Prevalence of low energy availability and associations with seasonal changes in salivary hormones and IgA in elite male Gaelic footballers.

PURPOSE: Evidence suggests low energy availability (LEA) is prevalent in elite male Gaelic football (GF) players. Previous research in male and female team sports found LEA may negatively impact endocrine function. The aim of this study was to examine the seasonal variations in energy availability (EA) and its associations with salivary measures in elite male GF players across the competitive season. METHODS: Energy availability was assessed using field-based methods in conjunction with salivary testosterone (s-T), cortisol (s-C) and immunoglobin A (s-IgA) concentrations at pre-season (PRE), in-season (IN) and post-season (POST). RESULTS: 38% reported LEA at PRE, 33% at IN, and 28.5% at POST. s-C, s-T and s-IgA levels were within normal ranges at PRE, IN and POST. Salivary cortisol declined significantly from PRE to IN, remaining reduced at POST. Salivary testosterone decreased significantly from PRE to IN but was significantly elevated at POST compared to IN. Salivary IgA was significantly greater at POST than IN. No significant associations were found between s-C or s-T and EA at any time point. Pre-season s-IgA exhibited a significant inverse association with PRE EA. Decreased s-IgA flow rate and s-IgA secretion rate were significantly associated with decreased EA at PRE. Reduced carbohydrate (CHO) intake was also associated with decreased s-IgA secretion rate at PRE. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that LEA is prevalent in elite male GF players, but is not associated with s-C or s-T. However, EA is associated with s-IgA which may impact the immune system. Therefore, education and interventions surrounding the prevalence and associations of EA should be implemented in this population.

Energy availability and macronutrient intake in elite male Gaelic football players.

Evidence suggests that Gaelic football (GF) players do not meet the recommended energy intake (EI) levels and therefore may be at risk of low energy availability (LEA). This study examined energy availability (EA) in 20 elite male GF players. At two stages during a season (2019-2020), repeated measures of EI, exercise energy expenditure (EEE), EA and body composition were performed. Sixty-five percent reported with LEA [<30 kcal.kg Lean Body Mass (LBM)-1.day-1] at pre-season (PRE), with 70% at in-season (IN). Mean daily carbohydrate intake (PRE 3.2 ± 0.82 g.kg; IN 3.4 ± 0.79 g.kg) was below the recommended intake (5-7 g.kg) in 95% at PRE and 100% at IN. All consumed the recommended daily amount of protein (PRE 1.85 ± 0.57 g.kg; IN 1.87 ± 0.48 g.kg) and fat (PRE 1.23 ± 0.4 g.kg; IN 1.02 ± 0.3 g.kg). Significant correlations (P = 0.001) were reported between EA and carbohydrates (PRE r = 0.801; IN r = 0.714); protein (PRE r = 0.675; IN r = 0.769); fat (PRE r = 0.805; IN r = 0.733) and energy intake (PRE r = 0.960; IN r = 0.949). Twenty percent were at risk of disordered eating. This study suggests male elite GF players require education and interventions surrounding nutrition, in particular EA.

Barriers and facilitators to injury prevention in ladies Gaelic football: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Injury rates have remained high in ladies Gaelic football over the last decade and treatment costs continue to increase significantly. Injury prevention programmes are a proposed solution and their efficacy has been demonstrated in Gaelic games, however, anecdotally their adoption is low. The aim of this study was to determine the barriers and facilitators to uptake, implementation, and long-term adoption of an injury prevention strategy for adult Ladies Gaelic football players and coaches. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants (13 coaches, 10 players). Four coaches were at intercounty level and nine were at club level, while two players competed at intercounty and club level and eight played solely at club level. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Stakeholder attitudes, accessibility, education, communication, and injury prevention programme characteristics were perceived as key barriers to an injury prevention strategy succeeding. Injury prevention promotion, injury prevention programme characteristics, leadership, and communication, were identified as the main factors that would facilitate the success of a strategy. CONCLUSIONS: By utilising the views of stakeholders, the initial uptake, adherence, and long-term adoption of an injury prevention strategy in Ladies Gaelic football may be maximised.

