Is Resting An Effective Injury Prevention Strategy?

This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…

• Why sometimes resting isn’t an effective injury prevention strategy
• The science behind substitutions in football
• The mysterious green whistle at the World Cup

Why sometimes resting isn’t an effective injury prevention strategy

A recent study on load management has revealed some fascinating insights. It investigated whether NBA players who missed games for rest or load management were less prone to injuries later in the season. The study utilised nine seasons of audited NBA medical records—from 2014–15 to 2022–23—covering 1,233 player-seasons and over 1.5 million player-minutes.

On a positive note, the data showed that the number of games missed for rest and load management had surged by 125% over the nine years. This trend reflects a significant shift among medical and support staff, indicating they are more informed and proactive about managing player workloads, feeling empowered to rest players in favour of prioritising their welfare.

However, the study found that despite the increase in games missed, injury rates did not drop. One of the most compelling discussions in the paper revolves around the concept of the workload–injury paradox. The authors suggest that while rest can reduce fatigue, it might also reduce the chronic exposure needed for athletes to build resilience. In essence, while too much load can increase injury risk, too little load may reduce physical preparedness. Therefore, resting alone isn’t an effective injury prevention strategy.

If you would like to learn more about load management, you should definitely check out our relevant blogs:

• How load management can help reduce injury risk in youth athletes
• Training load monitoring: How coaches can effectively monitor multiple variables
• 4 Ways to Monitor an Athlete’s Load on a Budget
• A multi-dimensional approach to training load and performance monitoring
• Is there a relationship between workload, the athlete’s state of recovery, and injury?

The science behind substitutions in football

While many of us are likely absorbed in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, a recently published study has shed light on an important aspect of the game. Researchers examined over 250 substitutions made in top division male professional football matches.

Their findings revealed that substitute players covered up to 75% more relative distance and exerted 90% more relative high-intensity efforts than those who played the full match or were replaced. Additionally, substitutes were 3 to 4 times more likely to improve the match score than to worsen it.

This research clearly indicates that substitutions are playing an increasingly crucial role in elite football, demonstrating that they are essential for sustaining or enhancing physical performance throughout the course of a match.

The mysterious green whistle at the World Cup

In an earlier World Cup match between Canada and Qatar, Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné caught the spotlight when he was stretchered off the field with a broken leg while inhaling from a small green tube that resembled a whistle. This incident sparked widespread speculation on social media about the nature of the device.

The device in question is called Penthrox, a handheld inhaler designed for quick pain relief. It contains methoxyflurane, a non-opioid pain reliever that works swiftly. One of the key advantages of Penthrox is that it provides immediate pain relief while keeping the athlete awake and alert. However, it’s crucial to note that the device should only be used for short-term relief under medical supervision due to potential side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea.

If you would like to learn more about pain management, check out our excellent course, The Science of Pain Management.

From us this week:

>> New course: Female Physiology
>> New podcast: Creatine’s Next Chapter with Steve Jennings
>> New infographic: Wingate Anaerobic Test
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

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