Female community-level team sport athletes, split into intervention (n = 8) and comparison groups (n = 10), completed a sidestepping movement assessment prior to and following a 9-week training period, in which kinetic, kinematic and neuromuscular data were collected. The intervention group completed a biomechanically informed training protocol, consisting of plyometric, resistance and balance exercises, adjunct to normal training, for 15-20 min twice a week. Following the 9-week intervention, total activation of the muscles crossing the knee (n = 7) decreased for both the training (∆ -15.02%, d = 0.45) and comparison (∆ -9.68%, d = 0.47) groups. This decrease was accompanied by elevated peak knee valgus (∆ +27.78%, d = -0.36) and internal rotation moments (∆ +37.50%, d = -0.56) in the comparison group, suggesting that female community athletes are at an increased risk of injury after a season of play. Peak knee valgus and internal rotation knee moments among athletes who participated in training intervention did not change over the intervention period. Results suggest participation in a biomechanically informed training intervention may mitigate the apparent deleterious effects of community-level sport participation.

Indepth knowledge of injury and illness epidemiology in circus arts is lacking. Comparing results across studies is difficult due to inconsistent methods and definitions. In 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus group proposed a standard method for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injuries and illnesses in sports and stated that sport-specific extension statements are needed to capture the context of each sport. This is the circus-specific extension to be used with the IOC consensus statement. International circus arts researchers in injury and illness epidemiology and performing arts medicine formed a consensus working group. Consensus statement development included a review of literature, creation of an initial draft by the working group, feedback from external reviewers, integration of feedback into the second draft and a consensus on the final document. This consensus statement contains circus-specific information on (1) injury definitions and characteristics; (2) measures of severity and exposure, with recommendations for calculating the incidence and prevalence; (3) a healthcare practitioner report form; (4) a self-report form capturing health complaints with training and performance exposure; and (5) a demographic, health history and circus experience intake questionnaire. This guideline facilitates comparing results across studies and enables combining data sets on injuries in circus arts. This guideline informs circus-specific injury prevention, rehabilitation, and risk management to improve the performance and health of circus artists.

Nicholas, JC, McDonald, KA, Peeling, P, Jackson, B, Dimmock, JA, Alderson, JA, and Donnelly, CJ. Pole dancing for fitness: The physiological and metabolic demand of a 60-minute class. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2704–2710, 2019—Little is understood about the acute physiological or metabolic demand of pole dancing classes. As such, the aims of this study were to quantify the demands of a standardized recreational pole dancing class, classifying outcomes according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise-intensity guidelines, and to explore differences in physiological and metabolic measures between skill- and routine-based class components. Fourteen advanced-level amateur female pole dancers completed three 60-minute standardized pole dancing classes. In one class, participants were fitted with a portable metabolic analysis unit. Overall, classes were performed at a mean Vo 2 of 16.0 ml·kg−1·min−1, total energy cost (EC) of 281.6 kcal (4.7 kcal·min−1), metabolic equivalent (METs) of 4.6, heart rate of 131 b·min−1, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of 6.3/10, and blood lactate of 3.1 mM. When comparing skill- and routine-based components of the class, EC per minute (4.4 vs. 5.3 kcal·min−1), peak Vo 2 (21.5 vs. 29.6 ml·kg−1·min−1), METs (4.3 vs. 5.2), and RPE (7.2 vs. 8.4) were all greater in the routine-based component (p < 0.01), indicating that classes with an increased focus on routine-based training, as compared to skill-based training, may benefit those seeking to exercise at a higher intensity level, resulting in greater caloric expenditure. In accordance with ASCM guidelines, an advanced-level 60-minute pole dancing class can be classified as a moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise; when completed for ≥30 minutes, ≥5 days per week (total ≥150 minutes) satisfies the recommended level of exercise for improved health and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Background Physical inactivity is a global health concern. mHealth interventions have become increasingly popular, but to date, principles of effective communication from Self-Determination Theory have not been integrated with behavior change techniques to optimize app effectiveness. We outline the development of the START app, an app combining SDT principles and 17 purposefully chosen BCTs to support inactive office employees to increase their walking during a 16-week randomized controlled trial. We also explored acceptability, engagement with, associations between app usage and behavioral engagement, and perceived impact of the app in supporting behavior change. Methods Following development, fifty insufficiently physically active employees (M age = 44.21 ± 10.95 years; BMI = 29.02 ± 5.65) were provided access and instructions on use of the app. A mixed methods design was used to examine feasibility of the app, including the User Mobile App Rating Scale, app engagement data, step counts, and individual interviews. Linear mixed modeling and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results Walkers rated the app quality favorably (M = 3.68 out of 5). Frequency of entering step counts (i.e., frequency of self-monitoring) on a weekly basis positively predicted weekly step counts measured via Fitbits at both the between-and within-individual levels. App features (entering daily step counts, reminders, and motivational messages) were perceived to assist walkers in fostering goal achievement by building competence and via self-monitoring. Conclusions The START app may be a useful component of walking interventions designed to increase walking in the workplace. Apps designed to promote walking behavior may be effective if they target users’ competence and integrate BCTs. Trial Registration: This study was part of a pilot larger randomized controlled trial, in which a component of the intervention involved the use of the mobile app. The trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000807257) on 11 May 2018 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375049&isReview=true.

