Throughout the years more and more research has surfaced describing the incidence of sports-related injuries for both males and females. Knee injuries among high school athletes are very common more so in competition than in practice and more common in females then males{1}. From 2005 to 2011 football had the highest knee injury rate followed by girl’s soccer, and girl’s gymnastics{1}. The most commonly involved structure was the medial collateral ligament (reported in 36.1% of knee injuries), followed by the patella/patellar tendon (29.5%), anterior cruciate ligament (25.4%), meniscus (23.0%), lateral collateral ligament (7.9%), and posterior cruciate ligament (2.4%).{1}
Cheerleaders also suffer significant injuries. Researchers found that the number of visits to casualty resulting from high school and college cheerleading injuries rose from 4,954 in 1980 to 26,786 in 2007.{3} The sport accounted for around 66 percent of “catastrophic” injuries – those resulting in permanent disability or medical conditions to girls according the Journal of Pediatrics.{3} In another study, more than 21% of injures were ankle sprains and there was a 50% reduction in injury risk with more qualified coaches{4}. In addition, Between 1990 and 2005, an estimated 425,900 children from 6 to 17 years of age were treated for gymnastics-related injuries in U.S. emergency departments; representing an average of 4.8 injuries per 1,000 gymnasts per year{2}. Analysis of age-related patterns revealed that lower-extremity injuries and strains/sprains were the most prevalent type of injury in older gymnasts (12-17 years), while upper-extremity fractures/dislocations were most common in younger gymnasts (6-11 years).{2}
Gymnast injuries account for a significant number of all school sport related injuries. Vault and floor exercise account for the vast majority of all injuries, with alarming high numbers of spine injuries during floor exercise and mini-trampoline. A preservation of a high level of attention during a sport lesson, safety measures including appropriate mats and landing zones are mandatory to reduce injuries. Muscle injuries and ankle sprains can be prevented by a prospective proprioceptive training intervention to be implemented in school sports.{5}
Goals of the program at Steele Creek Physical Therapy & Balance Center, Inc:
- Prescribe specific strengthening, stretching, and proprioception exercises specific for each athlete and for the sport he/she participates
- Observe and problem solve coordination deficits or movement patterns to enhance performance and that may lead to injury
Decrease drop outs due to injury - Improve an athletes psychological return to sport
Program Implementation: Initial Screen
Our head Physical Therapist, Jon M. Morrissette, DPT, MTC, CLT, has 10 years of experience in outpatient Physical Therapy treating a wide range of orthopedic conditions including sports injuries. More and more research is being published in journals such as: The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Athletic Therapy, Physical Therapy in Sport, and the British Journal of Sports Medicine, highlighting the risk factors for injury and poor sports performance.
A simple screen using the LESS (Landing Error Scoring System) can tell our Physical Therapist who is at risk of injury and who is not able to perform to his/her potential. For example, knee injuries can occur especially to a female athlete upon landing. If her knees are twisted inward, flexed at between 0 and 30 degrees, and has excessive lateral trunk flexion repeated trauma can lead to ACL injury or other knee injuries.
Since most athletes are under 18 years of age, a signed parent permission slip will be needed to perform the screen. Once the screen is completed the athlete’s parent will be give a written explanation of the results and recommendations to enhance the athlete’s performance and prevent injury which may include attending physical therapy.
Cost of Physical Therapy
Cost will vary based on the athlete’s insurance plan. For those without insurance, our cash rate is $80 per visit.
Components of the Program
- Plyometrics/Neuromuscular training
- Strength Training
- Core Stabilization
- Balance/Proprioception
- Agility
- Stretching/Flexibility
- Verbal and Visual Feedback
Call our office at 704-504-2194 to schedule an initial screen and enhance your sports performance!