Abstracts

15 Is higher serum cholesterol associated with altered Achilles tendon structure or Achilles tendon pain in the
general population?
B. Tilley 1 * • J. Gaida 2 • J. Cook 1 • S. Docking 1
1
Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia • 2 Department of Physiotherapy, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
Introduction: Up to 30% of Achilles tendinopathy presents in non-active individuals and an association between adiposity and tendinopathy has
been highlighted. Inactivity and adiposity are both associated with unfavourable serum lipid parameters. Individuals with Achilles tendinopathy have
a dyslipidaemic profile and the extreme cholesterol levels seen in familial hypercholesterolaemia are associated with a 6-fold increased lifetime
prevalence of Achilles tendon pain (47% versus 7%). It is unknown whether an association exists between lipid parameters and tendon structure
in the general population.
Methods: Serum lipids and Achilles tendon structure were measured in healthy participants. Lipid parameters included total cholesterol (TC),
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). Glucose (GLU) was also measured.
Ultrasound tissue characterisation (UTC) was used to quantify Achilles tendon structure; echo-types I (green) and II (blue) were used for analysis.
Height, weight and waist circumference were measured. Physical activity level and history of Achilles tendon pain were recorded via questionnaire.
Results: The 67 participants recruited included 42 men and 25 women, mean age 42.2±13.2. The mean physical activity level of participants was
113±42 minutes/week. Sixteen participants (24%) reported a history of Achilles tendon pain. There were no statistically significant correlations
between echo-types I/II and any of the metabolic parameters – with Spearmann’s correlation coefficients of .07 (p=.57) for TC, .22 (p=.08) for
HDL, -.43 (p=.74) for LDL, -.06 (p=0.62) for TG and .22 (p=0.08) for GLU.
Discussion: This study did not show an association between cholesterol and tendon structure. While there was significant variability in the UTC
measured tendon structure, the lipid results were relatively homogenous. For example, TC results were clustered between 4.0 and 6.0mmol/L,
suggesting that a vast majority of the participants are fundamentally “normal”. Thus, cholesterol at this level is not correlated with altered tendon
structure.
16 A comparison of training days lost and injury type for male and female athletes competing at the 2010
Pan Pacific Masters Games
I. Heazlewood 1 * • J. Walsh 1 • M. Climstein 2 • K. Adams 3 • T. Sevene 3 • M. Debeliso 4 • J. Kettunen 5
1
Charles Darwin University • 2 University of Sydney • 3 California State University, USA • 4 Southern Utah University, USA • 5 Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Thursday 22 October
Introduction: It is important to increase participation in master’s sports, which represents a vehicle for increased physical activity. However, it is
likely that athletes in the master’s age group may be more wary of injuries compared to younger populations and if they sustain injury it will be
important to know the interruption to training that may compromise physical activity and consequently physical fitness. The aim of the research was
to assess if master’s athletes suffered injury in preparation and training for the 2010 Pan Pacific Masters Games, Gold Coast, Australia and the
impact of injury on training in terms of loss of training days linked with type of injury sustained and gender of the athlete.
Methods: 1568 athletes, (731 males: age mean=50.82 years, SD±9.38, range=25-83 and 837 females: age mean=47.63 years, SD±8.41,
range=25-79) competing at the 2010 Pan Pacific Masters Games volunteered and completed an online survey regarding injuries received during
training within three months prior to the competition. The specific questions related to different types of injuries sustained and number of days lost
from training due to injury. Injuries recorded were abrasions/cuts, concussion, contusion/bruising, dehydration, dental injury, dislocation, facture,
inflammation, joint pain, laceration, ligament strain/tear, muscle/tendon tear, muscle pain, puncture wound and sprain. Descriptive statistics and
independent t-tests were conducted comparing male and female athletes across injury types with days lost from training.
Results: The total injury rate reported for all sports was a low 12.8% (n=105 or 6.7% males and n=95 or 6.1% females) of the 1568 athletes.
The most significant injuries in terms of days lost from training linked to gender expressed as means were facture (female =40.86: males=15),
ligament sprain/tear (female=20.27: male= 17.84), muscle/tendon strain (female=13.32: male =13.56), inflammation (female=12.71:
male=10.22), joint pain (female=7: male=10.53), sprain (female=9.07: male=7.43) and muscle pain (female=3.24: male=7.13). Abrasion/cuts,
concussion (very rare), contusion/bruising, dislocation (very rare), laceration and puncture wound (non-reported) displayed minimal consequences
in days lost from training.
Discussion: As expected the factures, ligament sprain/tear, muscle/tendon strain, inflammation, joint pain, sprain and muscle pain were injuries
most responsible for days lost from training and female athletes displayed higher prevalence of days lost from factures, ligament sprain/tear,
inflammation and sprain, whereas males higher prevalence for joint sprain and muscle pain. This indicates musculoskeletal problems are predominant
with this age group and may suggest some injury prevention strategies based on enhancing musculoskeletal fitness, joint stability, inflammatory
control and dynamic movement equilibrium.
17 Sports injury surveillance at the Pan Pacific Masters Games 2008 to 2014
M. Brown 1 2 *
1
Sports Medicine Australia • 2 Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University.
Background: According to the Van Mechelen “sequence of prevention” model the collection of injury incidence and severity data is the first step
towards establishing effective sports injury prevention strategies. Sports injury surveillance data also assists event organisers with the planning of
medical services for future sporting events. This study analysed injury surveillance data collected by Sports Trainers at the Pan Pacific Masters
Games (PPMG), a large scale, multi-sport event for older athletes held biennially on the Gold Coast, Australia, to establish basic data about the
incidence and types of injuries sustained by older athletes at a multi-day sports event.
Methods: Sports Medicine Australia accredited Sports Trainers collected injury surveillance data at the 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 PPMG
using a standardised Medical Encounter Log, which captured basic information about the injured participants sport, date and time of presentation,
Supplement to Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport • 11