Walking interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity amongst physically inactive employees. However, despite their promising potential regarding sustainability and scalability, peer-led workplace walking interventions have not been tested. We evaluated a peer-led workplace group walking intervention designed to engage physically inactive employees. A 16-week pilot cluster randomized controlled trial consisted of enhanced ( 5worksites; n=50 participants) and minimal treatment (3 worksites; n=47) conditions. All participants were provided with a Fitbit Zip and information on health benefits of walking.Enhanced treatment participants had access to a mobile phone app incorporating behavior change techniques, were trained on principles of autonomous motivation, and had a peer leader trained in a motivationally supportive communication style. Feasibility assessments included recruitment and drop-out rates, assessment completion rates, training acceptability (walkers and peer leaders), and intervention acceptability (walkers only). Outcomes assessed included movement-related behaviors (assessed via activPAL devices), cardio-metabolic risk factors, motivation to walk, and well-being, and these measures were taken at baseline and post-intervention. The results supported intervention feasibility. Preliminary efficacy evidence was mixed. Markers of cardio-metabolic risk improved in the enhanced treatment only. Autonomous motivation increased in both conditions. There were no changes in step counts, standing, and sitting time, or well-being. Further fine tuning is needed before a definitive RCT.Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000807257.

OBJECTIVE: Pole dancing is a challenging physical activity. Prospective injury studies in pole dancing are lacking. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, mechanisms, and characteristics of injuries in pole dancers. METHODS: A total of 66 pole dancers from 41 studios across Australia were prospectively followed over 12 months. An intake questionnaire was administered including items on pole dancers’ demographics and training characteristics. Exposure was assessed using a daily online training diary. Self-reported injury data were collected via an incident report form and subsequently coded using the Orchard Sports Injury Classification System. Injuries occurring during pole-specific and pole-related activities were included in the analyses. RESULTS: The sample included 63 females and 3 males, mean age 32.3 ± 8.9 years and mean pole training experience 3.5 ± 2.8 years. 25 of 66 participants completed the full study. The 1-year incidence of all new injuries was 8.95/1,000 exposure hours (95% CI 6.94 – 10.96), 7.65/1,000 hrs (95% CI 5.79 – 9.51) for pole-specific injuries and 1.29/1,000 hrs (95% CI 0.53 – 2.06) for pole-related injuries. A total of 103 injuries occurred, 62.1% of which were sudden onset and 37.9% gradual onset. Mechanism of onset included 54.4% acute and 45.6% repetitive in nature. Shoulder (20.4%) and thigh (11.7%, majority ham¬string) were the most reported anatomic injury sites. Non-contact mechanisms accounted for the majority of injuries (57.3%). The most reported primary contributor to injury onset at the shoulder were manoeuvres characterised by loaded internal humeral rotation (33.3%), and at the hamstring were manoeuvres and postures involving front splits (100.0%). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that pole dancers are at high risk for injuries. Future research is needed to understand the biomechani¬cal demand of manoeuvres and training characteristics of pole dancing (e.g., workload and recovery) to guide the development of preventative interventions, particularly targeted toward the shoulder and hamstring.

The effectiveness of a morning versus evening oral iron supplement strategy to increase iron stores was explored. Ballet and contemporary dancers with serum ferritin (sFer) < 50μg/L (n = 14), were supplemented daily with 105 mg elemental oral iron in either the morning (Fe AM ) or evening (Fe PM ) for 8 weeks. A control group (n = 6) with sFer >50μg/L were given no supplement over the same period. Dancers' sFer were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Assessment of daily training load, dietary intake, and menstruation were made. A significant interaction (p < 0.001) showed the within group sFer change over the 8-week intervention in Fe AM (+25.9 ± 10.5μg/L) and Fe PM, (+22.3 ± 13.6μg/L) was significantly different to CON (−30.17 ± 28.7μg/L; both p = 0.001). This change was not different between Fe AM and Fe PM (p = 0.778). sFer levels within Fe AM and Fe PM significantly increased over the 8-weeks; however, they significantly decreased in the CON group (all p < 0.05). Post-intervention sFer levels were no longer different between the three groups (p > 0.05). Training load, dietary intake, and number of menstrual cycles incurred were similar between Fe AM and Fe PM (p > 0.05). Oral iron supplementation in either the morning or evening appears equally effective in increasing sFer levels in dancers with sub-optimal iron status. KEYWORDS Highlights. 8 weeks of oral iron supplements increases serum ferritin levels in elite dancers.. Dancers not consuming an iron supplement showed a decline in serum ferritin over the 8-week period. . Consuming the iron supplement in either the morning or the evening appeared equally effective in improving serum ferritin stores.