Faculty of Health Sciences
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Item An injury profile of high school soccer players on a synthetic surface at a private school in the eThekwini municipality(2024) Timul, Asthiq; Ally, FazilaBackground In South Africa, sport is a compulsory activity in the majority of schools and most of the population that play soccer at schools are amateur players. Many schools in Durban have astroturf courts on which the scholars play soccer. Astroturf is a synthetic surface that has gained much popularity due to it being cost effective and easy to maintain. Despite the benefits associated with playing on astroturf, one of the concerns is increased risk if injury to the players. Over the last decade, soccer injuries have become commonplace amongst scholars, with the most affected age group being between 13–15 years of age. The aim of this study is to determine the injury profile of amateur scholar soccer players playing on a synthetic surface at a private school in the eThekwini municipality. Methodology The research study is a quantitative study with a descriptive design. An organised, quantitative questionnaire was handed out to 108 registered learners at Al-Falaah College. The responses of the questionnaire were used to establish the demographic and injury profile of the soccer players in this study. Results A 100% response rate was recorded. The majority (n=24; 22.2%) of the learners were in the 14 year age group of Indian (n=98; 90.7%) ethnicity. The most common site of injury was recorded as the knee joint (n=54; 50%), followed by the ankle joint (n=36; 33.3%), wrist (n=29; 26.9%) and foot (n=28; 25.9%). The most common mechanism of injury reportedly occurred during tackling (n=61; 56.5%) and the least number of injuries were reported as occurring during heading (n=4; 3.7%). Most of the participants were found to be using incorrect footwear when playing on a synthetic surface, such as, studded boots (n=63; 58.3%) and sneakers (n=39; 36.1%). Conclusion The majority (79.6%) of the injuries reported were characterised as mild to moderate. The lower extremity was the most frequently injured, specifically the knee and ankle joint. Ligament and muscular injuries were the most common injury affecting the lower extremity. Younger individuals are more likely to face injury when playing soccer on a synthetic surface.Item Determining functional movement screen normative values as a predictor of injury in triathletes(2022-05-13) Jacobs, Izanne; Matkovich, GrantBackground: Triathlon is a multidisciplinary sport that comprises of swimming, cycling and running. Triathlon events are classified as sprint distance, Olympic distance and Ironman or long course triathlons. Triathlon is considered to be one of the fastest growing sports globally and, despite this, there is insufficient data relating to injuries and injury prevention in the South African context. The Functional Movement Screen™ is a pre-participation screening tool that evaluates fundamental movement patterns to determine potential injury risk and to predict injury. Aim: This study aims to determine the normative values for the FMS™ in triathletes and its ability to identify possible injury risks in triathletes. Methods: The research evaluated the FMSTM score in triathletes in the eThekwini municipal area prior to the commencement of a training session and then tracked the incidence, frequency and distribution of injuries that were sustained during a six-week follow-up period. Two triathlon training groups were approached, and triathletes voluntarily participated provided that they fitted the inclusion criteria. The triathletes were required to fill out an athlete questionnaire which was followed by performing the seven FMS™ tests. In total 24 triathletes between the ages of 18 and 35 were assessed. IBM SPSS version 27 was used in the data analysis to test for statistical significance of the results. Results: The research sample revealed that the normative value for the FMS™ score for triathletes was 14.25 out of 21, with a standard deviation of 2.15. The male triathletes (14.32), on average, had a higher FMS™ score than the female triathletes (14.00). The participants did not report any injuries during the six weeks after completing the FMS™, therefore, this research shows that no association can be made between a low score on the Functional Movement Screen TM and injury susceptibility. There was, however, noted that triathletes who reported current injuries scored lower on the FMS™ (13.25) than triathletes who did not report current injuries (14.45). However, this finding was not statistically significant (p=0.319). Further findings suggested that the most common injuries amongst triathletes were lower extremity muscle strains. Conclusion: The results concur with previous research. However, this study adds insight into injury occurrence and prevention strategies in triathlon. The most common injuries require investigation to develop preventative interventions to reduce injuries in triathletes. Health professionals require education about triathlon-related injuries to improve preventative and curative interventions.Item Determining the normative value of the Functional Movement Screen™ in weightlifters in participating gyms within the eThekwini municipality, and its association to injury(2021-12-01) Singh, Shaista; Sobuwa, Simpiwe; Bruijns, StevanBackground: Weightlifting is an increasing popular form of fitness. Weightlifters train exceptionally hard in their daily training regimes, as well as for competitions. Despite the popularity of this high intensive and explosive training, there is no normative value determined for weightlifters in the eThekwini Municipality, South Africa, to compare themselves against and track their progress or regression or to use as a benchmark when beginners adopt a new training programme. