International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy最新文献

{"title":"High Prevalence of Low Back Pain in College Rifle Athletes.","authors":"Bailey Urbach, Cody Mansfield, Mica Harr, Matthew S Briggs, James Onate, Laura Boucher","doi":"10.26603/001c.127385","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127385","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The sport of rifle places unique physical demands on its athletes relative to other collegiate sports, including maintaining lumbar-straining positions for extended time. Anecdotal reports of low back pain (LBP) are common among collegiate rifle athletes, but the prevalence of LBP in this population has not yet been established in the literature.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study was to survey collegiate rifle athletes to quantify the prevalence and impact of low back pain in this population and identify possible contributing factors including the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized that over 50% of athletes would report an episode of LBP due to participation in collegiate rifle events.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-Sectional Study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Athletes at least 18 years of age who were members of a collegiate rifle program during the 2019-2020 season were surveyed via an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included four sections: (a) demographics, (b) presence of LBP, (c) the impact of pain episodes on daily activities, and (d) shooting stance and training characteristics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Responses from 114 athletes were collected. A total of 101 (89%) respondents indicated having experienced at least one episode of LBP. Of those, 24% also missed at least one day of training or competition during the 2019-2020 season because of LBP. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 60% were unable to receive the same level of medical care while 69% experienced equal or greater pain levels. An association between sex and LBP was statistically significant (p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a high prevalence of LBP in collegiate rifle athletes. It is necessary for Athletic Training staff and other medical professionals to be aware of this for prevention and treatment, as it has significant impacts including missed playing time. More research on predisposing factors such as sex and training duration or positional characteristics would benefit management of this injury.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>3.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"87-96"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11698003/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low-Load Blood-flow Restriction Training for Medial Tibial Stress-Syndrome in Athletes: A Case Series.","authors":"Anders F Brekke, Johanne Bjørklund, Rosa C Holse, Christian Larsen, Mikkel H Hjortshoej","doi":"10.26603/001c.126963","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.126963","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common overuse injury characterized by activity-induced pain along the distal medial tibial border. Current best practice includes rest and progressive resistance training. However, some patients with MTSS may be unable to tolerate the loading during exercise. Blood-flow restriction training using low loads (LL-BFR) may induce similar physiological and structural adaptations as heavy resistance training but without peak loads. This could potentially allow the athlete to continue sports activities during rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this case series was to describe an exercise program utilizing LL-BFR training for athletes with running-related MTSS.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Case series.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six recreational athletes (one handball player, one soccer player, and four runners) with MTSS were recruited. Inclusion criteria included pain along the distal two-thirds medial tibial border occurring during or after activity. Exclusion criteria were symptoms of compartment syndrome, tibial stress fracture, or contraindications for BFR training. Participants underwent a progressive six-week home-based LL-BFR training intervention with three sessions per week and were allowed to continue sports activities if pain was ≤ NRS 5. Outcome measures included change in standardized running performance (distance and pain level), pain pressure threshold (algometry), and self-reported physical function.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five athletes experienced improvements in running performance (pain and/or distance) and self-reported function. One athlete sustained an injury unrelated to the LL-BFR training, and therefore the running post-test could not be completed. Adherence to exercise was high, and post-test interviews revealed positive feedback on the training method, with no side effects reported.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case series demonstrated that following a therapeutic exercise program utilizing LL-BFR training improvements in pain and function were seen in athletes with MTSS. BFR may allow clinicians to prescribe lower-load exercises, facilitating continued sports participation. Future research should compare the effectiveness of exercise programs for MTSS with and without LL-BFR training.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Level V.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"97-106"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11697994/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Range of Motion and Muscle Stiffness Differences in Junior Tennis Players with and without a History of Shoulder Pain.","authors":"Joshua Colomar, Javier Peña, Jordi Vicens-Bordas, Ernest Baiget","doi":"10.26603/001c.127263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127263","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Due to its significant unilateral predominance, tennis can provoke functional and morphological asymmetries that develop over time and may result in undesired morphological alterations.