Scott R. Brown

Aquinas College · Kinesiology

Background: Knee joint mechanics during sidestepping are associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury. Unplanned sidestepping more closely emulates game scenarios when compared with planned sidestepping by limiting decision time, increasing knee loading and challenging the integrity of soft-tissue structures in the knee. It is important to qu...

Purpose: To compare mechanical properties of overground sprint running in elite rugby union and rugby league athletes. Methods: Thirty elite rugby code (15 rugby union and 15 rugby league) athletes participated in this cross-sectional analysis. Radar was used to measure maximal overground sprint performance over 20 or 30 m (forwards and backs, r...

Lower-extremity power characteristics are central to performance in rugby. However little is known regarding the effects of leg preference and playing position on sprint mechanics. The purpose of this study was to profile sprint kinetics and kinematics in rugby union athletes and compare between legs and between positions. Thirty male academy-level...

Purpose The global application of horizontal force (FH) via hip extension is related to improvements in sprint performance (e.g. maximal velocity [vmax] and power [Pmax]). Little is known regarding the contribution of individual-leg FH and how a difference between the legs (asymmetry) might subsequently affect sprint performance. Methods We assesse...

Objectives This study aimed to (1) quantitatively assess external knee abduction moments between legs, and (2) qualitatively assess anterior cruciate ligament injury risk between group mean and individual athlete data during the sidestep manoeuvre. Design Descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods Sixteen male academy-level rugby union athletes (...

Background Players in contact sports frequently experience mild traumatic brain (concussion) injuries (TBI). While there are known disruptions to balance following acute head trauma, it is uncertain if sport-related concussion injuries have a lasting impact on postural control. Aim To assess postural control in retired rugby players in comparison...

Individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction often display abnormal gait mechanics reflective of a “stiff-knee” gait (i.e., reduced knee flexion angles and moments). However, dynamic knee stiffness, which is the dynamic relationship between the position of the knee and the moment acting on it, has not been directly examined duri...

Background: Quadriceps weakness is common after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and can alter gait mechanics. Functional resistance training (FRT) is a novel approach to retraining strength after injury, but it is unclear how it alters gait mechanics. Therefore, we tested how 3 different types of FRT devices: a knee brace resisting...

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine 1) if progressive functional resistance training (FRT) during walking would improve knee biomechanical symmetry after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and 2) if the mode of delivery of FRT would have a differential effect on symmetry. Methods Thirty individuals who underwent primary...

Purpose: Quadriceps weakness is common after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, resulting in prolonged disability and increased risk for re-injury and osteoarthritis. Functional resistance training (FRT) combines resistance training with task-specific training and may prove beneficial in restoring quadriceps strength. The primary pur...

Previous research suggests more biomechanically demanding tasks (e.g., stair descent, hopping) magnify biomechanical asymmetries compared with walking after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, it is unclear if modifying task-specific constraints, like walking speed also elicits greater biomechanical asymmetries in this populat...

Background Thigh muscle weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can persist after returning to activity. While resistance training can improve muscle function, “nonfunctional” training methods are not optimal for inducing transfer of benefits to activities such as walking. Here, we tested the feasibility of a novel functiona...

The aim of this acute cross-sectional study was to quantify the kinematic and kinetic changes that occur during sprint acceleration when lower body WR is worn. Fifteen male rugby athletes (19 years; 181 cm; 91 kg) were assessed during maximal effort over−ground and treadmill sprinting over 20 m under three different loading conditions: 0%, 3% and 5...

Background Accurate quantification of voluntary activation is important for understanding the extent of quadriceps dysfunction in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Voluntary activation has been quantified using both percent activation derived from the interpolated twitch technique and central activation ratio (CAR)...

Background: Persistent quadriceps weakness and activation failure are common in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. A growing body of evidence indicates that this chronic quadriceps dysfunction could be partly mediated due to reduced corticospinal excitability. However, current rehabilitation approaches do not directl...

The assessment of horizontal force during overground sprinting is increasingly prevalent in practice and research, stemming from advances in technology and access to simplified yet valid field methods. As researchers search out optimal means of targeting the development of horizontal force, there is considerable interest in the effectiveness of ext...

The use of motor learning strategies may enhance rehabilitation outcomes of individuals with neurological injuries (e.g., stroke or cerebral palsy). A common strategy to facilitate learning of challenging tasks is to use sequential progression – i.e., initially reduce task difficulty and slowly increase task difficulty until the desired difficulty...

The assessment of horizontal force during over-ground sprinting is becoming increasingly prevalent in practice and research, stemming from advances in technology and access to simplified field-methods. As researchers search out optimal means of targeting the development of horizontal force, there is considerable interest in the effectiveness of ext...

Introduction The mechanical determinants of short distance sprinting performance are currently unclear. While analyses have been performed on longer distance sprints (Morin et al. 2012), the importance of magnitude and expression of horizontal force production capabilities has not been clearly defined for short distances. This data would provide in...