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) is a pre-participation assessment which analyses the movements of its participants according to seven exercises, which form the basics of fundamental movement patterns. This assessment allows an analysis of dysfunctional movement patterns to be identified. Aims: The aim of this study has been to assess weightlifters according to the Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™), to determine a normative value and examine their FMS™ score in relation to prior injury or musculoskeletal dysfunction. Methods: The methodology of this study included assessing 89 weightlifters from participating gym on the FMS™ in order to achieve a normative score of weightlifters within the eThekwini Municipality. Thereafter, participants were contacted telephonically and asked to provide information about their age, height, weight, number of years training, and an injury profile, including how long ago any injury occurred, how long the injury took to heal, the severity of the injury according to the pain rating numerical scale and what form of treatment they received for their injury. The mean FMS™ was then determined for the weightlifters within the eThekwini Municipality and an analysis was made between FMS™ score and injury sustained to determine whether the FMS™ is able to predict injury in this population. Results: The sample population of 89 revealed that the mean FMS™ score for weightlifters in participating gyms within the eThekwini Municipality is 13.88 out of 21. There is no correlation made between FMS™ score and injury and therefore there is no association to injury and FMS™ score in this sample population. There are significant findings in the scoring of the FMS™ exercises showing that weightlifters adapt their own lifting technique in order to lift their desired weight at the velocity expected. The most common recorded injuries are to the shoulder, followed by the knee. The most common injury sustained is musculature in nature and the most common treatment received for injury was physiotherapy. Conclusion: The normative value for weightlifters in participating gyms within the eThekwini Municipality is 13.88 out of 21 for the FMS™. It has been established that weightlifters deviate from the ideal movement pattern to develop stability and strength to lift their desired weights at explosive outputs. There was no link found between FMS™ score and injury and no correlation made between age, height, weight and number of years training and the FMS™ score.Item A musculoskeletal injury profile of weight trainers at gyms within the eThekwini municipality(2021-12-01) Dhlamini, Wabo; Maharaj, P.; Pastellides, A.Background Weight training is an ancient practice that has been growing and evolving over time. It has gained more popularity in modern times due to its benefits for the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Although weight training has been associated with numerous benefits, there are also documented risks of injury associated with it. There are several gyms within the eThekwini municipality where people perform weight training exercises and possibly sustain injuries related to weight training. However, there is a paucity of literature relating to this group of individuals, some of whom are not professional athletes and could possibly be at higher risk of sustaining injuries. The aim of this research was to ascertain the musculoskeletal injury profile of weight trainers at gyms within the eThekwini municipality. Methodology This research was a quantitative cross-sectional survey; a questionnaire was used as the research tool. The questionnaire was administered to 322 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Individuals who read the letter of information and signed the consent form were allowed to participate in the research. Once completed, the consent forms and questionnaires were placed in different boxes by the researcher in order to maintain confidentiality. The results of the research were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 25) to determine statistical significance, wherein a p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The logistics regression model was used to analyse the relationship between one dependent binary variable and independent nominal variables. Results and discussion There was a 100% response rate and of the 322 participants in the research, only 31.4% had sustained at least one injury related to weight training. The majority of the participants were males (90.4%). Furthermore, there was a higher number of injuries sustained when using free weights (88.1%) as compared to weight training machines (11.8%). Most injuries were sustained while performing the barbell shoulder press (18.8%). The shoulder was the anatomical location with the highest injury frequency (31.7%). Muscle strains (40.5%) were the most common types of injuries. Risk factors that were found to have a significant effect on injury were individuals within the age group 32-38 years who sustained 48.9% of the reported injuries. Individuals who had sustained