Risk management is composed of three major elements viz., hazard identification, risk estimation and risk evaluation. The aim of hazard identification and risk estimation is to identify the outcomes from risk, the magnitude of the associated con&quences from risk, and the estimation of the probabilities of these outcomes. Previous work focused on hazard identification and risk estimation and identified the relatively high risks associated with playing professional football. By adhering to the risk management process, the aim of this thesis was to determine the significance of these high risks to football clubs and their players. A theoretical framework was designed to evaluate the influence of player injury on the financial and playing performance of professional football clubs. This framework was also used to assess, through use of cost benefit analysis, the practicalities of investing in suitable injury prevention strategies, to reduce the risks to football clubs and their players. Former professional footballers were surveyed to investigate the long-term medical and socioeconomic consequences associated with the high risks of playing professional football. The results identified the high financial costs associated with player injury on professional football clubs. Although the high risks of player injury have a relatively minor effect on teamperformance of the Premier League clubs, this effect still has a relatively major influence on the financial performance of the club. In contrast, the influence of player injury to teamperformance was relatively major for Division I and Division 2 clubs, but this had a relatively minor effect on financial performance. The application of cost benefit analysis to the investment of specialist personnel to reduce the risks of injury demonstrated that the proposals were practicable for Premier League and Division I clubs only. In addition, it was also demonstrated that the high risks associated with playing professional football have a significant influence on the long-term well-being of foriner players. One-third of former players had been medically diagnosed osteoarthritic in a lower limb joint. The majority of players also perceived that injury had a negative influence on their present and future welfare. The results demonstrate that the consequences associated with the relatively high acute injury risk also have a significant effect on the financial and playing performance of football clubs and the future welfare of their players.

The occupation of sheep-shearing is classified as heavy to very-heavy physical work requiring a high level of energy expenditure while performing a repetitive task in a predominantly sustained trunk flexion posture. The task is further complicated by unpredictable animal behaviour. Shearing is considered to carry a high risk of injury particularly to the lumbar spine and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in shearers is high relative to other occupations. The emergence of a commercial shearing-aid (Warrie Back-Aid TM) that is purported to decrease loading on the spine, reduce injury rate and alleviate symptoms of spinal origin has been welcomed by many sectors of the wool-harvesting industry. However, the precise biomechanical influence of the Warrie Back-Aid TM (WBA) on the sheep-shearing task has not been quantified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the WBA on three-dimensional kinematics and electromyography of the trunk for 12 experienced shearers during the occupational task of sheep-shearing. Sheep-shearing is a highly patterned process comprised of specific interlinked phases. Nine distinct phases of the shearing-task where the harness was worn during the removal of the sheep�s fleece were investigated. The study used an opto-electronic motion analysis system and rigid body dynamic modelling. The shearer�s trunk and pelvis were considered as a series of three coupled rigid segments; pelvis, lumbar, and thorax with four passive retro-reflective markers defining each segment. The kinematic variables of angular displacement, velocity and acceleration at the thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-pelvic joint centres were calculated for each shearer while shearing with and without the WBA. An eight channel sEMG telemetry system was used to simultaneous record activity in four pairs of trunk muscles. Temporal analysis of the sEMG signal gave information on the duration and relative intensity of trunk muscle activity. The results demonstrated that the task of sheep-shearing required endurance-based muscle activity and the adoption of quasi-static posturing combined with complex asymmetrical trunk motion for extensive periods of the task time. There was considerable variability in the trunk motion of individual shearers despite the pattern-taught and repeatable nature of the shearing task. The introduction of the WBA had no effect on the time taken to shear or trunk kinematics however it resulted in reductions in muscular activity of the trunk extensors. When the complete shearing task was analysed there was a statistically significant reduction in mean intensity of muscle activity for the left multifidus (p = 0.010), right multifidus (p = 0.001), right iliocostalis (p = 0.004) and right longissimus (p = 0.002) when the WBA was used. A reduction in muscular activity of the trunk extensors during the sheep-shearing task may result in a decrease in spinal loading, energy expenditure and muscular fatigue. The clinical recommendation based on the biomechanical results of this and other studies is that the WBA should be incorporated into the practice of sheep-shearing to assist in the reduction of inherent risks associated with the shearing task. Prospective studies into the effect of the harness on LBP are required to endorse this recommendation.

