@article{ref1,
title="Low body mass and aerobic running fitness increase injury risk in elite Australian football",
journal="International journal of sports physiology and performance",
year="2014",
author="Gastin, Paul B. and Meyer, Denny and Huntsman, Emy and Cook, Jill",
volume="10",
number="4",
pages="458-463",
abstract="PURPOSE: To assess the relationships between player characteristics (including age, playing experience, ethnicity, physical fitness) and in-season injury in elite Australian rules football. <br><br>DESIGN: Single cohort, prospective, longitudinal study. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1555-0265",
doi="10.1123/ijspp.2014-0257",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0257"
}