Musculoskeletal Injury in Referees That Officiate Over Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie.

Aim Ladies Gaelic football and Camogie are leading female sports in Ireland. Referees are essential to the game, however, no research has examined injury in referees that officiate over female Gaelic games to date. Therefore, this study aims to retrospectively examine the musculoskeletal injury profile and injury prevention practices of referees that officiate over female Gaelic games. Methods A retrospective anonymous questionnaire examined injuries that occurred in the previous 12 months in currently active Ladies Gaelic football and Camogie referees (n=170). Incidence and repeat incidence proportions were calculated along with descriptive statistics. Results In 2019, 42.9% (n=73) of referees sampled sustained an injury with 27.4% (n=20) sustaining two or more. Injuries primarily occurred to the lower extremity (79.6%,n=78), particularly the lower leg (20.4%,n=20) and knee (18.4%,18). Muscle strains and cramps (55.1%,n=54) were most frequent and injuries predominantly occurred during games (71.4%,n=70). Referees largely completed a warm-up but just 30.6% (n=52) conducted a cool-down. Over half had undertaken injury prevention education but only 37.6% (n=64) incorporated injury prevention elements into their training. Conclusion Just over two in five referees that officiate female Gaelic games became injured in the previous year, however their utilisation of injury prevention strategies, beyond completing a warm-up, is lacking. Thus, a referee specific injury prevention programme should be developed and if found to be effective, incorporated into a comprehensive injury prevention strategy by the governing bodies.

Scanning Thermal Microscopy and Ballistic Phonon Transport in Lateral Spin Valves.

Using scanning thermal microscopy, we have mapped the spatial distribution of temperatures in an operating nanoscale device formed from a magnetic injector, an Ag connecting wire, and a magnetic detector. An analytical model explained the thermal diffusion over the measured temperature range (2-300 K) and injector-detector separation (400-3000 nm). The characteristic diffusion lengths of the Peltier and Joule heat differ remarkably below 60 K, a fact that can be explained by the onset of ballistic phonon heat transfer in the substrate.

Assessing the effectiveness of laser fistulectomy for anal fistula: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Laser fistulectomy is a minimally invasive, sphincter-sparing procedure for treatment of anal fistula. In several studies, this method has been shown to be safe and effective, with reported success rates ranging from 40 to 88%. We hypothesized that with longer follow-up, these rates would decrease. METHODS: A retrospective case analysis assessing the effectiveness of laser fistulectomy in curing fistula-in-ano tracts within a cohort of patients at a single academic institution was conducted. All patients having laser ablation between March 2016 and July 2018 were analyzed. Cure of the fistula was determined by history and postoperative physical exam, and was defined as complete closure of fistula tract with resolution of symptoms. Secondary symptoms of fecal incontinence, infection, and pain were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (10 males, mean age 41 ± 13 years) were analyzed. Transphincteric fistula was the most common type (67%, N = 12). The mean number of previous fistula procedures was 1.33 ± 1.64. There was a 22% (N = 4) success rate at an average postoperative follow-up period of 29 ± 8 months (range 18-46 months). Of those who failed, 64% (N = 9) had a subsequent fistula procedure. There were no cases of fecal incontinence, but 3 cases (17%) of postoperative infection were reported and 8 patients (44%) had a subjective increase in pain at first follow-up appointment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a much higher failure rate of laser fistulectomy compared to those reported in the literature. However, the small sample size, a large amount of heterogeneity in our patient population with a mixture of fistula types present, and various laser techniques applied decreased the power of this study.