The Effects of a Weighted Football Intervention on Ball Velocity of a Standard Football Place-Kick among Elite Gaelic Football Goalkeepers: A Single-Subject Designed Study.

Weighted football place-kicking acutely enhances the ball velocity (BV) of subsequent standard football place-kicks. However, there is a dearth of research examining the long-term effects of such interventions, with less evidence in existence among elite athlete cohorts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the individual effects of a 4 week, eight-session weighted Gaelic football intervention on BV of standard Gaelic football place-kicks among six elite male Gaelic football goalkeepers. This research design was based on a pre-, mid-, post-, and retention-test design. A linear mixed model analysis was employed, with time and participants as fixed effects, and the number of place-kicks per testing session as a random effect. Post hoc tests revealed significant changes in BV for five of the six participants (p < 0.05), with three participants experiencing significant BV increases from pre-test to post-test (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were found between post-test and retention-test. The remaining three participants experienced no significant BV differences from pre-test to post-test and retention-test. These findings suggest that a weighted football place-kicking intervention can be a time-efficient means of maintaining and enhancing BV and, thus, kick distance, among elite goalkeepers during pre-season and in-season phases.

The Association between Pre-season Running Loads and Injury during the Subsequent Season in Elite Gaelic Football.

The aim of this study was to determine if the quantity of running load performed in pre-season affects the incidence of injury in elite Gaelic footballers. It was hypothesized that a greater quantity of running loads completed will reduce the incidence rate of injury. A cohort of elite male Gaelic football players (n = 25) was prospectively monitored throughout one full season. This longitudinal study involved the collection of GPS data and injury data. Participants were retrospectively divided into two groups and assigned to a high (HTL, completed >50% of pre-season sessions, n = 13) or low (LTL, completed <50% of pre-season sessions, n = 12) training load group based on the percentage of pre-season sessions completed. Data for total distance, PlayerLoad™, meters covered at running speeds (4.0−4.84 m/s), meters covered at high running speeds (4.85−6.39 m/s), meters covered at sprint speeds (>6.4 m/s) and high-intensity running meters (high-speed running meters and sprint meters combined) were collected during all sessions. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was completed to understand the variation of external training load data across the different phases of the season. A series of repeated measures of ANOVA were subsequently completed to understand the variation of external training load data across seasonal phases within the training groups. Although the LTL group had a higher incidence rate of non-contact injuries (large effect size) per 1000 h of exposure in each phase of the season, statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (F = 4.32, p = 0.173, partial η2 = 0.684, large) between the HTL (14.9 ± 4.17/1000 h) and the LTL (24.5 ± 7.36/1000 h) groups. Additionally, the HTL group was able to sustain greater running loads in the competitive phases of the season compared to the LTL group, total distance (F = 8.10, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.299, large), high-speed running distance (F = 8.74, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.304, large) and high-intensity running distance (F = 7.63, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.276, large). Furthermore, players who complete a greater proportion of running loads in pre-season may alter their body composition levels to more optimal levels, which in turn may reduce the risk of injury while also helping increase or maintain performance-related fitness markers such as aerobic fitness.

Exploring the Influence of the Community-Based Sports Club Environment on the Support and Development of Volunteer Women Coaches in Ireland.

In Ireland, the majority of coaches at non-elite level are volunteers and within the female-only team sport of women's Gaelic football, most qualified coaches are women. Yet, little is known on the club specific experiences of volunteer women coaches in non-elite sport. To address this gap, 11 women coaches, from three Gaelic Football clubs, were interviewed to explore the influence of the community-based club environment on their support and development in the role. The participants were actively coaching and part of a Community of Practice (CoP) focusing on developing their club's coaching structures. A creative non-fiction approach combined the key themes from the 11 interviews into three coach profiles of a novice coach, experienced coach, and a player-coach. Retention and recruitment, support structures within the club, and club culture and norms were the key themes identified. This study recommends that clubs employ support structures that support and develop volunteer women coaches and address any behavior in the club that negatively impacts on their role.

Hip and groin pain prevalence and prediction in Elite Gaelic Games: 2703 male athletes across two seasons.