</p><p><strong>Hypothesis/purpose: </strong>The goals of this study were a) to assess glenohumeral range of motion and muscular stiffness in young tennis players with and without a history of shoulder pain and b) to examine interlimb asymmetries in these variables in both groups. It was hypothesized that players with a history of shoulder pain would show a reduced glenohumeral internal rotation (IR) and total arc of motion (TAM) and increased stiffness in internal rotator muscles compared to those without shoulder pain.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-sectional observational study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-five participants participated in the study (11 with a history of shoulder pain and 14 without pain). Participants performed stiffness measurements on muscles involved in the main tennis stroke motions alongside range of motion examinations on the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) extremities including IR, external shoulder rotation (ER), and TAM. A two-way mixed-design ANOVA analyzed group and limb effects, with effect sizes classified as small, medium, or large. Significant effects were further examined using Bonferroni post hoc tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were significant differences between the shoulder pain and no shoulder pain group in the D IR (-3.1º, 6.43%, p = 0.048; effect size [ES] = 0.58) and D TAM (-6.1º, 3.01%, p = 0.024; ES = 0.66). Moreover, significant differences were found between the D and ND extremities in IR in both groups (-9.2º, 14.94%, p < 0.001; ES = -1.72) and TAM in the shoulder pain group (-5.6º, 2,77%, p = 0.038; ES = 0.61). Stiffness measurements showed no significant differences between groups or extremities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Significantly lower values of D IR and TAM and higher IR asymmetries in the shoulder pain group suggest that a deficit in these parameters could be associated with shoulder pain history in junior competitors.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>2.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"71-78"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11697988/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early Mobility and Rehabilitation Protocol after Internal Brace Ankle Stabilization.","authors":"Bryanna Vesely, Shanthan Challa, Benjamin Moyer, Blake Gereb, Troy Watson","doi":"10.26603/001c.127849","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127849","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic lateral ankle instability is a common diagnosis in foot and ankle clinics. Internal Brace (IB) augmentation is a surgical procedure that utilizes fibertape augmentation of the lateral ankle ligaments. Studies have shown the superiority of fibertape augmentation over traditional lateral ankle stabilization procedures such as the Brostrom or Brostrom-Gould. The IB procedure has been described elsewhere and the fixation involves placing bone anchors with attached suture tape at each end of the Brostrom repair augmenting the fixation. Various studies exist that support the mechanical advantage of the Brostrom with IB over non augmented repair. This technique allows for earlier weight bearing and range of motion which translates into earlier return to activity and sport. While there are guidelines for rehabilitation after Brostrom procedures, there are currently no guidelines regarding rehabilitation after the IB. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to describe an early mobility and rehabilitation protocol after IB augmentation for the ankle. The post operative protocol provides treatment goals, weight bearing status recommendations, and rehabilitation intervention suggestions after IB augmentation.</p><p><strong>Level of clinical evidence: </strong>V.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"107-112"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11697995/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Tears: Clinical Implications, Surgical Management, and Post-operative Rehabilitation Considerations.","authors":"Jill K Monson, Robert F LaPrade","doi":"10.26603/001c.126967","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.126967","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tears of the posterior medial meniscus root (PMMR) are common in older patients and reportedly contribute to rapid joint degeneration over time. Recognition of these tear types and the appropriate diagnosis through clinical exam and diagnostic imaging have improved significantly in recent years, as have surgical techniques to address them. Standardized post-operative rehabilitation protocols specific to PMMR repair have not been established or well understood in the scientific literature. Thus, clinicians have little guidance for managing post-operative care. Upon diagnosis of a root tear, appropriate surgical treatment, with appreciation for native anatomy and function of the meniscus root, is a critical first step for recovery. Post-operative rehabilitation protocols should account for biomechanical considerations unique to root tears, because they can destabilize the entire meniscus and compromise its native function. Rehabilitation specialists can apply known science regarding the influence of joint motion, muscle strengthening activities, gait, squatting, and progressive loading activities on the healing meniscus to guide post-operative recovery. This knowledge, complemented with existing foundational principles for sound post-operative rehabilitation, can optimize recovery for patients following PMMR repair. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to explore clinical questions related to 1) PMMR injury epidemiology, 2) diagnosis and surgical management of PMMR tears, and 3) critical considerations for safe and effective post-operative rehabilitation. Level of Evidence: 5.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"127-136"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11698001/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation and Treatment of Baseball Pitchers: There's More to Assess than the Arm.","authors":"Matthew L Gauthier, Casey A Unverzagt, George J Davies","doi":"10.26603/001c.127461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Injuries are commonplace in the overhead athlete, with many occurring to the shoulder and elbow. The increasing prevalence of injuries to the shoulder and elbow has been discussed at length in recent years, with increased research focus being placed on arm care for rehabilitation and prevention strategies. Even though the pitching motion is well-established as a whole-body kinetic chain movement, most attention in rehabilitation and prevention efforts is often placed on the upper extremity. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to highlight the impact the lower extremity and trunk have on the upper extremity during the throwing motion, better equipping clinicians to treat this patient population. Additionally, this clinical commentary highlights the current literature and recommendations regarding examination of the entire kinetic chain and concludes with a review of current evidence and recommendations regarding treatment of impairments and functional limitations identified in the proximal kinetic chain. In leaving no stone unturned, clinicians can address all components of the kinetic chain in throwers, maximizing performance and mitigating risk of injury. Level of Evidence: 5.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"113-126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11698006/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of a Foam Roller Warm-Up in Professional Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Daniel Casado, Ivan Nacher, Juan Pardo, Javier Reina","doi":"10.26603/001c.127266","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127266","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The foam roller is considered a versatile tool. Along with an active warm-up, it appears to positively affect range of motion, stability, muscle stiffness, and perceived exertion with no reductions in performance.</p><p><strong>Hypothesis/purpose: </strong>The main purpose of the study was to observe the effects of the utilization of a foam roller during the warm-up on ankle mobility and lower limb stability, and secondarily, to assess if any induced effects were sustained over time.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Randomized controlled trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-two healthy male subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group, which only carried out a general warm-up over a period of four months, and the foam roller group, which followed a specific warm-up routine using a foam roller for a period of three months plus one month of follow-up in which no foam rolling was performed. Two outcome measurements were taken pre- and post- intervention to assess ankle mobility: the Dorsi-Flexion Lunge test and the Y-Balance test (YBT) for the lower quarter. Outcomes were measured at three time points: before the protocol was initiated, at the end of the protocol (at 12 weeks), and after a one-month follow-up period (at 16 weeks).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant increase was observed in the dorsiflexion of the right (p < 0.001) and left (p < 0.001) ankles in the experimental group. Significant increases were also noticed in the anterior (p < 0.003), posteromedial (p < 0.050), and posterolateral (p < 0.050) reach distances of the right leg and in the anterior (p < 0.002), posteromedial (p < 0.010), and posterolateral (p < 0.030) reach distances of the left leg during the YBT in the experimental group. The control group also showed significant differences in the right (p < 0.007) and left (p < 0.010) anterior reach distances on the YBT. At the one-month follow-up period, the improvements that had been obtained in both groups were lost, except for the dorsiflexion of the right ankle (p < 0.050) and right (p < 0.010) and left (p < 0.030) anterior reach distance on the YBT in the experimental group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The foam roller can be used as a part of a pre-training warm-up routine to enhance the dorsiflexion range of motion and performance on the YBT.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>3. Registered as a clinical trial at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number: NCT05971316.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"15-29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11697991/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Kettlebell Swing Style and Mass on Female Hip Joint Kinetics.","authors":"Kasey M Murphy, Bryan L Riemann","doi":"10.26603/001c.127464","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127464","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Kettlebell (KB) swing exercises, whether performed using shoulder height (SHS) or overhead (OHS) swing variations in therapeutic or strength and conditioning settings, are posterior chain dominant exercises that require hip extension contributions when performed correctly.</p><p><strong>Purpose/ hypothesis: </strong>The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of swing style (SHS, OHS) and KB mass on hip extension kinematics and kinetics in young adult females. A secondary purpose was to determine the effects of swing style and KB mass on the forces applied to the total body center of mass and KB. It was hypothesized that velocity, power, and work would be greater for the OHS compared to the SHS, as well as for the heavier compared to the lighter KB's.