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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Mechanisms of injury for concussions in university football, ice hockey, and soccer: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mechanisms of injury for concussions in university football, ice hockey, and soccer. DESIGN: Prospective analysis. SETTING: McGill University. PATIENTS: All athletes participating in varsity football, ice hockey, and soccer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Athletes participating in university varsity football, ice hockey, and soccer were followed prospectively to determine the mechanisms of injury for concussions, whether certain mechanisms of injury causing concussions were more common in any of the three sports, whether different areas of the body seem to be more vulnerable to a concussion after contact, and whether these areas might be predisposed to higher grades of concussion after contact. RESULTS: There were 69 concussions in 60 athletes over a 3-year period. Being hit in the head or helmet was the most common mechanism of injury for all 3 sports. The side/temporal area of the head or helmet was the most probable area to be struck, resulting in concussion for both football and soccer. When examining the body part or object delivering the concussive blow, contact with another player's helmet was the most probable mechanism in football. CONCLUSION: The mechanisms of injury for concussions in football are similar to previously published research on professional football players. The mechanisms of injury for concussions in soccer are similar to past research on Australian rules football and rugby.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Growth status and estimated growth rate of youth football players: a community-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the growth status of participants in community-sponsored youth football programs and to estimate rates of growth in height and weight. DESIGN: Mixed-longitudinal over 2 seasons. SETTING: Two communities in central Michigan. PARTICIPANTS: Members of 33 youth football teams in 2 central Michigan communities in the 2000 and 2001 seasons (Mid-Michigan PONY Football League). METHODS: Height and weight of all participants were measured prior to each season, 327 in 2000 and 326 in 2001 (n = 653). The body mass index (kg/m) was calculated. Heights and weights did not differ from season to season and between the communities; the data were pooled and treated cross-sectionally. Increments of growth in height and weight were estimated for 166 boys with 2 measurements approximately 1 year apart to provide an estimate of growth rate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Growth status (size-attained) of youth football players relative to reference data (CDC) for American boys and estimated growth rate relative to reference values from 2 longitudinal studies of American boys. RESULTS: Median heights of youth football players approximate the 75th percentiles, while median weights approximate the 75th percentiles through 11 years and then drift toward the 90th percentiles of the reference. Median body mass indexes of youth football players fluctuate about the 85th percentiles of the reference. Estimated growth rates in height approximate the reference and may suggest earlier maturation, while estimated growth rates in weight exceed the reference. CONCLUSION: Youth football players are taller and especially heavier than reference values for American boys. Estimated rates of growth in height approximate medians for American boys and suggest earlier maturation. Estimated rates of growth in weight exceed those of the reference and may place many youth football players at risk for overweight/obesity, which in turn may be a risk factor for injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Assessment and evaluation of football performance.

The most important variables for measuring performance in team sports such as football are physical condition and technical and tactical performance. However, because of the complexity of the game of football it is difficult to ascertain the relative importance of each of these variables. The aim of the present study was to develop a standardized test battery to evaluate physical performance in football players. The F-MARC test battery was designed to closely relate to the football player's normal activity and comprised a functional, structured training session of approximately 2.5 hours. It included a "quality rating" of the warm-up procedure, tests of flexibility, football skills, power, speed, and endurance. The players finished with a cool-down. A total of 588 football players underwent the F-MARC test battery. Mean values for performance on each test are presented for groups of differing age and skill levels. The test battery proved to be a feasible instrument to assess both physical performance and football skills. This study supports the proposal by Balsom (1994) that analysis of an individual player's physical profile, in relation to mean values for a similar age group and skill level, might be of assistance to the coach in objectively evaluating the effects of a specific training program. It may also be of use to the physician and physical therapist responsible for monitoring progress during rehabilitation after football injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A physiological review of American football.

