The Effect of a Heel Insert Intervention on Achilles Tendon Loading during Running in Soccer

The use of heel inserts has been shown to reduce the risk of sustaining Achilles Tendon (AT) injury in soccer. Likewise, heel lifts have been positively used in the treatment of Achilles tendon injury. Despite this evidence however, the mechanism behind such findings is still unclear. Consequently, this study recruited nine amateur male soccer players (83.4 kg (±5.8), 23 years (±3.7), Achilles tendon radius 19.13 cm (±2.3), ankle width 0.072 cm (±0.005), forefoot width 0.10 cm (±0.005), size 10 feet) to collect kinetic and kinematic data during 10 running trials. Trials were performed on a third generation artificial turf whilst wearing a soccer boot with and without a 10 mm heel insert placed inside. From the data obtained, measures of Achilles tendon load and rate of loading were estimated. Paired t-tests with the combined participant data indicated that there were no overall effect of the heel-insert on peak Achilles tendon force (p=0.25), peak plantar flexion moment (p=0.68) or their corresponding loading rates (p=0.92) and p=0.97 respectively). Individual participant data did however show that for some the heel lift significantly reduced Achilles tendon loading, whilst others it was significantly increased. These findings therefore suggest that the response is highly individual. As such the application of heel lifts should be used with caution and the routine use of the inserts is not recommended

OPTIMISING RUNNING MECHANICS FOR LONG-DISTANCE RUNNING: ALIGNING GROUND REACTION FORCE AND LONGITUDINAL LEG AXIS VECTORS

This study examined whether changes in running economy were associated with changes in alignment of the resultant ground reaction force (GRF) and leg axis and consequent changes in joint moment arms after a ten-week running programme (10wkRP). Ten novice, female runners completed a 10wkRP with biomechanical and physiological testing occurring both pre- and post-10wkRP. Oxygen consumption

Unpacking complexity: GP perspectives on addressing the contribution of trauma to women’s ill health

Background: There is an intricate relationship between the mind and the body in experiences of health and wellbeing. This can result in complexity of both symptom presentation and experience. Although the contribution of life trauma to illness experience is well described, this is not always fully recognised or addressed in health care encounters. Negotiating effective and acceptable trauma informed conversations can be difficult for clinicians and patients. Aim: To explore the experience of primary care practitioners caring for women through a trauma informed care lens. Design and Setting: Qualitative study in the general practice setting of England, with reflections from representatives of a group with lived experience of trauma. Methods: A secondary thematic analysis of 46 qualitative interviews conducted online/by telephone to explore primary care practitioner’s experiences of supporting women’s health needs in general practice, alongside consultation with representatives of a lived experience group to contextualise the findings. Results: Four themes were constructed: you prioritise physical symptoms because you don’t want to miss something; you don’t want to alienate people by saying the wrong thing; the system needs to support trauma informed care; delivering trauma informed care takes work which can impact on practitioners. Conclusion: Health Care Practitioners are aware of the difficulties in discussing the interface between trauma and illness with patients, and request support and guidance in how to negotiate this supportively. Lack of support for practitioners moves the focus of trauma informed care from a whole systems approach towards individual clinician – patient interactions

Colonel William A. Phillips and the Civil War in Indian Territory

Histor

Elbow flexor strength, muscle size, and moment arms in prepubertal boys and girls

Copyright © 2006 Human Kinetics.The aim of this study was to examine elbow flexion torque, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), and leverage in boys and girls. Thirty-eight prepubertal children (9.6 ± 0.3 years) volunteered to participate. All performed isometric flexion actions at 10°, 50°, and 90° of elbow flexion. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess elbow flexor (EF) muscle CSA and brachialis moment arm lengths. No significant gender differences were observed for any of the variables studied. EF CSA was directly proportional to isometric torque at 50° and 90°. CSA explained between 47% and 57% of torque variance. Moment arm estimates explained 19% of the variance in isometric torque at 90°. These baseline data contribute to our understanding of factors influencing strength variation during childhood