Research and Injury Prevention Scheme

Previous Grant Recipients

Previous NSW Sporting Injuries Committee research grant recipients include:

Research Injury and Prevention Scheme Grants Allocated
2009
Development of Sports Safety Policy Framework
$33,137	Drs Ros Poulos & Alex Donaldson, University of NSW
The objective of this project is to facilitate formulation of a Sports Safety Framework and evaluate the role of a multi-agency partnership in policy development. Through key stakeholder consultation, it will explore issues relevant to the future development of Sports Safety Guidelines and produce a strategic plan for the development and dissemination of the Guidelines to the NSW sporting community.
Head impacts in Snowboarding/Skiing
$28,900	Dr Tracey Dickson, University of Canberra
This study aims to investigate the characteristics of head impacts incurred by paediatric snowboarders to inform future snowsport safety strategies. Research being undertaken in NSW
SafeClub Risk Management program
$19,000	Youthsafe
This project aims to better meet the needs of club administrators who wish to participate in the SafeClub program (sporting organisation risk management program) by making information available on line in the form of a SafeClub website.
Hydration strategies for Athletes
$12,484	Professor Frank Marino, Charles Sturt University
The aim of this project is to understand the current practice of young athletes drinking (hydration) to maximise exercise performance and may lead to developing educational strategies to assist in minimising health risks associated with hydration strategies.
2008
Public Pool Safety Surveillance program
$25,000	Caitlin Chellew, Royal Life Saving Society Australia (NSW Branch)
For the study Public Pool Injury Surveillance program. This study will initially identify and record injuries that occur at public swimming pools, the locations within the pools where injuries occur, the type of medical treatment required and the rate of injury over a 2 year period. The evidenced based results will update the "Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation" which are applied by all public aquatic centres across Australia.
Groin Strain in Rugby League/Rugby Union/Soccer/AFL
$22,316	Dr Debra Shirley, University of Sydney
For the study Predictors of Groin Strain Injury in Players across four football codes. Risk factors associated with groin strain in healthy 15-23 year old players within Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer and AFL will be monitored to develop future preventative strategies to reduce player injury and the significant time lost through groin strain.
Extension of research on risk factors on lower limb injuries (Research commenced in 2007)
$19,520	Dr Robin Callister, University of Newcastle
For the study Screening and monitoring to identify injury risk factors in male and female football players. This is an extension of a study Investigating risk factors for lower limb injury in team sport athletes, originally approved for funding in 2007. Local netball, soccer, rugby league and rugby union sporting clubs from across Newcastle will continue to participate in the study, which examines risk factors for non-contact lower limb injuries and injury risk screening protocols for athletes with a view to preventing these injuries in the future.
Heatstroke in Athletes
$19,292	Dr Patricia Ruell, University of Sydney
For the study Can plasma HSP70 be used to screen athletes at risk of injury from heatstroke? With our warm summer climate, this pertinent study aims to develop a screening test for athletes at risk of injury from exertional heatstroke, an illness with a relatively high mortality rate, that typically affects young, fit otherwise healthy young men when competing in intense heat.
5m vs 10m rule in Rugby League
$18,449	Martin Meredith, NSW Rugby League
For the study Comparison of the type and incidence of injury under the 5 versus 10m rule in Junior Rugby League to determine whether reducing the 10 metre "play the ball" rule to a 5 metre rule will reduce the rate of injuries in junior rugby league. The information from this study could prove to be innovative in amending rule changes to make the game safer for the sports enthusiastic junior players.
Expansion of a low impact fitness program
$2,850	Graham Clarke, The Fungame Program
The Fungame Program provides a low purpose designed, low injury, non-aggressive enjoyable team sport developed to encourage older participants to keep active and healthy. The program has received funding under the Education and Promotion component of Grant funding to expand its program to a wider audience.
2007
Development of Sports Injury Prevention Policy
$32,489	Dr Roslyn Poulos, University of NSW
For the study Understanding the barriers and bridges to the development and implementation of evidence-informed sports injury prevention policy in NSW.
Preventing ankle injuries - musculotendinous properties of calf muscles
$22,471	Dr Bridget Munro, University of Wollongong
For the study Preventing ankle injuries in Sport, to determine the musculotendinous properties of calf muscles which affect muscle function and ankle range of motion. This study wil concentrate on basketball, volleyball and football, although the results can be applied to any sport that requires landing movements.
