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BACKGROUND During half time or breaks in play cryotherapy is often applied for analgesia for minor musculoskeletal sport injury, however the effect of cryotherapy on dynamic stability is debated. A risk factor for further lower limb injury may be heightened due to a reduction in dynamic postural stability. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of wetted-ice applied for 20-minutes at the ankle on dynamic stability using the star excursion balance test, immediately-post exposure and over a rewarming period of 30-minutes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-two healthy male athletes that regular took part in land-based sport were assessed on reach directions of Anterior (Ant), Posteromedial (PM), and Posterolateral (PL) using the modified star excursion balance test (mSEBT) on the non-dominant limb. Thermal imaging quantified skin surface temperature (Tsk) over lateral and medial regions. Participants were tested pre-intervention, exposed to 15-minutes wetted-ice cryotherapy application, immediately-post and up to 30-minutes post intervention at 10-minute intervals. RESULTS Significant decreases in Tsk over the medial and lateral regions of the ankle (p < 0.05) not returning to pre-cooling temperatures at 30-minutes post. Significant decrease in reach -distance scores (ANT, PL and PM) pre-immediately post and at 10, 20 and 30-minutes post cryotherapy exposure. CONCLUSION Following wetted ice application to the non-dominant ankle, dynamic postural stability was adversely affected for up to 30-minutes post exposure demonstrated through a decrease in reach scores for ANT, PL and PM directions. Functional performance which requires stabilising mechanisms may be negatively affected and contribute to a heightened risk of injury or further injury in consideration of the findings.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to analyse the association between grip strength and performance of the standardised protocol of the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test. Methods: 31 elite premier league footballers completed test-retest measures of peak force (PF) grip strength and IMTP, measures were taken 7 days apart. Post completion of the test-retest 3 maximal IMTP and bilateral grip strength measures were taken. Mean PF was calculated bilaterally for each assessment. Linear relationships were determined for test-retest and Grip Strength Test (GST) and IMTP PF output. Results: Test-retest of the GST and IMTP displayed significant almost perfect correlations bilaterally (p ≤ 0.001, r = 0.92 – 0.94, CI = 0.85 – 0.96). Bilateral moderate-large significant correlations were also identified between grip strength and IMTP PF (p ≤ 0.05, r = 0.54 – 0.72, CI = 0.30 - 0.86). Conclusions: GST and IMTP are reliable and repeatable measures. Findings in the present study indicate consideration must be given to the influence of grip strength on maximal IMTP PF output. Previous literature describes standardisation procedures for IMTP performance. Pre-completion of IMTP measures in elite footballers, performance practitioners should consider assessment of the athlete’s grip strength despite the use of lifting straps.

Quantification of eccentric hamstring strength within elite youth sporting populations is a contemporary issue within practice. The aim of the study was to identify the reliability of eccentric strength metrics obtained via isokinetic dynamometry (IKD) and the NordBord in an elite youth football population. Furthermore, relationships between the strength metrics exhibited by the two devices were observed, to ascertain whether level of performance on one device can indicate how athletes will perform on the other. Twenty-one elite academy footballers completed two measures of eccentric hamstring strength on each device (60°·s-1 and 180°·s-1). Test-retest reliability was determined through Pearson correlation analysis. Relationships between strength metrics (IKD: PT, AvT and oPT at 60°·s-1 and 180°·s-1; NordBord: PF, AvF, PT, AvT, Ɵ) obtained on both devices were identified for analysis. Test-retest of both devices identified significant correlations for all eccentric strength metrics (P=≤0.05). Significant unilateral (L) relationships between PT, AvT (IKD 60°·s-1; 180°·s-1), break angle (Ɵ) (NordBord) angle peak torque (oPT) at 60°·s-1 and Ɵ were identified (P=≤0.05). Eccentric hamstring strength analysis on both the IKD and NordBord provide reliable information for practitioners, justifying their inclusion as one factor that may inform readiness to train and injury risk, within elite youth footballers. Although, careful consideration in relation to individual metrics must be given when informing decision making processes. Practitioners require clarity on the objectives of the assessment, what the strength metrics represent and how they provide insight into performance and injury risk.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to analyse the association between grip strength and performance of the standardised protocol of the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test. Methods: 31 elite premier league footballers completed test-retest measures of peak force (PF) grip strength and IMTP, measures were taken 7 days apart. Post completion of the test-retest 3 maximal IMTP and bilateral grip strength measures were taken. Mean PF was calculated bilaterally for each assessment. Linear relationships were determined for test-retest and Grip Strength Test (GST) and IMTP PF output. Results: Test-retest of the GST and IMTP displayed significant almost perfect correlations bilaterally (p ≤ 0.001, r = 0.92 – 0.94, CI = 0.85 – 0.96). Bilateral moderate-large significant correlations were also identified between grip strength and IMTP PF (p ≤ 0.05, r = 0.54 – 0.72, CI = 0.30 - 0.86). Conclusions: GST and IMTP are reliable and repeatable measures. Findings in the present study indicate consideration must be given to the influence of grip strength on maximal IMTP PF output. Previous literature describes standardisation procedures for IMTP performance. Pre-completion of IMTP measures in elite footballers, performance practitioners should consider assessment of the athlete’s grip strength despite the use of lifting straps.