Sports Medicine

Supported implementation raised Prep-to-Play use and higher adherence linked to fewer injuries

In 165 women's and girls' Australian Football teams (2481 players), supported implementation tripled weekly Prep-to-Play use versus unsupported online access (13.1% to 29.7%; OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.4–5.7). Higher team adherence to Prep-to-Play was associated with fewer total injuries (adherence IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99). Concussion and ACL incidence were lower during the supported phase but effect estimates were imprecise and not definitive. Implementation included in-person workshops and support visits; applicability is to teams using Prep-to-Play in women's Australian Football. 1

KJOC scores partly explained by age and a few objective measures in injured baseball athletes

In 379 baseball athletes evaluated for shoulder or elbow injury, five variables explained 13% of KJOC score variance in a stepwise model. Age alone accounted for 6.4% of variance; rotational strength differences and humeral retrotorsion-corrected internal rotation added small amounts. Findings support continued use of PROs like the KJOC for self-perceived function while acknowledging modest explanatory power. This cohort study suggests adding objective screening tools to complement PROs when assessing injury risk or functional status. 2

Weighted-vest (10% body mass) sprint training did not outperform unloaded sprinting in youth baseball

A randomized trial of 38 male youth baseball players compared 4 weeks (12 sessions) of sprint training with a vest at 10% body mass versus unloaded sprinting. No significant group × time interactions occurred for 27-m, 55-m, or change-of-direction sprint outcomes. All participants improved modestly (about −0.9% to −1.7% across measures), regardless of vest use. Under these conditions, adding a 10% body-mass vest was not superior to standard sprint training. 3