Balance board training is effective for the prevention of ankle sprains.

A new study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine by Evert Verhagen (who has been a visiting scientist at the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center during the fall of 2002) proves that proprioceptive balance board training is effective for the prevention of recurrent ankle sprains. A one season proprioceptive balance board training programme that was incorporated in the training routine of 66 Dutch volleyball teams significantly reduced the incidence of ankle sprains when compared to a control group of 50 similar Dutch volleyball teams.

First ever physical therapist in the International Handball Federation Medical Commission

Grethe Myklebust has - as the first physical therapist been elected to the Medical Commission in the International Handball Federation. This makes her the first physical therapist to become a member of an international federation Medical Commission regardless of sport.

New paper - Effective hamstrings strength training program

In a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Mjølsnes and co-workers from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center show that a program using the Nordic hamstring training exercise for 10 weeks more effectively develops maximal eccentric hamstrings strength in well-trained soccer players than a comparable program based on traditional hamstring curls.

Injury mechanisms for ACL injuries

According to a new research study published in the June issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine, there are consistent characteristics for the mechanisms for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The study was done as a systematic analysis of video tapes from actual ACL injury situations in Norwegian and international female team handball. It shows that ACL injuries mainly occurred in a plant and cut moves or one-leg landings, resulting in a forceful valgus collapse with the knee close to full extension combined with external or internal rotation of lower leg, without direct contact with other players.

Preliminary program & Second Announcement already ready!

The program is ready!!! A spectacular line-up of no less than 76 internationally respected speakers from 13 countries has lined up to make the 1st World Congress on Sports Injury Prevention next year a truly memorable event. We invite you to join us in beautiful Oslo to enjoy a spectacular scientific program. Dont miss it!

Are the referees doing their job in high-risk situations in soccer?

The decisions made by Norwegian elite referees in injury situations were in accordance with the Laws of the Game, according to a new study from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center published in January 2004 by the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Knee injuries - one in ten patients has a significant articular cartilage lesion

The incidence of articular cartilage lesions with knee injuries has been poorly documented previously. This is why Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center did a prospective registration of cartilage lesions in knees subjected to knee arthroscopy during a 6 months period by three hospitals in Oslo. This study is published in the January issue of American Journal of Sport Medicine and demonstrates that 11 % of the patients has a cartilage lesion which may be suitable for cartilage repair procedures.

Video analysis of the mechanisms for ankle injuries in soccer

Systematic analysis of videos of ankle injuries provides detailed information on the injury mechanisms - both for lateral ligament sprains and for the condition dubbed footballers ankle. Mainly, ankle injuries occur in tackling duels and most often the injured player is tackled late from the side, according a new study from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center published in January 2004 in the American Journal of Sports Medicine

New report - Risk factors for injuries in football

According to a new study from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center published in the January Supplement of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, increased age and previous injuries were found to be the main risk factors for injuries in elite male football players.

Highly increased risk of contralateral tendon rupture after Achilles tendon rupture

Rupture of the midsubstance of the Achilles tendon typically occurred in a 30-40 year-old male recreational athlete. The most common treatment is surgical suturing the rupture tendon end to end, despite this a certain proportion of the patients do have post-injury problems. In order to prevent this kind of injury exact knowledge of the risk factors is needed and in this area there is certainly a lack of knowledge today. A new study published in the February issue of Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports it is shown that this injury indicate a risk of 176 times to also have a contralateral rupture. If this increased risk is linked to specific sports activities or it is genetic factor involved is unknown today.

New report on low back pain in endurance sports

During recent years, as many as five Norwegian Olympic medal winners in cross-country skiing have undergone surgery because of low back pain. Based on these high-profile cases it has been speculated that low back injury may represent an occupational hazard for cross-country skiing on the elite level. A new study from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center published in the new issue of Spine compares the prevalence of low back pain between endurance sports with different loading characteristics on the spine: Cross-country skiing, rowing, and orienteering. The results show that symptoms were somewhat more common in skiing and rowing, and that they were related to training load and technique.

New report - Physical Fitness, Injuries, and Team Performance in Soccer

According to a new study from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center published in the February 2004 volume of the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the relationship between player fitness and team success is not very strong. Teams with a higher jumping ability and leg extensor power did better in the league, while there was no such relationship with endurance. However, there was a strong trend showing a lesser chance of team success among the teams that incurred more injuries during the season.

Messner price 2004 new Scandinavian Science Award

Physical therapists Odd-Egil Olsen and Grethe Myklebust from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center at the Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education were selected for the Messner price 2004 during the 7th Scandinavian Congress on Medical Science in Sports in Stockholm for the best scientific article published during 2003 in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.

Árni Árnason soon to defend his PhD dissertation!

Arni Árnason will defend his PhD-dissertation: "Injuries in football; Risk factors, injury mechanisms, team performance and prevention" for the degree Doctor Scientiarum at Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, the Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education on monday the 6th of September, 2004.

Abstract and early registration deadline is February 1st, 2005!!!

You do not want to miss this opportunity! An extensive three-day program is ready. A spectacular line-up of no less than 76 internationally renowned invited speakers has agreed to come to Oslo in June to share their experience with injury prevention in sport. Spectacular social events have been planned to enjoy the sunny Scandinavian midsummer evenings with colleagues and friends. You can even sign up for post-congress tours to experience the famous fjord country and Midnight sun!

The worlds first national cruciate ligament registry is established

There are large variations in how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are treated. The long term outcomes from ACL surgery are uncertain, especially when it comes to the effect of ACL surgery on the development of osteoarthritis in the knee. There are no agreements on if the athlete should return to his sport and if thats the case when it should occur. This is one of the questions we hope to answer now that the worlds first national cruciate ligament registry is established after an initiative from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC).

ISAKOS -course in Advanced Arthroscopic Surgery

In collaboration with ISAKOS, the Advanced course in arthroscopic surgery will be arranged in Hotel Tott in Åre, Sweden, March 17-21, 2004.