Monitoring and Prevention of Lower Limb Joints Overload and Injuries in Athletes Aged 13-18 Representing Dynamic Sports - Project

Abstract

The number of lower limbs joint injuries in young athletes is increasing. Individual and group assessment of joint overloads and lower limb injuries in 400 young athletes every year for four years, who will be divided according to gender, sports disciplines, aged 13 to 18 years and an assessment of their developmental age and if necessary, individual compensatory intervention programs can be carried out. Body posture, Patella mobility, Fascial tension, Balance, Pain by Visual Analog Scale, level of physical activity by Tegner Activity Scale (TAS), International Knee Documentation Committee Scale (IKDC), modified Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) will be assess. Range of motion in joints (º), joint and thigh circumferences and length of lower limbs (cm), mobility deficits in the finger-floor and Patrick's test (cm), Hamstring contractures, squat (º), running time at maximum speed and changes in the direction of maneuvers over a distance of double envelope 5 x 5 meters (s). The Maximum Isometric Torque (IT), Isokinetic Torque (PT) measures for extensor and knee flexors in (N*m) for 180 and 60 º/s will be introduced. They Lower Limb Pawer (W), jump height (cm), vertical components of ground reaction forces (v GRF) during vertical jumps, downward jumps and repeated jumps on two and single legs will be measured (N) also their Lateral Symmetry Index. If risks of biomechanical disorders, physical fitness or motor coordination are identified, compensatory exercises program will be introduced for each athlete, and if there are clinical indications, the specialist medical doctor makes further decisions.

Keywords: Clinical tests; Biomechanics; Physical fitness; Compensatory exercises; Education; Psychology; Gender

Abbreviations: ACL: Anterior Cruciate Ligament; CMJ: Counter Movement Jump; DJ: Drop Jump; FAAM: Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Scale; IKDC: International Knee Documentation Committee Scale; IT: Isometric Torque; LSI: Lateral Symmetry Index; MHHS: Modified Harris Hip Score; PT: Peak Torque; TAS: Tegner Activity Scale; TSK-11: Tamp Scale of Kinesiophobia; VAS: Visual Analog Scale; vGRF: vertical component Ground Reaction Forces