Citation

Brumitt J, Heiderscheit B, Manske R, Niemuth PE, Mattocks A, Rauh MJ. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2018; 32(6): 1692-1701.

Affiliation

1School of Physical Therapy George Fox University 414 N Meridian Newberg, OR 97132 (503) 554-2461 2University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation 1300 University Ave. Room 4120 Medical Sciences Center Madison, WI 53706-1532 (608) 263-5428 3Wichita State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program 1845 Fairmount Wichita, KS 67260 (316) 978-3456 4St. Catherine University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program 601 25th Avenue S Minneapolis, MN 55454 (601) 690-7981 5Spalding University Athletic Training Education Program 845 S 3rd St Louisville, KY 40203 (502) 585-9911 6San Diego State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program San Diego, CA (619) 594-3706.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000002243

PMID

28930873

Abstract

Recent prospective cohort studies have reported preseason functional performance test (FPT) measures and associations with future risk of injury; however, the findings associated with these studies have been equivocal. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of a battery of FPTs as a preseason screening tool to identify female Division III (D III) collegiate athletes who may be at risk for a non-contact time-loss injury to the lower quadrant [LQ = low back and lower extremities]. One hundred six female D III athletes were recruited for this study. Athletes performed 3 FPTs: standing long jump (SLJ), single-leg hop (SLH) for distance, and the lower extremity functional test (LEFT). Time-loss sport-related injuries were tracked during the season. Thirty-two (24 initial and 8 subsequent) time-loss LQ injuries were sustained during the study. Ten of the 24 initial injuries occurred at the thigh and knee. At-risk athletes with suboptimal FPT measures (SLJ ≤ 79% ht; (B) SLH ≤ 64% ht; LEFT ≥ 118 s) had significantly greater rates of initial [(7.2 per 1000 athletic exposures (AEs)] and total (7.6/1000 AEs) time-loss thigh or knee injuries than the referent group (0.9/1000 AEs; 1.0/1000 AEs respectively). At-risk athletes were 9 times more likely to experience a thigh or knee injury (OR = 9.7, CI: 2.3, 39.9; p = 0.002) than athletes in the referent group. At-risk athletes with prior history of LQ sports injury and lower off-season training habits had an 18-fold increased risk of a time-loss thigh or knee injury during the season (AOR = 18.7, CI: 3.0, 118.1; p = 0.002). This battery of FPTs appears useful as a tool for identifying female D III athletes at risk for a LQ injury; especially to the thigh or knee region.

Language: en