Aims In the current study we investigated the effects of resisted sprint training on sprinting performance and underlying mechanical parameters (force-velocity-power profile) based on two different training protocols: (i) loads that represented maximum power output (Lopt) and a 50% decrease in maximum unresisted sprinting velocity and (ii) lighter...

Spreadsheet for optimal loading computation. (XLSX)

Complementary methodological considerations. (DOCX)

PurposeWe sought to compare force–velocity relationships developed from unloaded sprinting acceleration to that compiled from multiple sled-resisted sprints. Methods Twenty-seven mixed-code athletes performed six to seven maximal sprints, unloaded and towing a sled (20–120% of body-mass), while measured using a sports radar. Two methods were used t...

Since sprinting involves very fast movement velocities (up to 12 m/s in the best athletes), experimental studies in this field have always been a technical challenge. Whilst sprint kinematics and distance-time or velocity-time variables were first described by the end of the 19th century, kinetics and especially ground reaction force and mechanical...

We read with great interest and attention the case-study published by Setuain et al. (2017) and would like to express our concern regarding the methodology implemented and resultant data: in brief, the data appear to be incorrect. The authors address a topic of considerable interest - hamstring injury in soccer players (Ekstrand et al., 2016). The...

The purpose of this study was to present a potential link between sprint kinetic (vertical [FV] and horizontal force [FH]) asymmetries and athletic performance during acceleration and maximal velocity (vmax) sprinting. Thirty un-injured male rugby athletes performed 8-s sprints on a non-motorised treadmill. Kinetic data were divided into ‘strong’ a...

Our aims were to assess single-leg balance in rugby union athletes and compare the stability indices between legs and between positions. Thirty athletes, forwards and backs (n = 15 / 15) performed single-leg balance measured at two difficulty levels (Level 8 [more stable] and Level 2 [less stable]) using the Biodex Balance SD System. The backs' non...

AimThis study investigated differences in cognitive function between former rugby and non-contact-sport players, and assessed the association between concussion history and cognitive function. Methods Overall, 366 former players (mean ± standard deviation [SD] age 43.3 ± 8.2 years) were recruited from October 2012 to April 2014. Engagement in sport...

The purpose of this investigation was to observe how a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) based autoregulation strategy impacted volume performed by powerlifters. Twelve (26+/-7yrs, n=9 male, n=3 female) nationally qualified powerlifters performed the back squat, bench press and deadlift 3x/wk. on non-consecutive days in a session order of hypertro...

This study assessed male (n=9) and female (n=3) powerlifters' (18-49yrs) ability to select loads using the repetitions in reserve (RIR)-based rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale for a single set for squat, bench press and deadlift. Subjects trained 3x/wk. for 3wks. on non-consecutive days in the weekly order of hypertrophy (8-repetitions at 8...

The back-squat is a common exercise in strength and conditioning, for a variety of sports. It is widely regarded as a fundamental movement to increase and measure lower-body and trunk function, as well as an effective injury rehabilitation exercise. There are typically two different bar positions used when performing the back-squat; the traditional...

No prior study has compared the joint angle and ground reaction force (Fv) differences between the high-bar back-squat (HBBS) and low-bar back-squat (LBBS) above 90% 1RM. Six male powerlifters (height: 179.2 ± 7.8 cm; bodyweight: 87.1 ± 8.0 kg; age: 27.3 ± 4.2 years) of international level, six male Olympic weightlifters (height: 176.7 ± 7.7 cm; bo...

Background Information is needed on the effects on health after retirement from participating in sport and any effects of sustaining concussions. Objective To investigate differences in cognitive function between former rugby and non-contact sport players, and any association between concussion history and cognitive function. Design Cross section...

The purposes of this study were to determine the acute effects of handheld loading on horizontal jump distance and biomechanics during a single standing horizontal jump in female netball players, and to determine individualised optimum loads relative to body mass (BM), for enhancing jump distance. Twelve netball players performed single, standing h...

Purpose: To ascertain whether force-velocity-power relationships could be compiled from a battery of sled-resisted overground sprints and to clarify and compare the optimal loading conditions for maximizing power production for different athlete cohorts. Methods: Recreational mixed-sport athletes (n = 12) and sprinters (n = 15) performed multipl...

Background: Sprint running acceleration is a key feature of physical performance in team sports, and recent literature shows that the ability to generate large magnitudes of horizontal ground-reaction force and mechanical effectiveness of force application are paramount. The authors tested the hypothesis that very-heavy loaded sled sprint training...

Aims: Rugby union is a high contact sport in which players frequently experience brain injuries. Acute brain injury is associated with altered corticomotor function. However, it is uncertain if long-term exposure to rugby is associated with any alterations in corticomotor function. The aim of the study was to assess measures of corticomotor excita...

Sprinting ability is fundamental to success in rugby, where athletes are repetitively required to accelerate and occasionally reach maximal velocities while carrying a ball. Despite this, the mechanical influences of ball carrying are not understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ball carrying technique on sprint performance a...

Head traumas account for 29% of all injuries in professional rugby. Concussions are thought to have only a short-term effect on balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether concussion history affected a rugby team’s ability to maintain balance and determine which sensory system was most affected. Thirty male academy rugby athletes...

