Ralph K. Requa

Role of external support in the prevention of ankle sprains.

ABSTRACTTwo thousand five hundred and sixty-two participants in a college intramural basketball program were studied during two successive intramural “seasons” with regard to the frequency of ankle and knee sprains, as related to the use of external ankle support. The influence on injury rates of hi

Disability days in Major League Baseball

We have examined the injury experience in Major League Baseball as reflected by the disabled list, based on data presented by American Specialty Companies in their publications, to examine any changes in injury rates over the past 11 years. It is reasonable to expect that improvements in training and conditioning, diagnostic methods, and surgical treatment over the last 11 years would have reduced injuries and resulted in fewer players on the disabled list. Yet, such does not appear to be the case. There is no evidence that the number of injuries in Major League Baseball has declined over the last decade; on the contrary, it appears that both the number of players and player days on the disabled list have increased. Team membership, injury location, and position do not appear to be related to the increase. Nor does it appear that the increase in injuries is a result of more sensitive diagnostic tests allowing the diagnoses of previously unrecognized injuries. Whatever the reason, it is significant that publicly available data, when viewed over an 11-year period, reveal a gradual and consistent increase in reported injuries—suggesting a problem that deserves attention.

Epidemiology of women's gymnastics injuries

Injury information from 98 participants in 2 years of interscho lastic womens gymnastics competition in four Seattle area high schools was collected by certified athletic trainers. During the 2nd year of data collection, the study was expanded to include an additional 12-team high school league, 2 college teams, and 3 private clubs. A wide variety of injuries was observed, the total time loss injury rate was 39.8 injuries per 100 participant-seasons. Strains and sprains involving the back, particularly the lumbar region, appeared to occur more fre quently than in most other interscholastic athletic activities. Ankle sprains were also common, and a relatively high fre quency of thigh and leg strains and overuse problems of the leg were seen. This suggests that there may well be room for improvement in conditioning and other preventive programs in womens gymnastics.

High school football injuries: a pilot comparison of playing surfaces

ABSTRACTTwenty-six high school football teams playing 228 games in the Seattle metropolitan area were prospectively studied during the fall of 1970. Eighty games were played on a synthetic field and the remainder were played on grass fields.Injury rates for games played on the synthetic surface were

Sports and fitness activities: the negative consequences.

Abstract Participation in sports and fitness activities offers potential health benefits for individuals of all ages, such as combating obesity and osteoporosis, as well as enhancing cardiovascular fitness. Negative consequences of musculoskeletal injuries sustained during sports participation in childhood and adolescence may compromise function in later life, limiting the ability to experience pain‐free mobility and engage in fitness‐enhancing activity. Increasingly successful management of sportsrelated injuries has allowed more athletes to return to participation. However, even effective early management of meniscal or anterior cruciate ligament injury does not minimize or preclude the increased likelihood of developing subsequent osteoarthritis. In addition, even in the absence of injury, vigorous participation in sports and fitness activities during childhood and adolescence increases the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. It is ironic that return to vigorous sports participation has been adopted as an important measure of success of treatment, yet few efforts have been made to document long‐term consequences of continued participation. Awareness of the long‐term consequences of intensive sport and fitness activities allows the physician to help patients make informed decisions about the types and levels of activity they choose.

Injury patterns in children and adolescent skiers

Over 3,500 students from five major high schools in the Seattle metropolitan area were studied as to skiing injuries. Each had skiied an average of 13.3 days. The average age of the group was 13.5 years, the ages ranging from 3 to 19 years. The students 10 years and under had the lowest incidence of injuries, those aged 11 to 14 years had the highest over-all injury rates, and the group 15 years of age and over laid midway between these two groups in injury rate. There was no evidence in the study that the open physis led to a higher incidence of epiphy seal injuries. The knee was more commonly involved than the ankle, and sprains, contusions, and fractures followed in that order as far as injury rates were concerned. The female was more prone to injury than the male. Skiiers with greater ability had fewer injuries than those with less skill in this particular sport.

Injuries in Interscholastic Wrestling

In brief: This study documents wrestling injuries in four high schools during a two-year period. The 234 participants sustained 176 injuries, for a rate of 75.2 injuries per 100 participants per season. Three fourths of all injuries were sprains and strains. Twenty-nine percent involved the upper extremities, 33% the lower extremities, and 34% the spine and trunk. More than one fifth were reinjuries. One third of all injuries occurred during competitive events. Given the greater average severity and rate of wrestling injuries compared with most other sports, the authors recommend that all competitive events have medical or paramedical coverage.

The Role of Instruction in Preventing Ski Injuries

Even though ski instruction may mean transiently increased risks for the skier, lessons can ultimately mean safer, more enjoyable skiing.

Antifriction devices and injury in skiing

In an effort to evaluate the role played by antifriction devices (AFD’s) in reducing injuries in skiing, a large group of recreational skiers involved in instructional programs was identified before the skiing season and contacted by mail and telephone at its close. Rigorous follow-up obtained 4,530 responses, among which 434 reported sustaining time loss injuries. The distribution of the injuries by AFD type showed the use of Teflon and plastic by children and adolescents to,be associated with significantly lower rates of lower extremity fractures, sprains, and dislocations. At the same time, in this age group the Teflon and plastic categories had higher proportions of lower extremity injuries than did any of the other user groups. This, coupled with the absence of any differences in the percentage of injured skiers reporting to physicians and average time loss according to user groups, supports the thesis that the composition of the groups by sex, experience, and skill was in large part responsible for the variations in injury rates observed. Among the adults, the addition of a Teflon AFD paralleled a small although not statistically significant decline in both the rate of

Injuries in Slow-Pitch Softball.

In brief: Softball is one of the most popular recreational sports in the United States, and widespread participation inevitably results in injuries. The authors evaluated the records of 285 patients with softball injuries who were treated at a sports medicine clinic from 1979 through 1986. In addition, they sent questionnaires to 200 registrants in an adult softball league, requesting information about injuries. From this survey, 81 players reported 66 injuries. Many of the injuries were nontraumatic or chronic. The authors suggest ways to prevent softball injuries, such as preseason conditioning and strengthening.