The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic: musculoskeletal injury surveillance and risk factors associated with marathon paddling.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors for musculoskeletal injury associated with marathon paddling.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted during the 2006 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (HCC), an annual 111-km paddling race in Sydney, Australia. Before the race, a written questionnaire was distributed to competitors to gather information regarding their age, gender, type of craft they were competing in, paddling experience, HCC experience, training distances, and preceding injuries.

Efficacy of "therapist-selected" versus "randomly selected" mobilisation techniques for the treatment of low back pain: a randomised controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to establish whether the mobilisation technique selected by the treating physiotherapist is more effective in relieving low back pain than a randomly selected mobilisation technique. Two manipulative physiotherapists and 140 subjects suffering non-specific low back pain participated. Baseline measurements were taken before treatment allocation; the therapist then assessed subjects and nominated the preferred treatment grade, spinal level to be treated and mobilisation technique to be used.