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Crossover study design.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifteen physically active females performed 15 swings under four conditions, SHS/12kg, SHS/16kg, OHS/12kg, and OHS/16kg, while three-dimensional dominant limb foot, shank, thigh, pelvis, and KB kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>KB distance (95%CIDiff: 17.5-25.1 %BH), time (95%CIDiff: 0.067-0.023 s), and peak velocity (95%CIDiff: 0.56-0.74 m‧s-1) were significantly greater during the OHS (p<0.05). During OHS, significantly greater hip joint peak power (95%CIDiff: 1.6-4.1 W‧kg-1), work (95%CIDiff: 0.104-0.527), peak velocity (95%CIDiff: 7.6-40.5 °‧s-1) occurred compared to SHS, although the time and hip angular position of peak velocity and peak power were not statistically different between styles.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results may influence choices of KB progressions, suggesting that one may first consider changes in KB mass prior to changing from the SHS style to the OHS style.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Level 3.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 1","pages":"30-39"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11698002/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Use of Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for the Evaluation of the Iliopsoas in the Anterior Hip: A Guide for Rehabilitation Providers.","authors":"Robert C Manske, Michael Voight, Chris Wolfe, Phil Page, Beth Bardowski","doi":"10.26603/001c.126334","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.126334","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) has become an increasingly valuable tool in the evaluation and management of soft tissue and joint pathologies, particularly for rehabilitation providers. This article highlights the use of MSK-US for assessing the iliopsoas tendon and musculature in the anterior hip. The iliopsoas complex is often implicated in conditions such as tendinitis, snapping hip syndrome, and hip flexor strains, and accurate assessment can be challenging due to its deep anatomical location. MSK-US offers a safe, cost-effective, and dynamic modality for visualizing the iliopsoas, providing crucial insights into its morphology, pathology, and response to rehabilitation interventions. This paper discusses the anatomy of the iliopsoas, ultrasound scanning techniques, common findings, and the clinical relevance of MSK-US in rehabilitation settings. This paper explores the efficacy of MSK-US in the assessment of the iliopsoas muscle and tendon and underscores its utility in diagnosing iliopsoas-related abnormalities such as tendinopathy and bursitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"19 12","pages":"1642-1646"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11611481/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142773758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Introduction of the 'Blue Card' Concussion Policy to Semi-Elite Australian Football: Medical Staff Experiences and Perceptions.","authors":"Jacob R Msando, Gill Cowen, Sarah A Harris, Troy Kirkham, Myles C Murphy","doi":"10.26603/001c.125794","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.125794","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Western Australian Football League (WAFL) introduced a new umpire driven 'blue-card rule' for concussion, but its benefit to the sports medicine team is unknown.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To determine the experiences and perceptions of medical staff within the 2022-2023 Men's and Women's WAFL competitions following the introduction of the 'blue-card rule'.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An online survey was delivered through Qualtrics to all WAFL medical staff (doctors, physiotherapists, head trainers). The survey contained four sections (demographics, concussion knowledge, concussion exposure and blue-card perceptions) with closed and multiple-answer questions. Standard methods for reporting descriptive data were applied, including mean ± standard deviation (SD) and proportions (%). Between-group differences were assessed using chi-square tests, and significance was accepted at p <0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Response rate was 48% (n=7 doctors, n=12 physiotherapists, n=12 head trainers). Most staff (70%) did not agree that the 'blue-card rule' was a helpful concussion policy or should remain within the WAFL. Staff also felt umpires are not qualified to identify suspected concussions on-field (67%). Over two-thirds of medical staff feel the Football Commission needs to provide education about concussion policies before the commencement of each season. Only 33% of medical staff felt completely confident in delivering a sideline assessment, and 17% felt completely confident in their diagnostic capabilities. Relationships between medical and other staff were not substantially impacted by the 'blue-card rule'.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Medical staff within the WAFL reported the 'blue-card rule' as an ineffective concussion identification tool and did not support its continued use for future WAFL seasons. Staff suggested that the Football Commission needs to provide more education on concussion policies before the commencement of each season.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>3.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"19 12","pages":"1569-1580"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11611476/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142773745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}