Ankle sprain (AS) is the most common sports injury that can be complicated by chronic joint instability. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between foot types and the ankle sprain events suffered during the sport career in female volleyball players. In this retrospective study, we randomly selected 98 female volleyball players competing in several divisions. Data were obtained from self-administered questionnaires in which the athlete noted data about volleyball practice, whether they had had ankle sprains and the number of these events. Plantar footprint was photographed by a plantoscope classifying each foot as normal, flat or cavus (196 feet). Of the 196 feet, 145 (74.0%) were normal, 8 (4.1%) were flat 43 and (21.9%) were cavus. Thirthy-five athletes reported at least one AS during volleyball practice. In total 65 sprain injuries were reported (35 to the right side and 30 to the left side). In 22 ankles (14 right, 8 left) sprain reinjure (AS >1) have been reported. A higher AS reinjury rate is correlated to the cavus footprint pattern (p = 0,005). Cavus foot associates to a higher risk of reinjury for ankle sprains in female volleyball players. Knowing the athletes which are more likely to sustain a reinjure may be helpful for the orthopedic surgeon to plan preventive strategies.

AIM:Beach volleyball is an overhead sport that subjects the hitting shoulder to intense functional loads. The purpose of this study is to identify ultrasonographically the prevalence of myotendinous alterations in professional Italian beach volleyball players at the Italian championship and to look for associations between ultrasound findings and the other data collected.METHODS:Fifty-three beach volleyball players (31 women, 22 men) were recruited during the second stage of the Italian championship held in July 2012 in Rome, Italy. Clinical history was obtained from all subjects, followed by physical exam. Each athlete completed a questionnaire regarding sports activities. Bilateral ultrasonographic evaluation of the shoulders was then performed.RESULTS:Calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff of the hitting shoulder was identified ultrasonographically in 30% of the athletes. The mean age of the athletes with calcific tendinopathy was older than subjects with other abnormalities on ultrasonographic examination (33.1 years vs. 25.8 years, t-test; P<0.0001). Impingement was recognized ultrasonographically in the hitting shoulder in 10 of the athletes (18.8%). The Neer's test was positive in the cases of anterior impingement (χ2; P<0.002).CONCLUSION:Calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff of the hitting shoulder in professional beach volleyball players has a prevalence of 30% ultrasonographically, greater than that reported in the general population. In these athletes, the presence of calcific tendinopathy correlates positively with age.

Objectives. The sport of school age can play an important role in the proper development of the arch. The purpose of this investigation is to correlate the evolution of the shape of the plantar vault of the foot with the practice of different sports during the school age. Method. 461 subjects aged between 6 and 15 years were examined by plantoscope examination and the footprint was classified according to Dennis1 each subject answered two times a questionnaire on sport practice. The statistical analysis for assessment the differences between groups was performed with ANOVA for continuous parametric variables, Kruskal- Wallis (groups> 2) or Mann-Whitney (groups = 2) for nonparametric variables and the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test (if the cells <5) for categorical variables. Results. The average age of the subjects was 11 ± 2.2 years Analyzed, the average height was 145 ± 14.7 cm and body weight of 43.2 ± 14.6 kg; the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 19.9 ± 4.2. Among the 461 subjects evaluated, 75% of them showed normal feet, 17% pes cavus, and 8% pes planus. In swimming, the most popular sport, 15% of subjects had pes cavus, 8% pes planus. Volleyball player had high percentage of cavus foot (29%) and no flatfoot. Among children who practice sport there was a sports related, significant disproportion between the rates of plantar vault morphologies (p <0.005). Pes planus percentage rise as the BMI increased. Conclusions. Among those who practice different sports, already at schoolage, there is a statistically significant difference in the percentage of plantar vault morphologies. A further prospective study may explain the reason that fix this different stribution of plantar vault morphotypes in sport.

Objectives. The jumper’s knee (JK) is the most frequent overused pathology in volleyball and beach volleyball. This research aimed to identify ultrasonographic abnormalities of the patellar extensor apparatus of professional beach volleyball players who have suffered or are suffering from JK, and to compare their ultrasongraphic alteration detected with those found in asymptomatic subjects. Method. Fifty-four beach volleyball players (31 women, 23 men) were recruited during the second stage of the Italian beach volleyball championship held in July 2012 in Rome, Italy. Clinical history was obtained from all subjects, followed by physical exam. Each athlete completed a questionnaire regarding sports activities. Bilateral ultrasonographic evaluation of the patellar extensor apparatus was then performed. Results. 10 players (19%) had suffered or were suffering the JK. Among these subjects, the males were significantly more than females (p = 0.043). Among subjects who had no history of JK4 players (11.4%) showed ultrasonographic tendon degeneration changes, while among the subjects with current or previous JK, 6 players (60%) were considered to have degeneration (p = 0.003). Conclusions. Overall prevalence of beach volley players with current or previous JK was similar to that found in volleyball. Best part of subject with current or previous JK had ultrasonographic degenerative changes. Clinical ultrasonographic and training checking of the asymptomatic subjects with ultrasonographic extensor apparatus alterations may provide extra data on the natural history of the JK, which can be useful in preventing this common sport overuse injury.

