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To explore how injury, as a primary barrier, impacts physically inactive Australian women's engagement in sport and physical activity. Concept mapping. Participants used online concept mapping to brainstorm the meaning of injury, then sorted and rated statements for impact and importance (1 (low)–5 (high) scale). Multi-dimensional scaling, hierarchical cluster analysis and descriptive statistics were applied. Forty-five Australian women, aged 25–64, brainstormed 94 statements representing the meaning of an injury. Nine clusters emerged from analysis of the sorting data (highest to lowest mean cluster impact order): Fear and frustration ; Physical implications of injury ; Activity restrictions ; Financial implications ; Modification and management ; Recovery ; Mental and emotional wellbeing ; Impact on daily life ; and Social impact and engagement. A high correlation was found between rating scales (r = 0.92). A holistic approach is fundamental to understanding how the multi-dimensional impacts of injury and recovery affect physically inactive women. This approach should extend beyond the medical/physical aspects to other challenges and contextual factors (i.e. environmental and personal) impacting women's functioning. Understanding the diverse needs and experiences of physically inactive women is crucial for tailoring interventions that can effectively support recovery and sustained engagement, through person-centred strategies focused on injury prevention/management. Furthermore, this understanding is essential to fostering collaborative system-wide understanding and change, involving diverse stakeholders (e.g. health practitioners, those in delivery/practice settings, insurance) to improve long-term health and wellness outcomes, and promote greater participation in sport/physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore if one-leg rise test performance is associated with quadriceps strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Cross-sectional. 100 individuals (50 females, 50 males) aged 18–40 years, 9–36 months post-ACLR with ongoing knee symptoms (KOOS 4 <80/100). Number of one-leg rise repetitions (using an adjustable-height plinth) and isometric quadriceps strength using isokinetic dynamometry (60° flexion, normalised to body mass). Multivariable fractional polynomial regression models adjusted for sex explored relationships between one-leg rise performance (repetitions) and quadriceps strength (Nm/kg) for each limb. A non-linear, increasing association between one-leg rise performance and quadriceps strength was observed, with the rate of increase attenuating at higher values of one-leg rise performance. Similar relationships were observed in the ACLR (β = 0.15, 95%CI 0.10 to 0.20; adjusted r2 = 0.51) and contralateral limb (β = 0.14, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.19; r2 = 0.42). The one-leg rise test can be an indicator of quadriceps strength in individuals after ACLR, enabling clinicians to easily monitor quadriceps strength recovery without specialised equipment. With the relationship between one-leg rise performance and quadriceps strength attenuating with a larger number of one-leg rises achieved, other factors (e.g., motivation, endurance) likely contribute to one-leg rise performance at higher values. • The one-leg rise test may be used to estimate quadriceps strength without specialised equipment. • The one-leg rise test may be used in knee-injured populations more generally with and without pain. • The relationship between one-leg rise performance and quadriceps strength attenuates with higher one-leg rise repetitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The general health benefits of running are well-established, yet concern exists regarding the development and progression of osteoarthritis.Aim: To systematically review the immediate (within 20 min) and delayed (20 min-48 h) effect of running on hip and knee cartilage, as assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Method: Studies using MRI to measure change in hip or knee cartilage within 48 h pre- and post-running were identified. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Percentage change in cartilage outcomes were estimated using random-effects meta-analysis. Certainty of evidence was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool.Results: Twenty-four studies were included, evaluating 446 knees only. One third of studies were low risk of bias. Knee cartilage thickness and volume decreased immediately after running, with declines ranging from 3.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6%, 4.1%) for weight-bearing femoral cartilage volume to 4.9% (95% CI: 4.43.6%, 6.2%) for patellar cartilage volume. T1ρ and T2 relaxation times were also reduced immediately after running, with the largest decline being 13.1% (95% CI: -14.4%, -11.7%) in femoral trochlear cartilage. Tibiofemoral cartilage T2 relaxation times recovered to baseline levels within 91 min. Existing cartilage defects were unchanged within 48 h post-run.Conclusions: There is very low certainty evidence that running immediately decreases the thickness, volume, and relaxation times of patellofemoral and tibiofemoral cartilage. Hip cartilage changes are unknown, but knee changes are small and appear transient suggesting that a single bout of running is not detrimental to knee cartilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate if returning to pivoting sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is associated with longitudinal structural and symptomatic osteoarthritis outcomes.Design: Eighty-one adults aged 18-50 years were followed prospectively 1- to 5-years post-ACLR. Return to pivoting sport was assessed at 1-, 3- and 5-years. Longitudinal changes in osteoarthritis features were evaluated from 1- and 5-year magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)s using MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS). Radiographic osteoarthritis and self-reported knee symptoms, function and quality of life were assessed using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) atlas and Knee injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), respectively, at 