Clinical interventions to reduce stillbirths in sub-Saharan Africa: a mathematical model to estimate the potential reduction of stillbirths associated with specific obstetric conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Stillbirths are among the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes, with 98% occurring in low-income countries. More than one-third occur in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the medical conditions causing stillbirths and interventions to reduce stillbirths from these conditions are not well documented. We estimated the reductions in stillbirths possible with combinations of interventions. DESIGN: We developed a computerised model to estimate the impact of various interventions on stillbirths caused by the most common conditions. The model considered the location of obstetric care (home, clinic or hospital) and each intervention's efficacy, penetration and utilisation. Maternal transfers were also considered. SETTING AND POPULATION: Pregnancies in SSA in 2012. METHODS: For each condition, we created a series of scenarios involving different combinations of interventions and modelled their impact on stillbirth rates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stillbirths associated with various maternal and fetal conditions and the percentage reduction with various interventions. RESULTS: Eight to ten maternal and fetal conditions were responsible for most stillbirths, but none for more than 15%. The most common conditions causing stillbirths in SSA include obstructed labour and uterine rupture, fetal distress and umbilical cord complications, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, and placental abruption/placenta praevia. Syphilis and malaria contribute smaller numbers. Reducing stillbirths requires appropriate diagnosis and management of each condition, usually including hospital care for monitoring and delivery, often by caesarean section. Maternal syphilis and malaria were the only conditions for which outpatient management alone reduced stillbirth. CONCLUSIONS: Most stillbirths in low-income countries occur at term and during labour and therefore are preventable by appropriate obstetric care. Management focused on the maternal and fetal conditions that cause stillbirths is necessary to achieve stillbirth rates approaching those found in high-income countries. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Reducing stillbirth incidence requires appropriate management of each causative condition and often caesarean delivery.

Effects of a dynamic core stability program on the biomechanics of cutting maneuvers: A randomized controlled trial.

Deficits in trunk control predict ACL injuries which frequently occur during high-risk activities such as cutting. However, no existing trunk control/core stability program has been found to positively affect trunk kinematics during cutting activities. This study investigated the effectiveness of a 6-week dynamic core stability program (DCS) on the biomechanics of anticipated and unanticipated side and crossover cutting maneuvers. Thirty-one male, varsity footballers participated in this randomized controlled trial. Three-dimensional trunk and lower limb biomechanics were captured in a motion analysis laboratory during the weight acceptance phase of anticipated and unanticipated side and crossover cutting maneuvers at baseline and 6-week follow-up. The DCS group performed a DCS program three times weekly for 6 weeks in a university rehabilitation room. Both the DCS and control groups concurrently completed their regular practice and match play. Statistical parametric mapping and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to determine any group (DCS vs control) by time (pre vs post) interactions. The DCS resulted in greater internal hip extensor (P=.017, η2 =0.079), smaller internal knee valgus (P=.026, η2 =0.076), and smaller internal knee external rotator moments (P=.041, η2 =0.066) during anticipated side cutting compared with the control group. It also led to reduced posterior ground reaction forces for all cutting activities (P=.015-.030, η2 =0.074-0.105). A 6-week DCS program did not affect trunk kinematics, but it did reduce a small number of biomechanical risk factors for ACL injury, predominantly during anticipated side cutting. A DCS program could play a role in multimodal ACL injury prevention programs.

Does the amount of lower extremity movement variability differ between injured and uninjured populations? A systematic review.

Movement variability during repetitive performance of a dynamic activity (eg, running, jumping, kicking) is considered an integral characteristic of optimal movement execution; however, its relationship with musculo-skeletal injury is not known. The primary aim of this study was to review published comparison trials to determine whether movement variability differs between uninjured controls and subjects with a lower limb musculo-skeletal injury. A systematic search of online databases; MEDLINE, Sports Discus, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from July to November 2016. Studies were selected if they (a) included participants with a lower limb injury, (b) compared injured participants to uninjured controls, (c) examined movement variability for at least one dependent variable, and (d) provided a statistical between-group comparison when comparing measures of movement variability. Studies were excluded if they (a) investigated neurological disorders, (b) examined musculo-skeletal injury in the upper extremity or spine, and (c) used nonlinear measures to examine variability (ie, complexity). A significant difference between injured and uninjured populations was reported in 73% of the included studies, and of these, 64% reported greater movement variability in the injured group. This is the first systematic review with a best-evidence synthesis investigating the association between movement variability and musculo-skeletal injury. Findings suggest that movement variability in those with a musculo-skeletal injury differs from uninjured individuals. Interestingly, there was an overall trend toward greater movement variability being associated with the injured groups, although it should be noted that this trend was not consistent across all subcategories (eg, injury type). For a clearer insight into the clinical application of variability, greater methodological homogeneity is required and prospective research is recommended.

