Key result
Junior Australian football players experienced a similar frequency of head impacts compared to adult players, while midfielders in both grades had significantly higher impact frequencies.
Why the study?
Does player age (junior vs adult) or position affect the frequency and magnitude of head impacts in Australian football players?
Observational (n=24)
Does player age (junior vs adult) or position affect the frequency and magnitude of head impacts in Australian football players?
Junior Australian football players sustain a comparable amount of head impacts to adult players, with midfielders experiencing the highest frequency, highlighting the need for targeted education and prevention strategies.
May support position-targeted prevention in Australian football; leaves open age effects pending prospective confirmation.
This study measured and compared the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts sustained by junior and adult Australian football players, respectively, and between player positions over a season of games. Twelve junior and twelve adult players were tracked using a skin-mounted impact sensor. Head impact exposure, including frequency, magnitude, and location of impacts, was quantified using previously established methods. Over the collection period, there were no significant differences in the impact frequency between junior and adult players. However, there was a significant increase in the frequency of head impacts for midfielders in both grades once we accounted for player position. A comparable amount of head impacts in both junior and adult players has implications for Australian football regarding player safety and medical coverage as younger players sustained similar impact levels as adult players. The other implication of a higher impact profile within midfielders is that, by targeting education and prevention strategies, a decrease in the incidence of sports-related concussion may result.
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Hecimovich et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Head impact exposure (n=24). Junior grade and midfielder position vs. Adult grade and other player positions was evaluated on Frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts. Junior Australian football players experienced a similar frequency of head impacts compared to adult players, while midfielders in both grades had significantly higher impact frequencies.
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