MuscleMap: An Open-Source, Community-Supported Consortium for Whole-Body Quantitative MRI of Muscle.

Disorders affecting the neurological and musculoskeletal systems represent international health priorities. A significant impediment to progress in trials of new therapies is the absence of responsive, objective, and valid outcome measures sensitive to early disease changes. A key finding in individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders is the compositional changes to muscles, evinced by the expression of fatty infiltrates.

Protocol for a randomised feasibility trial comparing a combined program of education and exercise versus general advice for ankle osteoarthritis.

Background: Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious problem with high associated pain and disability. While education and exercise are recommended for the initial management of OA, this has not been investigated in ankle OA. The primary aim of this study is to establish the feasibility of running a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating a combined education and exercise program compared to a general advice program for people with ankle OA.

The association between size and symmetry of the lumbar multifidus muscle, and injuries in adolescent rugby union players.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between size and symmetry of the lumbar multifidus muscle, and season injuries in adolescent rugby union players.

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: Pre-season assessment of the size (cross-sectional area) of the lumbar multifidus (L2-5) muscles using ultrasound imaging.

Nordic strength and history of hamstring injury in Australian Football League players.

Objectives: Compare hamstring strength between Australian Football League (AFL) players with and without a prior hamstring injury and determine the effect of the number of previous hamstring injuries, time since the last injury, and injury severity, on hamstring strength.

Design: Cross-sectional, retrospective.

Setting: AFL clubs.

Improving the measurement of intrinsic foot muscle morphology and composition from high-field (7T) magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to quantify intrinsic foot muscle morphology and composition. Due to the high spatial resolution required to adequately capture the architecturally complex anatomy, manual segmentation is time consuming and not clinically feasible. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a reduced number of MRI slices can be used to accurately estimate intrinsic foot muscle volume and composition.

Adolescent perspectives on participating in a feasibility trial investigating shoe inserts for patellofemoral pain.

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) affects one-quarter of adolescents, yet there are few evidence-informed recommendations to treat PFP in this population. HAPPi Kneecaps! is a randomised, controlled, participant- and assessor-blind, parallel-group feasibility trial of shoe inserts for adolescents with PFP. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore adolescents' perspectives of participating in HAPPi Kneecaps!.

Sensorimotor system changes in adolescent rugby players post-concussion: A prospective investigation from the subacute period through to return-to-sport.

Background: The pathophysiology of concussion is complex. Altered sensorimotor function post-concussion may contribute to the wide range of symptoms and impairments reported. There is currently limited evidence documenting changes in sensorimotor function during the recovery period.

HAPPi Kneecaps! A double-blind, randomised, parallel group superiority trial investigating the effects of sHoe inserts for adolescents with patellofemoral PaIn: phase II feasibility study.

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) affects one-third of adolescents and can persist into adulthood, negatively impacting health and quality of life. Foot orthoses are a recommended treatment for adults with PFP, but have not been evaluated in adolescents. The primary objective was to determine the feasibility of conducting a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating effects of contoured, prefabricated foot orthoses on knee pain severity and patient-perceived global change, compared to flat insoles.

A prospective study of risk factors for hamstring injury in Australian football league players.

This study aimed to explore the association between hamstring strength, age and lower limb soft tissue injury history and subsequent hamstring injury among Australian Football League (AFL) players. This prospective cohort study recruited 125 players from three professional AFL teams. Eccentric knee flexor strength was assessed while performing the Nordic hamstring exercise in pre-season, and injury data were collected retrospectively (hamstring, groin, calf, quadriceps and knee), and prospectively (hamstring injuries) for one AFL playing season.

New insights into intrinsic foot muscle morphology and composition using ultra-high-field (7-Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The intrinsic muscles of the foot are key contributors to foot function and are important to evaluate in lower limb disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provides a non-invasive option to measure muscle morphology and composition, which are primary determinants of muscle function. Ultra-high-field (7-T) magnetic resonance imaging provides sufficient signal to evaluate the morphology of the intrinsic foot muscles, and, when combined with chemical-shift sequences, measures of muscle composition can be obtained.

Pre-season screening of the upper body and trunk in Australian football players: A prospective study.

Objective: To determine whether screening tests of upper body, trunk region, and of whole-body function could prospectively identify community AFL players who sustain in-season shoulder/head/neck injuries. Additionally, to present screening test reference values.

Design: Prospective cohort; SETTING: Community sport; PARTICIPANTS: 142 male community AFL players (range 15-37 years).

HAPPi Kneecaps! Protocol for a participant- and assessor-blinded, randomised, parallel group feasibility trial of foot orthoses for adolescents with patellofemoral pain.

