Tag: EXSC 425

Alexa Berry

Return to Play Rate after UCL Reconstruction: Tommy John Surgery

The ulnar collateral ligament is the most important soft tissue stabilizer during the overhead throw of a baseball pitcher. UCL reconstruction occurs when there is a complete UCL tears due to injury and this is a surgery to repair the torn UCL, it is also known as Tommy John Surgery. This project focused on determining if an athlete should receive Tommy John Surgery. Many different research articles were examined to determine the findings. There is a high return to play rate, but at the cost of performance levels decreasing. The decision to return to play depends on what the athlete wants and if they are okay with their performance declining for the remainder of their career. 

EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

S100

1130 AM – Noon

Return to schedule

Sierra Coloma

Hamstring tendon graft vs. Bone Patella Tendon graft for ACL reconstruction

ACL Repair: Patellar Tendon graft or Hamstring Tendon graft? The dominant answer for this question is that it is ultimately up to patient characteristics and surgeon preference when looking to repair a torn ACL surgically. Previous research compares both the Patellar Tendon graft to the Hamstring Tendon graft which are the two most common autografts one could get in ACL reconstruction surgery, although no literature has made a definitive conclusion that one is more favorable than the other. I used my personal experience having had one of each graft in either leg and three very specific case studies to make a claim that one graft may in actuality be more favorable than the other. Contrary to what is most regularly assumed in literature, when specifically analyzing knee laxity, pivot shift and rupture rate, Patellar tendon may be slightly better. My findings indicated that there is no one graft that is largely better than the other, but that research and my personal experience indicates that Patellar tendon grafts could lead to better outcomes overall.

EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injuries 

Heike McNeil

Noon – 12:30 PM

Return to schedule

Christoph Mai

Injury Risk on Artificial Turf vs Gras in Soccer Players

The topic of injury risk on artificial grass in comparison to normal grass is important to soccer players as many players perceive that artificial grass leads to a higher chance of injury, greater joint and muscle soreness, and a longer recovery time. An ACL tear is the most common season-ending injury in soccer players and is therefore used as an example to show the difference between artificial grass and normal grass. There is evidence that playing on artificial grass can increase the risk of sustaining an ACL injury. Multiple studies compared the injuries sustained on artificial and normal grass in elite or college-level soccer players from the US or Europe. Those studies found different results, while more studies said that there is no difference seen in injury risk between the newest generation of artificial grass and normal grass.   

EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injuries 

Heike McNeil

S100

12:30 – 1 PM

Return to schedule

Brittany Ralston

Ankle Taping vs Ankle Bracing in the Athletic Community 

Introduction: The lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injures of the lower extremity with nearly 2 million people affected annually by LAS in the United States alone. Research needs to be done in order to determine whether ankle taping or ankle bracing is better for an individual who has sustained a LAS injury. 

Hypothesis: Before any research was conducted, it was hypothesized that ankle taping would be more beneficial to the athlete after sustaining a lateral ankle sprain. On the other hand, the assumption that the soft ankle brace would be more advantageous to the active individual when used as a prophylactic measure was also hypothesized. 

Methods: Systematic review of the lateral ankle sprain with a focus on ankle bracing and ankle taping. 

Results: Braces may have a detrimental effect on lower extremity’s ability to attenuate vertical ground reaction forces during a landing exercise (2). Individuals with chronic ankle instability displayed motor control instability bilaterally (7). Low hip abductor strength increased the risk of future injury within athletes (10). The application of the semi-rigid brace led to reductions in inversion angles during injury relevant movements (3). Collegiate athletes with previous history of ankle sprains have a greater predisposition to LAS (8). Tape and lace-up braces provided equal range of motion and stability (12). 

Conclusion: Range of motion within the ankle joint is limited through both ankles taping and ankle bracing tactics. Personal preference of the athlete should be held in high regard when choosing between methods of ankle stabilization.

EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injuries 

Heike McNeil

S100

1 – 1:30 PM

Return to schedule

Magie Woginrich

Prevention of Shoulder Injuries Among Track & Field Throwers

The glenohumeral joint, also known as the shoulder, is one of the most important factors in a javelin throw. The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body and also one of the most unstable. Because of the shoulder instability, shoulder injuries are one of the most common in the javelin athlete. This project is going to be looking for different exercises or physical training an athlete can do to minimize their risk for shoulder injury. Numerous research articles were reviewed to determine the best possible way to prevent these types of injuries. Strengthening the rotator cuff muscles and monitoring external and internal rotation range of motion are the main findings of this research.

EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

S100

1:30 – 2:00 PM

Return to schedule

Anna Brooks

Prevalence of Concussions in High School Football and Strategies for Prevention
Football players are at high risk of sports-related concussions (SRC), and athletes ages 15 to 19 years are most commonly affected. To preserve young athletes’ long term cognitive function and overall well-being while also prolonging their careers, prevention at the high school level is imperative. The purpose of this literature review is to assess and address prevention strategies of SRC in high school football.
In this presentation, the research of SRC prevention strategies in football will be critiqued, specifically focusing on helmet design versus neck strengthening. Improved helmet technology has not proven to be the most effective tool for preventing concussion, yet most resources are allocated in this area of research. Concussed athletes, however, have demonstrated significantly less neck strength than athletes who did not sustain a concussion. Therefore, it will be argued that implementing neck strengthening to high school football programs is a more effective concussion prevention strategy than consistent helmet upgrades.
EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury
Heike McNeil
P103
1 – 1:30 PM
Return to schedule

Madison Jones

Rotator cuff stresses in baseball and softball and why there should be pitch counts in both
The purpose this literature review is to demonstrate that softball and baseball pitching place a very similar amount of stress on the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that help hold together the shoulder joint and provide the athlete the stability as well as the mobility necessary to perform the pitching motion. Resisting glenohumeral distraction is one of the biggest stresses seen within both pitching motions – this means that the muscles within the shoulder, especially the rotator cuff, are not allowing separation or pulling apart of the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint). The repetitiveness of each pitching motion creates overuse injuries within the rotator cuff. In this literature review, it was concluded that the main cause of stress within the softball as well as the baseball pitching motions is the resistance of the glenohumeral distraction, and that the stresses within both sports are indeed similar. Therefore, softball should have pitch count regulations just as baseball does – and it seems like a major oversight to implement rules to protect athletes in baseball but have no such rules for softball players.
EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury
Heike McNeil
P103
1:30 – 2 PM
Return to schedule

Emily Moon

Importance of Physical Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Patients
Cerebral Palsy is the most common disability in childhood. It is caused by damage to the brain and affects more than 17 million people worldwide. The effects of cerebral palsy include joint deformities and changes in muscle tone and muscular development. This eventually causes lifelong gait problems. In the past, invasive surgery has been the most common treatment for patients with cerebral palsy. In this literature review, new research is presented that shows success using physical therapy. Gait stability treatment through physical therapy has been found to help patients as it allows them to live a relatively normal life. In this presentation, the importance of physical therapy for patients with cerebral palsy through flexibility, mobility, and strengthening exercises as well as new virtual techniques that are being implemented into the treatment, will be discussed.
EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury
Heike McNeil
P103
2 – 2:30 PM
Return to schedule

Melissa Rios

The Effect of the Co-activation of the Hamstrings and Quadriceps on the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common serious injuries to the knee. Mechanisms of ACL noncontact tears are still inconclusive from an epidemiological standpoint but have been associated with noncontact rotatory forces associated with planting, cutting, and landing in a valgus position, with a hyperextension mechanism, and finally by a violent contraction of the quadriceps, which pulls the tibia forward and tears the ACL. The purpose of this presentation is to investigate the effect of the co-activation of the hamstrings and quadriceps on vulnerability of the ACL. Both of these muscle groups contribute significantly to the integrity of the ACL. This work was done as part of a literature review; research clearly indicates that co-contraction of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles will significantly decrease the in-situ forces and strain rates induced on the ACL. If the co-activation of these two muscle groups do indeed decrease the strain experienced in the ACL, preventative as well as rehabilitative programs for the ACL should at the very least include hamstring strength exercises.
EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury
Heike McNeil
P103
2:30 – 3 PM
Return to schedule

