P42 A 9-year prospective study of ankle sprains in elite gaelic football. (17th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roe, M; Delahunt, E; Murphy, JC; Gissane, C; Blake, C
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 51(2017)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A29
• Page End: A29
• Publication Date: 2017-09-17
• Subjects: Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-anklesymp.74
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Study Design: Prospective cohort. Objective: To desribe incidence of ankle sprain injuries in elite Gaelic football. Background: Ankle sprains are a common injury in field sports, however, epidemiological data to guide injury prevention programmes have yet to be reported in Gaelic football. Methods and Measures: Sixteen elite Gaelic football teams supplied exposure and time-loss injury datasets for n=33 seasons to the National GAA Injury Surveillance Database from 2008 to 2016. Results: Ankle sprains (n=121) accounted for 7.3% (95% CI 6.0–8.6) of all injuries. Prevalence was 7.0% (95% CI 5.7–8.2) per season. Incidence was 0.6 (95% CI 0.5–0.7) per 1000 exposure hours yet 13.5-times (95% CI 9.2–19.8) greater in match-play (3.2, 95% CI 2.4–3.9) than in training (0.2, 95% CI 0.2–0.3). The median team rate per season was 3 (IQR 2–5). Most ankle sprains occurred during match-play (59.7%, 95% CI 51.2–68.1). Contact with another player was reponsible for 18.5% (95% CI 11.8–25.2) of injuries. Acute onset was associated with 89.1% (95% CI 83.2–94.1). Overall, 16.1% (95% CI 18.5–34.5) of injuries were classified as recurrent with 34.1% of these (95% CI 10.3–41.4) sustained ≤8 weeks following return to play. Mean time-loss was 21.8 days (95% CI 16.6–28.2) with 67.1% (95% CI 59.8–74.8) of players returning to play within the same season. Previous injury increased odds of a sustaining an ankle sprain (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5–6.8). Incidence rate ratio was greatest for goalkeepers (2.1, 95% CI 1.1–4.1) and midfield players (1.4, 95% CI 0.9–2.2) when compared to other playing positions. Conclusion: The high proportion of non-contact ankle sprains suggests the need to review current risk management strategies. Focus should be directed towards increased rates during match-play, across playing positions, and among previously injured players.