Is stiffness related to athletic groin pain?

Athletic groin pain (AGP) is a common injury prevalent in field sports. One biomechanical measure that may be of importance for injury risk is stiffness. To date, [corrected] however, stiffness has not been examined in AGP. The primary aim was to determine whether AGP affects vertical and joint stiffness and if so, whether successful rehabilitation is associated with a change in stiffness. Sixty-five male patients with AGP and fifty male controls were recruited to this study. Assessment included a biomechanical examination of stiffness during a lateral hurdle hop test. Subjects with AGP were tested pre- and post-rehabilitation, while controls were tested once. AGP subjects were cleared for return to play in a median time of 9.14 weeks (5.14-29.0). Stiffness was significantly different at pre-rehabilitation in comparison with controls for three [corrected] of the ten stiffness values examined: ankle plantar flexor, knee extensor, hip abductor, and vertical stiffness (P <  .05, D = 0.38-0.81). [corrected]. Despite clearance for return to play, of these four variables, only hip abductor stiffness changed significantly from pre- to post-rehabilitation (P = .05, D = 0.36) [corrected] to become non-significantly different to the uninjured group (P = .23, D = 0.23). [corrected]. These findings suggest that hip abductor stiffness may represent a target for AGP rehabilitation. Conversely, given the clearance for return to play, the lower sagittal plane and vertical stiffness in the AGP group in comparison with the uninjured controls likely represents either a compensatory mechanism to reduce the risk of further injury or a consequence of neuromuscular detraining.

Epidemiology of injury in male collegiate Gaelic footballers in one season.

Despite the popularity of collegiate Gaelic football in Ireland and the recent expansion into the United Kingdom and United States, no previous study has examined injury incidence. A prospective epidemiological study was implemented to establish injury incidence in 217 (19.3 ± 1.9 years) male collegiate Gaelic footballers from two collegiate institutions in one season. An injury was defined as any injury sustained during training or competition resulting in time lost from play or athlete reported restricted performance. Athletic therapy and training students, alongside a certified athletic and rehabilitation therapist, attended all training/matches over one season, and injuries were recorded using a standardized injury report form. The match injury rate was 25.1 injuries per 1000 h, with a significantly higher match injury rate noted in fresher players (players in their 1st year of higher education) (41.6 injuries per 1000 h) than senior players (12.7 injuries per 1000 h). Lower limb injuries were predominant (71.1%), particularly in the hamstring (15.5%), knee (14.1%), and ankle (11.3%). Soft-tissue injuries predominated, particularly strains (32.4%) and sprains (27.5%). A scan and surgery was required in 31% and 12% of injuries, respectively. Thus, injuries are prevalent in male collegiate Gaelic football, and injury prevention programs are required.

Athletic groin pain (part 2): a prospective cohort study on the biomechanical evaluation of change of direction identifies three clusters of movement patterns.

BACKGROUND: Athletic groin pain (AGP) is prevalent in sports involving repeated accelerations, decelerations, kicking and change-of-direction movements. Clinical and radiological examinations lack the ability to assess pathomechanics of AGP, but three-dimensional biomechanical movement analysis may be an important innovation. AIM: The primary aim was to describe and analyse movements used by patients with AGP during a maximum effort change-of-direction task. The secondary aim was to determine if specific anatomical diagnoses were related to a distinct movement strategy. METHODS: 322 athletes with a current symptom of chronic AGP participated. Structured and standardised clinical assessments and radiological examinations were performed on all participants. Additionally, each participant performed multiple repetitions of a planned maximum effort change-of-direction task during which whole body kinematics were recorded. Kinematic and kinetic data were examined using continuous waveform analysis techniques in combination with a subgroup design that used gap statistic and hierarchical clustering. RESULTS: Three subgroups (clusters) were identified. Kinematic and kinetic measures of the clusters differed strongly in patterns observed in thorax, pelvis, hip, knee and ankle. Cluster 1 (40%) was characterised by increased ankle eversion, external rotation and knee internal rotation and greater knee work. Cluster 2 (15%) was characterised by increased hip flexion, pelvis contralateral drop, thorax tilt and increased hip work. Cluster 3 (45%) was characterised by high ankle dorsiflexion, thorax contralateral drop, ankle work and prolonged ground contact time. No correlation was observed between movement clusters and clinically palpated location of the participant's pain. CONCLUSIONS: We identified three distinct movement strategies among athletes with long-standing groin pain during a maximum effort change-of-direction task These movement strategies were not related to clinical assessment findings but highlighted targets for rehabilitation in response to possible propagative mechanisms. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02437942, pre results.

