Epidemiology of injuries in hurling: a prospective study 2007–2011

Abstract

ObjectivesHurling is a stick handling game which, although native to Ireland, has international reach and presence. The aim of this study was to report incidence and type of injuries incurred by elite male hurling players over five consecutive playing seasons.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingMale intercounty elite sports teams participating in the National GAA Injury Database, 2007–2011.ParticipantsA total of 856 players in 25 county teams were enrolled.Primary and secondary outcomesIncidence, nature and mechanism of injury were recorded by team physicians or physiotherapists to a secure online data collection portal. Time-loss injury rates per 1000 training and match play hours were calculated and injury proportions were expressed.ResultsIn total 1030 injuries were registered, giving a rate of 1.2 injuries per player. These were sustained by 71% (n=608) of players. Injury incidence rate was 2.99 (95% CI 2.68 to 3.30) per 1000 training hours and 61.75 (56.75 to 66.75) per 1000 match hours. Direct player-to-player contact was recorded in 38.6% injuries, with sprinting (24.5%) and landing (13.7%) the next most commonly reported injury mechanisms. Median duration of time absent from training or games, where the player was able to return in the same season, was 12 days (range 2–127 days). The majority (68.3%) of injuries occurred in the lower limbs, with 18.6% in the upper limbs. The trunk and head/neck regions accounted for 8.6% and 4.1% injuries, respectively. The distribution of injury type was significantly different (p<0.001) between upper and lower extremities: fractures (upper 36.1%, lower 1.5%), muscle strain (upper 5.2%, lower 45.8%).ConclusionsThese data provide stable, multiannual data on injury patterns in hurling, identifying the most common injury problems. This is the first step in applying a systematic, theory-driven injury prevention model in the sport.

Epidemiology of injury in male adolescent Gaelic games

“…2,12 Lower limb injuries were predominant with a similar rate noted in adolescent Gaelic footballers as the 70-77% reported in adult players. 1,12,15 However, lower limb injuries were less frequent in adolescent hurlers than adolescent footballers and adult hurlers (70.1%), 2 most likely due to the high prevalence of lower back injuries noted in this population. This high incidence in adolescent hurlers could be due to the twisting nature of the sport, increased physicality of the game of hurling or poor posture in adolescent males.…”

“…Table 3 Mechanism and month of injury. 2,12 Match injuries were more frequent in hurling than football which could be due to the enhanced physicality of hurling 2 and has been demonstrated in previous research in adult Gaelic games. 2,12 Lower limb injuries were predominant with a similar rate noted in adolescent Gaelic footballers as the 70-77% reported in adult players.…”

“…2,12 Match injuries were more frequent in hurling than football which could be due to the enhanced physicality of hurling 2 and has been demonstrated in previous research in adult Gaelic games. 2,12 Lower limb injuries were predominant with a similar rate noted in adolescent Gaelic footballers as the 70-77% reported in adult players. 1,12,15 However, lower limb injuries were less frequent in adolescent hurlers than adolescent footballers and adult hurlers (70.1%), 2 most likely due to the high prevalence of lower back injuries noted in this population.…”

“…Not only do these studies vary in their research design, study length, definition of injury and reporting procedures, they also have primarily focused on elite adult players. 5,11,12 In fact, no epidemiological data is available on adolescent hurling injuries and only a single study has been published on adolescent Gaelic footballers. 13 In addition, it is relatively common for adolescents to play both Gaelic football and hurling.…”

Eye safety in hurling: a few remaining blind spots?

“…Prior to the compulsory introduction of helmets and faceguards, injuries to the head and face were endemic in the game [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. To this end, recent years have seen the almost complete eradication of these types of injuries, no more so than in the highly emotive area of ocular injury where even minor trauma can have devastating consequences for vision [10][11][12]. The present case series highlights a number of key areas that still need to be addressed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) if the risk of ocular injury and the potential for permanent sight loss is to be reduced further.…”