OBJECTIVE: Hip and groin pain is highly prevalent in sub-elite Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) athletes, but its prevalence at the elite level is unknown. The aims of this study were to report hip and groin pain prevalence in elite male athletes, to report changes in Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) across two seasons and to assess if previous hip and groin pain or pre-season HAGOS could predict future hip and groin pain. METHODS: During the 2017 and 2018 pre-season male Gaelic Players Association (GPA) playing members were invited to complete two questionnaires. The first questionnaire collected demographic information including age, GAA code played (Gaelic football or Hurling) and prevalence of hip and groin pain in the previous season. The second questionnaire was the HAGOS. Step-wise logistic regression models were fitted to HAGOS subscales, to examine if pre-season HAGOS subscale scores could predict future hip and groin pain. RESULTS: The prevalence of hip and groin pain across the elite GAA cohort was 38%. Hip and groin pain in the previous season was the strongest predictor of future hip and groin pain (r2 =0.19, AUC=0.73, 95% CI 1.76-2.27) whereas pre-season HAGOS subscale scores had limited and no additional predictive ability (AUC 0.05-0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Hip and groin pain prevalence is high in elite male GAA, with one in three athletes reporting pain. Previous season hip and groin pain is the strongest predictor of future hip and groin pain, while pre-season HAGOS scores have limited ability to predict future hip and groin pain.

Epidemiology and moderators of injury in Gaelic football: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the incidence, location and severity of injuries in Gaelic football and to identify potential moderators of those injuries. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy of six electronic databases was undertaken independently by two researchers in March 2020. Studies must have prospectively investigated injuries sustained by Gaelic footballers over a minimum duration of six months. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess risk of bias. Studies were combined in a pooled analysis using an inverse variance method. RESULTS: Twelve prospective cohort studies were eligible. The total injury incidence was 10.7 injuries/1000 h of exposure. Match incidence (55.9 injuries/1000 h) was much higher than training (4.6 injuries/1000 h). The lower limb accounted for over 70% of all injuries, with hamstring injuries ranging from 22 to 24% of all injuries. Non-contact injuries were the most common injury mechanism. Players aged >30 were at greatest risk of injury with incidence risk ratios ranging from 1.2 to 2.3. High aerobic fitness and chronic workloads were associated with reduced risk of injury in elite Gaelic footballers. CONCLUSIONS: Elite Gaelic football athletes are twelve times more likely to get injured during match play compared to training. The lower limb is the most affected body region, and most injuries occur by non-contact mechanisms. Athlete age of greater than 30, poor aerobic fitness and sudden increments in training workload all increase the likelihood of injury. By understanding the incidence and nature of injuries in Gaelic football, targeted injury prevention strategies can be developed and implemented.

Gaelic Football Match-Play: Performance Attenuation and Timeline of Recovery.

This study investigated acute changes in markers of fatigue and performance attenuation during and following a competitive senior club-level Gaelic football match. Forty-one players were tested immediately pre-match, at half-time, full-time, 24 h post-match and 48 h post-match. Creatine kinase, drop jump height and contact-time, reactive strength index, countermovement jump height and perceptual responses were assessed at the aforementioned time-points. 18 Hz global positioning system devices were used to record players in-game workload measures. Compared to pre-match, perceptual responses (-27.6%) and countermovement jump height (-3.9%) were significantly reduced at full-time (p < 0.05). Drop jump height (-8.8%), perceptual responses (-27.6%), reactive strength index (-15.6%) and countermovement jump height (-8.6%) were significantly lower 24 h post-match (p < 0.05). Pre-match creatine kinase was significantly increased (+16.2% to +159.9%) when compared to all other time-points (p < 0.05). Total distance, total accelerations, total sprints, sprint distance and average heart rate were all correlated to changes in perceptual responses (r = 0.34 to 0.56, p < 0.05). Additionally, maximum speed achieved (r = 0.34) and sprint distance (r = 0.31) were significantly related to countermovement jump changes (p < 0.05), while impacts (r = 0.36) were correlated to creatine kinase increases (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that Gaelic football match-play elicits substantial neuromuscular, biochemical and perceptual disturbances.

Can the Y balance test identify those at risk of contact or non-contact lower extremity injury in adolescent and collegiate Gaelic games?

