An end to hammies
St Kilda AFL players are trialling a new test that promises to predict the risk of hamstring strains. 
9 am Thursday 6 June - embargo, photo, and film opportunity with Saints player Jason Blake
At the Monash University Centre for Biomedical Engineering (MUCBE), Building 69 Room 224, Clayton Campus, enter from Wellington Road
The commonest sporting injuries are muscle strains. And for many sports, the commonest muscle strains are hamstrings. 
In the 2000 season each AFL team suffered, on average, six hammie strains, costing players some 352 missed games. 
“The Saints were extremely eager to participate in this new research study,” says Ms Camilla Brockett who has just completed her PhD at Monash University under the supervision of Prof. Uwe Proske (Department of Physiology) and Dr David Morgan (Biomedical Engineering), and is now working at the university's Centre for Biomedical Engineering.	ASMR
Medical
Research 
Week
June 1-8, 2002
Media contacts:
 Anne Hayward 
0419 893 922
Niall Byrne 
03 5253 1391    	
“We’ve been testing all the players since pre-season and will continue testing throughout the season to gather evidence to show that our measurement system can predict susceptibility to hamstring strains. If we are right, the next stage will be to implement an exercise and monitoring program to reduce and hopefully prevent hamstring strains.”
The work is founded on basic research by the Monash team into how muscles work. The theoretical basis is complex. But the potential implications for sportspeople are straightforward.
“When a muscle is being used as a brake, absorbing energy, or doing negative work, it is forced to lengthen while trying to shorten. These eccentric contractions can lead to micro damage in the muscle. That’s why walking downhill, skiing and horse riding often leads to stiffness and soreness the next day, but not swimming or cycling, where muscles act exclusively as motors.” says Camilla.
“We think that micro damage from unaccustomed eccentric exercise can initiate a major muscle strain. We already know how to predict and prevent micro damage,” says Camilla. 
“So, if our work with St Kilda confirms our theory then this basic measure of muscle function will help us monitor rehabilitation and determine when an athlete is fully recovered.” 
“And it’s not just about elite sportspeople. Hamstring strains are common amongst the general sporting public, and the often lengthy time for rehabilitation, means a significant burden for the public health system.”
The Monash team’s research into muscle strain injury is already covered by a provisional patent. Their research has been backed by the government through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to the tune of $50k over the last 4 years.  
“This relatively small research investment could help reduce Australia’s national $1 billion bill for sports injuries,” says Professor Peter Schofield, president of the Australian Society for Medical Research.
Yet only 1.5% of our health budget is spent on research – less than $12 per person. The USA spends $157 per person and the UK spends $45 per person. 
We spend more on Easter Eggs.
We could make a huge difference in issues such as: 
•	Osteoporosis costs $1.9 billion per annum in direct health costs and a further $5.6 billion in indirect costs – lost earnings, volunteer carers, modifications and equipment
•	Cardiovascular disease is responsible for $3.9 billion of total recurrent health expenditure.  40% of these costs relate to hospitalisation and 15% to nursing home care.
•	Cancer costs an estimated $2 billion in direct health system costs. Skin cancer alone, costs more than $300 million.
•	The direct health system costs of arthritis in Australia are estimated at $2.24 billion in 2000.  Indirect costs would triple this amount.  
•	Dementia costs the health system more than $700 million. The cost is projected to increase 2.5 fold over the next 40 years. 
Over the next five years there is a strong case for government to dramatically increase the share of the health budget committed to research. The payback will be billions of dollars in reduced health costs, and improved quality of life.
For media interviews contact: 	Camilla Brockett 0412 085 588
					Anne Hayward 0419 893 922
Niall Byrne 03 5253 1391
For further information visit the ASMR website: www.asmr.org.au