Ankle and knee joint loading in Netball
$20,130	Dr Benedicte Vanwansleele, University of Sydney
For a project to review the effect of external ankle support, on ankle and knee joint loading. The project aims to review injuries to the lower leg and the use of external ankle support effectiveness in reducing ankle injuries in netballers.
Risk factors of lower limb injuries
$19,813	Dr Robin Callister, University of Newcastle
For the study Identifying risk factors for lower limb injury in team sport athletes. Netball, Soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union clubs from across Newcastle will participate in the study.
Musculoskeletal screening in athletes
$19,812	Mr Kenneth Graham, NSW Institute of Sport
To review the relationship between musculoskeletal screening and injuries in athletes. The study will examine risk factors and trends from 10 years of athlete screening and injury reporting at the NSW Institute of Sport.
2006
Stretching before and after any sport
$24,821	Associate Professor Rob Herbert, University of Sydney
Stretching to prevent injury and reduce muscle soreness: Trial by Media
Evaluation of footwear to prevent injuries in all football codes
$20,000	Mr Michael Kinchington, Australian Catholic University
Whether different types of footwear help prevent foot-leg injuries in sport.
Tracking health and performance for Athletics/ Swimming/ Gymnastics
$19,800	Dr David Greene, Australian Catholic University
Tracking the health and performance of talented female adolescent athletes over three years, across track and field, swimming and gymnastics.
Patellar tendon loading on knees
$15,249	Dr Bridget Munro, University of Wollongong
Investigation into what factors affect patellar tendon loading during landing in order to reduce knee injuries.
Smartplay program for all sport
$15,000	Sports Medicine Australia NSW Branch
SmartPlay injury prevention message of Warm Up, Drink Up, Gear Up to NSW school children and sporting organisations across the state.
2005
Analysis of severe and catastrophic sport injuries
$59,125 over 3 years	Professor Caroline Finch and the NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre at the University of NSW
Annual epidemiological profile of severe and catastrophic sports injuries in NSW.
SafeClub risk management program rolled out for Soccer
$48,099 over 2 years	Youthsafe
Evaluation of SafeClub training program in community soccer clubs.
Review of landing techniques in Hang Gliding
$18,719	Dr Bridget Munro, University of Wollongong
To determine whether the scope of injuries that occur in the sport of hang gliding, particularly catastrophic injuries that occur at landing. To determine whether there are mitigating factors that will predispose pilots to injury, particularly catastrophic injury when landing
Sports Safety program for Rugby League
$18,607	Mr Martin Meredith and NSW Rugby League
A survey of sports safety policies and practices of community rugby league clubs in NSW.
Baseball
$7,238	Mr R Meir & Dr R Weatherby, Southern Cross University
Long-term consequences of playing baseball.
2004
Analysis of paediatric sport injuries
$22,343	Dr Carolyn Broderick, University of New South Wales
Prospective surveillance of paediatric sports injuries in NSW.
Shoulder dislocation injuries
$19,500	Mrs Eileen Cole and the Royal North Shore Hospital
For a study of sports related shoulder dislocation injuries presenting to the hospital.
Injuries surveillance in Australian Football
$14,811	Professor Caroline Finch and the NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre at the University of NSW
To undertake injury surveillance of junior Australian Football players in NSW during the 2004 season.
SmartPlay program for Rugby Union
$6,000	Sports Medicine Australia (NSW Branch) and the Australian Rugby Union
For the printing of injury prevention literature and conduct of TryRugby clinics as part of the SmartPlay program.
2003
Intelligent knee sleeve for anterior cruciate ligament injuries
$27,067	Associate Professor Julie Steele and Ms Bridget Munro at the Biomedical Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong.
For a study to test the potential for an intelligent knee sleeve to decrease the susceptibility of athletes to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Exercise type vs musculoskeletal status and injury in athletes
$23,617	Associate Professor Geraldine Naughton, the Children's Hospital of Sports Medicine and the Australian Catholic University
For a study to investigate the relationship between exercise type and musculoskeletal status and injuries sustained by elite adolescent female track and field athletes.
