PhD Student

Course start: October 2020

Supervisor: Dr Laura Charalambous
Second Supervisor: Dr Andrew Mitchell

Working thesis title

Do supporting aids have detrimental effects to performance and increased injury risk/rate via kinetic and kinematic alteration to articulating joints within sub-elite invasion sport athletes.

Abstract

Injury potential within netball is some of the highest of that within women’s sport (Langeveld et al., 2012). Due to the nature, forcing players to rapidly change direction and repeated decelerations to comply with footwork rule and/or invade opposition. Often placing hazardously high GRF’s (ground reaction forces) upon athletes’ musculoskeletal system, leading to the highest ankle injury rate within any women’s sport being within netball (Leonard and Rotay, 2014).

Despite the high prevalence of lower extremity injuries in female netballers’, the range of netball specific shoes are still minor in comparison to other sports. In addition to injury prevention interventions, such as ankle braces, the biomechanical impact of both footwear and bracing is yet to be explored in depth. Prior research detrimental impacts have not been fully investigated. Possible impact of restrictions upon the ankle joint upon articulating joints along the kinetic chain are under researched.

Initial epidemiological studies of the netball community are required to understand the full extent and commonality of injuries obtained at a variation of participation levels and ages in training and game situations alike. Followed by 3D motion analysis, looking at all planes of motion during healthy individuals, while wearing dual bracing for injury prevention purposes is needed research. All research aimed at developing the knowledge within the netball community, questioning the high popularity of athletes wearing ankle braces within netball specific shoes on non-injured limbs.

Research Questions

• What are the acute effects of dual ankle bracing, upon sub-elite netball athletes, lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during simulated game play?
• How does the impact of ankle bracing differ depending upon age and participant level of netball athletes?
• Commonality of netball injuries associated with the use of different ankle braces types, acute and chronic injury patterns occurring with use?

About Me

After completing my BSc in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Bedfordshire in July 2020, where my undergraduate dissertation research topic was on ‘The effects of ankle bracing on landing kinetics and lower limb kinematics during netball specific tasks’. This research associated fascinated me, the common use within elite populations yet little knowledge on impacts associated with regular use. Possibly exposing athletes to increased injury risk at articulating locations. I wish to

further delve into this area of study, expanding the knowledge and detail within under studied invasion sports such as netball and the use of injury prevention mechanisms. This somewhat novel research could influence further use and education supportive ankle bracing on a non-injured site, influencing future development of rigid ankle brace models.

Outside of academia, I regularly play netball for local teams and the university, in addition to coaching various teams throughout Bedford.

Contact information

E: bethany.barker@study.beds.ac.uk
Twitter: @Beth_Barker
LinkedIn: Beth Barker