injuries in the past (p=0.017) were also at higher risk of sustaining other injuries. The number of hours spent weight training (p=0.017) were also found to increase the risk of sustaining injuries. Conclusion The findings of this study show that there are certain anatomical locations that are more prone to injury than others. Weight training, just like any other type of exercise, can predispose one to injury, but the rate of injury due to weight training is generally low. The most prevalent types of injuries were muscle strains and joint sprains, with a few rare exceptions of serious injuries such as muscle tears and bone fractures.Item A retrospective profile of musculoskeletal injuries of ultra-endurance triathletes in South Africa(2019) Momberg, Courtney Dean; Matkovich, GrantAim The aim of this study was to determine the injury profile of ultra-endurance triathletes in South Africa. Background An ultra-endurance triathlon comprises a combination of swimming, cycling and running; the distances covered are a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and a 42.2km run all in succession. Ultra-endurance triathlon has grown in popularity since its inception in the 1970s. However, there is insufficient data relating to injuries in the South African context especially related to age and gender. Methods This Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the Durban University of Technology approved study included 100 active members of My Training Day and ultra-endurance triathletes associated with My Training Day that were training and taking part in the 2017 South African ultra-endurance triathlon (2017 South African Ironman Race). After signing the informed consent form and letter of information, participants completed an online questionnaire on training and injury profiles. All data captured was anonymous and confidential. Data was described using frequency tables for categorical data and summary statistics for continuous data. Odds ratios were reported and a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. For triathletes reporting injuries, linear regression was used for factors associated with injury severity. Results Questionnaires were returned by 86 ultra-endurance triathletes, of which 71 were deemed viable giving a response rate of 71%. The past and periodic (day of the race) prevalence of ultra-endurance triathlon-related musculoskeletal injury was 46.5% and 9.85% respectively. The most common site of injury in the year leading up to the 2017 ultra-endurance race was the posterior compartment of the lower limb, being the hamstring / calf (36.4%), while there was an equal split of injuries on race day with the shoulder, hamstring / calf, knee / quadriceps region all having the same percentage (28.6%). Of the 71 participants 66.2% were male and 33.8% were female. The most common age group was 30 to 34 years (25.7%). The majority of the participants started participating in ultra-endurance triathlons between 24 and 29 years of age (32.4%). There was no significant difference in age between those who had injuries prior to the event and those who did not (p = 0.079). There was no statistically significant difference in prior injury prevalence between males and females (p = 0.395). There was a borderline non-significant difference indicating younger athletes were at higher risk for injury on race day (p = 0.069). Females had a higher risk of injury on race day (p = 0.039). Conclusions and recommendations The results concur with previous research and add further insight into factors predisposing triathletes to injury. The most common injuries require investigation to develop preventative interventions to reduce injuries in triathletes. Further research into age and gender interactions as risk factors for injury is needed in South Africa. Health professionals require education about ultra-endurance triathlon-related injuries to improve preventative and curative interventions.Item An investigation into the use of the Functional Movement Screen as a predictor of injury in CrossFit athletes in the eThekwini municipality(2018) Richardson, Michelle; Haswell, Garrick DavidBackground: CrossFit is a popular and unique exercise training programme and competition. Despite the popularity of this training programme there is a high incidence of injury amongst the athletes. The Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™) is a pre-participation assessment which grades seven tests which screen fundamental movement patterns of athletes to possibly predict future injury. No studies have successfully looked at the use of the FMS™ to predict injury in CrossFit athletes. Aims: The aim of this study is to establish the normative values of the FMS™, which have yet to be determined for CrossFit athletes, and to determine the use of these values as a predictor for future injury. Methods: The methodology included scoring 61 CrossFit athletes using the FMS™ one month prior the “United We Stand (UWS) Games 2017”. Additionally, the athletes were required to fill out a questionnaire which was used to assess for additional risk factors for injury. The athletes were thereafter tracked documenting CrossFit specific injury over the course of the one month training period that lead up to and included participation in the “UWS Games 2017” in order to compile a injury profile. The mean FMS™ was then compared to the injuries sustained. Results: The research sample revealed that the mean FMS™ score for CrossFit athletes was 17.73 