5 years post-ACLR. Generalised linear models (adjusted for baseline characteristics) assessed whether returning to pivoting sport was associated with risk of worsening osteoarthritis features on MRI, radiographic osteoarthritis and KOOS.Results: Thirty participants returned to pivoting sport 1-year post-ACLR and 50 returned at any time (i.e., 1-, 3- or 5-years). Returning to pivoting sport was not associated with worsening of any MRI osteoarthritis feature (risk ratio (RR) range: 0.59-2.91) or 5-year KOOS (β range: -2.73-3.69). Returning to pivoting sport at 1-year and up to 5-years post-ACLR was associated with a 50% (RR 0.49, 95%CI 0.10-2.37) and 40% (RR 0.60, 95%CI 0.16-2.17) reduced risk of radiographic osteoarthritis, respectively, but these risk reductions were inconclusive due to wide confidence intervals.Conclusion: After ACLR, returning to pivoting sport was not associated with increased risk of worsening knee osteoarthritis features on MRI, radiographic osteoarthritis or knee symptoms. Participation in pivoting sport need not be avoided as part of osteoarthritis secondary prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacious injury prevention programs exist, yet translation to practice in real-world settings is poor. Little is known about how women playing elite team ball-sports perceive and experience injury prevention programs in practice. Understanding the end-user's (athlete's) perspective is essential to improve program uptake and adherence. To explore the perspectives and experiences of injury prevention practices in athletes from the elite Australian Football League for Women (AFLW). Convenience sample of 13 athletes from three AFLW clubs. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, analysed with a thematic analysis approach, and classified within the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM). Women playing elite Australian Football: (1) believe injury prevention programs have multiple aims and benefits, (2) perceive varying injury prevention practices between and within AFLW clubs, (3) believe injury prevention program adoption and implementation is complex and multi-factorial, and (4) think implementing injury prevention programs in the AFLW could be enhanced through education and resources. Mapping our results onto the SEM highlighted that athletes perceive multiple ecological levels (i.e. individual, interpersonal, community, and organizational) are involved in sports injury prevention. Multi-level engagement strategies are required to enhance injury prevention program adoption and implementation and to maximise athlete adherence. • Athletes believe injury prevention practices have multiple aims and benefits. • Lack of knowledge, time, and competing demands were perceived as program barriers. • Education, resources, and positive club culture facilitated program adoption. • Full-time professional contracts and improved resources may enhance implementation. • Program implementation is a shared responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report physical characteristics of lower-limb strength, endurance, range of motion, balance, and pain during adductor squeeze in elite female Australian Football (AF) players, and to examine the effect of limb dominance, previous AF experience, age, and previous level of sports participation on these characteristics. Cross-sectional study. Three elite AF clubs. Eighty-five female players. All were aged ≥18, contracted for the 2018 season, and participated in pre-season training. The physical characteristic assessments included; pain on adductor squeeze, weight-bearing lunge, side bridge, isometric hip abduction and adduction strength, and the modified star excursion balance test. The adductor squeeze had low pain scores, with 93% of players scoring ≤2 on the numerical rating scale. Other assessment results were (mean ± SD): 10.8 ± 2.7 cm for weight-bearing lunge, 95 ± 39s for side bridge, 1.85 ± 0.23 and 1.85 ± 0.36Nm/kg for hip abduction and adduction strength respectively, and 92 ± 8% for the modified star excursion balance test. There was no clinically relevant effect of limb dominance, previous AF experience, age, or previous level of sports on physical characteristics. Physical characteristics for five assessments are reported. These data can be used for comparison purposes in the screening and clinical management of elite female AF players. • Physical characteristics of elite female Australian Football players are provided. • No clinically meaningful effect on the characteristics of limb dominance, age, experience, or previous sports participation. • These data can be used for comparison purposes in the screening, prevention and management of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine eccentric knee flexor strength in elite female Australian Rules Football (ARF) players with and without a history of unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using an ipsilateral semitendinosus graft. Case-control. Elite ARF Women's competition. Eighty-four elite female ARF players (mean age, 25 ± 4.9 years; height, 1.71 ± 0.73 m; weight, 67 kg ± 7.4 kg) with (n = 12) and without (n = 72) a history of unilateral ACLR in the previous 10 years. Peak eccentric knee flexor force during the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE). Players with a history of unilateral ACLR displayed lower levels of eccentric knee flexor strength in their surgically reconstructed limb than their uninjured contralateral limb (mean difference −53.77 N, 95% CI = −85.06 to −24.27, d = −0.51) and compared to the limbs of players with no history of injury (mean difference = −46.32 N, 95% CI = −86.65 to −11.13, d = −0.73). Elite female ARF players with a history of unilateral ACLR display deficits in eccentric knee flexor strength in their surgically reconstructed limb for up to 10 years following surgery. • Elite female ARF players display deficits in eccentric knee flexor strength 1-10 years post-ACLR compared to uninjured limbs. • Conventional rehabilitation may not adequately restore knee flexor strength to the ACLR limb. • Future research should explore if hamstring strength deficits are a risk factor for ACL re-injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]