Bakgrund CrossFit definieras som konstant varierad funktionell träning som utförs med hög intensitet och kombinerar olympiska lyft, gymnastik och konditionsträning. Sportens snabba framväxt har medfört oro för skador. Det har visats att CrossFit-tränares involvering och närvaro minskar skadeförekomst, men det finns inget krav för utövare att delta i övervakad träning. Syfte Att undersöka CrossFit-tränares upplevelser av underlättande och försvårande faktorer för genomförande av skadepreventiva åtgärder. Vidare även studera tränares syn på vad tränarnärvaro har för betydelse för att förebygga skador. Design och metod En kvalitativ design användes. Fem CrossFit-tränare med mer än ett års erfarenhet av att vara tränare deltog. En kvalitativ innehållsanalys enligt Graneheims och Lundmans induktiva strategi användes för databearbetning. Resultat Bland de underlättande faktorerna beskrevs till exempel kategorin Kompetens som innefattade kunskap och utbildning. Bland de försvårande faktorerna beskrevs bland annat otillräcklig kunskap. Tränarens närvaro beskrevs som betydelsefull för att förebygga skadeförekomst. Upplevelser av färre skador, korrigering av utförande och mer fokus på teknik lyftes. Konklussio Resultatet stödjer vikten av att ha fokus på tränarnärvaro vid CrossFit-pass och presenterar underlättande och försvårande faktorer som kan vara av relevans för utvecklingen av framtida utbildning för CrossFit-tränare. / Background CrossFit is defined as constantly varied functional training and is performed in high intensity. It combines olympic lifting, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning. The rapid growth of the sport has caused concerns for injuries. There has been shown that the involvement and presence of CrossFit trainers reduces injury but there is no requirement for practitioners to participate in supervised training. Purpose To explore the facilitating and aggravating factors that CrossFit trainers experience for implementation of injury prevention. Furthermore, study the trainers’ view of how important the trainer’s prescense is for injury prevention. Design and method A qualitative design was used in this study. Five CrossFit trainers with more than one year experience of being a trainer participated. A qualitative content analysis was used according to Granehiem and Lundman’s inductive strategy for data processing. Results Among the faciliating factors were for example Competence described which included knowledge and education. Amongst aggravating factors insufficient knowledge were for exampel described. The presence of the trainer was described as meaningful to prevent injuries. Experiences of fewer injuries, correction of performance and greater focus on technique were brought to attention. Conclusion The result supports the importance of focusing on presence of the CrossFit trainer and presents facilitating and aggravating factors that may be relevant to the development of future education for CrossFit trainers.

This study is focused on injury problems of pre-school children. Children injuries are one out of most frequent causes of children's mortality and sickness absence. Therefore it is a worldwide problem. Unfortunately, Czech Republic is rated according to accident statistics as one of worst countries in Europe. Because of that it is necessary to focus more on prevention of those effects.In terms of research it was proven, that the knowledge of children and their parents is insufficient. Increasing this knowledge of children was achieved with founding of preventive program. For parents was chosen a form of informative leaflet. In my opinion, the decrease of children's injuries would be possible with help of methodical impingement upon children and even their parents.

Author's first name and surname: Ondřej Schuller Title of the bachelor thesis: Proposal of an intervention program for the recovery of floorball players after a training load Department: Faculty of physical education and sport Supervisor: Mgr. Zuzana Dragounová, Ph. D. The year of presentation: 2020 Objectives: The aim of the work was primarily to create a design program for the recovery of floorball players after a training load. Furthermore, in my diploma thesis I deal with recommendations on how to best include various regenerative procedures in the training process of floorball players. The list of recommendations is directly related to the training process and could be beneficial for all coaches, not just floorball. Keywords: floorball, regeneration, injury prevention

