Key words: Lumbar Spondylolysis; Adolescent Athlete; Physical Therapy This blog summarises a study recently published in BJSM (1). Why is this study important? Lumbar spondylolysis is one of the most common causes of low back pain in adolescent athletes (2-4). Although standard care varies, many clinicians prescribe prolonged rest (1–3 months) prior to starting physical […]
Category: General
“The pain isn’t the hardest challenge…” Agency, not anatomy drives recovery from persisting low back pain in elite athletes
Authors: Trease, L for all authors – Foley, G; Kemp, JL; Hancock, MJ; Wilson, F; Makdissi, M; Morrison, J; Mosler, A Why is this study important? Low back pain (LBP) is common in elite sport, affecting around half of all athletes each year (1). Currently, most research focuses on risk factors, anatomy and biomechanics (2, […]
Surfing, Sun, and Skin Cancer Risk: A Personal Reflection
Author: Laurel J. Finster, MPH Author Affiliation: Stanford University, School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health This blog offers a personal reflection on surfing, sun exposure, and the complex balance between the joy of an outdoor sport and the cancer risks associated with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Through personal experience and […]
Forward Momentum: Shaping the Future of Physical Activity Support and Guidance Across Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum on the Island of Ireland
An upcoming all-island (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) research and stakeholder event aims to move beyond fear-based narratives, and toward evidence-informed, individualised physical activity support and guidance for women during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum. Introduction Across the island of Ireland, conversations around physical activity during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum are changing. Women increasingly […]
Strong for Life Part 3: Sarcopenia Summary Infographic
This blog is part 3 of our Strong for Life series, summarising at sarcopenia. Click here for larger PDF of summary infographic Remember, as highlighted in part 1 of this series, sarcopenia is an important diagnosis that is often missed and overlooked which, if recognised, can play a pivotal role in reduced overall frailty and […]
Return to sport after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: epidemiology and prognostic factors in a Swiss multi-centre cohort
Keywords: return to sport; rotator cuff repair; shoulder surgery outcome Why is this study important? Return to sport (RTS) is a key expectation for physically active patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) (1). Previous studies analysing the outcome of RTS have focused on a narrow subgroup of patients (2-5) and only limited epidemiological data […]
Simple field-based muscular strength tests that predict your future health
This blog provides a summary of a recent study published in BJSM. Why is this study important? Non-communicable diseases—like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia—cause most deaths and disability worldwide (1,2). Clinicians need quick, low-cost tools to identify patients at higher risk before disease develops. Muscular strength has long been linked with health (3). But can […]
Heading in Football Matches
Author: Mike Brownlow Why is this study important? Heading in association football, is an intentional, direct impact between the head and the football and a fundamental skill that can significantly influence match outcomes. Heading in football continues to attract attention, particularly in relation to long term brain health, concussion risk, and youth participation. To support […]
Lower extremity injury prevention in female, woman, and girl athletes
Lower extremity injury rates in sport are high and have significant consequences; however, the current evidence to inform the prevention of lower extremity injuries female/woman/girl athletes is sparse. Our team recently conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of female/woman/girl athletes’ lower-extremity injury prevention strategies [e.g., training strategies, personal protective equipment (PPE), […]
Rethinking injury risk: Why injury prevention in sport needs a gender-and sex-specific lens
For female/woman/girl athletes social, cultural and environment factors, alongside biological factors, may shape how injuries happen. This blog summarises a recent study that asked experts what could influence injury risk [1]. The study informed part of the International Olympic Committee Female, woman, and girl Athlete Injury pRrevention (FAIR) Consensus recommendationsm [2] on changes that could […]