OBJECTIVES: Lower extremity (LE) injuries are common in Gaelic games and lead to a significant economic and injury burden. Balance is considered a predictor of injury in other sports, however no research has examined its effect on LE injury in Gaelic games. This study aims to present normative data for the Y Balance Test (YBT), determine whether the YBT can identify those at risk of contact and non-contact LE and ankle injuries and generate population specific cut-off points in adolescent and collegiate Gaelic games. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: A convenience sample of 636 male adolescent (n=293, age=15.7±0.7 years) and collegiate (n=343, age=19.3±1.9 years) Gaelic footballers and hurlers were recruited. The YBT was completed and injuries were assessed at least weekly over one season. Univariate and logistic regression was performed to examine if the YBT can classify those at risk of LE-combined and ankle injuries. ROC curves were used to identify cut-off points. RESULTS: Gaelic players performed poorly in the YBT and between 31-57% of all players were identified as at risk of injury at pre-season using previously published YBT cut-off points. However, poor YBT scores were unable to ascertain those at risk of contact or non-contact LE-combined and ankle injuries with sufficient sensitivity. High specificity was noted for contact LE-combined and non-contact ankle injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The YBT as a sole screening method to classify those at risk of LE and ankle injuries in Gaelic games is questionable. However, the YBT may be a useful preliminary screening tool to identify those not at risk of contact LE-combined or non-contact ankle injury. Generalising published cut-off points from other sports is not supported.

Injuries in Collegiate Ladies Gaelic Footballers: A 2-Season Prospective Cohort Study.

CONTEXT: Although Ladies Gaelic football is one of the most popular female sports in Ireland, just 2 previous injury surveillance studies have been completed, and both were retrospective in nature. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively examine the injury incidence and injury profile in collegiate Ladies Gaelic football over 2 seasons. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: College. Patients (or Other Participants): Adult Ladies Gaelic footballers from one collegiate institution (season 1: n = 50, season 2: n = 82). INTERVENTION(S): All time-loss injuries that occurred were recorded by certified athletic therapists and student-athletic therapists and trainers over 2 seasons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A standardized injury report form was used to record the injury onset, mechanism, location, nature, and outcome. Injury incidence proportion, repeat incidence proportion and total, match and training injury rates, and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The frequencies and proportions were also calculated. RESULTS: The match and training injury rates were 42.48 and 7.93 injuries per 1000 hours, respectively. A low repeat incidence proportion per season was noted (11.7% and 0.0%). The injuries were predominantly acute (74.68%) and noncontact (66.25%), with hamstring injuries (21.52%) and strains (36.71%) the most frequent location and nature of injuries noted. Strains (104.92 d absent per 1000 h) and knee injuries (106.46 d absent per 1000 h) led to the greatest injury burden. Further investigations were not frequently required, with an X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging ordered in 8.00% and 6.67% of the cases, respectively. Surgery was completed following one injury. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to provide prospective injury data on Ladies Gaelic football. Priority needs to be given to preventing hamstring and knee injuries due to their occurrence and negative impact on player availability to play. Collegiate Ladies Gaelic football teams should be encouraged to implement an injury-prevention warm-up, such as the GAA15+, at training and matches.

Dietary Intake of Gaelic Football Players during Game Preparation and Recovery.

It is well established that dietary intake can influence performance and modulate recovery in field-based invasion team sports such as soccer and rugby. However, very limited research currently exists examining dietary intake of Gaelic football players. This research aimed to examine the dietary intake of Gaelic football players 2 days prior to competition, on game day, and for 2 days post-competition. A five-day paper-based food diary was completed by 45 players (25 elite and 20 sub-elite). Preliminary inspection of diaries eliminated 11 participants, and analysis of Goldberg cut-offs identified 1 player as an under-reporter, leaving 33 players in the final analysis. Playing level had no effect on energy, carbohydrate, or fat intake. Average intake of energy was 2938 ± 618 kcal.day-1, carbohydrate was 3.7 ± 1.42 g.kgbm-1.day-1, and fat was 1.34 ± 0.61 g.kgbm-1.day-1. However, elite players consumed 24.1% more protein than sub-elite players (2.2 ± 0.67 vs. 1.8 ± 0.62 g.kgbm-1.day-1). Regardless of playing level, players consumed inadequate amounts of carbohydrate to support optimal performance and recovery and consumed protein and fat in line with general sport nutrition guidelines. Given the unique demands placed on Gaelic football players, it may be necessary to develop nutrition guidelines specific to Gaelic football. Additionally, the design and implementation of Gaelic football-specific education-based interventions may be necessary to address the highlighted nutritional inadequacies.