American football has been one of the most popular sports in North America within the past century and has recently received support and increased participation from European nations. Two of the biggest concerns regarding participation in American football are the high incidence of injury and the physical demand for preparation. A basic understanding of the physiological systems utilised in the sport of football is necessary in order to develop optimal training programmes geared specifically for preparation as well as the requirements of individual field positions. Previously, it has been assumed that football relies primarily on an anaerobic source of energy for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resynthesis with approximately 90% coming from the phosphocreatine (PCr) energy system. In lieu of research conducted specifically with football players, it appears that the energy contribution from the anaerobic glycolytic pathway in this sport has been underestimated. The elevated blood lactate levels observed in football players following game participation cast doubt on this hypothesis. Identifying position specific characteristics may also enhance the development of training programmes based on the requirements of the different positions. It appears that offensive and defensive linemen are generally larger, have higher levels of percent body fat and have greater absolute strength scores than all other positions. Offensive backs, defensive backs and wide receivers tend to display the lowest percentages of body fat, lower absolute strength scores, fastest times over 5, 10, 40 and 300m and the highest relative VO2max values. Linebackers appeared to represent a transition group mid way between the backs and linemen for size, body composition, strength, speed and endurance as well as positional duties. Findings within the literature suggest that a lack of cardiovascular development of university and professional football players may prove to be a hindrance to performance with specific regards to thermal regulation. Additional aerobic conditioning as well as the reduction of percent body fat would not only enhance performance, but might play a key role in preventing injuries and allowing a smoother transition into life after football.

Body Composition↗
PubMed2002

Is there a relationship between ground and climatic conditions and injuries in football?

Most soccer, rugby union, rugby league, American football, Australian football and Gaelic football competitions over the world are played on natural grass over seasons that commence in the early autumn (fall) and extend through winter. Injury surveillance in these competitions has usually reported high rates of injury to the lower limb and an increased incidence of injuries early in the season. This 'early-season' bias has not usually been reported in summer football competitions, or in sports played indoors, such as basketball. Although easily compared rates have not often been published there has also been a reported trend towards a greater injury incidence in football played in warmer and/or drier conditions. Injury incidence in American football played on artificial turf has often been reported to be higher than in games played on natural grass. This review concludes that the most plausible explanation for all of these reported findings involves variations in playing surface characteristics. Shoe-surface traction for the average player is the specific relevant variable that is most likely to correlate with injury incidence in a given game of football. Shoe-surface traction will usually have a positive correlation with ground hardness, dryness, grass cover and root density, length of cleats on player boots and relative speed of the game. It is possible that measures to reduce shoe-surface traction, such as, ground watering and softening, play during the winter months, use of natural grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and player use of boots with shorter cleats, would all reduce the risk of football injuries. The most pronounced protective effect is likely to be on injuries to the lower limb of a noncontact nature, including anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Intervention studies should be performed, both using randomised and historical controls.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2002

Anthropometric and fitness profiles of elite players in two football codes.

BACKGROUND: The aims were to describe anthropometric and performance characteristics of elite players in two football codes and explore the differences between them. METHODS: Data were compared by means of "t"-tests. SUBJECTS: subjects were 19 professional soccer players and 33 inter-county Gaelic football players. SETTINGS: measurements were made on members of a Premier League soccer team throughout their regular season, whilst the Gaelic footballers were members of the Mayo squad preparing for the 1999 All-Ireland championship. RESULTS: The variability in stature was significantly greater in the soccer players compared to the Gaelic footballers (p<0.01). Performances in the 10-m and 30-m sprints, and in vertical jump were superior in the soccer group compared to the Gaelic footballers (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The intra-group variability on the anthropometric and performance measures of the soccer players is likely to be due to the specificity of positional roles. The combined groups could be described as lean and muscular with a reasonably high level of capacity in all areas of physical performance. Anaerobic characteristics of the professional soccer players were superior to those of Gaelic football players. It is concluded that anthropometric and performance assessment of elite footballers using mean values masks the heterogeneity evident within the football codes.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The social learning of aggression in youth football in the United States.