out of 21. There was no significant link between the mean value when compared to the injury rates and this was therefore not a predictor of injury. There were significant findings that showed that using components of the FMS™ as a method of injury prediction in CrossFit athletes was possible; specifically, a low trunk stability push-up test score increased the likelihood of sustaining injury and previous injury negatively impacted the shoulder mobility test. Further findings suggested that Body Mass Index (BMI) negatively impacted the performance of the FMS™, and the boxes with which the athletes were affiliated, influenced the total FMS™ scores. The most common types of injuries recorded were joint dysfunction and muscle strain and the most common locations of injury were the shoulder, knee and lower back. Conclusions: Aspects of the FMS™ were a statistically significant predictor of injury in CrossFit athletes, specifically that of the shoulder mobility test and the trunk stability push-up test. Other findings concluded that factors such as the BMI and the box that athletes trained under influenced the FMS™ outcome. The normative value of 17.73 out of 21 for the FMS™ was provided as reference values for CrossFit athletes in order to assist with the interpretation of future scores when screening athletes.Item An injury profile of ice hockey players in South Africa(2017) Van Doesburgh, Donne Claire; Matkovich, GrantBackground: Ice hockey is a fast paced team sport, played on an ice surface in an enclosed arena. As a result of the high contact, aggressive nature of the sport, players are susceptible to injury. Ice hockey is not a popular sport in South Africa and the environment is unique in comparison to international ice hockey countries. The playing surfaces and ice rink arenas differ across South Africa, which may affect the risk of injury in this population. Protective equipment is not easily accessible to ice hockey players in South Africa and therefore they may be at a higher risk of injury. Participation in ice hockey is developing in South Africa; however there is a paucity in the literature relating to injuries in the South African context. This study aimed to determine a profile of ice hockey injuries in South African players. Methodology: This study was a quantitative, descriptive study that used a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 187 ice hockey players (141 male and 46 female) who were registered with the South African Ice Hockey Association. Players were required to sign the letter of information and informed consent form, following which, questionnaires were distributed to the participants who met the study criteria. The researcher was present to supervise and collect all forms and completed questionnaires directly after completion. The questionnaire contained sections on demographics, injuries sustained over the previous season as well as the use of protective equipment. The results were analysed using SPSS version 24 and a p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The response rate met the minimum requirement of 138 males and 45 females. Of the 187 participants, 110 (58.8%) of the participants sustained at least one injury due to ice hockey. Age was considered to be a risk factor in this study as those participants in the youngest age group of 18-27 were at a higher risk of all injuries (χ2 p-value < 0.0001). Although gender was not a risk factor for the total number of injuries, female players in this study were at a greater risk of head and knee injuries (χ2 p-value = 0.0196 and χ2 p-value = 0.0046 respectively). The most severe injury affected the head (10.2%, n = 19) and overall the knee was the most commonly affected area of injury (n = 30). The majority of the injuries were sustained during a game and resulted from contact with another player. The results of this study showed that the use of protective equipment does not prevent all injuries in ice hockey. The type of facial protection worn was a risk factor for facial injuries and the lack of a mouthguard was a risk factor for head injuries. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to determine a profile of ice hockey injuries in South African players. The South African demographic profile of ice hockey players showed similarities to international profiles with respect to age, gender, BMI and player position. The profile of injuries in this study was similar to international injury profiles in terms of site, type, severity, onset and mechanism of injury and regarding the majority of injuries being sustained during a game. Ice hockey players in the younger age groups were at a higher risk of injury both in South Africa and internationally. Females were at a higher risk of head injuries in comparison to males which is congruent with international literature. In South Africa, and internationally, the use of full facial protection and a mouthguard was shown to decrease the risk of facial and head injuries respectively. The South African demographic profile differed from international findings in terms of experience level, total hours of training per week and number of games played in a season. The injury profile of South African ice hockey players showed that this population is at a higher risk of muscular injuries than international players. Larger ice surfaces and flexible boards and glass did not reduce the risk of injury in South African ice hockey players in the same way as it has internationally.Item A