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Affiliation
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Centre for Exercise and Sport Science, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. |
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Abstract
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PURPOSE: To assess the relationships between player characteristics (including age, playing experience, ethnicity, physical fitness) and in-season injury in elite Australian rules football.
DESIGN: Single cohort, prospective, longitudinal study.
METHODS: Player characteristics (height, body mass, age, experience, ethnicity, playing position), pre-season fitness (6min run, 40m sprint, 6x40m sprint, vertical jump) and in-season injury data were collected over four seasons from one professional Australian rules football club. Data were analysed for 69 players, for a total of 3879 player rounds and 174 seasons. Injury risk (odds ratio - OR) and injury severity (matches missed; rate ratio - RR) were assessed using a series of multi-level univariate and multivariate hierarchical linear models.
RESULTS: A total of 177 injuries were recorded with 494 matches missed (2.8±3.3 matches/injury). The majority (87%) of injuries affected the lower body, with hamstring (20%) and groin/hip (14%) most prevalent. Nineteen players (28%) suffered a recurrent injury. Injury incidence was increased in players with low body mass (OR=0.887, p=0.005), poor 6 min run performance (OR=0.994, p=0.051) and playing as a forward (OR=2.216, p=0.036). Injury severity was increased in players with low body mass (RR=0.892, p 0.008), tall stature (RR=1.131, p=0.002), poor 6 min run (RR=0.990, p=0.006) and slow 40 m sprint (RR=3.963, p=0.082) performance.
CONCLUSIONS: The potential to modify intrinsic risk factors is greatest in the pre-season period and improvements in aerobic running fitness and increased body mass may protect against in-season injury in elite Australian football.
Language: en |