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154 A study of risk factors for chronic exercise -related groin pain in elite Australian football players
154
A study of risk factors for chronic exercise -related ~roin paintin elite Australian Football players Brukner*, A. Stanley & K. Bennell Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, University of Melbourne
Groin pain is the second most common injury at the elite-level of football. The aims of this research was to establish risk factors for chronic groin pain at the elite-level of Australian football and to provide information for the development of prevention strategies for elite players. A questionnaire was designed and administered to 113 AFL players in their first and second seasons, 24 of whom had had chronic groin pain within the previous 2 years, 89 who had not. The questionnaire included player details; general training, weights, running and kicking training history over the previous 12 months; injury history and sporting history.The presence of potential risk factors was compared between those with and without groin pain. Most training parameters showed no statistical difference. In particular there was no difference between the groups in amounts of weight training, running training, games played and hours trained. Footballers with groin pain did more skills sessions per week (3.5 v. 3.1), more calf raises per week (23.4. v 13.5) and kicked more with their preferred leg (65 v 60%). There were significant differences in parameters related to treatment of groin pain with those suffering groin pain doing more core stability hours per week (1.7 v. 0.8) and more Pilates sessions (0.9 v. 0.3). 42% of players stated that the onset of their groin pain coincided with a change in training schedule and 46% with return to training from a break.
155
Injury prevention program for AFL at the Adelaide Football Club
I..,
J. Mack*, K. Whitford & T. Jaques Adelaide Football Club
O
From 1996 to 1999 at the Adelaide Football Club in the AFL there was a noticeable increase in games O missed through injury. In 2000 an injury prevention program was established to reduce the rate of the possibly preventable soft tissue injuries. A review of all areas was conducted. All aspects of fitness needed to be included from the start of preseason rather than periodisation of training. Training became more individualized according to position played, age and injury history. More thorough medical and L_ physiotherapy screenings were performed on all players and each player received individual preventative M= exercise programs. Injury prevention classes were included. External consultants were used. There was input into warm up and down, recovery and weight training. Common findings from the screening process in injury prone individuals were: previous injury, lack of core stability, pelvic dysfunction, specific flexibility deficits, particularly unilaterally, in iliotibial bands, hip internal rotation and ankle dorsiflexion, poor functional control, lack of strength and endurance around the hips. These factors, as well as eccentric conditioning, were addressed in individual and group programs. Results have been encouraging with 12 games missed through soft tissue injury in 2003 compared with 111 in 1997 and a 7 year average of 63 games missed. Hamstring injuries have reduced from 49 games missed in 1999 to 4 games in 2003. Groin injuries have been more cyclical with 18 and 19 games missed in 1996 and 1997 respectively, 1 game in 2000, 14 games in 2002 and only 1 game in 2003. , m
90
A study of risk factors for chronic exercise -related ~roin paintin elite Australian Football players Brukner*, A. Stanley & K. Bennell Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, University of Melbourne
Groin pain is the second most common injury at the elite-level of football. The aims of this research was to establish risk factors for chronic groin pain at the elite-level of Australian football and to provide information for the development of prevention strategies for elite players. A questionnaire was designed and administered to 113 AFL players in their first and second seasons, 24 of whom had had chronic groin pain within the previous 2 years, 89 who had not. The questionnaire included player details; general training, weights, running and kicking training history over the previous 12 months; injury history and sporting history.The presence of potential risk factors was compared between those with and without groin pain. Most training parameters showed no statistical difference. In particular there was no difference between the groups in amounts of weight training, running training, games played and hours trained. Footballers with groin pain did more skills sessions per week (3.5 v. 3.1), more calf raises per week (23.4. v 13.5) and kicked more with their preferred leg (65 v 60%). There were significant differences in parameters related to treatment of groin pain with those suffering groin pain doing more core stability hours per week (1.7 v. 0.8) and more Pilates sessions (0.9 v. 0.3). 42% of players stated that the onset of their groin pain coincided with a change in training schedule and 46% with return to training from a break.
155
Injury prevention program for AFL at the Adelaide Football Club
I..,
J. Mack*, K. Whitford & T. Jaques Adelaide Football Club
O
From 1996 to 1999 at the Adelaide Football Club in the AFL there was a noticeable increase in games O missed through injury. In 2000 an injury prevention program was established to reduce the rate of the possibly preventable soft tissue injuries. A review of all areas was conducted. All aspects of fitness needed to be included from the start of preseason rather than periodisation of training. Training became more individualized according to position played, age and injury history. More thorough medical and L_ physiotherapy screenings were performed on all players and each player received individual preventative M= exercise programs. Injury prevention classes were included. External consultants were used. There was input into warm up and down, recovery and weight training. Common findings from the screening process in injury prone individuals were: previous injury, lack of core stability, pelvic dysfunction, specific flexibility deficits, particularly unilaterally, in iliotibial bands, hip internal rotation and ankle dorsiflexion, poor functional control, lack of strength and endurance around the hips. These factors, as well as eccentric conditioning, were addressed in individual and group programs. Results have been encouraging with 12 games missed through soft tissue injury in 2003 compared with 111 in 1997 and a 7 year average of 63 games missed. Hamstring injuries have reduced from 49 games missed in 1999 to 4 games in 2003. Groin injuries have been more cyclical with 18 and 19 games missed in 1996 and 1997 respectively, 1 game in 2000, 14 games in 2002 and only 1 game in 2003. , m
90