Epidemiology of Injury in Gaelic Handball.

The initial step in developing injury prevention strategies is to establish the epidemiology of injury. However there has been no published research on injury in Gaelic handball. This study describes the epidemiology of injury in 75 Gaelic handball players utilising a retrospective questionnaire. 88% of participants reported one or more injuries. Injuries to the upper limb were prevalent (52.9%), followed by the lower limb (30.3%). The shoulder (17.6%), finger (10.5%) and ankle (9.8%) were the primary sites of injury. Injuries occurred most frequently in December (9.7%), January (9.7%), February (9.7%) and November (8.7%). Injuries predominantly occurred during games (82.4%). Injuries were primarily severe (54.7%), with 14.6% of participants admitted to hospital due to injury. Given that this is the only study on Gaelic handball to date, prospective epidemiological studies and further research on injury prevention strategies are necessary.

A 4-week instructed minimalist running transition and gait-retraining changes plantar pressure and force.

The purpose of this study is to compare changes in plantar pressure and force using conventional running shoes (CRS) and minimalist footwear (MFW) pre and post a 4-week MFW familiarization period. Ten female runners (age: 21 ± 2 years; stature: 165.8 ± 4.5 cm; mass: 55.9 ± 3.2 kg) completed two 11 km/h treadmill runs, 24 hours apart, in both CRS and MFW (pretest). Plantar data were measured using sensory insoles for foot strike patterns, stride frequency, mean maximum force ( M ⁢ F ¯ ), mean maximum pressure ( M ⁢ P ¯ ) and eight mean maximum regional pressures. Subjects then completed a 4-week familiarization period consisting of running in MFW and simple gait-retraining, before repeating the tests (posttest). During the pretests, 30% of subjects adopted a forefoot strike in MFW, following familiarization this increased to 80%; no change occurred in CRS. A significant decrease in M ⁢ F ¯ in both MFW and CRS (P = 0.024) was observed from pre-post, and a significant decrease in heel pressures in MFW. M ⁢ P ¯ was higher in MFW throughout testing (P < 0.001).A 4-week familiarization to MFW resulted in a significant reduction in M ⁢ F ¯ in both the CRS and MFW conditions, as well as a reduction in heel pressures. Higher M ⁢ P ¯ was observed throughout testing in the MFW condition.

[Validation study of attachment questionnaire in adolescents]. / Estudio de validación de un cuestionario de apego en adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: There are not enough specially developed tools to study attachment during adolescence in our country. The objective of this research is to adapt and validate the AAQ (Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire) for the Chilean population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 199 adolescents between 11 and 19 years old. The AAQ is a self-report questionnaire consisting of 9 items, three scales of three statements each: a) Availability scale; b) Goal corrected Partnership scale and c) Angry distress scale. The items were answered with Likert-type responses. The AAAQ was originally validated in a sample of 824 adolescents, 691 of which corresponded to non-clinical population and 133 corresponded to clinical population, demonstrating satisfactory internal reliability. To create the spanish version of the questionnaire, a translation-retranslation procedure was used evaluating semantic, content, construct and reliability validity. RESULTS: The results showed adequate internal consistency of the instrument with Cronbach alpha's values between 0.52 and 0.74. Also, the factorial structure of the AAQ English version was replicated. Finally, temporary rules for the interpretation of results that consider age differences for one of the 3 scales are presented. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the instrument is suitable for use because it is a short self-administered questionnaire that shows similar psychometric characteristics to the original English version.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of Emerging Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 Isolates Detected in 2020 in the United States.

Five rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) coding-complete genome sequences were obtained from the livers of domestic and wild rabbits during the 2020 outbreak in the United States. These represent the first available RHDV2 sequences from the United States.