musculoskeletal injury profile of league tennis players in the northern eThekwini region(2016) Benporath, Michael Craig; Haswell, GarrickBackground: Tennis is one of the most popular sports globally with over 75 million players around the world. Most studies have focused on junior or elite level players although the majority of players around the world are presumed to be recreational/non-professional players. To date, limited research is available pertaining to the epidemiology of tennis related musculoskeletal in non-professional league tennis players in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the profile of musculoskeletal injuries amongst league tennis players in the northern eThekwini region. Methods: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study utilizing a self-administered questionnaire, developed specifically for this research utilizing an expert group and pilot study. The questionnaire contained sections on demographics, tennis history, training and nutrition, court surface and equipment as well as a section on tennis related musculoskeletal injuries. Risk factors for injury were first tested using chi square tests in the case of categorical variables, and t-tests in the case of continuous variables. In order to assess the relationship between injury and potential risk factors for injury, a binary logistic regression using backward selection based on likelihood ratios was used. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the variables remaining in the model at the end were reported. A p value <0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Results: Eighty league tennis players responded giving a response rate of 70.16%. The period prevalence, and the point prevalence of tennis related musculoskeletal injury was 68.75% and 36.25% respectively. A predominance of injuries to the upper extremity were recorded (49%) compared to the lower extremity (27.5%) and the back and trunk (23.5%). The elbow was the most common anatomical site of injury (21.4%) followed by the shoulder (19.4%), the lumbar spine (17.3%) and the knee (8.2%). Age was considered to be a risk factor for injury (p=0.049) as older players in the study (49.32 (17.547) years of age) were less likely to contract an injury than younger players (48.38 (13.210) years of age). The likelihood of injury decreased with a higher Body Mass Index (p=0.042). The relationship between consumption of spirit alcohol and injury was significant (p=0.043). Ex-smokers had a higher chance of contracting an injury (p=0.013). It was also found that those who cycled weekly were less likely to contract an injury (p=0.040). Conclusion: The results concur with other studies on recreational/non-professional tennis players and add insight into risk factors predisposing this population to injury. Health care practitioners need to understand the risk factors for injury in this population so that players can be better managed. Using the results of the study, an injury prevention strategy such as a strength and conditioning program, needs to be implemented with the goal to reduce or prevent common injuries in this population of players.Item A profile of injuries among participants at the 2013 CrossFit Games in Durban(2015-05) Da Silva, Chantel; Gomes, Adrian NeilBackground CrossFit is a workout program developed in 2000 which involves high intensity interval training coupled with resistance training elements of powerlifting and gymnastics. CrossFit has grown to include competitive events and there are an ever increasing number of affiliate gyms internationally. CrossFit’s greatest criticism is related to safety. There is limited published data on the exercise program. Aims The aims of this study were: to determine a retrospective cohort analysis of the demographic, injury and treatment profiles of participants at the 2013 United We Stand CrossFit Games who presented to the Durban University of Technology’s sports treatment facility; to determine the association, if any, between demographics and injury types; and, to provide any recommendations regarding the clinical record form used. Methods This study was a retrospective, quantitative, descriptive study on the chiropractic Student Sports Association’s report form in order to produce a retrospective cohort analysis of the injury and treatment profiles. Persons who made use of the chiropractic treatment facility at the 2013 United We Stand CrossFit Games were required to complete an informed consent form. A sixth year chiropractic student then filled in a Chiropractic Student Sports Association report form to record participant, complaint and treatment information. The study was not limited to competitors, but all persons who had access to the chiropractic treatment facility. These forms were then collated and data captured on the complaints which presented and were treated at the chiropractic treatment facility. Results The data collected revealed that 137 participants presented to the chiropractic treatment facility in 162 visits, with 263 complaints treated. The age range of the sample was between 18 and 43 years, with a mean age of 27.49 years. The majority of participants who presented to the CTF were competing athletes and just under half of the study sample reported to not having a history of previous injury. The study found that the lumbar region (20.9%), wrist/hand (14.4%), shin/calf (11.0%) and knee (10.2%) were the most commonly presented regions of complaint. The highest presenting mechanism of