Empowering women in sports biomechanics: exploring the impact of mentor circles.

This study evaluated the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) women's mentor circle programme. Forty-eight ISBS women members completed a survey that provided insight into how the circles operated, perceived benefits, and challenges to participation. Most circles met every 6-8 weeks with meetings lasting 1 to 1.

Agreement between an automated video-based system and tethered system to measure instantaneous swimming velocity.

Successful performance in competitive swimming requires a swimmer to maximise propulsion and minimise drag, which can be assessed using instantaneous swimming velocity. Many systems exist to quantify velocity, and therefore, it is important to understand the agreement between systems. This study examined the agreement between an automated video-based system and a tethered system to measure instantaneous velocity.

The Biomechanics Research and Innovation Challenge: Development, Implementation, Uptake, and Reflections on the Inaugural Program.

Biomechanics as a discipline is ideally placed to increase awareness and participation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. A nationwide Biomechanics and Research Innovation Challenge (BRInC) centered on mentoring and role modeling was developed to engage high school girls (mentees) and early-mid-career women (mentors) in the field of biomechanics through the completion of a 100-day research and/or innovation project. This manuscript describes the development, implementation, and uptake of the inaugural BRInC program and synthesizes the research and innovation projects undertaken, providing a framework for adoption of this program within the global biomechanics community.

Effects of multidirectional elastic tape on pain and function in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy: A randomised crossover trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of multidirectional elastic tape on pain and function in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy.

Study Design: Randomised crossover trial.

Setting: Biomechanics laboratory.

Effects of multidirectional elastic tape on forearm muscle activity and wrist extension during submaximal gripping in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy: A randomised crossover trial.

Background: Lateral elbow tendinopathy is associated with changes to forearm muscle activity and wrist posture during gripping. Multidirectional elastic tape is thought to exert a deloading effect on underlying musculotendinous structures, which could potentially alter muscle activity or wrist posture.

Methods: This single-blinded randomised crossover trial compared the immediate effects of tensioned multidirectional elastic tape, untensioned control tape, and no tape, in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy.

Pain-free grip strength in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy: Between- and within-session reliability of one versus three trials.

Background: Pain-free grip strength is an important outcome measure in lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET); yet, the reliability and minimum detectable change (MDC) in functional positions are unknown.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the between- and within-session pain-free grip strength reliability and MDC in LET.

Methods: Twenty-three individuals with LET completed three pain-free grip strength trials with the elbow flexed and extended.

An Investigation of Maximal Strength of the Upper Limb Bilaterally in Individuals With Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is evidence of bilateral upper limb strength deficits in individuals with unilateral lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET).

Methods: The electronic databases Medline via Ovid, PubMed, and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2020. Included studies encompassed maximal strength outcomes of any upper limb and appendicular musculature in individuals with LET and an asymptomatic comparator.

Validity and Reliability of Using Load-Velocity Relationship Profiles to Establish Back Squat 1 m·s-1 Load.

Elsworthy, N, Callaghan, DE, Scanlan, AT, Kertesz, AHM, Kean, CO, Dascombe, BJ, and Guy, JH. Validity and reliability of using load-velocity relationship profiles to establish back squat 1 m·s-1 load. J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 340-346, 2021-Although measuring movement velocity during resistance exercise is being increasingly used to monitor player readiness for competition in team sports, the validity and reliability of using set target velocities has not been examined.

Back squat velocity to assess neuromuscular status of rugby league players following a match.

Objectives: Back squat mean concentric velocity (MV) and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance were examined in sub-elite rugby league players post-match to monitor changes in neuromuscular status (NMS) from baseline. Relationships between changes in back squat MV and CMJ performance variables were used to compare back squat MV to an established method to monitor NMS.

Design: Longitudinal observational design.

Therapeutic tape use for lateral elbow tendinopathy: A survey of Australian healthcare practitioners.

Background: Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is a common musculoskeletal condition that can be treated with therapeutic tape. However, little is known of taping practices for LET in a clinical setting.

Objectives: To examine Australian healthcare practitioners' taping techniques, clinical reasoning, and information sources regarding therapeutic tape use for LET.

Evaluating the immediate effect of forearm and wrist orthoses on pain and function in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy: A systematic review.

Background: Lateral elbow tendinopathy is associated with pain during gripping, with forearm/wrist orthoses prescribed for treatment.

Objectives: To investigate the immediate effects of forearm and/or wrist orthoses on outcome measures of pain and function in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy.

Design: Systematic review METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched to identify randomised controlled trials reporting the immediate effects of forearm and/or wrist orthoses on pain and function in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy.

Sticking to the facts: A systematic review of the effects of therapeutic tape in lateral epicondylalgia.

Objective: To systematically identify, appraise, and examine evidence regarding the effects of therapeutic tape on pain and function in individuals with lateral epicondylalgia (LE).

Methods: Five electronic databases were systematically searched up to March 2018. Full-text, peer-reviewed, English-language studies were included if they had an LE population, a standalone tape condition, and an outcome related to pain or function.