Our investigation was designed to examine a) the extent to which young male football players and nonplayers learned about illegal aggressive actions through the observation of college and professional football; b) if there was a relationship between youth football players' observations of illegal aggressive acts and the transmission of those acts to players' own games; and c) if there were differences between high school players' and youth league players' awareness of illegal aggressive acts and the use of those acts in their games. The volunteer subjects were 347 high school football players and 122 high school nonplayers between the ages of 15 and 18 years, and 125 youth league football players and 133 junior high or middle school nonplayers between the ages of 12 and 14 years. Results revealed that players consumed significantly more college and professional football than nonplayers. Although statistically significant, players learned, through observation, only one more illegal aggressive act on the average than nonplayers. High school players learned an average of only 1.4 more aggressive acts than youth league players. Results also revealed significant correlations between the number of illegal aggressive acts that players observed and the number of those acts used in their own games for both high school (r = .62) and youth league (r = .50) players. It appears that many illegal aggressive acts are observed through college and professional football by young football players and nonplayers and a relationship exists between the observation of illegal acts and their subsequent use in players' games.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Enhanced bone mass and physical fitness in prepubescent footballers.

Not much is known about the osteogenic effects of sport activities before puberty. We tested the hypothesis that football (soccer) participation is associated with enhanced bone mineral content (BMC) and areal density (BMD) in prepubertal boys. One hundred four healthy white boys (9.3 +/- 0.2 years, Tanner stages I-II) participated in this study: 53 footballers and 51 controls. The footballers devoted at least 3 h per week to participation in football, while the controls did not perform in any kind of regular physical activity other than that programmed during the compulsory physical education courses. Bone variables were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The maximal leg extension isometric force in the squat position with knees bent at 90 degrees and the peak force, mean power, and height jumped during vertical jumps were assed with a force plate. Additionally, 30-m running speed, 300-m run (anaerobic capacity), and 20-m shuttle-run tests (maximal aerobic power) were also performed. Compared to the controls, the footballers attained better results in the physical fitness test and had lower body mass (-10%, P < 0.05) due to a reduced percentage of body fat (4% less, P < 0.05). The footballers exhibit enhanced trochanteric BMC (+17%, P < 0.001). Likewise, femoral and lumbar spine BMD were also greater in the football players (P </= 0.05). The femoral and lumbar BMC, and to a lower extent the BMD, were correlated with the lower limb muscle mass and the whole body lean mass. Interestingly, among all physical fitness variables, the maximal isometric force showed the highest correlation with total and regional BMC and BMD. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the 30-m running speed test, combined with the height and body mass, has predictive value for whole-body BMC (r = 0.92, P < 0.001) and BMD (r = 0.69, P < 0.001) in prepubescent boys. In summary, football participation is associated with improved physical fitness, reduced fat mass, increased lean body and BMC masses, and enhanced femoral and lumbar spine BMD in prepubertal boys. The combination of anthropometric and fitness variables may be useful to detect children with potentially reduced bone mass.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Two case reports of cervical spinal cord injury in football (soccer) players.

STUDY DESIGN: Two case reports of male football players who sustained injury to cervical spinal cord as a direct result of the sport. OBJECTIVE: To raise the awareness that playing football (soccer), a very popular sport, may cause injury to the cervical spinal cord with dire consequences, albeit rarely. SETTING: North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport, UK. CASE REPORT: We report two male football players, who sustained injury to the cervical spine and developed tetraplegia as a direct result of the sport. Case 1: A 21-year-old football player was tackled from behind while running with the football, he lost his balance and landed on his head resulting in burst fracture dislocation of C5/C6 associated with immediate onset of complete tetraplegia (ASIA-A). Case 2: A 24-year-old football player collided, head first, with his own team goalkeeper, causing a hyperextension of neck. He developed motor complete tetraplegia at C5 level, with some sensation sparing below the level of injury (ASIA-B). CONCLUSION: Injury to the cervical spinal cord is known to occur in some team contact sports such as rugby and American football. Over time the laws and the preparation of the athletes for these games have been changed in order to minimize the neck injuries. What might not be appreciated is that playing football (soccer), a very popular sport worldwide, may cause injury to cervical spinal cord with dire consequences.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Higher and lower extremity vein color duplex sonography in highly qualified football players and wrestlers.

