Words & Image: Brisbane Roar FC

Brisbane Roar Youth players have participated in the presentation of new research which could help footballers avoid tendon injuries and return to the field quicker after they are injured.

Young Roar 2014/15 player of the year Shelford Dais and teammate and Young Socceroos squad member Benjy Lyvidikos trialled the technology as it was shown to Science and Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch by Professor Scott Wearing, from QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.

Wearing’s research uses sophisticated ultrasound and imaging technologies to examine stress levels on ankle tendons – particularly in the early stages of pre-season training.

The technology also can closely monitor the recovery and rehabilitation program after a tendon injury to avoid a short-term re-occurance of the same injury.

“For professional athletes and teams, having a player out for a long period of time can have a big impact on performance, especially in tough competitions like the A-League," Enoch said.

“Professor Wearing’s research was the first comprehensive study in Australia to assess the effectiveness and cost-benefit of a range of rehabilitation approaches, including exercise and surgery.

“This has enabled Professor Wearing to build a significant body of knowledge about the rehabilitation of tendon injuries. In fact, Professor Wearing’s research is so advanced, the data he collected was used by coaches and athletes at the London Olympics.”

Wearing said he hoped his research could reduce the amount of time athletes were off injured.

“We know a lot now about what works best to get an athlete back on their feet again after an injury. A tendon injury, like all injuries, is complex. But it doesn’t always mean surgery and some forms of rehabilitation work better than others – it all comes down to individual circumstances,” Professor Wearing said.

His government-funded research is also focused on effective, evidence-based injury prevention.

“As part of that, I’ve been looking at an athlete’s gait to fully understand the mechanics of tendon injury. The more we know about how injuries occur and what damage they do, the better we’ll be at not only treating them, but also helping to prevent them,” Professor Wearing said.

Roar interim chief executive David Pourre said Professor Wearing’s research was important for all Queensland sporting clubs.

“At the Roar we really value the role that science now plays in the modern game, improving our performance and also in helping our players recover quickly when they get injured,” Mr Pourre said.

This article originally appeared on the official Brisbane Roar FC website