Background: Muscle, joint and bone injuries affect mobility and stability, which in turn limits physical activity. Screening tests such as the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) are used to assess an individual’s mobility and stability to determine whether any movement dysfunctions exist. Screening tests aim to establish an individual’s injury risk with the goal of guiding an intervention program. The Evaluation of Mobility Screen (EMS) is a screening test that has been developed at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. The EMS has been adapted from the FMS by exchanging the Rotatory Stability test for the Seated Rotation test. The current use of screening tools is limited because of the lack of normative data sets that represent the diversity of age, gender and physical activity levels in the general population. Most current published data represent athletes or younger populations. By establishing the relationship between screening outcomes and variables such as age, gender and physical activity level, the effectiveness of screening tests may be improved. Aim: To describe associations between EMS scores for males and females across different age groups and levels of physical activity. Objective: To evaluate and compare differences in EMS scores relating to age, gender and physical activity levels. Methods: This was a quantitative study, with a descriptive, correlational design. The sample consisted of 135 males and 127 females between the ages of 18 and 60. The EMS data were collected at the HighPerformance Centre, in the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Cape Town. Results: There was no difference between the total scores of males and females (median = 17). The two youngest groups (20-30 and 31-40 years) scored the highest (median = 17), while the oldest group (51-60 years) scored the lowest (median = 15). Gender had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on five subtests (Single Leg Hurdle, Shoulder Mobility, Asymmetric Leg Raise, Stability Push Up and Seated Rotation). Age had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on three subtests (Overhead Squat, Single Leg, Hurdle Split Squat). Physical activity level had a significant effect (p < 0.05) with two subtests (Single leg Hurdle and Stability Push Up). Conclusion: Gender, Age and Physical Activity are associated with changes in EMS scores. EMS total scores declined as age increased. While the total scores remain similar between genders, there were clear variations within the different subtests. The oldest participants (51-60 year) scored the lowest throughout all subtests. Males scored higher in the strength components, while females scored higher in the flexibility components. Physical activity levels did not have a clear pattern as expected but still demonstrated association with two subtests. The results add to the sentiment that the focus should move away from the composite scoring system, and towards analyzing individual subtest scores. Future studies should also investigate if subtest scores can be improved by targeted intervention programs.

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Title: Epidemiology of injuries in men's fastpitch softball Objective: Objective of this thesis is to evidence occurrence of injuries in men's fastpitch softball and focus on each type of injury due to the players position, find out what players do to prevent from injuries and how long it takes them to return on the fields Method: The non-standardized survey with closed questions was used as a method for this research. The survey was made in server survio.com in both Czech and English language and was sent to the world leading softball countries. Data was analysed in World Excel program. Results: The results show that the most common injuries are fractures (15,8 %), torn/tear ligaments or tendons (15 %), sprains (15,4 %) and overstretched muscles (13,5 %). Other types of injuries are also frequented, but the above can be described as the most common. Injuries of the lower limbs are most common (51 %) and specifically injuries of the ankle (23,2 %). Most injuries occur during defensive skills (39,6 %) and during running around bases (36,4 %). In almost one third (28,6 %) of all cases, recovery took 3-4 weeks and more than half (62,3 %) of all injuries occurred during the match. In comparison between the positions, most injuries occurred to middle infielders with 4,1 injuries per player rate....