It is recognized that due to muscle exercises cardio-vascular system undergoes various morphologic and functional changes among highly qualified sportsmen. Healthy vascular system is needed to meet successfully great physical load. Aim of the search was to study higher and lower extremity venous system functional condition during physical exercise and rest among highly qualified football players and wrestlers. Highly qualified 30 wrestlers and 25 football players of age 18-25 years were studied. Olympic, World and Europe champions were included among wrestlers. Apparatus Acuson 128 X P/10 performed color duplex sonography examinations, transducers 7.5 MHz lineal. Higher and lower extremity venous screening in B regime was simultaneously performed by blood stream color cartogram and blood stream spectral analysis. Study revealed no pathology and documented about even rates among football players and wrestlers for higher and lower extremities by color duplex sonography. B-regime revealed same echonegativity of lower extremity veins among wrestlers and football players. Target veins were distinguished by echopositive vessel wall lineal structure. In color duplex regime venous lumen were evenly filled with color. Sportsmen post--physical exercise color duplex sonography examination revealed higher extremity venous lumen diameter and blood stream parameters twice exceeded among wrestlers than football players. However, time needed for the venous lumen diameter and blood stream changes was equal for both groups of sportsmen. The study revealed that football player lower extremity medial and wide calibre venous diameter 2.5-3 fold increased during post-exercise examination; lower extremity venous diameter and blood stream restores to primary parameters 30 min earlier in soccer players than in wrestlers. Thus, higher and lower extremity veins react in different ways among sportsmen of different kinds. For example lower extremity vein diameter and blood stream increases in football players more than in wrestlers, while, higher extremity veins reach higher rates in wrestlers to compare to soccer players. These evidences conclude different adaptation resources among sportsmen of different physical trainings. That is why during physical load blood circulation in down to up direction is facilitated because of lower extremity muscle contraction support in football players.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Kallikrein and kininase excretion in football players after psychophysical stress.

In eleven football players and in four football-reserve players urinary kallikrein and kininase activities were determined before and after an official match. The results showed a significant reduction of kallikrein after the match in football players when the football-reserve players were used for comparison (p less than 0.01). Kininase activity appears increased in football players after the match, but not significantly. The Kininase/Kallikrein ratio after the match resulted significantly increased in football players (p less than 0.05) and very significantly compared to the football-reserve players (p less than 0.01).

Adult↗
PubMed2026

Dose-dependent white matter changes associated with repetitive head impacts in former American football players.

Repetitive head impacts sustained during American football have been associated with neuropathological changes such as white matter shear injuries. However, the impact of specific factors, such as age of first exposure and cumulative head impact burden, on white matter integrity remains unclear. This study investigated in vivo white matter microstructural changes using diffusion tensor imaging and tract-based spatial statistics in 165 male former American football players (mean age 57.3 years, range 45-74) and 52 unexposed asymptomatic male controls (mean age 59.4 years, range 45-74) in the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. Compared to controls, former football players exhibited significantly higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in 1.97% of the white matter skeleton (1552 voxels; Cohen's d = 0.587) and higher tissue-corrected FA (FAt) in 1.48% of the white matter skeleton (1004 voxels; Cohen's d = 0.616). No significant differences were observed for mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, or free water between football players and controls. Among football players, there were no significant differences in the white matter microstructure between players diagnosed with traumatic encephalopathy syndrome and those without the diagnosis. Lower FA was significantly associated with older age (P < 0.00001) and an earlier age of first exposure to tackle football (P < 0.01), while lower FAt was associated with greater cumulative head impact burden, specifically higher linear acceleration (P < 0.04) and rotational force (P < 0.02). This study highlights the influential role of exposure factors on white matter microstructure in former American football players, as well as the utility of diffusion tensor imaging to aid in characterizing the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts in contact sport athletes.

