January 21, 2005Open Access
Risk factors for hamstring injuries in community level Australian football
Key Result
Older age (≥23 years) increased the risk of hamstring injury (RR 3.8; 95% CI 1.1-14.0), while increased quadriceps flexibility reduced the risk (RR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.8).
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=126)
Structured PICO
What are the independent predictors of hamstring injury in community level Australian football players?
P
Population
126 community level Australian football players monitored over a full season to identify risk factors for hamstring injury.
O
Outcome
Time to sustaining a hamstring injury
Older age and decreased quadriceps flexibility are significant independent predictors of hamstring injury in community level Australian football players.
Main Result
Relative Risk: 3.8 (95% CI 1.1–14)
p-value: p=0.044
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for hamstring injury at the community level of Australian football. METHODS: A total of 126 community level Australian football players participated in this prospective cohort study. To provide baseline measurements, they completed a questionnaire and had a musculoskeletal screen during the 2000 preseason. All were monitored over the season. Injury surveillance and exposure data were collected for the full season. Survival analysis was used to identify independent predictors of hamstring injury. RESULTS: A hamstring injury was the first injury of the season in 20 players (16%). After adjustment for exposure, increasing age and decreased quadriceps flexibility were identified as significant independent predictors of the time to sustaining a hamstring injury. Older age (> or =23 years) was associated with an increased risk of hamstring injury (RR 3.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 14.0; p = 0.044). Players with increased quadriceps flexibility (as measured by the modified Thomas test) were less likely to sustain a hamstring injury (RR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8; p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study can be used in the development of hamstring injury prevention strategies and to identify Australian football players at increased risk of hamstring injury.