The development, validity and efficacy of different modes of self recall training diaries in assessing training load on Gaelic footballers

Analysing Gaelic Footballers’ training load is important, as optimal levels of training will improve sporting performance and physical well-being. However, excessive training could increase the likelihood of injury or overtraining. Aim: To develop an effective and valid method of assessing training load in Gaelic Footballers. Methods: The primary aim was achieved through the completion of four related studies. Study One: The Training Diary was developed and a pilot study was completed. Study Two: The paper and online Training Diary’s efficacy was compared over six Gaelic Football teams of both genders aged 14-30. Study Three: The Training Diary was validated against an accelerometer, SenseCam and interview. Study Four: The effect of an email and text reminder on the Training Diary was assessed. Results: The Training Diary had a high face and convergent validity against the objective methods of measurement. The average response rate for the paper, online, email and text protocols was 26.6%, 15.2%, 21.9% and 31.9% respectively. No significant difference was found between print, online, email and text protocols (p>0.05). There was a moderate significant difference between the online Training Diary and a text reminder (p0.05). Reminders, especially the text reminder were found to be statistically helpful (p<0.05). Conclusion: Training Diaries are an extremely valid and reasonably effective method of assessing training load in Gaelic Footballers. Reminders assist in increasing the response rate

Epidemiology of injury in male Irish secondary school adolescents in one academic year.

BACKGROUND:Establishing the incidence of injury is the first step in initiating injury prevention strategies. There is a lack of research on injury in Irish adolescents and this study paves the way for further injury prevention research, by implementing a prospective cohort study. PURPOSE:To establish the epidemiology of injury in male adolescents in Irish secondary schools in one academic year. METHODS:452 male 4th and 5th year adolescents (aged 15.62±0.70 years) took part in a prospective epidemiology study for one academic year. Any injury sustained during training or competition resulting in restricted performance or time lost from play was assessed weekly by an athletic rehabilitation therapist. An injury report form was completed to ensure standardisation of the injury description. RESULTS:5.16 injuries per 1,000 hours were noted, with 35.6% at risk of injury and 27.9% of injured participants at risk of sustaining another injury that school year. Competition injuries (16.91 injuries per 1,000 hours) were more common than training injuries (2.63 injuries per 1,000 hours). Lower limb injuries predominated (73.1%) with knee (17.9%), ankle (13.5%) and hamstring (11.7%) injuries most common. Strains (29.4%), sprains (20.8%), fatigue-induced muscle disorder (14.5%) and contusions (13.1%) were frequent. Injuries were primarily minor (0–7 days) (41.6%), followed by severe (>22 days) (39.7%) and moderate (8–21 days) (18.7%). CONCLUSION:Injuries are common in adolescents in Irish secondary schools and the development and implementation of injury prevention strategies are required

The association between previous running related injuries and isometric muscle strength among recreational and novice runners.

Running has many health benefits, but injuries associated with running can result in considerable health and economic burdens. This is particularly important given the reported injury incidence of between 18.2 to 92.4% Previous injury is the primary risk factor related to running injuries. As injured athletes often display deficits in neuromuscular strength, and these weaknesses may be evident at the time of return to sport it is thought that persistent residual weakness following injury may predispose an athlete to subsequent injury. To date, studies have mainly compared the neuromuscular strength of currently injured and uninjured runners. More information is needed to explore potential differences in strength among healthy runners with a history of injury, which may allow clinicians to address weaknesses and ultimately better direct treatment

Running related Injuries of Irish runners

The popularity of recreational running continues to grow nationally. Previous international research has demonstrated a very high risk of running related injuries (RRIs) in recreational runners. These injuries pose a barrier to continued training, as well as to the physical and mental health benefits associated with running. Currently, there is a paucity of epidemiological information on Irish recreational runners. Therefore, the aim of this study is to gain an understanding of the prevalence, location, type and severity of RRI’s in recreational runners in Ireland

The association between previous running related injuries and isometric muscle strength among recreational and novice runners.

Running can cause considerable health and economic burdens, with a reported injury incidence of between 18.2 to 92.4%. Strength is a factor that has widely been linked to injury, however its associations with injury among this population require further investigation. To date, studies have mainly compared the muscular strength of currently injured and uninjured runners. This study endeavours to investigate differences in isometric muscle strength among healthy runners with and without previous RRIs in the past 2 years

Hospital-treated injuries from horse riding in Victoria, Australia : Time to refocus on injury prevention?

Background The most recent report on hospital-treated horse-riding injuries in Victoria was published 20 years ago. Since then, injury countermeasures and new technology have aimed to make horse riding safer for participants. This study provides an update of horse-riding injuries that required hospital treatment in Victoria and examines changes in injury patterns compared with the earlier study. Methods Horse-riding injuries that required hospital treatment (hospital admission (HA) or emergency department (ED) presentations) were extracted from routinely collected data from public and private hospitals in Victoria from 2002–2003 to 2015–2016. Injury incidence rates per 100 000 Victorian population per financial year and age-stratified and sex-stratified injury incidence rates are presented. Poisson regression was used to examine trends in injury rates over the study period. Results ED presentation and HA rates were 31.1 and 6.6 per 100 000 person-years, increasing by 28.8% and 47.6% from 2002 to 2016, respectively. Female riders (47.3 ED and 10.1 HA per 100 000 person-years) and those aged between 10 and 14 years (87.8 ED and 15.7 HA per 100 000 person-years) had the highest incidence rates. Fractures (ED 29.4%; HA 56.5%) and head injuries (ED 15.4%; HA 18.9%) were the most common injuries. HA had a mean stay of 2.6±4.1 days, and the mean cost per HA was $A5096±8345. Conclusion Horse-riding injuries have remained similar in their pattern (eg, types of injuries) since last reported in Victoria. HA and ED incidence rates have increased over the last 14 years. Refocusing on injury prevention countermeasures is recommended along with a clear plan for implementation and evaluation of their effectiveness in reducing injury

Are internal training load measures associated with injuries in male adolescent Gaelic football players?

his study aimed to examine internal loads in male adolescent Gaelic footballers and their association with musculoskeletal injury. Written training diaries were completed by 97 male adolescent Gaelic footballers weekly and injuries, defined as any injury sustained during training or competition causing restricted performance or time lost from play, were assessed by a Certified Athletic Therapist. Daily load was determined for each player (session rating of perceived exertion by session duration) and summed to give weekly load. Univariate and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to determine the association with injury. Twenty-two injuries were recorded with match injuries significantly more common than training injuries. Periodic variations in weekly load and injuries were evident throughout the season. Univariate analysis identified weekly load (OR = 2.75; 95%CI = 1.00-7.59), monotony (OR = 4.17; 95%CI = 1.48-11.72) and absolute change in load (OR = 3.27; 95%CI = 1.15-9.32) greater than the team average were significant injury risk factors. Multiple logistic regression with 2-weekly and 3-weekly cumulative loads, absolute change, monotony, strain, ACWR and age as independent variables identified internal load measures (monotony, strain and absolute change) were associated with injury with high specificity (96.0%) but low sensitivity (25.0%). The findings highlight the need to monitor team and individual loads to avoid sudden week-to-week changes or excessive weekly loads. Open communication between players, parents, coaches and sports medicine clinicians enables effective load monitoring that can reduce injury risk and may subsequently minimise dropout, improve team success and overall sport enjoyment and promote life-long sports participation