Factorial validity and measurement invariance of the Perceived Susceptibility to Sport Injury scale

Development of a preliminary multivariable model predicting hamstring strain injuries during preseason screening in soccer players: a multidisciplinary approach

OBJECTIVE

Reducing the incidence of hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) is a priority for soccer clubs. However, robust multifactorial predictive models are lacking and potential predictors such as sprint kinematics, performance fatigability, and psychological variables have been overlooked. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a preliminary parsimonious multifactorial model to predict players at risk of HSI through preseason screening.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Psychological, physiological, kinematic, performance fatigability and health-related variables were collected for 120 regional and national soccer players during the 2022 preseason. HSIs were prospectively recorded over the entire soccer season. After variable selection, logistic regressions with the Wald backward stepwise method were used to refine the model. The predictive abilities of the model and of the individual variables were determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Twenty-nine players sustained an HSI during the follow-up period. The final model included eight variables: age, sex, HSI history, knee flexor performance fatigability, sprint performance (best sprint time and maximal theoretical velocity V0), perceived vulnerability to injury, and subjective norms in soccer. While its model was preliminary, it showed good fit indices and strong predictive performance (true positive rate: 79%, AUC = .82). None of the variables evaluated independently demonstrated satisfactory performance in predicting HSI (AUC≤.65).

CONCLUSION

Using a multidisciplinary approach and measurements of only a few variables during preseason screening, the current model tends to demonstrate high accuracy in identifying soccer players at risk of HSI.

Intrinsic Risk Factors for Noncontact Musculoskeletal Injury in Collegiate Swimmers: A Prospective Cohort Study

CONTEXT

Shoulder pain is pervasive in swimmers of all ages. However, given the limited number of prospective studies, injury risk factors in swimmers remain uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent to which the risk factors of previous injury, poor movement competency, erroneous freestyle swimming technique, and low perceived susceptibility to sport injury were associated with noncontact musculoskeletal injury in collegiate swimmers.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

College natatorium.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-seven National College Athletic Association Division III swimmers (21 females, 16 males; median age = 19 years [interquartile range = 3 years], height = 175 ± 10 cm; mass = 70.0 ± 10.9 kg).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Participants completed preseason questionnaires on their previous injuries and perceived susceptibility to sport injury. At the beginning of the season, they completed the Movement System Screening Tool and the Freestyle Swimming Technique Assessment. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs for the association between each risk factor and injury.

RESULTS

Eleven of the 37 participants (29.7%) sustained an injury. Univariate analyses identified 2 risk factors: previous injury (OR = 8.89 [95% CI = 1.78, 44.48]) and crossover hand positions during the freestyle entry phase (OR = 8.50 [95% CI = 1.50, 48.05]). After adjusting for previous injury, we found that a higher perceived percentage chance of injury (1 item from the Perceived Susceptibility to Sport Injury) decreased the injury odds (adjusted OR = 0.11 [95% CI = 0.02, 0.82]). Poor movement competency was not associated with injury (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Previous injury, a crossover hand-entry position in freestyle, and a low perceived percentage chance of injury were associated with increased injury odds. Ascertaining injury histories and assessing for crossover positions may help identify swimmers with an elevated injury risk and inform injury-prevention strategies.

Sport-related anxiety: current insights

To date, much research has been devoted to understanding how anxiety can affect sport performance, both in practice and in competitive settings. It is well known that sport has the potential for high levels of stress and anxiety, and that practicing and employing a range of psychological strategies can be beneficial in anxiety management. Equally, growing evidence also suggests that anxiety can play a role in sport injury prevention, occurrence, rehabilitation, and the return to sport process. The purpose of this paper is to provide current insights into sport-related anxiety. More specifically, it will provide the reader with definitions and theoretical conceptualizations of sport-related anxiety. This will be followed by making a case for considering the term “performance” to be broader than activities associated with sport-related performance in practice and competition, by including performance activities associated with sport injury prevention, rehabilitation, and the return to sport process. The paper will then highlight the importance of recognizing early signs and symptoms of anxiety, and the potential need for referral. Finally, the conclusions will emphasize the need for appropriate, client-specific, and practitioner competent care for athletes experiencing sport-related anxiety.