This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…
- The recent surge in ACL injuries in the A-League!
- What’s new in The Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, 5th edition?
- Are Tindeq tension dynamometers valid and reliable?
The recent surge in ACL injuries in the A-League!
The Australian Women’s Football League (A-League) has recently made headlines in the sports science community due to a troubling rise in ACL injuries. This current 2025/2026 season has already seen an alarming seven ACL injuries, with four of them occurring in just two weeks earlier this month.
One major issue facing the women’s A-League is that players operate on a part-time basis, with contracts limited to 32 weeks. This structure compels them to juggle additional work commitments alongside their training and recovery routines. During the congested fixture period around Christmas, this juggling act becomes increasingly challenging and is far from ideal for player welfare and load management.
As a result, players in the women’s A-League are advocating for the league to transition to a full-time model. Making this shift would not only allow for the hiring of players on full-time contracts but would also enable the employment of dedicated sports science and medical staff. These changes could greatly contribute to reducing the current wave of ACL injuries while also safeguarding the careers of Australia’s top women’s footballers.
If you would like to learn more about ACL injuries, check out our highly informative courses, Profiling ACL Injuries and ACL Rehab.
What’s new in The Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, 5th edition?
The book “The Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning” is often regarded as the “bible” for S&C coaches. With the 5th edition set to be released soon, many are curious about what’s new and how it compares to the previous edition.
While much of the foundational content on S&C principles will remain unchanged, there are some noteworthy updates and additions in the 5th edition. A new chapter dedicated to functional and non-functional overreaching, overtraining, and overtraining syndrome is anticipated, offering valuable insights into training stress and recovery. Additionally, a broader discussion on how training and adaptation can differ across the lifespan and between sexes is expected.
The latest research regarding mental health, the impact of injuries, nervous system preparation, and the effects of vaping will also be included, with more depth than in the last edition.
Overall, while the existing content continues to hold significant value, the upcoming edition promises to deliver fresh and updated insights. We eagerly await the reviews once it hits the shelves!
If you would like to check out our review on the current 4th edition of The Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, please click here.
Are Tindeq tension dynamometers valid and reliable?
Tindeq tension dynamometers offer a more affordable and portable option compared to the gold standard isokinetic dynamometers for measuring strength. But how reliable and valid are they? A recent study delved into the reliability and validity of Tindeq tension dynamometers in comparison to isokinetic devices for assessing peak and explosive isometric strength in both the quadriceps and hamstrings.
The findings revealed that the Tindeq tension dynamometer performs quite well in terms of validity and reliability for measuring peak torque, making it a viable low-cost alternative for knee strength testing. However, when it came to measuring the rate of torque development, the Tindeq dynamometer showed significant inconsistency, indicating that it may not be suitable for assessing explosive strength.
So, if you’re thinking about investing in a Tindeq tension dynamometer, keep in mind that it’s effective for gauging peak torque, but it falls short in measuring the rate of torque development when compared to the gold standard isokinetic dynamometers.
From us this week:
>> New course: Fundamental Movements in Youth
>> New podcast: Uncommonly Consistent: Football to Formula One with John Noonan
>> New infographic: β-Alanine
>> New article: Hydrotherapy
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