Association between eccentric knee flexor strength and hamstring injury risk in 185 elite Gaelic football players.

Hamstring strains are the most common time-loss injury in elite Gaelic football affecting over 20% of players per season. Thus, there is a need to identify factors contributing to the onset of hamstring injuries in order to inform injury risk management strategies. The current study investigated whether eccentric knee flexor strength and between-limb imbalances were associated with increased risk of sustaining a time-loss hamstring injury in elite Gaelic football players. A total of 185 elite male players (26.9 ± 2.7 years, 86.4 ± 6.2 kg, 183.4 ± 5.6) were prospectively followed for 12 weeks from the day of testing. Injury data were provided by the team medical staff. Twenty-eight players (16%) sustained a time-loss hamstring injury following testing. Players that did not sustain a hamstring injury had greater average between-limb asymmetries (uninjured = 9.1%, 95% CI 7.8-10.1; injured = 5.1%, 95% CI 3.7-6.7; P = .001). Eccentric knee flexor strength profiles were not associated with increased or decreased risk of sustaining a hamstring injury and did not alter the post-test probability of sustaining a hamstring injury across the investigation period. These findings do not support the use of eccentric knee flexor strength metrics in managing hamstring injury risk in elite male Gaelic football players.

Are Irish Gaelic Athletic Association clubs prepared to use an AED following a sudden cardiac arrest? A cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: To identify the availability and accessibility of AEDs in Irish GAA clubs and the knowledge, willingness, and confidence of club members to use AEDs in a medical emergency. Methods: A self-report survey was completed anonymously by GAA club members (n = 267). The survey captured demographic information, previous formal AED training, awareness of AED access in their local GAA club and knowledge, confidence, and willingness to use an AED in a medical emergency and awareness of a written club emergency action plan (EAP). Descriptive statistics were used to examine survey responses and independent samples t-tests to compare differences in outcome scores between those who have or have not completed formal AED training and those that have or have not studied toward or worked in a health-care provision role. Results: Three in every five GAA club members reported that their club owned an AED and almost half of all respondents had access to a club AED in the event of a medical emergency in their club. Formal training was noted by 53.2% of respondents; this group demonstrated significantly better knowledge, confidence, and willingness (p < 0.0001) than those without. Few (7%) respondents knew where the club EAP was or how to access it. Conclusion: To ensure the chain of survival works effectively it is essential that an AED is available, is accessible, and that club members know its location, know when to use it, and are willing and confident to use it. GAA clubs should design an individual emergency action plan and disseminate it widely among club members. Formal AED training should be encouraged among club members and at least one trained member should be present during all club activities.

Sports-Related Concussion in Adolescent Gaelic Games Players.

BACKGROUND: Gaelic games are some of the most popular sports played by Irish adolescents, and the Gaelic Athletic Association has undertaken educational initiatives to improve awareness of a sports-related concussion (SRC). However, SRC underreporting is common among adolescent athletes internationally, potentially due to poor knowledge or attitudes toward SRC. This study aimed to examine previous experiences with, knowledge of, and attitudes toward reporting SRCs, as well as views on future education in adolescent Gaelic games players and their parents. HYPOTHESES: The hypotheses were as follows: (1) A significant number of adolescent Gaelic games players will have experienced an SRC, (2) nondisclosure of SRCs will be common, and (3) adolescents will display poorer attitudes toward reporting than parents. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Adolescent male and female Gaelic games players (n = 113) and parents (n = 151) completed an anonymous questionnaire examining previous experiences with, knowledge of, and attitudes toward reporting SRCs, as well as views on future SRC education initiatives. RESULTS: Overall, 57.5% of adolescent Gaelic games players suspected they had suffered an SRC previously, and a greater number of suspected SRCs were reported than were medically diagnosed. Adolescent players (mean score, 11.4/14) and their parents (mean score, 11.8) displayed good knowledge of SRC signs and symptoms. However, adolescents were less likely to report an SRC during an important game or if an important game was coming up. Both adolescents and their parents would like more SRC education, particularly in the format of online videos or medical professional-led workshops. CONCLUSION: Underreporting of SRC occurs in adolescent players, despite good knowledge of SRC signs and symptoms. Education is required to highlight the importance of completing a return-to-play program after an SRC regardless of match importance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A multifaceted educational strategy that targets the wider Gaelic games community in the preferred formats identified by key stakeholders is required.

