Abstracts

questionnaire where they reported on their health status, marital status, education and current shift work. The nurses wore the Actigraph GT3X
accelerometer for 7 consecutive days, with a minimum of 4 days of data, (including 3 workdays and 1 non-work day, and at least 600 minutes per
day), being required for statistical analysis. Time spent in sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous intensity PA on work and non-work days was
calculated. Differences between PA and SB on work and non-work days for the two shifts were analysed using analysis of variance.
Results: Most of the participants were female and the day shift nurses (n=80) were significantly younger than those who worked night shift (n=81),
41.2 ± 11.3 versus 45.1 ± 11.0 years. The mean number of days for those with valid accelerometer data (n=120) was 5.4 ± 1.5 days and average
wear time was 929.5 ± 121.1 minutes per day. Movement patterns were quite similar in the two groups, especially on non-work days. On average,
96% of the nurses’ time was spent in SB and light intensity activities, on both workdays and non-work days. However, on workdays the night shift
nurses spent slightly less time sedentary (56%) than the day shift nurses (60%, p=0.02), and slightly more time in moderate intensity PA (3.5%,
compared with 2.4%; p=0.01).
Discussion: Despite having an occupation that is perceived to require continuous light intensity PA, both night and day shift nurses spent more than
half their time in SB on workdays.
106 Blood Pressure Responses to Immersion and Hypertension – a Consideration for Water Exercise
R. Beavers 1 * • A. Davie 1 • S. Zhou 1 • P. Roberts 1
1
Southern Cross University
Background: Water exercise has many health benefits and is often recommended for overweight people due to the decreased load on the joints.
However many overweight people also have hypertension and the effects of immersion on the cardiovascular system may impact on the suitability
of this form of exercise for this population. The magnitude of these effects is both depth and temperature dependent. Therefore the purpose of this
study was to examine the effects of upright standing immersion in water at 27°C, a temperature used in climate controlled pools, on blood pressure
measures in normotensive individuals and those with prehypertensive/hypertensive conditions.
Methods: Twenty eight participants, 16 males and 12 females, with a mean age of 38.4 (SD 11) years, and mean BMI 26.2 (SD 4.6) kg/m 2
volunteered and were grouped as normotensive (N, n=19) or prehypertensive/hypertensive (H, n= 9). Participants in the prehypertensive/
hypertensive group were not taking medication for blood pressure control. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured during standing on land
and following upright immersion to the mid chest height in water at 27° C. Measures were taken at four time points (2, 9, 12 and 19 minutes) to
investigate the effects of time on blood pressure.
Results: The results of the two way repeated measures ANOVA (condition x group) on the mean values in both land and water conditions indicated
there were significant (p < 0.05) increases in systolic pressure ((N) land 111 mmHg to water 118 mmHg; (H) land 132 mmHg to water 142 mmHg)
and diastolic pressure ((N) land 63 mmHg to water 67 mmHg; (H) land 79 mmHg to water 86 mmHg), and a decrease in heart rate ((N) land 77 bpm
to water 63 bpm; (H) land 76 bpm to water 66 bpm) from land to water immersion. Both systolic and diastolic pressures were highest and heart rate
was lowest at the first time point, in both groups, following immersion. There were no significant group x condition interactions.
Discussion: The results of this study indicate while the magnitude of increase in blood pressure was similar between groups the increase in
pressure in hypertensive groups may warrant consideration when designing exercise interventions. The current study employed stationary immersed
conditions, the addition of exercise and the potential effects of medication used to control blood pressure may further impact on the observed
responses.
Thursday 22 October
107 Head knocks matter: Early findings from the 2015 football self-report injury study.
S. Harris 1 * • F. McIntyre 1 • B. Piggott 1 • P. Chivers 2 • F. Farringdon
1
School of Health Sciences – University of Notre Dame, Fremantle • 2 Institute of Health Research – University of Notre Dame, Fremantle
Introduction: Australian Rules Football (AFL) has one of the highest injury rates in Australian sport. The AFL Injury Report records an injury if a
player misses a week of play, hence injuries that do not meet this criteria may not be captured. In the Western Australian Football League (WAFL)
there is no uniform manner of collecting injury data. Injury self-reporting by players is uncommon, yet previous research indicates a higher incidence
of injuries, specifically concussions, are recorded when self-report methods are used. This study reports the reliability of the self-report injury tool
and six weeks of data. It is part of the larger study that examines the incidence of self-report injury over the 2015 WAFL season.
Methods: An anonymous Self-Report Injury Survey including post-concussion symptoms items was piloted with players (n=40) from one WAFL
club to assess reliability. The survey development involved an expert panel, five WAFL player’s input and feedback from players during the pilot phase
providing face and content validity. The resulting survey was completed fortnightly by players (n=78) from one WAFL club. Data was analysed using
SPSS version 22. Due to the ‘snap shot’ nature, only descriptive statistics were derived.
Results: Strong test-retest reliability was established for the eight injury items. Percent agreement ranged from 95% to 100% with no significant
differences between test and re-test scores (p >.16). The post-concussion symptoms items were also reliable with all 32 items scoring percent
agreement of 92.5% to 100% with 29 out of 32 items reporting a Kappa greater than .640. The highest self-report injury was groin and lower limb;
followed by head, neck and face contact; back trunk and upper limb then diagnosed concussion. Eighty three percent of those who reported
concussion and/or head knocks also reported at least one post-concussion symptom. The most frequently occurring symptoms were headache,
sleep disturbance, fatigue and forgetfulness. Poor concentration was the most frequently identified ongoing symptom.
Discussion: The results support previous research that indicates self-report tools are a reliable way of gathering injury data. The results also indicate
players reported post-concussion symptoms associated with head, neck and face injuries in addition to diagnosed concussions. This supports
research from other sports that report post-concussion symptoms can result from head knocks. Given the prevalence of head knocks were greater
than concussion, self-report should be considered as a tool to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of these injuries in a sporting environments.
Supplement to Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport • 51