The effects of rehabilitation on the biomechanics of patients with athletic groin pain.

This study sought to investigate the kinematic and kinetic variables that change in patients with athletic groin pain (AGP) after a successful exercise intervention. The kinematic and kinetic measures of subjects with AGP (n = 65) that completed a lateral hurdle hop, pre and post an exercise rehabilitation program were compared to a control group of matched uninjured individuals (n = 50). Analysis of Characterising Phases was used to identify differences in kinematic and kinetic measures between the groups. AGP subjects returned to pain-free participation in sport in a median time of 9.14 weeks (5.14-29.0). In total 18 different biomechanical variables were significantly different between the AGP group and the uninjured group pre-rehabilitation. Of these, seven variables were no longer significantly different between the AGP group post-rehabilitation and the uninjured group. These seven variables may represent the factors most related to return to play in this cohort and are potential targets for rehabilitation.

Genome Sequences of Vesicular Stomatitis Indiana Viruses from the 2019 Outbreak in the Southwest United States.

We report the genomes of three vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSIV) isolates collected from naturally infected bovines in Wyoming and Colorado during the 2019 outbreak in the United States. These genomes support molecular diagnostic efforts and provide data on the spread and ecology of VSIV in the United States.

Taking a risk perception approach to improving beach swimming safety.

BACKGROUND: Beach swimming is generally associated with a healthy lifestyle, yet the risk of drowning is universally significant. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors associated with safe swimming behavior using protection motivation theory as a guiding theoretical framework. METHOD: This cross-sectional study surveyed a sample of beachgoers (N = 3371) aged > or =16 years who completed an anonymous, self-report questionnaire to assess the associations between perceptions of the risk of drowning and safe swimming behavior. RESULTS: Compared with males, females perceived greater severity, vulnerability, response efficacy, and concern regarding their risk of drowning. Males, Maori, and 16 to 29 year olds reported higher self-efficacy scores compared to females, other ethnic groups, and older participants, respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, people perceiving a greater threat (severity) of experiencing difficulty while swimming as well as those reporting higher response efficacy (beliefs about the effectiveness of drowning prevention measures) were more likely to report safe swimming behavior. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of water safety education programs could be strengthened by enhancing risk appraisal and coping skills and counter-acting the tendency of males and younger adults to overestimate their swimming ability and underestimate their risk with regard to drowning.

Magnetic sources of the M50 response are localized to frontal cortex.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the source localization(s) of the midlatency auditory magnetic response M50, the equivalent of the P50 potential, a sleep state-dependent waveform known to habituate to repetitive stimulation. METHODS: We used a paired stimulus paradigm at interstimulus intervals of 250, 500 and 1000 ms, and magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings were subjected to computational methods for current density reconstruction, blind source separation, time-frequency analysis, and data visualization to characterize evoked dynamics. RESULTS: Each subject showed localization of a source for primary auditory evoked responses in the region of the auditory cortex, usually at a 20-30 ms latency. However, responses at 40-70 ms latency that also decreased following the second stimulus of a pair were not localizable to the auditory cortex, rather showing multiple sources usually including the frontal lobes. CONCLUSIONS: The M50 response, which shows habituation to repetitive stimulation, was not localized to the auditory cortex, but showed multiple sources including frontal lobes. SIGNIFICANCE: These MEG results suggest that sources for the M50 response may represent non-auditory, perhaps arousal-related, diffuse projections to the cortex.

Dose-response of the cultured bovine lens to butyl, methyl and propyl parabens.

Pre-screening of cosmetic ingredients is vital for consumer safety. Previous in vivo techniques, such as the Draize test, have proved to be unreliable in predicting ocular irritancy and therefore there is a need for alternate testing methodologies. One such test is the scanning laser in vitro assay system which quantifies irritancy based on the focusing ability of the cultured bovine lens. In combination with confocal microscopy, a more thorough documentation of ocular irritancy can be achieved. This study investigates the response of cultured bovine lenses over time to butyl, methyl and propyl parabens, which are common antimicrobial agents found in cosmetic and ophthalmic products. The focusing ability of the lens was measured with an automated laser scanner over a period of 96 h. At 120 h post-treatment, the lenses were analysed by using a confocal laser scanning microscope to determine the characteristics of nuclei, and the morphology and distribution of mitochondria within the lenses. Irritancy to the three parabens was investigated at both an optical and cellular level. Each of the parabens was tested at 0.002% and 0.2%, where the 0.2% butyl paraben was found to be the most irritating.