Influence of Different Methods to Determine Maximum Heart Rate on Training Load Outcomes in Basketball Players.

Berkelmans, DM, Dalbo, VJ, Fox, JL, Stanton, R, Kean, CO, Giamarelos, KE, Teramoto, M, and Scanlan, AT. Influence of different methods to determine maximum heart rate on training load outcomes in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3177-3185, 2018-The summated-heart-rate-zones (SHRZ) approach uses heart rate (HR) responses relative to maximum HR (HRmax) to calculate the internal training load (TL).

The role of biomaterials in the treatment of meniscal tears.

Extensive investigations over the recent decades have established the anatomical, biomechanical and functional importance of the meniscus in the knee joint. As a functioning part of the joint, it serves to prevent the deterioration of articular cartilage and subsequent osteoarthritis. To this end, meniscus repair and regeneration is of particular interest from the biomaterial, bioengineering and orthopaedic research community.

Heart Rate Monitoring in Basketball: Applications, Player Responses, and Practical Recommendations.

Berkelmans, DM, Dalbo, VJ, Kean, CO, Milanović, Z, Stojanović, E, Stojiljković, N, and Scanlan, AT. Heart rate monitoring in basketball: applications, player responses, and practical recommendations. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2383-2399, 2018-The aims of this review were to collate the existing literature encompassing heart rate (HR) monitoring in basketball to (a) identify the applications of HR measurement; (b) report HR responses in male and female players during training and game-play; (c) evaluate use of current HR-based training load models; and (d) provide recommendations for future research and best practice approaches for basketball practitioners.

Decrements in knee extensor and flexor strength are associated with performance fatigue during simulated basketball game-play in adolescent, male players.

This study quantified lower-limb strength decrements and assessed the relationships between strength decrements and performance fatigue during simulated basketball. Ten adolescent, male basketball players completed a circuit-based, basketball simulation. Sprint and jump performance were assessed during each circuit, with knee flexion and extension peak concentric torques measured at baseline, half-time, and full-time.

How do rocker-soled shoes influence the knee adduction moment in people with knee osteoarthritis? An analysis of biomechanical mechanisms.

The primary objective was to examine mechanisms behind previously observed changes in the knee adduction moment (KAM) with rocker-soled shoes, in participants sub-grouped according to whether they experienced an immediate decrease, or increase, in peak KAM. In subgroups where frontal plane knee ground reaction force (GRF) lever-arm emerged as a significant predictor, a secondary aim was to examine biomechanical factors that contributed to change in this parameter. Thirty individuals with symptomatic, radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) underwent 3D gait analysis in unstable rocker-soled shoes and non-rocker-soled shoes.

The sex-specific internal and external demands imposed on players during Ultimate Frisbee game-play.

Background: Despite the growing popularity of Ultimate Frisbee (UF) across sexes, the game demands imposed on players have been predominately examined in males. This study aimed to compare the internal and external demands of UF game-play in males and females.

Methods: Male (N.

Impact loading following quadriceps strength training in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis and varus alignment.

Background: Greater impact loading at initial contact is postulated to play a role in the progression of osteoarthritis. Quadriceps weakness is common in individuals with knee osteoarthritis and may contribute to high impact loading. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of quadriceps strengthening on impact loading parameters.

Validity and intra-rater reliability of MyJump app on iPhone 6s in jump performance.

Objectives: Smartphone applications are increasingly used by researchers, coaches, athletes and clinicians. The aim of this study was to examine the concurrent validity and intra-rater reliability of the smartphone-based application, MyJump, against laboratory-based force plate measurements.

Design: Cross sectional study.

Hip biomechanics during stair ascent and descent in people with and without hip osteoarthritis.

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is often associated with pain and impaired function. Understanding biomechanical alterations in patients with hip OA during challenging activities such as stair use is important to inform treatments. The aim of this study was to determine whether kinematics and kinetics during stair ambulation differed between people with hip OA and healthy controls.

Patient Knowledge and Beliefs About Knee Osteoarthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Reconstruction.

Objective: To explore patients' knowledge and beliefs about osteoarthritis (OA) and OA risk following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, to explore the extent to which information about these risks is provided by health professionals, and to examine associations among participant characteristics, knowledge, and risk beliefs and health professional advice.

Methods: A custom-designed survey was conducted in Australian and American adults who sustained an ACL injury, with or without reconstruction, 1-5 years prior. The survey comprised 3 sections: participant characteristics, knowledge about OA and OA risk, and health professional advice.

A Review of the Internal and External Physiological Demands Associated With Batting in Cricket.

Cricket is a popular international team sport with various game formats ranging from long-duration multiday tests to short-duration Twenty20 game play. The role of batsmen is critical to all game formats, with differing physiological demands imposed during each format. Investigation of the physiological demands imposed during cricket batting has historically been neglected, with much of the research focusing on bowling responses and batting technique.