Is Poor Hamstring Flexibility a Risk Factor for Hamstring Injury in Gaelic Games?

CONTEXT: Hamstring injuries are a leading cause of injury in Gaelic games. Hamstring flexibility as a risk factor for hamstring injury has not yet been examined prospectively in Gaelic games. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether hamstring flexibility, using the modified active knee extension (AKE) test, and previous injury are risk factors for hamstring injury in Gaelic players and to generate population-specific AKE cutoff points. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: School and colleges. Patients (or Other Participants): Adolescent and collegiate Gaelic footballers and hurlers (n = 570). INTERVENTION(S): The modified AKE test was completed at preseason, and hamstring injuries were assessed over the course of one season. Any previous hamstring injuries were noted in those who presented with a hamstring injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bilateral AKE scores and between-leg asymmetries were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic curves were implemented to generate cutoff points specific to Gaelic players. Univariate and backward stepwise logistic regression analyses were completed to predict hamstring injuries, hamstring injuries on the dominant leg, and hamstring injuries on the nondominant leg. RESULTS: Mean flexibility of 64.2° (12.3°) and 64.1° (12.4°) was noted on the dominant and nondominant leg, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curves generated a cutoff point of < 65° in the AKE on the nondominant leg only. When controlled for age, AKE on the nondominant leg was the only predictor variable left in the multivariate model (odds ratio = 1.03) and significantly predicted hamstring injury (χ2 = 9.20, P = .01). However, the sensitivity was 0% and predicted the same amount of cases as the null model. It was not possible to generate a significant model for hamstring injuries on the dominant leg (P > .05), and no variables generated a P value < .20 in the univariate analysis on the nondominant leg. CONCLUSIONS: Poor flexibility noted in the AKE test during preseason screening and previous injury were unable to predict those at risk of sustaining a hamstring strain in Gaelic games with adequate sensitivity.

Time to get our four priorities right: an 8-year prospective investigation of 1326 player-seasons to identify the frequency, nature, and burden of time-loss injuries in elite Gaelic football.

Managing injury risk requires an understanding of how and when athletes sustain certain injuries. Such information guides organisations in establishing evidence-based priorities and expectations for managing injury risk. In order to minimise the impact of sports injuries, attention should be directed towards injuries that occur frequently, induce substantial time-loss, and elevate future risk. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the rate at which elite Gaelic football players sustain different time-loss injuries during match-play and training activities. Datasets (n = 38) from elite Gaelic football teams (n = 17) were received by the National Gaelic Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Database from 2008 to 2016. A total of 1,614 time-loss injuries were analysed. Each season teams sustained 24.0 (interquartile ranges) (IQR 16.0-32.0) and 15.0 (IQR 10.0-19.0) match-play and training injuries, respectively. When exposure was standardised to 1,000 h, greater rates of injury (12.9, 95% CI [11.7-14.3]) and time-loss days (13.4, 95% CI [12.3-14.9]) were sustained in match-play than in training. Acute injury rates were 3.1-times (95% CI [2.7-3.4]) greater than chronic/overuse injuries. Similarly, non-contact injury rates were 2.8-times (95% CI [2.5-3.2]) greater than contact injuries. A total of 71% of injuries in elite Gaelic football affected five lower limb sites. Four lower limb-related clinical entities accounted for 40% of all time-loss injuries (hamstring, 23%; ankle sprain, 7%; adductor-related, 6%; quadriceps strain, 5%). Thus, most risk management and rehabilitation strategies need to be centred around five lower limb sites-and just four clinical entities. Beyond these, it may be highly unlikely that reductions in injury susceptibility can be attributed to specific team interventions. Thus, compliance with national databases is necessary to monitor injury-related metrics and future endeavours to minimise injury risk.