American football↗
PubMed2005

Association between recurrent concussion and late-life cognitive impairment in retired professional football players.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral concussion is common in collision sports such as football, yet the chronic neurological effects of recurrent concussion are not well understood. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between previous head injury and the likelihood of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease in a unique group of retired professional football players with previous head injury exposure. METHODS: A general health questionnaire was completed by 2552 retired professional football players with an average age of 53.8 (+/-13.4) years and an average professional football playing career of 6.6 (+/- 3.6) years. A second questionnaire focusing on memory and issues related to MCI was then completed by a subset of 758 retired professional football players (> or = 50 yr of age). Results on MCI were then cross-tabulated with results from the original health questionnaire for this subset of older retirees. RESULTS: Of the former players, 61% sustained at least one concussion during their professional football career, and 24% sustained three or more concussions. Statistical analysis of the data identified an association between recurrent concussion and clinically diagnosed MCI (chi = 7.82, df = 2, P = 0.02) and self-reported significant memory impairments (chi = 19.75, df = 2, P = 0.001). Retired players with three or more reported concussions had a fivefold prevalence of MCI diagnosis and a threefold prevalence of reported significant memory problems compared with retirees without a history of concussion. Although there was not an association between recurrent concussion and Alzheimer's disease, we observed an earlier onset of Alzheimer's disease in the retirees than in the general American male population. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the onset of dementia-related syndromes may be initiated by repetitive cerebral concussions in professional football players.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Neck injuries presenting to emergency departments in the United States from 1990 to 1999 for ice hockey, soccer, and American football.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the number and rate of neck injuries in the community as a whole for ice hockey, soccer, and American football by analysing data from patients presenting to emergency departments in the United States from 1990 to 1999. METHODS: Data compiled for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission were used to generate estimates for the total number of neck injuries and the more specific diagnoses of neck fractures, dislocations, contusions, sprains, strains, and lacerations occurring nationally from 1990 to 1999. These data were combined with yearly participation figures to generate rates of injury presenting to emergency departments for each sport. RESULTS: There were an estimated 5038 neck injuries from ice hockey, 19,341 from soccer, and 114 706 from American football. These could be broken down as follows: 4964 contusions, sprains, or strains from ice hockey, 17,927 from soccer, and 104 483 from football; 105 neck fractures or dislocations from ice hockey, 214 from soccer, and 1588 from football; 199 neck lacerations for ice hockey, 0 for soccer, and 621 for football. The rates for total neck injuries and combined neck contusions, sprains, or strains were higher for football than for ice hockey or soccer in all years for which data were available. CONCLUSION: The rate of neck injury in the United States was higher in football than in ice hockey or soccer in the time period studied.

Football↗
PubMed2006

Catastrophic cervical spine injuries in high school and college football players.

BACKGROUND: Catastrophic cervical spine injuries in football are rare but tragic events. PURPOSE: To update the incidence of catastrophic cervical injuries in scholastic football players and identify new injury patterns. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 196 incidents of catastrophic high school and collegiate football injuries reported to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research during 13 academic years (September 1989 through June 2002). RESULTS: There were 15.08 direct catastrophic cervical spine injuries in scholastic football participants per year, an incidence of 1.10 and 4.72 injuries per 100 000 high school and 100 000 college participants, respectively. Seventy-six athletes had quadriplegia (5.85 per year), 0.50 per 100 000 high school players and 0.82 per 100 000 college players. Spear tackling by players on defense continued to be the predominant mechanism of injury causing quadriplegia. Five athletes had a Brown-Séquard-like syndrome; only 1 made a full recovery. One athlete with Brown-Séquard-like syndrome and permanent neurologic symptoms reported a cervical cord neurapraxia event before the study period. Forty-three athletes (3.31 per year) had diagnosed cervical cord neurapraxia. In addition to hyperflexion and hyperextension injuries, axial forces were found to cause cervical cord neurapraxia. Sixteen of the 43 athletes returned to football after a cervical cord neurapraxia episode, and none of the 16 suffered a permanent quadriplegic event. Nine athletes sustained an isolated injury at the C1 or C2 level, and 7 sustained a combined injury at the C1, or C2 level and at a subaxial level. CONCLUSION: The total number of quadriplegic events for high school and college football players is approximately 6 per year, with a higher incidence at the college level. Cervical cord neurapraxia can be caused by hyperflexion, hyperextension, and axial compression forces. Upper level cervical injuries involving the atlas and axis can occur in football players and may be associated with noncontiguous subaxial injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Analysis and evolution of head injury in football.

