Body Asymmetries in Athletes and Injury Risk (TELASI)
Retrospective and Prospective Analysis of Asymmetries as Injury Risk Factors in Different Athletes
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
So far, the studies in the area of sport science have not thoroughly investigated the interrelations between different types or levels of body asymmetries, or determined the predictive power of asymmetries regarding injury risk. The conduction of this study will produce several original outputs. In short, the participants will be assessed for body asymmetries, and injury occurrence will be tracked both retrospectively and prospectively.
Participants:
- athletes of different sports (not predefined)
- not currently injured
- no non-communicable diseases
- participates in sport for at least 2 years
- participates in competitive play / matches
Test battery:
The first part of our test battery will include the measurements of the structural irregularities. We will place a special emphasis on potential limb length discrepancy and pelvic alignment in frontal plane. When a noticeable deviations are seen, additional measurements of anthropometric characteristics will ensue.
The second part of the tests will be designed to assess the asymmetries in motor abilities and function. The flexibility will be evaluated by assessing the passive range of motion in individual joints, using an electronic goniometer. We will include all motions that are performed in each joint (all major lower limb joints and trunk will be included). Each test will be repeated three times, with the best result (highest range of motion) taken as a final result.
The ability to maintain a still single-leg stance with open eyes will be measured to evaluate static stability (main outcome parameters: velocity, amplitude and frequency of the centre of pressure). The dynamic stability will be assessed using similar parameters, captured after the landing on the force plate.
Maximal strength and explosive strength will be measured in isometric conditions on purposely designed dynamometers. Maximal force and rates of force development on different time intervals will be recorded. The measurements will include the ankle (flexion and extension), the knee (flexion and extension), the hip (flexion, extension, abduction and abduction) and the trunk (flexion, extension, lateral flexion). Additionally, the eccentric strength of the knee flexors will be assessed.
The last part of the measurements will include kinematic and kinetic evaluation of complex cyclic (cycling, running) and acyclic (jumps, landings) movement patterns. Lateral asymmetries during cycling will be measured using a diagnostic tool that records the forces and torques on the pedal, and by kinematics systems for tracking the motion of body regions. The pedals record the behaviour of the pressure exerted on the pedals during cycling, enabling us to evaluate the technique of the pedalling (mechanical efficiency) and amplitude (power). The kinematic analysis track the motion of the body. Dynamic and kinematic parameters are interrelated and often change simultaneously. Biomechanical properties (kinematic and dynamic) of running and jumps/landings will be recorded with a full-body motion capture solution that allows unconstrained movement of the subject and wireless transmission of measured quantities. Based on the measured motion and the acquired ground reaction forces, and the dynamic model of the human body, we will be able to calculate joint torques.
Injury tracking:
- purpose-made questionnaires, including type, severity and recurrence of injury
- built based on previous questionnaires used in Sports Medicine
Main outcomes:
- Injury rates in 1-year follow up and 1-year history
- Odds ratios between groups, based on presence of asymmetries
Study Type
Enrollment (Actual)
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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Izola, Slovenia, 6310
- University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences
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Ljubljana, Slovenia, 1000
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of sport
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Sampling Method
Study Population
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Included in competitive play
- Is a professional athlete or participates in organized professional sports activities
- Had a medical examination in previous year
Exclusion Criteria:
- Present injuries
- Recreational athletes
- Any other significant diseases
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Observational Models: Cohort
- Time Perspectives: Prospective
Cohorts and Interventions
Group / Cohort |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
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Athletes
For Asymmetry measurement, the group will consist of 200 athletes of different sports (the proportion not strictly predefined) - track and field, racket sports, ball sports, other team sports, swimming, running, cycling, dancing, ice skating, etc.
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There is no intervention, the study will prospectively assess associations between asymmetries and injury risk.
Asymmetry measurement will be conducted, then injuries will be tracked.
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What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
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Injury occurence
Time Frame: After 1-year
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Injury occurrence in 1-year follow up
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After 1-year
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Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
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Strength asymmetries
Time Frame: Baseline
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Strength asymmetries between the opposing muscles or opposing limbs, measured by dynamometry
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Baseline
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Balance asymmetries
Time Frame: Baseline
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Balance asymmetries (body sway) in different type of stances, measured by bilateral force plates
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Baseline
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Flexibility asymmetries
Time Frame: Baseline
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Flexibility asymmetries between the opposing limbs (Range of Motion)
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Baseline
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Anthropometric asymmetries
Time Frame: Baseline
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Asymmetries in body segment lengths and girths
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Baseline
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Injury history
Time Frame: 1-year before the study
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Injury occurrence in 1-year history
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1-year before the study
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Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Nejc Šarabon, PhD, University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Actual)
Study Completion (Actual)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- TELASI-PREVENT
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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