Bryce Branagan-Franco

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), which is also known as Runner’s Knee or anterior knee pain, is one of the most common overuse injuries in the lower extremity. PFPS is commonly found in individuals who are involved in high impact athletic activities, and is especially common in female athletes.Though it is known for being one of the most common knee injuries, no one has been able to specify its main cause. PFPS is normally treated by rest, ice, medication, taping, physical therapy and in severe cases surgery. Though there are many different ways to treat PFPS, treatment is not always guaranteed to work and can potentially end an individuals career in their particular sport or activity. This presentation will examine multiple studies, in order to shine light on possible causes of PFPS and will briefly discuss treatment methods.

EXSC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

Noon – 12:30 PM

Back to the schedule

Macie Gale

Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Methods of Concussed Football Players

Of all sports played in the US, American football is the sport associated with the greatest number of traumatic brain injuries, and also has the largest number of participants. However, due to players’ reluctance to admit concussion, these statistics may even be underestimated. In order to fully understand this epidemic one needs to consider the biomechanics involved in the injury. This presentation aims to explain the biomechanics of concussion, shine light on the incidences of reoccurring injuries, and will conclude with modern rehabilitation techniques.

EXSC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

11:30 AM – Noon

Back to the schedule

Alleya Harris

The Effect of Lower Limb Biomechanics on Lower Back Pain

Link theory states that structures further from the ground (such as the hips and back) are affected by the lower limb’s structure and ability to handle force efficiently. It is this theory that fuels the model for low back pain (LBP) which implicates the feet in causing biomechanical disruptions that lead the back to hurt. However, the research published about this theory is vastly divergent. For the sake of this discussion, three different views are singled out. The first is in support of the model that the feet cause LBP based on evidence from trials performed in practical treatment settings. The second also affirms the model although more cautiously. In this case the evidence comes from studies done in laboratory settings. The third negates the model based on studies performed in laboratory settings that provide evidence that clearly disproves any correlation. This presentation aims to give an encompassing view of the topic by including representative research supporting each of the different viewpoints and also to reveal that, in the end, each individual’s case is different and needs to be thoroughly evaluated.

EXC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Back to the schedule

Garrett Kraal

The Biomechanics of the Running Gait and Hamstring Injuries

Different types of hamstring injuries can be seen in many different sports and activities, sports such as track and field, soccer, football and rugby are the leaders amongst them. The prevalence and occurrence of hamstring muscle injuries can be very frustrating due to their prolonged effects, slow rehabilitation and high re-occurrence rates. There is much controversy surrounding the question why hamstring injuries display these attributes. Gait analysis can help us understand the hamstring muscle complex a little better. Gait analysis methods have enabled us to prevent muscle injuries and improve post-injury rehabilitation methods. The purpose of this talk is to investigate the anatomical/biomechanical characteristics of the hamstring muscle complex (HMC) using gait analysis. The presentation will explain where and when in the gait cycle hamstring injuries are likely to occur, the types of contractions taking place, quadriceps/hamstring torque ratios in reference to the HMC, as well as running economy.

EXSC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Back to the schedule

Marsha Poischbeg

Subacromial Bursitis in Overhead Athletes

Shoulder injuries are extremely common in overhead athletes. One of the most common injuries, especially in volleyball players, is subacromial bursitis or subacromial impingement syndrome. This injury is accompanied by pain and a limited range of motion. However, if subacromial bursitis is not treated in the early stages, chronic pain and permanent structural damage to the shoulder can develop. This review provides insight into the mechanisms of this injury as well as treatment methods. These methods include steroid injections, taping methods and exercises that are be beneficial in returning the athlete to play at their full potential. The final piece of this review looks at preventative measures which can be taken to avoid such injury.

EXC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Back to the schedule