Alexandra Tripolitsioti

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TRACK & FIELD INJURIES: A ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE IN ATHLETIC SCHOOLS

The purpose of this study was to record injuries in track & field events that were sustained by students who attended the athletic schools during a one-year period. From September 2009 to May 2010, the researchers observed 2045 students (883 males and 1163 females), who were participating in track and field events at the mentioned schools. During the study period 150 injuries were recorded, which accounted for 13.3% of all injuries sustained by students. Most of the injuries (34%) according to the diagnosis were sprains and strains and occurred during the months of February, December and January. A large percentage of the injuries (45.4%) were sustained by students who attended the Athletic Schools, which operated in the urban region. Students who attended the second class sustained more injuries than the other classes (first and third). Students who were practising or competing on a tartan playing surface were more likely to sustain an injury. Knee and ankle were the most frequent anatomical sites in which injuries (43.9%) occurred. Additionally, 80.0% of injuries occurred in students who were practising or competing in running events. No statistical differences were observed in all above mentioned parameters amongst male and female students. Physical education (P.E.) teachers should place more emphasis on prevention measures. These measures should include proper supervision of students during training, warming up and cooling down sessions with stretching techniques. By following these suggestions students will compete in a safe and healthy environment.

Isokinetic characteristics of amateur boxer athletes

Aim: The kinetic chain of the punch of boxers is characterized by the contribution of the shoulder; however, the isokinetic muscle strength of shoulder’s rotators muscles has not been well studied so far, especially with regards to performance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was (a) to profile the isokinetic muscle strength of rotators of the glenohumeral joint, bilateral (BL), unilateral (UL) and functional ratios in amateur boxers, and (b) to examine the variation of these muscle strength characteristics by performance level. Methods: Forty male amateur Greek boxers from three division levels (elite, n = 22; second division, n = 11; and third division, n = 7), and 10 non-athletes (control group) were tested, using the isokinetic dynamometer Kin-ComTM in the scapular seated position under standard conditions. We examined (i) peak torque (PT) of internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators during concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) contractions at low (60°/s), medium (120°/s), and high speed (180°/s), (ii) BL, (iii) UL, and (iv) functional ratios of dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) limbs. Results: Boxers were stronger than control group in IR and ER at all speeds, and D outscored ND limb (p < 0.05). Elite boxers were stronger than group B and C (p < 0.05); however, when peak torque was expressed in relative to body mass values, these differences were attenuated. The BL ratios for the men athletes were under 10% at 60 and 180°/s, the UL ratios were lower at 60 and higher at 180°/s and significant lower in the dominant limb at all speeds. The functional ratios of IR ECC / ER CON were higher between the control group at all speeds and the ER ECC/IR CON ratios were between 60 and 180°/s, and the two limbs with higher values at 180°/s. Conclusion: Boxers had the strongest dominant limb and their BL ratios were normal at all speeds except of 120°/s ECC. The UL ratios of ECC at 120 and 180°/s of ND were normal, and at the other speeds abnormal due to high IR. In addition, the functional ratios may be related to the kinetic chain of the punch, which in turn correlates with the contribution of ER of both limbs.

THE IMPACT OF BOXING EXPERIENCE ON SHOULDER INTERNAL ROTATOR MUSCLES CONCENTRIC AND ECCENTRIC STRENGTH.

Ioannis Tasiopoulos 1 , Alexandra Tripolitsioti 2 , Pantelis Nikolaidis 3 and Apostolos Stergioulas 4 . 1. MS, PhDc Faculty of Human Movement & Quality of Life, Peloponnese University, Efstathiou & Stamatikis Balioti & Plateon, 23100, Sparta, Laconia, Greece. 2. Special staff, Faculty of Human Movement & Quality of Life, Peloponnese University, Efstathiou & Stamatikis Balioti & Plateon, 23100, Sparta, Laconia, Greece. 3. Professor, Director Lab of Health, Fitness and Disability Management, Faculty of Human Movement & Quality of Life, Peloponnese University, Efstathiou & Stamatikis Balioti & Plateon, 23100, Sparta, Laconia, Greece. 4. Exercise Physiology Laboratory,Thermopilon 7, 18450, Nikaia, Athens, Greece. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History