JOURNAL WATCH Journal Watch

A COMPARISON OF CLEAT TYPES DURING TWO FOOTBALL-SPECIFIC TASKS ON FIELDTURF. Queen RM, Charnock BL. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2008;42:278-284

This is an American study so substitute ‘studs’ for ‘cleats’

and the football is of course gridiron. It

examines the effect of different ‘cleat’ plate configurations on plantar pressure during two tasks. In a controlled laboratory study, 36 athletes ran an agility course five times while wearing four different types of Nike Vitoria cleats: (1) bladed, (2) elliptical firm ground, (3) hard ground and (4) turf. Plantar pressure data were recorded during a side cut and a cross cut using Pedar-X insoles which carry sensors to monitor force. The participants had no history of lower extremity injury in the past six months, no previous foot or ankle surgery, were not currently wearing foot orthotics and play a cleated sport at least twice a week. The measurements taken were: Total foot contact time, contact area, maximum force, peak pressure and the force-time integral (FTI) in the medial, middle and lateral regions of the forefoot.

and elbow extension (-3.2°) occurred immediately after baseball pitching in the dominant shoulder. These changes continued to exist 24 hours after pitching. No differences were noted on the nondominant side. The authors speculate on the reasons for this decline: high levels of eccentric muscle activity have previously been observed in the shoulder external rotators and elbow flexors during pitching. These eccentric muscle contractions may contribute to acute musculotendinous adaptations and altered range of motion. The results of this study may suggest a newly defined mechanism to range of motion adaptations in the overhead throwing athlete resulting from acute musculoskeletal adaptations, in addition to potential osseous and capsular adaptations.

sportEX comment Although this study uses pro baseball

pitchers, anecdotal evidence from therapists working in cricket, basketball and other popular overhead throwing activities suggests similar declines in range of motion. The continued effect for 24 hours post event

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Results: In the cross cut agility task, statistical differences between cleats were observed in three variables: total foot peak pressure, lateral forefoot FTI, and lateral forefoot normalised maximum force. In a side cut task, statistical differences between cleats were observed in 4 variables: total foot peak pressure, the medial and middle forefoot FTI, and the medial and middle forefoot normalised maximum force. Significant differences in forefoot loading patterns existed between cleat types. Based on the results of this study, it might be beneficial to increase the forefoot cushioning in cleats in an attempt to decrease loading in the foot.

sportEX comment This highlights the importance of seeking specialist advice when choosing footwear. Choose the wrong cleats and you could be risking injury because of the increased loads.

has significant implications for the recovery of those athletes needing to repeat their performance within this time period. This is an ideal time for soft tissue specialists to be getting involved.

AGE-RELATED RATES OF DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE AMONG ELITE SENIOR ATHLETES. Wright VJ,

Perricelli BC. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 2008;36:443-450

This study starts with the premise that age-related disability and lost independence currently plague many older people but many causes of disability such as lost muscle mass and bone mineral density, are modifiable with exercise. Its aims were to describe demographic data, injury characteristics and the effect of aging on physical performance in senior athletes to identify key time points for intervention to address declining performance. Senior Olympians (>50 years) participating in the 2001 National Senior Olympic Games

“GO” SIGNAL INTENSITY INFLUENCES THE SPRINT START. Brown A, Kenwell Z et al. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2008;40(6):1142-1148

This study looked at whether if being closer to the starters gun allows runners to react sooner and stronger than runners positioned further away. Using reaction times (RT) from the 110/110 metre events at the 2004 Olympics, plus an experiment with 12 untrained participants and four trained athletes using a gunshot, at 80-100-120 dB. The results were closer and louder the quicker the RT.

sportEX comment Time to change the starter’s position

or get lucky in the draw!

were surveyed for demographic and health characteristics. Age-related changes in physical performance were determined from mean winning performance times in track and field events and compared with American track and field record holders. Results: As you would expect, senior athletes’ performance declined (male and female) approximately 3.4% per year over a 35 year period. Slowly from age 50 to 75 years and dramatically after age 75 years. Men showed no difference in decline of sprint and endurance events, whereas the decline in the sprint was greater than in endurance for women, especially after the age of 75 years.

sportEX comment There are a lot of older athletes. Just look at the age spread for the London Marathon and similar big runs. The authors suggest a preventive point of intervention at 75 but there is an argument for an early start.

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