Fast Bowler workload in Cricket
$17,910	Ms Rebecca Dennis and the Australian Cricket Board
For a continuation of her research into the effect of functions and workload on junior fast bowlers in cricket. The grant will be used for a study of junior fast bowlers in the Sutherland district of Sydney.
Review of data from 2000 Paralympic Games
$14,867	Dr Mukul Agarwal and Sports Medicine Unit of the University of NSW
For a study of the correlation of clinical and radiological findings from data collected during the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.
Safe Sport strategies for multiple sports
$6,300	Kiama Council
For the conduct of the Kiama Safe Sports Project. The project involves a multi-strategy campaign targeted at sporting organisations that use the Council's facilities.
2002
Bone related injuries in athletes
$22,694	Associate Professor Geraldine Naughton, the Australian Catholic University and the Children's Hospital Institute of Sports Medicine
For the conduct of research into bone-related injuries in elite adolescent male athletes.
Care and management for acute spinal injuries
$20,000	Dr Adrian Cohen and Immediate Assistants Pty Ltd
For the continued delivery of seminars in regional New South Wales to train sports professionals and semi-professionals in the care and management of acute spinal injuries under the NeckSafe program.
Hamstring muscle training to reduce ACL injuries
$15,017	Ms Elizabeth Cowling and Associate Professor Julie Steele at the Biomedical Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong
For study to determine whether hamstring muscle retraining can reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.
2001
Care and management for acute spinal injuries
$40,300 over 2 years	Dr Adrian Cohen and Immediate Assistants Pty Ltd
For the delivery of seminars in regional New South Wales to train sports professionals such as doctors and physiotherapists and semi-professionals such as trainers and coaches in the care and management of spinal injuries under the NeckSafe program.
Spinal Cord Injuries (non Football)
$39,600 over 4 years	Dr Roslyn Soden and Spinal Injuries Unit of the Royal North Shore Hospital
For the collection of spinal cord injury data from non-football sports using a purpose designed database.
Multi strategy sports safety education campaign
$32,000 over 2 years	Manly Council
For the development and implementation of a multi-strategy sports safety education and promotion campaign aimed at encouraging local sporting organisations using Council's facilities to improve their sports safety practices.
Therapeutic exercise for athletes with lower body pain
$27,000	Dr Jenni Saunders, Dr David Garlick and the University of NSW School of Physiology and Pharmacology
For an investigation of athletes with lower back pain, buttock and leg pain to examine the effects of a therapeutic exercise program on symptomatic athletes.
SmartPlay risk management pilot program
$14,000	Sports Medicine Australia (NSW Branch)
For the implementation and conduct of a SmartPlay pilot program. The program uses educational and promotional tools to encourage the safe conduct of sporting and athletic activities and is specifically targeted at junior athletes. The project is a joint venture of SMA, The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and the NSW Sporting Injuries Insurance Scheme.
2000
Rugby Union Injury database
$69,000 over 3 years	University of New South Wales
For the implementation of a Rugby Union Injury Surveillance Project initially covering 1,000 players of various ages and skills across all levels of the code. The project has the potential to expand to cover 20,000 players.
Sporting Injuries Surveillance System
$27,500	Illawarra Healthy Cities
For the implementation of a sporting injuries surveillance system in the Illawarra region. The system will form the basis of the development of sport and injury prevention strategies for the region.
Audit of Sports Safety Practices
$22,000	Northern Beaches Health Promotion Unit
For the conduct of an audit of sports safety practices of Northern Beaches sports clubs engaged in high-risk injury sports. The project is aimed at enhancing partnerships between Northern Beaches sport and health organisations in the delivery of sports injury prevention.
Rugby League Spinal Injuries
$20,000	Necksafe Program
For the delivery of seminars to train 160 rugby league professionals such as nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and semi-professionals such as trainers and coaches in the care and management of spinal injuries.
Non contact ACL injuries
$12,500	Dr Julie Steele at the Biomedical Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong
To examine how non-contact ACL injuries may be prevented through muscle re-education and protection of the knees.
Diving video
$3,000	North Coast Diving Project
An additional grant for the production of a three-minute video to be included in the "School Presentation Kit" distributed to 50 schools in the region.
Sports Injury Manual
$1,000	NSW Institute of Sport
To enable the Institute to publish a manual and sports injury prevention tool that will assist in identifying potential sporting injuries for elite level athletes entering the Institute and Sydney Academy of Sport.