Knowledge and Research Resources

We want to empower academics and clinicians in the fields of biomechanics, physiotherapy, podiatry and those operating in the wellness / medico-legal space with the latest news and research from around the world.

We have setup this page to highlight the latest industry research, journal articles and peer-reviewed research to assist in the development of the respective professions. If you have an article or research that you believe we should be featuring then please e-mail marca@3djointrom.com with a motivation and link and we will continue to update the page.

Analysis of sport science perceptions and research needs among South African coaches

Background: There appears to be a gap between coaches’ expectations concerning their needs and the focus of research findings published by sport scientists. Given the important role of sport science in enhancing athletic performance, closing the gap between sport scientists and coaches is expedient.

Objectives: To investigate the sport science perceptions and research needs among South African coaches.

Read the article here in The South African Journal of Sports Medicine

Predictors of Falls and Fractures Leading to Hospitalization in People With Dementia: A Representative Cohort Study

Results

Of 8036 people with dementia (63.9% female), 2500 (31.1%, incidence rate 125.5 per 1000 person-years) had a fall during a mean follow-up of 2.5 years and 1437 (17.7%, incidence rate 65.5 per 1000 person-years) had a fracture. In multivariable models, significant predictors of falls were increased age, female gender, physical health problems, previous fall or fracture, vascular dementia vs Alzheimer’s disease, higher neighborhood deprivation, noncohabiting status, and problems with living conditions

Read the full journal article here

Postural Sway in Rugby Players with Chronic Groin Pain – Wendy Moodien

Objectives:

The study aimed to describe postural sway (as determined by the center of pressure) during pelican stance and during foot contact of the landing phase of a double leg jump in rugby players with chronic adductor related groin pain compared to asymptomatic controls. Methodology: Study Design: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted. Setting: The study was performed at the 3D Human Biomechanics Central Analytical Facility at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Read the full article here

Is sports science answering the call for interdisciplinary research? A systematic review

Sports science research is traditionally monodisciplinary despite calls for an interdisciplinary focus. The primary purpose of this systematic review was to identify studies on talent identification, talent selection and competition performance to determine whether interdisciplinary research is being conducted.

Most multi- or inter-disciplinary research occurs in soccer followed by field hockey, Australian Rules football, handball and rugby league. Functional Anatomy is the most represented sub-discipline followed by Exercise Physiology, Motor Control, Sport and Exercise Psychology and then Biomechanics.

Read the full article here

Sex-related differences in coordination and variability among foot joints during running

Tomoya Takabayashi
Mutsuaki Edama,
Takuma Inai and
Masayoshi Kubo

Women, as compared with men, have a higher proportion of injuries in the ankle/foot region. However, the reason for this sex-related difference in foot injuries remains unclear. Recently, joint coordination and variability of coordination have been suggested to be a critical index for defining both the state of injury and the potential risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex-related differences in coordination and variability among the foot joints during running.

Read the full article here

Special theme article: science and sociology of footwear

The design and construction of footwear is constantly evolving in order to maximise its role of providing protection for the external environment, accommodate bony and soft tissue problems and assist in the biomechanical function of the foot, ankle and lower limb.

The call for papers for this themed issue has resulted in 5 new articles and 8 published articles which cover the wide ranging aspects of footwear.

Read the full article here

Does the severity or cause of preoperative stiffness affect the clinical results and range of motion after total knee arthroplasty?

The purpose of this study was to assess the overall clinical results and range of motion (ROM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with preoperative stiffness.

Patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis showed better ROM and clinical results compared to patients with infectious or traumatic arthritis

Read the full article here

Target-focused exercise regime to improve patient compliance and range of motion in the stiff hand

Highlights

•Stiff hands are more commonly seen in the clinics.
•The management of stiff hand is often complicated.
• Target-focused exercise regime is fast and simple technique for managing stiff hands.
•Target-focused exercise regime improves compliance and ROM with ease and comfort.

The full article is available here in the Journal of Hand Therapy.

Can the use of proprioceptive knee braces have implications in the management of osteoarthritic knees: An exploratory study

Use of proprioceptive knee braces to control symptomology by altering neuromuscular control mechanisms has been shown in patellofemoral pain. Although their potential in patients with knee osteoarthritis is vast, little research has examined their efficacy.

Read the full article here

Building a robust athlete in the South African high school system

In the modern era of school sport, schools are faced with important decisions on how best to structure their programs to fit in the growing number of tournaments into the schools sports calendars. Furthermore, school sport has taken on a more professional and competitive feel, with the possibility of winning cash prizes as well as the live TV coverage of various tournaments it is plausible to believe that the pressure on coaches to win at this level has increased when compared to 10 years back.The intention of this article is not to disparage the South African school sport system but rather to create an understanding of best practice when considering high school athletes.

Read the full journal article here