U-M researchers say coaches, parents and scientists must work together on and off the athletic field

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The return of fall sports and youth athletes back on the field means millions of youngsters will experience an injury even before their sports season is officially over. Youth sports account for almost four million emergency room visits each year. The range of injuries can be anything from ACL tears for soccer players to concussions for football players – even as young as 12. Each time one of these fearless young athletes steps on the field, he or she steps into the injury arena.

Getting an edge on a very common youth sport injury

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Research at the Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center (the Center) is moving a step closer to solving a problem that affects at least 400,000 young athletes every year and causes them to sit on the sideline for months.

Cadaver bone experiments help explain knee injuries, suggest new preventions

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ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Researchers measured the strain placed on ligaments in cadaver knees during simulated sports landing movements to show that no two knees respond the same, and that injury prevention programs should be tailored to individual athletes.

Knee injuries may start with strain on the brain, not the muscles

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ANN ARBOR, Mich.—New research shows that training your brain may be just as effective as training your muscles in preventing ACL knee injuries, and suggests a shift from performance-based to prevention-based athletic training programs.

University of Michigan experts say proper
nutrition essential for bone health

ANN ARBOR, MICH., MAY 8, 2009 — Musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis and joint pain, are the number one reason for physician visits and account for at least 50 percent of all chronic conditions in people over the age of 50 in the United States. With more than one in four Americans having a musculoskeletal condition requiring medical attention and the costs of these conditions toppling $849 billion annually, it’s now more important than ever to understand and take proactive steps to keep bones healthy and strong.

U-M experts available to discuss impacts of sport injury prevention

ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 2, 2009 — The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will not go without its fair share of injuries as the talented Final Four teams play with the speed and skill required to win bragging rights and the championship title.  The month of April not only marks the beginning of numerous NCAA championship tournaments, it‘s also the beginning of National Youth Sports Safety Month.

Grants awarded for studies in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injury

ANN ARBOR, Mich., January 29, 2009 — The University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center has awarded grants, totaling $140,000, to four U-M researchers focused on musculoskeletal health.

U-M Bone & Joint Center receives $175,000 gift to further research in prevention and rehabilitation science

ANN ARBOR, Mich., January, 9, 2009 — The University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center announced today it received a $175,000 gift from George A. Wade, M.D. to support doctoral fellows studying prevention and rehabilitation science in perpetuity at the Bone & Joint Center. The five-year commitment will be matched one to two by the U-M’s President’s Donor Challenge, bringing its total value to more than $262,000.

MEDIA ALERT: Dr. Ronald F. Zernicke to speak about the importance of injury prevention at the NCAA Scholarly Colloquium on College Sports

Zernicke receives prestigious biomechanics award

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Ronald F. Zernicke, Ph.D., director of the University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center, was recently honored with the Canadian Society of Biomechanics Career Award during the North American Congress on Biomechanics held at U-M. The award was given to Zernicke in recognition of his more than 30 years of distinguished research in biomechanics.

Learn how to fall like a skydiver to
reduce risk of hip fracture

ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 3, 2008—Senior citizens could reduce their risk of hip fracture by nearly 70 percent if they learn to fall like skydivers, new research from the University of Michigan suggests.

U-M expert: Common childhood sports injury can lead to early onset of arthritis

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 7, 2006—An ACL injury early in life could mean the onset of arthritis at a very young age. Researchers at the U-M Health System are hoping to identify the first signs of degenerative arthritis in young knees, to allow for early medical intervention and to slow progression of the disease.

Olympics have you inspired?
Preventing sports injuries

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 2, 2004—As the summer Olympics get underway, many of us will be inspired to run, jump, bike, and swim just like our Olympic heroes. But some weekend athletes can exercise themselves into sports-related injuries. A sports medicine expert offers advice to wannabe Olympians and weekend athletes.

Women athletes more likely to injure
a knee ligament than are men

ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 30, 2003—Women who participate in jumping and pivoting sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer, are up to eight times more likely to rupture the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee than are same-size men participating in these same sports, according to a study in the May 2003 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

The thrill of winter sports —
and the agony of injuries

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 7, 2002—Don’t let Olympic fever get in the way of cold-weather health and safety.