Effects of high inclusion of soybean meal and a phytase superdose on growth performance of weaned pigs housed under the rigors of commercial conditions.

Two studies were conducted to determine whether soybean meal (SBM) use in nursery pig diets can be increased by superdosing with phytase. In Exp. 1, 2,550 pigs (BW of 5.54 ± 0.09 kg) were used to evaluate the optimal level of phytase in low- or high-SBM diets. Two SBM levels (low and high) and 4 phytase doses (0, 1,250, 2,500, and 3,750 phytase units [FTU]/kg) were combined to create 8 dietary treatments in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. Pigs were fed a 3-phase feeding program, with each period being 10, 10, and 22 d, respectively. Inclusion of low and high SBM was 15.0 and 25.0%, respectively, for Phase 1; 19.0 and 29.0%, respectively, for Phase 2; and 32.5% for the common Phase 3 diet. Pigs fed diets with high SBM had improved G:F for Phase 1 and 2 and overall ( < 0.01) compared with low-SBM diets. Phytase quadratically improved G:F during Phase 3 and overall ( < 0.05), with the optimum phytase dose being 2,500 FTU/kg. High-SBM diets tended ( = 0.09) to decrease stool firmness (determined daily from d 1 to 10) only on d 2. In Exp. 2, 2,112 pigs (BW of 5.99 ± 0.10 kg) were used to evaluate the impact of high levels of SBM and phytase on performance, stool firmness, mortality, and morbidity in weaned pigs originating from a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus-positive sow farm. Pigs were fed a 3-phase feeding program as in Exp. 1. Three levels of SBM (low, medium, or high) and 2 phytase levels (600 or 2,600 FTU) were combined to create 6 dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Inclusion of SBM was 15.0, 22.5, and 30.0% for Phase 1 and 20.0, 27.5, and 35.0% for Phase 2 for low, medium, and high SBM, respectively, and 29.0% for the common Phase 3 diet. Inclusion of SBM did not affect growth performance. The percentage of pigs removed for medical treatment linearly declined with increasing SBM levels ( = 0.04). High-SBM diets tended ( < 0.10) to decrease stool firmness during d 4 and 5 and high phytase tended ( < 0.10) to improve stool firmness on d 2 and 4. Analyzed PRRS titers in saliva samples collected on d 20 and 42 confirmed the PRRS status of the pigs; however, viral load was not impacted by dietary treatments ( ≥ 0.11). Results indicate that SBM levels in early nursery diets can be increased without decreasing growth performance and may be favorable in pigs originating from PRRS-positive sow farms by reducing costs of medical treatments. Supplementation of phytase at superdose levels can improve growth performance independently from the level of SBM in the diet.

Parental perceptions of toddler water safety, swimming ability and swimming lessons.

The primary objective of the study was to examine parental perceptions on the role of toddler swimming ability and pre-school swimming lessons in drowning prevention. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on toddler water safety from parents (n = 882) whose 2 - 4-year-old toddlers were either attending early childhood centres (n = 327) or who were enrolled in swim schools (n = 555). Differences in attitudes between two groups of parents were measured by frequency, with Mann-Whitney U tests used to discern significant differences between groups. More swim school parents believed that: swimming was best taught at 2 years of age or less (42% vs. 29%); swimming lessons were the best way to prevent toddler drowning (57% vs. 47%); toddlers could learn to save themselves if they fell into water (43% vs. 33%); and that it was better to develop swimming ability rather than rely on adult supervision (35% vs. 30%). Many parents have an overly optimistic view of the role of swimming ability and pre-school swimming lessons in drowning prevention. This was especially so for parents with toddlers enrolled in lessons. Swim schools in particular need to counter parental misconceptions of the protective role of swimming and reiterate the importance of close adult supervision of toddlers around water.