injury was that of overuse (22.4%) followed by running (19.0%). Acute injuries accounted for 72.20% of all injuries. With regards to diagnoses, myofascial trigger points made up 21.6% of all injuries, followed by muscle strains (19.7%). Facet syndromes of the spinal column accounted for 13% of diagnoses.It was shown that kinesiotape, manipulation, massage and ischemic compression were the top treatment interventions utilised. It was also shown that rest, ice and referrals were types of treatment that were not utilised. Due to statistical inconsistencies no significance tests were possible between demographic and injury characteristics. Recommendations were proposed in order to maximise the quality of data captured. Conclusion: The results add insight into the injuries presented and the treatment they acquired at the chiropractic treatment facility at a national CrossFit event. The most common injuries require investigation in both training and competitive environments. Various recommendations have been proposed for the record form used at sporting events in order to facilitate the collection of high quality data.Item An analysis of injury profiles and management strategies utilised by chiropractic students at the 2015 Durban 'Rugby Rush Tournament'(2015-07-28) McAlery, Caryn; Haswell, GarrickBackground Rugby union is one of South Africa’s most popular sports; it requires high levels of skill and fitness and is played at a high intensity and speed which allows for a greater risk of injury. The high risk of injury is said to be due to the nature of the physicality of rugby. It is because of this high risk of injury that several adaptations of rugby have since developed which rely more on speed and agility than physicality. These adaptations include tens or ten-a-side rugby, sevens or seven-a-side rugby and finally touch rugby, which is played with six players a-side. Each adaptation has its own set of rules and is played differently to the traditional rugby union or fifteen-a-side rugby. Hence, in these adaptations the physicality is said to decrease with a resultant increase in demand for speed and agility. The reduction of physicality and increase in the need for speed and agility would imply that the nature of injuries sustained will be different to those sustained in traditional rugby union. Objectives To develop a profile of injuries that describe the type, anatomical location and mechanism of injuries sustained in tens, sevens and touch rugby; to compare the injuries sustained between the three groups; and, to analyse management strategies utilised by chiropractic students at the 2014 Durban ‘Rugby Rush Tournament’. Additionally this study aimed to provide recommendations to the injury reporting form utilised. Method This study was a retrospective, quantitative, descriptive study based on the Chiropractic Student Sports Association’s report form in order to produce a retrospective cohort analysis of injury and treatment profiles. Participants who made use of the chiropractic treatment facility were required to complete the informed consent section of the injury reporting form. The chiropractic intern was required to complete the remainder of the form pertaining to the participant, complaint and treatment information. This study was limited to event participants to allow for subgroup analysis. The forms were then captured and analysed. Results The data collected consisted of a total of 345 individual patient forms which indicated 626 visits for a total of 733 complaints. The average participant age was 24 ± 5.58. The study found muscle strains (41.5%), SI Syndrome (17.6%) and Joint sprains (15.0%) to be the most frequent diagnoses. A history or previous injury or trauma was reported in 18.7% and 7.40% respectively. Acute injuries accounted for 64.3% and 35.7% were recorded as chronic in nature. The most frequent mechanism of injury was that of overuse (81.9%) and trauma accounted for 17.2% of injuries. The lumbar region (26.1%), thigh (20.7%) and shin/calf (15.6%) were the most commonly reported regions of complaint. Manipulation (58.8%), massage (32.0%) and stretch PNF (27.9%) were the most frequently used treatment protocols. Strapping was utilised in 21.1% of injuries of which 5.20% was applied to the muscle and 13.6% was applied to the joint. No comparison was made using the sevens subgroup as there were insufficient records, thus only tens and touch players were compared. A borderline non-significant difference (p = 0.057) was noted between the type of player and the history of previous trauma. Tens players were more likely to have a history of trauma compared to touch players. A significant difference (p = 0.001) was found between the type of athlete and mechanism of injury. Overuse was more common in touch players whereas trauma was more common in tens players. Due to statistical inconsistencies no significance tests were applicable to compare the type of player and region of complaint. Recommendations were proposed in order to avoid this in future research. Conclusion This study provides a base of knowledge regarding the injuries that were presented to the chiropractic treatment facility at the 2014 Durban ‘Rugby Rush Tournament’ and the management strategies utilised by the chiropractic interns at the event. This research provides insight into injury profiling of tens, sevens and touch rugby players. There were several recommendations proposed for future researchers in order to expand on this field of knowledge.