A La Trobe University project to reduce concussion and knee injuries in women and girls’ community football has secured almost $5 million in Federal funding.
Professor Kay Crossley was one of four La Trobe academics to share in $11.7 million in the recently announced 2024 Medical Research Future Fund Clinical Trials Activity round.
The distinguished academic and Director of the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre was awarded $4.9 million to lead the projectHER trial in 28 community women and girls’ football leagues, involving more than 10,000 Australian Rules Football and soccer players.
Professor Crossley said projectHER would address barriers to injury-prevention programs being undertaken by coaches and players.
“We designed activities with coaches and players aimed at increasing the adoption of injury-prevention programs. Once we conduct these trials, we will look at ways to expand these activities nationwide,” Professor Crossley said.
“Sport participation has lifelong benefits, but women and girls who play sport have between two to eight times more risk of sustaining injuries than men and boys. This needs to change.”
Concussion injuries can lead to debilitating conditions such as impaired brain function and mental health, while knee injuries can result in early onset osteoarthritis for one in two people under 40.
La Trobe Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Chris Pakes said the project addressed a significant issue affecting many Australians.
“It is great to see Kay’s important research continue to be supported,” Professor Pakes said. "Injury prevention is vital for women’s sport to continue to grow locally and nationally.
“I congratulate Kay and her team, as well as all other academics and researchers successful in this funding round. These projects are key examples of the research being undertaken at La Trobe that is having an impact on everyday lives.”
The projectHER trial is partnering with the Australian Football League, Football Australia, Federation Internationale de Football Association and Queensland University of Technology.
In total, La Trobe secured $11.7 million in MRFF grant funding. Other successful La Trobe-led research projects include:
Associate Professor Eliza Hawkes, La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, $3.4 million
This project aims to improve outcomes for patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), with an accessible, low-toxicity therapy using the potential synergy of T-cell activating therapy-glofitamab and low-dose radiotherapy in rDLBCL, compared with standard care.
Associate Professor Adam Culvenor, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, $2.7 million
This project, known as the KOBRA trial, aims to test the clinical and cost effectiveness of an easily accessible, low-cost, low-risk intervention for post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis, using a slim-fit knee brace.
Associate Professor Hui Gan, La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, $798,137
This project aims to test whether patients with glioblastoma (GBM), a rare brain tumour, can be better treated with new therapies, rather than chemo-radiation.
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