Biomedical subjects

Arni Arnason

Publications and source records attributed to Arni Arnason.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

No effect of a video-based awareness program on the rate of soccer injuries.

BACKGROUND: The injury rate in soccer is high, and effective injury prevention methods are needed. PURPOSE: To test the effect of a video-based awareness program on the incidence of acute injuries in soccer. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized control trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Participants were elite male soccer players from the top 2 divisions in Iceland. Fifteen of 20 teams completed the study: 7 intervention teams (127 players) and 8 control teams (144 players) chosen by random. Just before the start of the 2000 soccer season, the intervention teams were visited with an intervention program. The program included a 15-minute presentation with information on the injury risk of playing elite soccer, typical injuries, and their mechanisms. Then the players worked together in pairs and analyzed video sequences to develop preventive strategies. The 12 video sequences were selected from the previous Icelandic soccer season, representing 3 typical injury mechanisms that accounted for more than half of all incidents recorded. During the season, team physical therapists prospectively recorded all acute injuries, and coaches recorded training exposure on a special form. Injury incidence was compared between groups and between the 1999 and 2000 seasons for teams that participated in both seasons. RESULTS: No difference was observed in injury incidence between the intervention (6.6 +/- 0.7 injuries per 1000 player hours) and control groups (6.6 +/- 0.7 injuries per 1000 player hours). Furthermore, there was no difference in injury location or type. CONCLUSION: The video-based injury awareness program showed no effect on injury rate.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A prospective video-based analysis of injury situations in elite male football: football incident analysis.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms for football injuries are largely unknown. AIM: To describe the characteristics of injury situations in elite male football using a video-based method called football incident analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: During the 1999 season, videotapes from 52 matches in the Icelandic elite football league were reviewed. Incidents (N = 95) were recorded when the match was interrupted by the referee because of a suspected injury. Team physical therapists recorded injuries prospectively (N = 28 time-loss injuries). RESULTS: Duels caused 84 of the incidents, mostly tackling duels (n = 54). The exposed player's attention appeared to be focused away from the opponent in 93% of the cases. The 3 main mechanisms observed were (1) breakdown attacks, tackling from the side or the front, attention focused on the ball (24%); (2) defensive tackling duels, attention focused on the ball or low ball control (20%); and (3) heading duels, attention focused on the ball in the air (13%). CONCLUSION: Most incidents and injuries occurred during breakdown attacks and when a player was involved in tackling duels. Player attention appeared to be focused mainly on the ball, not on the opponent challenging him to gain ball possession.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A 10-week randomized trial comparing eccentric vs. concentric hamstring strength training in well-trained soccer players.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of a 10-week training program with two different exercises -- traditional hamstring curl (HC) and Nordic hamstrings (NH), a partner exercise focusing the eccentric phase -- on muscle strength among male soccer players. METHODS: Subjects were 21 well-trained players who were randomized to NH training (n = 11) or HC training (n = 10). The programs were similar, with a gradual increase in the number of repetitions from two sets of six reps to three sets of eight to 12 reps over 4 weeks, and then increasing load during the final 6 weeks of training. Strength was measured as maximal torque on a Cybex dynamometer before and after the training period. RESULTS: In the NH group, there was an 11% increase in eccentric hamstring torque measured at 60 degrees s(-1), as well as a 7% increase in isometric hamstring strength at 90 degrees, 60 degrees and 30 degrees of knee flexion. Since there was no effect on concentric quadriceps strength, there was a significant increase in the hamstrings:quadriceps ratio from 0.89 +/- 0.12 to 0.98 +/- 0.17 (11%) in the NH group. No changes were observed in the HC group. CONCLUSION: NH training for 10 weeks more effectively develops maximal eccentric hamstring strength in well-trained soccer players than a comparable program based on traditional HC.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Physical fitness, injuries, and team performance in soccer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between physical fitness and team success in soccer, and to test for differences in physical fitness between different player positions. METHODS: Participants were 306 male soccer players from 17 teams in the two highest divisions in Iceland. Just before the start of the 1999 soccer season, the following variables were tested: height and weight, body composition, flexibility, leg extension power, jump height, and peak O2 uptake. Injuries and player participation in matches and training were recorded through the 4-month competitive season. Team average physical fitness was compared with team success (final league standing) using a linear regression model. Physical fitness was also compared between players in different playing positions. RESULTS: A significant relationship was found between team average jump height (countermovement jump and standing jump) and team success (P = 0.009 and P = 0.012, respectively). The same trend was also found for leg extension power (P = 0.097), body composition (% body fat, P = 0.07), and the total number of injury days per team (P = 0.09). Goalkeepers demonstrated different fitness characteristics from outfield players. They were taller and heavier, more flexible in hip extension and knee flexion, and had higher leg extension power and a lower peak O2 uptake. However, only minor differences were observed between defenders, midfield players, and attackers. CONCLUSION: Coaches and medical support teams should pay more attention to jump and power training, as well as preventive measures and adequate rehabilitation of previous injuries to increase team success.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for injuries in football.

BACKGROUND: The injury risk in football is high, but little is known about causes of injury. PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for football injuries using a multivariate model. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Participants were 306 male football players from the two highest divisions in Iceland. Before the 1999 football season started, the following factors were examined: height, weight, body composition, flexibility, leg extension power, jump height, peak O(2) uptake, joint stability, and history of previous injury. Injuries and player exposure were recorded throughout the competitive season. RESULTS: Older players were at higher risk of injury in general (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1 per year, P = 0.05). For hamstring strains, the significant risk factors were age (OR = 1.4 [1 year], P < 0.001) and previous hamstring strains (OR = 11.6, P <0.001). For groin strains, the predictor risk factors were previous groin strains (OR = 7.3, P = 0.001) and decreased range of motion in hip abduction (OR = 0.9 [1 degrees ], P = 0.05). Previous injury was also identified as a risk factor for knee (OR = 4.6) and ankle sprains (OR = 5.3). CONCLUSIONS: Age and previous injury were identified as the main risk factors for injury among elite football players from Iceland.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Video analysis of the mechanisms for ankle injuries in football.

BACKGROUND: Although ankle sprains are frequent in football, little is known about their mechanisms. PURPOSE: To describe the injury mechanisms for ankle injuries in male elite football. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Videotapes and injury information were collected for 313 of 409 matches from Norwegian and Icelandic elite football during the 1999 to 2000 seasons. Video recordings of incidents that resulted in ankle injuries were analyzed and cross-referenced with injury reports from the team medical staff. RESULTS: A total 46 acute ankle injuries were reported to have occurred, that is, 4.5 injuries per 1000 match hours. Of these, 26 (57%) were identified on the videotapes. Two mechanisms thought to be specific to football were found: 1) player-to-player contact with impact by an opponent on the medial aspect of the leg just before or at foot strike, resulting in a laterally directed force causing the player to land with the ankle in a vulnerable, inverted position; and 2) forced plantar flexion where the injured player hit the opponent's foot when attempting to shoot or clear the ball. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic video analysis provides detailed information on the mechanisms for ankle injuries in football-for lateral ligament sprains and for the condition dubbed "footballer's ankle."

Adult↗