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RICHTER - Dissertation - Final.pdf (64.96 MB)

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How hand placement during upper-extremity weight bearing tasks may reduce the risk of chronic elbow disorders in young female acrobatic athletes

Richter, Saskia D
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0129-1976
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500569841777089

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Anatomy.
USA Gymnastics reports there are over 178,000 competitive gymnasts, with an additional 5 million recreational gymnasts. Of those athletes, more than 900,000 are estimated to practice over 100 days a year. For competitive gymnasts, some as young as 11 years old, training is year-round and can range from 20-40 hours per week. Ranked in the highest risk category by the National Athletic Training Association, gymnastics sits only behind spring football in the National Collegiate Athletic Association for most injuries per athletic exposure. Gymnastics has a lifetime cumulative injury rate of 58%, with 13-53% of injuries occurring at the upper limb. Elbow injuries account for 3-8% of all gymnastics injuries. Back handsprings (BHS) are a common skill used in gymnastics. Current literature states, a turned-in hand position decreases peak ground reaction force at impact. However, no previous studies have analyzed how hand placement effects a BHS on balance beam. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of hand placement on peak ground reaction force (PGRF) and radiocapitellar strain during a BHS on balance beam. This project was split in to three separate aims: 1) anthropometry and survey, 2) biomechanical analysis, and 3) cadaveric testing. Fifty-three female gymnasts participated in this study, 20 subjects participated in both the first and second aim. Three post-mortem human surrogates (PMHS) were used for aim three. Anthropometry, range of motion, and elbow carrying angle measurements were taken of all gymnasts and PMHS. Measurements were taken using a standard goniometer, and in aim 1 a smart phone based application goniometer was used as well. Aim one revealed difference in elbow carrying of gymnasts and age-matched controls. Younger gymnasts (<14 years old) had large elbow carrying angles then controls, while older gymnasts (>14 years old) had smaller angles. One in three gymnasts reported a history of elbow pain or injury. Gymnasts were found to have increased elbow (hyper)extension. Aim two found that a turned-in hand placement resulted in the highest PGRF during a BHS on balance beam. No correlation between other BHS factors or gymnastics experience correlated with PGRF. Aim three lacked power for a full analysis. However, patterns indicate that both a neutral and turned-in hand placement relate to larger PGRF. A correlation was found between humeral strain and PGRF. Finally, increased elbow carrying angle was found to also correlate to increase radiocapitellar joint strain. Information gained from this study will benefit clinicians and coaches. Results from this study will allow for a better understanding of how hand placement technique may reduce the forces traveling through the upper limb, and thus decrease the risk of elbow injury. Based on these data, hand placement technique during a BHS should be further analyzed. By decreasing forces and strain seen through the elbow, risk of elbow injury and chronic disorders may decrease.
John Bolte, PhD (Advisor)
Laura Boucher, PhD, ATC (Advisor)
John Borstad, PhD, PT (Committee Member)
Grant Jones, MD (Committee Member)
292 p.
Biomechanics; Medicine; Sports Medicine

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Richter, S. D. (2017). How hand placement during upper-extremity weight bearing tasks may reduce the risk of chronic elbow disorders in young female acrobatic athletes [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500569841777089

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Richter, Saskia. How hand placement during upper-extremity weight bearing tasks may reduce the risk of chronic elbow disorders in young female acrobatic athletes. 2017. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500569841777089.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Richter, Saskia. "How hand placement during upper-extremity weight bearing tasks may reduce the risk of chronic elbow disorders in young female acrobatic athletes." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500569841777089

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1500569841777089
398
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.