OBJECTIVE: To review head injury in football through historical, anatomic, and physiological analysis. METHODS: We obtained data from a thorough review of the literature. RESULTS: The reported incidence of concussion among high school football players dropped from 19% in 1983 to 4% in 1999. During the 1997 Canadian Football League season, players with a previous loss of consciousness in football were 6.15 times more likely to experience a concussion than players without a previous loss of consciousness (P < 0.05). Players with a previous concussion in football were 5.10 times more likely to experience a concussion than players without a previous concussion (P = 0.0001). With the implementation of National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment standards, fatalities decreased by 74% and serious head injuries decreased from 4.25 per 100,000 to 0.68 per 100,000. CONCLUSION: Significant declines in both the incidence and severity of head injury have been observed. The enhanced safety records in football can be attributed to the application of more stringent tackling regulations as well as the evolving football helmet. The role of a neurosurgeon is critical in further head injury prevention and guidelines in sport.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a National Football League player.

OBJECTIVE: We present the results of the autopsy of a retired professional football player that revealed neuropathological changes consistent with long-term repetitive concussive brain injury. This case draws attention to the need for further studies in the cohort of retired National Football League players to elucidate the neuropathological sequelae of repeated mild traumatic brain injury in professional football. METHODS: The patient's premortem medical history included symptoms of cognitive impairment, a mood disorder, and parkinsonian symptoms. There was no family history of Alzheimer's disease or any other head trauma outside football. A complete autopsy with a comprehensive neuropathological examination was performed on the retired National Football League player approximately 12 years after retirement. He died suddenly as a result of coronary atherosclerotic disease. Studies included determination of apolipoprotein E genotype. RESULTS: Autopsy confirmed the presence of coronary atherosclerotic disease with dilated cardiomyopathy. The brain demonstrated no cortical atrophy, cortical contusion, hemorrhage, or infarcts. The substantia nigra revealed mild pallor with mild dropout of pigmented neurons. There was mild neuronal dropout in the frontal, parietal, and temporal neocortex. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy was evident with many diffuse amyloid plaques as well as sparse neurofibrillary tangles and tau-positive neuritic threads in neocortical areas. There were no neurofibrillary tangles or neuropil threads in the hippocampus or entorhinal cortex. Lewy bodies were absent. The apolipoprotein E genotype was E3/E3. CONCLUSION: This case highlights potential long-term neurodegenerative outcomes in retired professional National Football League players subjected to repeated mild traumatic brain injury. The prevalence and pathoetiological mechanisms of these possible adverse long-term outcomes and their relation to duration of years of playing football have not been sufficiently studied. We recommend comprehensive clinical and forensic approaches to understand and further elucidate this emergent professional sport hazard.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗
PubMed1993

Football injuries in Australia at the élite level.

OBJECTIVE: To determine injury profiles for the élite level competitions of football played in Australia. DESIGN: Over the 1992 seasons, all injuries were prospectively recorded from 26 clubs in football competitions which included the Australian Football League (AFL), New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) and New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU). RESULTS: Some 2398 injuries were reported. In Australian Rules football, the most common injury was the hamstring tear (13%); this also accounted for the most time missed due to injury (16%). In rugby league and union, the most common injuries were head and facial lacerations (11% and 20%) followed by concussion (8% and 5%). The injuries accounting for most time missed were fractures and knee ligament injuries in the rugby codes. In Australian Rules football there were more lower limb muscle strain injuries, a high proportion of which were recurrences, with a significant incidence during training sessions. In the rugby codes, minor injuries to the head and neck were more common, particularly in forwards. While rugby league players suffered the most injuries, AFL injuries were on average more severe and consequently the total time missed through injury by players in these two codes was very similar. Rugby union had a significantly lower injury prevalence at the élite club competition level than rugby league or Australian Rules football. CONCLUSION: Injury rates in the élite football competitions are high, warranting ongoing analysis and further study in particular areas.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries↗