Exoskeletons are rapidly emerging from the realm of science-fiction myth to practical reality in everyday life. Various designs have provided viable means for individuals to regain capabilities that were lost or perform tasks not previously possible by their ability alone. In this research, I propose two novel exoskeletons for walking assistance and heavy load carriage. The first exoskeleton can be used to provide assistance for walking in various applications such as industrial productivity, rehabilitation, and military or space training. We introduce a design for a lower body wearable device that supports up to 80% of the user's body weight (667 N peak force) with a single actuator on each leg. Its underactuated design directs force through the user's center of mass with a single sprocket-chain driven prismatic actuator on each leg, allowing for natural gait and mobility. The device is optimized for simplicity, ease of assembly, low cost, and weight. The second design aims to counteract the one of the leading causes of injury in the workplace, repetitive and heavy lifting. The Heavy Lift and Carry Exoskeleton (HeavyLC Exo) is capable of safely lifting and carrying loads up to 36 kg (80 lbs) while minimizing the number of actuators to reduce weight and complexity. The HeavyLC Exo allows the user to direct the object, pause and hold the object steady mid-lift, and follow the natural kinematics of lifting. It is secured to the user with shoulder, chest, and dual thigh straps, along with an adjustable waist belt and overshoe attachment. Powered by two 14.8 V batteries and an off-board air compressor, the HeavyLC Exo has a total of 20 DOF, with 6 actuated DOF and 14 free DOF. The arms use only two actuators each, providing powered lifting and arm retraction/extension, and allowing a wide range of body postures; the legs are powered by single pneumatic actuators on each leg connected to the foot accompanied by a passive spring element to prevent excessive pelvic tilt and leg abduction during swing. The control system requires directional forces from the user at the tool handle of 19 N (4.3 lbf) on average. Current design limitations necessitate the user to provide up to 280 N (62.9 lbf) at the hip during worst load conditions, and future design optimization is proposed. A fully functional prototype of HeavyLC Exo is built, fully tested, and analyzed for improvement. / Master of Science / Exoskeletons, which were once only seen in science fiction, are now becoming a reality in everyday life. Various designs have made it possible for people to do things they couldn't do before or regain abilities they lost. In this research, two new exoskeletons are proposed - one for walking assistance and the other for carrying heavy loads. The first exoskeleton is designed to help people walk. It supports up to 80 % of the user's body weight with a single actuator on each leg, which directs force through the center of mass, allowing for natural gait and mobility. It's simple, easy to assemble, low-cost, and lightweight, making it useful in various applications such as medical rehabilitation, military or space training, and industrial productivity. The second exoskeleton is designed to help people lift and carry heavy objects, which is a common cause of workplace injuries. The Heavy Lift and Carry Exoskeleton (HeavyLC Exo) can safely lift and carry objects up to 36 kg (80 lbs) while minimizing the number of actuators to reduce weight and complexity. It's worn by the user using shoulder, chest, and dual thigh straps, along with an adjustable waist belt and overshoe attachment. The exoskeleton is powered by two batteries and an off-board air compressor, and has 20 degrees of freedom, with 6 powered and 14 non-powered, giving it significant flexibility to conform to lifting and walking motions allowing it to function with normal user range of motion. The arms use two actuators each to provide powered lifting and arm retraction/extension, while the legs are powered by single pneumatic actuators on each leg connected to the foot accompanied by a elastic spring element. The control system requires the user to lift and maneuver about 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs) to direct the object. A fully functional prototype has been built, tested, and analyzed for changes in the future.

Annually firearms kill more than 30,000 individuals and injure more than 50,000 individuals, resulting in costs of $45 million to over $1 billion in the United States. Traditionally firearms were addressed as a criminal justice problem, but for more than 30 years, public health and injury prevention specialists have worked to address the problem of firearm injuries through surveillance, education, research, and laws. Firearm legislation is multijurisdictional across the federal, state, and local governments, but the majority of activity is at the state levels. Firearm injury prevention efforts must navigate a politically diverse arena dominated by social regulatory politics in order to affect change. This study presents newly analyzed data on seven firearms laws: child access prevention, minimum age to purchase/possess a handgun, stand your ground, large capacity ammunition limits, Saturday night specials and assault weapons bans. A goal of the study was to create a 50 states longitudinal dataset in order to investigate the relationship between internal state political and demographics characteristics and firearm policy diffusion. The study findings are presented across three manuscripts, which address the trends of enactment of the laws, the analysis of the six gun control laws, and an analysis of one permissive firearm law (stand your ground laws). A panel data set was created from publicly available sources for each state from 1993 to 2010. General Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to evaluate the impact of citizen pressures, lobby pressures, legislative characteristics, and demographic data on the adoption of the seven selected laws. Study findings identified waves of adoption of the firearm laws across politically and demographically similar states in the early study years (1993-94) and the later study years (2005-10). States with Democratic state governments were more likely to pass gun control laws while states with Republican state governments were more likely to pass stand your ground laws. Poverty was also a statistically significant variable for the passage of the laws: states with lower poverty levels were more likely to pass gun control laws while states with higher poverty levels were more likely to pass stand your ground laws. However, aside from legislation to ensure consistency with federal law, most states are not responding to the public call for regulation as measured by the enactment of the selected laws. Instead, a trend of permissive firearms laws is rapidly spreading across the 50 states. Firearm injury prevention advocates should not be deterred by political environments. Rather, they should respond to cues to optimize change for injury prevention. Understanding mechanisms for firearm policy adoption, such as the role of legislative characteristics may help researchers and firearm injury prevention advocates focus limited resources to introduce bills in policy-friendly states. This dissertation contributes to the firearm injury prevention literature by applying policy diffusion theories and analysis techniques to firearm injury prevention efforts. Findings support the literature that internal state political and demographic characteristics guide the adoption of firearm laws. / Public Health