Scan study for injuries
Athletes wanted at Epworth for research into hamstring and groin rehab
ATHLETES will undergo MRI scans at the Epworth hospital in Geelong in an effort for researchers to learn more about hamstring and groin injuries.
Researchers say the investigation could have an impact on how rehabilitation is used to prevent recurrence of the injuries.
Athletes who have experienced hamstring and groin injuries will undergo an MRI scan when they are rested, be- fore being put through a running protocol and scanned again.
“The aim of the study is to look at the muscle function particular to the hamstring and groin muscles following injury,” Latrobe University researcher and lecturer Tania Pizzari said.
“We know that following a muscle strain injury there’s a really high recurrence rate.
“The understanding is that there may be ongoing (deficits) in the muscle following the injury, whether it’s strength, scar tissue or some type of muscle activation problem.
“The study will help to understand if there are deficits that exist and where they potentially exist in the muscle, which could influence in the future rehabilitation and how we target rehabilitation, overall trying to prevent that recurrence (of injury).”
Dr Pizzari said the research would involve the athlete having an MRI “at rest”, before undertaking a running protocol.
“(Then) essentially we have got eight minutes to get them back into the scanner (to) have another MRI,” she said.
“What the second one allows us to do is to look at what is called T2 changes, which is essentially the water changes in the muscle which are a proxy … for the muscle activity during the running process.
“It allows — unlike anything else — us to look at the different parts of the hamstring … the individual muscles of the hamstring or the groin, and which parts might be working excessively or not working enough compared to the other side and compared to control populations (who have not experienced the injuries).”
The study is being conducted by Latrobe University, Newcastle University and the Australian Institute of Sport.
It is being funded by the USA’s National Basketball Association and GE Healthcare.
A number of sessions using the MRI for the research are booked in at the Epworth in coming months, Dr Pizzari said.
Researchers are looking to recruit athletes who often participate in running-based sports including football, soccer, rugby and basketball.
People interested in participating can email Dr Pizzari at T.Pizzari@latrobe.edu.au