Introduction: Athletic performance and injury risk are key components within sports science; and while they may appear unalike, they are in fact inherently coupled. A maximal sprint effort on a non-motorised treadmill (NMT) for example, can provide both performance (i.e. power) and injury risk (i.e. asymmetry) variables within the same trial (Brown...

Strength imbalances between the hamstrings and quadriceps are an essential predictor for hamstring strain in soccer. The study aimed to investigate and compare the muscle strength imbalances of professional soccer players of different performance levels. One hundred and fifty nine senior male professional soccer players from first (n = 75) and seco...

The purpose of this study was to compare average concentric velocity (ACV) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) based on repetitions in reserve on the squat, bench press and deadlift. Fifteen powerlifters (3 female, 12 male, 28.4 ± 8.5 years) worked up to a one repetition maximum (1RM) on each lift. RPE was recorded on all sets and ACV was record...

Background: End-stage ankle arthritis impairs joint function and patients' mobility. Total ankle replacement is a surgical procedure to treat severe ankle arthritis. Salto Talaris Anatomic Ankle TM (STAA) was designed to mimic the normal ankle anatomy and flexion/extension of the ankle movement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect o...

Handheld load has been reported to enhance horizontal jump performance, however little is known about its influence on ground reaction forces (GRF), especially in female athletes. This study investigated the effects of individualized optimal handheld loading on the technical and physical ability to apply GRF during horizontal jumping in female netb...

Background: End-stage ankle arthritis impairs joint function and patients' mobility. Total ankle replacement is a surgical procedure to treat severe ankle arthritis. Salto Talaris Anatomic Ankle TM (STAA) was designed to mimic the normal ankle anatomy and flexion/extension of the ankle movement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect o...

Context: Muscle imbalances aid in the identification of athletes at risk for lower-extremity injury. Little is known regarding the influence that leg preference or playing position may have on lower-extremity muscle strength and asymmetry. Purpose: To investigate lower-extremity strength profiles in rugby union athletes and compare isokinetic kn...

INTRODUCTION: Unique positional characteristics are an accepted part of rugby union. Ruling structures indirectly govern athletes to specific actions that result in distinct mechanical stresses specific to position. While variables such as horizontal force (FH) have been highlighted as fundamental to sprint performance in rugby (Cross et al., 2014)...

This study compared the biomechanical characteristics of the log lift and clean and jerk. Six experienced male strongman athletes performed log lifts and clean and jerks at 70% of their 1RM clean and jerk. Significant (P<0.05) between-exercise kinematic differences were observed throughout all the lifting phases, except at lift completion. The log...

This study compared the biomechanical characteristics of the farmers walk, deadlift and unloaded walk. Six experienced male strongman athletes performed farmers’ walks and deadlifts at 70% of their 1RM deadlift. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were apparent at knees passing with the farmers lift demonstrating greater trunk extension, thigh angle...

This study examined the relationship between leg preference and knee mechanics in females during sidestepping. Three-dimensional data were recorded on 16 female collegiate footballers during a planned 45° sidestep manoeuvre with their preferred and non-preferred kicking leg. Knee kinematics and kinetics during initial contact, weight acceptance, pe...

Background The effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes are often distorted by the athlete’s desire to return and can result in injury recurrence. Athletic assessments allow for objective and reliable measurements to track rehabilitation progress. This case study used a multi-component assessment strategy to assess a rugby player’s lower-extremit...

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of haltere/hand-held loading on the kinematics and kinetics of horizontal jumping, and to determine if an optimum relative load (% BM) exists in order to maximum jump distance. A repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc contrasts was used to determine the effects of haltere loading (no externa...

Purpose: While several studies have documented isokinetic knee strength in junior and senior rugby league players, investigations of isokinetic knee and hip strength in professional rugby union players are limited. The purpose of this study was to provide lower-extremity strength profiles and compare isokinetic knee and hip strength of professiona...

This study compared the biomechanical characteristics of the heavy sprint-style sled pull and squat. Six experienced male strongman athletes performed sled pulls and squats at 70% of their 1RM squat. Significant kinematic and kinetic differences were observed between the sled pull start and squat at the start of the concentric phase and at maximum...

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES ON THE USE OF LOWER-EXTREMITY INJURY ASSESSMENTS FOR A RUGBY PLAYER’S RETURN-TO-PLAY S R Brown1, M Brughelli1, P A Hume1, D King1, N Gill2, H Craighead3, S Kara4 1Rugby Codes Research Group, Sports Performance Research In New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland...

Caloric restriction occurs when athletes attempt to reduce body fat or make weight. There is evidence that protein needs increase when athletes restrict calories or have low body fat. The aims of this review were to evaluate the effects of dietary protein on body composition in energy-restricted resistance-trained athletes and to provide protein re...

Background: End-stage ankle arthritis impairs joint function and patients' mobility. Total ankle replacement is a surgical procedure to treat severe ankle arthritis. Salto Talaris Anatomic AnkleTM (STAA) was designed to mimic the normal ankle anatomy and flexion/extension of the ankle movement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of...