The Knee Condition You Never Heard Of?

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

• A cause of knee pain that coaches and parents have never heard of!
• The future of Power Slap competitors
• Overcoming The Youth Sport Dropout Crisis

A cause of knee pain that coaches and parents have never heard of!

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a well-known cause of knee pain in growing adolescents, which many youth coaches have become increasingly aware of. However, there’s another condition that both coaches and parents are often unaware of, even though it can also lead to knee pain in young athletes.

Rob Anderson, the 2024 UKSCA S&C Coach of the Year, recently posted an insightful piece on LinkedIn discussing Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome. This syndrome arises when the growth plate below the kneecap becomes irritated during periods of rapid growth. It’s particularly common in sports that involve heavy jumping and rapid changes in direction. Typically, it’s characterised by a gradual pain just beneath the kneecap that worsens with activity and improves with rest, often accompanied by knee stiffness the following morning.

Anderson emphasises that the goal for adolescents suffering from Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome is to remain active without risking further damage, as complete rest can actually weaken the surrounding tissues. He suggests focusing on building stronger quadriceps through pain-free exercises such as static holds and wall sits. Additionally, he advises cutting back on high-impact running and jumping for a time, while also prioritising sleep and nutrition to aid tissue repair and support growth.

If you would like to learn more about this topic, definitely check out Anderson’s piece on LinkedIn (here) and our blog Monitoring Growth.

The future of Power Slap competitors

Power Slap is rapidly emerging as one of the most popular sports, amassing over one billion views a month across various social media platforms. The brainchild of UFC president Dana White, the sport features two opponents taking turns slapping each other across the face with an open hand until one can’t continue or is declared the loser by decision.

In a chilling recent article for The New York Post, Dr Christopher Nowinski, a neuroscientist known for his research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), voiced his serious concerns about the future of Power Slap competitors. He warned that “We’ll pay for it as a society for another 70 years by having to care for people with more mental health problems and dementia.”

Nowinski’s worries are grounded in research; a study from last year found that 79% of competitors showed signs of concussion after being slapped, with many opting to return for more slaps during the contest. He also dismissed the argument that Power Slap is a safer and more controlled alternative to boxing and MMA. According to Nowinski, boxers and MMA fighters can defend themselves by blocking, ducking, and weaving, whereas Power Slap participants are required to passively stand and receive blows until it’s their turn to strike back.

If you want to learn more about the seriousness of concussions in sports and best practice recovery guidelines, our blogs are definitely worth reading.

• Concussion recovery in sport: A comprehensive guide
• Concussion recovery: Why it’s important to get active after a head knock (but don’t overdo it)
• Sport concussion assessment tools: How well do they work?

Overcoming The Youth Sport Dropout Crisis

Last month, Brenton Baker delivered an impactful message on LinkedIn (see here) regarding the alarming Youth Sport Dropout Crisis. He pointed out that a staggering 70% of kids quit participating in sports by the age of 13. Baker identifies six key reasons that contribute to this trend of young athletes stepping away from sports:

1. Loss of fun
2. Excessive pressure from adults
3. Overwhelming schedules
4. Not enough playing time
5. Over-emphasis on winning
6. Declining confidence

Therefore, Baker emphasises that it’s essential for youth sports programs to prioritise a sense of belonging, build confidence, and promote enjoyment if we want to keep kids engaged in sports. Striking the right balance between keeping kids engaged in sports while also emphasising the importance of improving their performance may very well be where the true sweet spot lies.

If you are interested in this topic, our blog Physical Literacy is definitely worth reading.

From us this week:

>> New course: Socially Supporting Athletes
>> New podcast: ACL Rehab: Training Age, Force Progression and Return to Sport with Carmen Bott
>> New infographic: Not Mini-Adults: Youth Athlete Physiology
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

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The post The Knee Condition You Never Heard Of? appeared first on Science for Sport.