Jun 14, 2016Tests May Predict Injuries
Aside from previous incidents, predicting injuries among athletes can be challenging. Results from a study conducted at High Point University suggest that certain performance tests can help.
An article from High Point University explains that student-athletes completed screening tests in the pre-season for this research. The study, which is published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, followed 359 participants over the course of three athletic seasons.
Based on the study’s results, deficiencies in hip stability, active motion, and motor control as measured with physical performance tests were predictors of injury. These findings are currently being used by the university’s strength and conditioning coach and the assistant athletic director for sports medicine to identify student-athletes who may benefit from additional training.
“Identifying which athletes will be injured before injuries occur would save them pain, suffering, lost playing time and expenses associated with x-rays, imaging and surgery,” Dr. Eric Hegedus, professor, founding chair of the physical therapy department, and lead author of the study said. “If we could do a few simple screening tests and see which athletes perform poorly on those tests, we could change their training program to correct the deficiencies and prevent them from being injured.”
