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Despite emerging research questioning the long-term effect of purposeful heading on players' brain health, heading-related perspectives and behaviours of stakeholders in amateur football in Australia (a country without heading guidelines) remain unknown. This study aimed to explore the current heading-related perspectives and behaviours of football stakeholders. In total, 290 players (aged over 11 years), 54 coaches, 34 non-coaching staff and 14 medical staff completed the survey. Of the 290 players, 56.5% reported being formally trained in heading, with female players less likely to be trained than male players (p < 0.05). Players were the least concerned about the long-term effects of heading, while medical staff were the most concerned (33.1% and 57.1%, respectively). From proposed strategies to reduce heading burden, a heading ban for all ages was least popular (2.3%), while teaching heading technique was most popular (67.3%). Our study provides insights into football stakeholders' heading-related perspectives, which could be used, along with scientific evidence, to inform pragmatic future heading guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the usage and awareness of the FIFA 11 + (11 +) across multiple stakeholders involved with amateur football. Methods: Coaches, players, non-coaching staff and medical personnel in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, were invited to complete a cross-sectional online survey, which was disseminated using a targeted email to two Football NSW member organisations and a social media campaign. Categorical data (including age-groups and sex) are presented as counts and percentages and analysed using a Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. A significance level of 0.05 was used for all analyses. Results: In total 328 players, 55 coaches, 37 non-coaching staff and 16 medical personnel completed the survey (n = 436). Awareness of the 11 + was lowest among non-coaching staff (16.2%) and players (32.6%) but higher among coaches (52.7%) and medical personnel (93.8%). Once aware of the 11 +, 75.8% of all respondents used the program although 89.5% of them did so with modifications. In addition, only 40.0% of players reported completing all three parts of the 11 + program. Veteran players were less likely to complete any type of warm-up compared with junior players (63.7% vs. 96.3%, respectively). Conclusions: Although awareness of the 11 + varied amongst survey respondents, 3 out of 4 respondents who were aware of the 11 + adopted the program. However, respondents reported modifying the 11 + and not completing the program as intended, which suggests modification guidance is required to maintain the efficacy of the 11 +. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim of this study was to compare injury rates pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdown in sub-elite football (soccer) players by analysing the full season and the first month of each season between 2018 and 2020. Secondary aims were to describe the incidence, location and type of injuries and to compare injuries by age group and sex. Descriptive epidemiological study A de-identified insurance database was retrospectively coded using the Orchard Sports Injury Classification System. Injury incidence per 1000 hours as well as incidence rate ratios (IRR) with confidence intervals were calculated. No significant difference was found in the overall incidence rate in 2020 compared with the 2018 and 2019 seasons (IRR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.96–1.13]; p = 0.294). However, overall injuries increased by 26% (IRR: 1.26 [95% CI 1.07–1.47]; p < 0.005) and joint sprains increased by 45% (IRR: 1.45 [95% CI 1.14–1.84]; p < 0.005) in the first month of 2020 compared with 2018–2019. Between 2018 and 2020, there were 4149 injury insurance claims, with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures accounting for 19% of all injuries. When comparing sex, female players had significantly more ankle sprains whilst male players suffered more dental injuries. This study adds to a growing body of evidence investigating injury rates post-COVID-19 lockdowns in sport. Sub-elite players appear to be at higher risk of joint injuries within the first month of training following a period of lockdown. Overall, stakeholders involved in sub-elite football should prioritise knee and ankle joint injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal fibular deficiency (LFD) is the most common congenital long bone deficiency. This study aimed to objectively assess the physical performance of children and adolescents with LFD compared with unaffected peers, and to examine trends over age for subgroups of the LFD population. Differences between children with LFD and unaffected peers were examined with hand-held dynamometry for lower-limb muscle strength, Six-Minute Walk Test, Timed up and down stairs test, Star Excursion Balance Test, and Standing long jump. Thirty-nine children with LFD and 284 unaffected peers participated. Children with LFD performed at a lower level than their unaffected peers, on all measures of physical performance (mean 2.1 z-scores lower, all p < 0.01), except in long jump (p = 0.27). When comparing the performance of children with LFD to their unaffected peers across four age groups, there was a significant between-groups difference on all strength measures, and on the Six-Minute Walk distance, between children with and without LFD. These differences were smallest in young children (3–6 years) and largest in the older children (15–18 years) (all p < 0.01). Children with no lengthening surgery performed better on the Six-Minute Walk Test, covering a greater distance during the test, than those who had surgery (mean difference 83 metres, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between children who had or had not undergone an amputation. Children with LFD performed at a significantly lower level than unaffected peers on all measures of physical performance other than jumping. The largest differences were in older children. This paper provides baseline functional data for future interventions in LFD. Cross-sectional study. This paper provides the first baseline functional data using validated objective measures on a consecutive cohort of children and adolescents with longitudinal fibular deficiency. Children with LFD performed significantly worse than their unaffected peers on all measures of physical performance other than jumping, with children falling further behind their peers as they age. Children who undergo an amputation typically have the most severe anatomical presentation and yet perform at an equivalent functional level. This paper identifies multiple modifiable impairments that represent potential opportunities for rehabilitation professionals to target with conservative treatment options to improve functional performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]