Objective. The plantar vault is flat at birth and develops spontaneously during the first decade of life. Sport practice at school age can play an important role for the proper or abnormal foot growth. The aim of this investigation is to correlate the vault shape evolution with the practice of different sport activities during the school age. The first session of the study observations will be shown thereafter. Materials and methods. 450 primary/secondary school children aged 6 to 14 years, of both sexes, enrolled in the province of Rome will be considered; any subject treated for vault correction has not been included. Data about sport practice and anthropometric measurements (weight, height, etc.) are collected in two different sessions; all subjects are evaluated by taking foot images in specific photo projections. Using a polarized light plantoscope the vault shapes have been discriminated and the footprint isthmus measured. Normal, cavus, flexible/rigid flatfoot has been identified. Data will be analysed using Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 13.0 for Windows statistical software. Results Standard vaults were 77%, flatfoot 9%, cavus foot 14%. Dance or Artistic gymnastics are associated to a higher percentage of cavus vault. Conclusions The first session of the study showed prevailings of plantar vault shapes similar to those expressed in literature. References Abolarin TO et al: Relationship between selected anthropometric variables and prevalence of flatfoot among urban and rural school children in south west Nigeria. Nig Q J Hosp Med,21,135-40,2011 Muller S et al: Static and dynamic foot characteristics in children aged 1–13 years: A cross-sectional study. Gait Posture, doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.10.357,2011

Objective . The aim of this study is to illustrate the body composition data collected during ten years monitoring of a now 77 years old endurance runner racing continuously in 42 - 100 km long distance race 6 times a year. Materials and methods. For 3 times at the distance of 5 years in the last 10 years, anthropometric, bioimpedance analysis, Dual-X absorptiometry data were taken. Results: In the first control time the percentage of fat mass decrease of 3%, and the loss of lean mass is physiological. BCM and BCMI still result very elevated and remains from 10,9 to 9,2. In the second control time, et age 77 ,these values do not show meaningful variations. The BMD it stays in the ranges of reference. Conclusions. Body composition, specifically Body Cell Mass Index appear to be substantially unchanged BCMI seem to remain. References. Goodpaster BH, Costill DL,Trappe SW, Hughes GM: The relationship of sustained exercise training and bone mineral density in aging male runner. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 6, 216-221, 1996. Wiswell RA, Hawkins SA, Dreyer HC, Jaque V: Maintenance of BMD in older male runners is independent of changes in traininig volume or vo2peak, J Gerontol Med Sci, 57, m203-8, 2002.

Objective. Ankle sprain is the most common volleyball injury. The aim of this research is to examine the relation between plantar vault shape and the epidemiology of ankle sprain in volleyball players. Materials and methods. 150 volleyball players (men and women), have been randomly enrolled from division athletes playing in Italy. Anthropometric data (body weight, stature, body mass index) have been collected. To obtain data about ankle sprain, training and competitive activities, a questionnaire has been completed by the athletes. Using a polarized light plantoscope a podoscopic exam has been performed on all the players. Digital images will be record in a database. Data will be analysed using Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 13 for Windows statistical software. Results. 49% of volleyball players reported at least one ankle sprain injury; 48% of people with standard plantar vault suffered from ankle sprain injuries, while 80% of players with pes cavus, reported sprain injuries. Conclusions. Players with cavus plantar vault show almost a double risk of ankle sprain injury with respect to players with standard plantar vault. References Briner W, Kacmar L: “Common injuries in volleyball: Mechanisms of injury, prevention and rehabilitation. Sports Med, 24, 65-71, 1997. Echarri JJ, Forriol F: The development in footprint morphology in 1851 in Congolese children from urban and rural areas, and the relationship between this and wearing shoes. J Pediatr Orthop B, 12, 141-6, 2003. Verni E, Cucca G, Ensini A, Blasi A, Romagnoli M, Giannini S: I traumi di inversione della tibio/tarsica nello sportivo- Incidenza del morfotipo sulle recidive. Med Sport, 55, 29-37 2002.