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common cause of knee pain in adolescents, but there are limited evidence-based treatment options for this population. Foot orthoses can improve pain and function in adults with PFP, and may be effective for adolescents. The primary aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of conducting a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effects of contoured foot orthoses on knee pain severity and patient-perceived global change, compared to flat shoe insoles, in adolescents with PFP.

Foot exercise plus education versus wait and see for the treatment of plantar heel pain (FEET trial): a protocol for a feasibility study.

Background: Plantar heel pain (PHP) is present in a wide range of individuals and creates significant burden to quality of life and participation in physical activity. The high recurrence rates and persistence of PHP suggests current management options may not address all potentially modifiable factors associated with the condition. Reports of intrinsic foot muscle (IFM) atrophy in individuals with PHP, together with biomechanical evidence of their important contribution to optimal foot function, suggests that an intervention focused on IFM training may be beneficial in managing PHP.

Injury surveillance of an Australian community netball club.

Objectives: To describe injuries associated with netball and risk factors for lower limb injuries.

Design: Prospective study. In the preseason, risk factors were investigated using self-report questionnaires and physical measurements.

Mechanisms of traumatic injury to the shoulder girdle in the Australian Football League.

Objective: To investigate mechanisms of shoulder girdle injuries and their impact on players from the Australian Football League (AFL).

Design: Retrospective video analysis.

Methods: Two experienced sports physiotherapists (>10years) examined video footage of shoulder complex injuries that occurred in the 2015 premiership season.

Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction in adolescent rugby union players with and without a history of concussion.

Objectives: Sport-related concussions are common in adolescent contact sports. Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction has been reported in athletes post-concussion. There is a lack of research on vestibulo-ocular function in sporting adolescents, and the influence of previous concussions on the vestibular system in this population.

Intrinsic foot muscle size can be measured reliably in weight bearing using ultrasound imaging.

Background: The intrinsic foot muscles (IFMs) are important contributors to optimal foot function. While assessment of IFM morphology using ultrasound imaging in non-weight bearing has been established, this does not evaluate the foot in its primary functional position of weight bearing.

Research Question: Is ultrasound imaging a reliable and clinically feasible method of measuring IFM morphology in weight bearing, do these measures differ to those from non-weight bearing and are they associated with participant characteristics?

Methods: Ultrasound images were obtained by a single rater from twenty-four healthy participants on two occasions, one week apart.

Frontal plane kinematics predict three-dimensional hip adduction during running.

Objectives: To investigate if frontal plane kinematics are predictive of three dimensional (3D) hip adduction and hip internal rotation during running.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Biomechanics laboratory.

Self-reported Concussion History and Sensorimotor Tests Predict Head/Neck Injuries.

Purpose: Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a risk for players involved in high-impact, collision sports. A history of SRC is a risk factor for future concussions, but the mechanisms underlying this are unknown. Despite evidence that most visible signs and symptoms associated with sports concussion resolve within 7-10 d, it has been proposed that subclinical loss of neuromuscular control and impaired motor functioning may persist and be associated with further injury.

Self-Managed Exercises, Fitness and Strength Training, and Multifidus Muscle Size in Elite Footballers.

Context:   Low back pain (LBP) and lower limb injuries are common among Australian Football League (AFL) players. Smaller size of 1 key trunk muscle, the lumbar multifidus (MF), has been associated with LBP and injuries in footballers. The size of the MF muscle has been shown to be modifiable with supervised motor-control training programs.

Epidemiology of injuries in Australian school level rugby union.

Objectives: There is a high incidence of injuries in rugby union due to the physical nature of the game. There is a lack of large-scale injury surveillance data reported for school level rugby players of different ages. Our study aimed to investigate the frequency and nature of injuries being sustained during an Australian school level rugby union season.

A prospective investigation of changes in the sensorimotor system following sports concussion. An exploratory study.

Background: Sports concussion is a risk for players involved in high impact, collision sports. Post-concussion, the majority of symptoms subside within 7-10 days, but can persist in 10-20% of athletes. Understanding the effects of sports concussion on sensorimotor systems could inform physiotherapy treatment.

Injuries in Australian school-level rugby union.

There is a high incidence of injuries in rugby union due to the physical nature of the game. In youth rugby union, there are large variations in injury rates reported. Our study investigated the rates of injuries in school-level rugby union players in Australia using the consensus statement for rugby union injuries.

The energetic cost of gait retraining: A pilot study of the acute effect.

Objective: To investigate the acute effect of gait retraining aimed at reducing tibial peak positive acceleration (PPA) on energetic cost (VO).

Design: Intervention with a pre/post-test design.

Setting: University biomechanics laboratory.