Eccentric knee flexor strength profiles of 341 elite male academy and senior Gaelic football players: Do body mass and previous hamstring injury impact performance?

OBJECTIVE: Report eccentric knee flexor strength values of elite Gaelic football players from underage to adult level whilst examining the influence of body mass and previous hamstring injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Team's training facility. PARTICIPANTS: Elite Gaelic football players (n = 341) from under 14 years to senior age-grades were recruited from twelve teams. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Absolute (N) and relative (N·kg-1) eccentric hamstring strength as well as corresponding between-limb imbalances (%) were calculated for all players. RESULTS: Mean maximum force was 329.4N (95% CI 319.5-340.2) per limb. No statistically significant differences were observed in relative force values (4.4 N ·kg-1, 95% CI 4.2-4.5) between age-groups. Body mass had moderate-to-large and weak associations with maximum force in youth (r = 0.597) and adult (r =0 .159) players, respectively. Overall 40% (95 CI 31.4-48.7) presented with a maximum strength between-limb imbalance >10%. Players with a hamstring injury had greater relative maximum force (9.3%, 95% CI 7.0-11.8; p > 0.05) and a 28% (95% CI 10.0-38.0) higher prevalence of between-limb imbalances ≥15% compared to their uninjured counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Overlapping strength profiles across age-groups, combined with greater strength in previously injured players, suggests difficulties for establishing cut-off thresholds associated with hamstring injury risk.

Lower limb injuries in men's elite Gaelic football: A prospective investigation among division one teams from 2008 to 2015.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively investigate incidence and associated time-loss of lower limb injuries in elite Gaelic football. Additionally, to identify sub-groups of elite players at increased risk of sustaining a lower limb injury. DESIGN: Prospective, epidemiological study. METHODS: Team physiotherapists provided exposure and injury on a weekly basis to the National Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Injury Surveillance Database. Injury was defined using a time-loss criterion. Fifteen different teams participated throughout the 8-year study providing 36 team datasets from 2008 to 2015. RESULTS: Lower limb injuries (n=1239) accounted for 83.5% (95% CI 82.0-85.0) and 77.6% (95% CI 75.8-79.4) of training and match-play injuries, respectively. Injury incidence was 4.5 (95% CI 3.7-5.2) and 38.4 (95% CI 34.3-42.60) per 1000 training and match-play hours, respectively. One-in-four (25.0%, 95% CI 22.4-27.0) lower limb injuries were recurrent. Non-contact injuries accounted for 80.9% (95% CI 79.2-82.6) of cases. The median team rate was 30 (IQR 24-43) lower limb injuries per season resulting in 840.8 (95% CI 773.3-908.2) time-loss days. Previously injured players had a 2.5-times (OR 95% CI 2.2-2.8) greater risk of sustaining a lower limb injury. Overall, 56.8% of players with a previous lower limb injury sustained another. Incidence was higher for forward players and those aged >25years. CONCLUSIONS: Lower limb injuries are the most common injury among elite division one Gaelic football teams. Injury risk management should become an ongoing component of a player's development programme and consider injury history, age, and playing position.

The effects of a combined static-dynamic stretching protocol on athletic performance in elite Gaelic footballers: A randomised controlled crossover trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of three different static-dynamic stretching protocols on sprint and jump performance in Gaelic footballers. DESIGN: Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial. SETTING: Sports Institute research environment. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen male elite level Gaelic footballers, aged 18-30 years, completed three stretching protocols. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Athletic performance was measured by countermovement jump height and power, and timed 10 m, 20 m, and 40 m sprints. RESULTS: Static stretching reduced sprint speed by 1.1% over 40 m and 1.0% over 20 m. Static stretching also reduced countermovement jump height by 10.6% and jump power by 6.4%. When static stretching was followed by dynamic stretching, sprint speed improved by 1.0% over 20 m and 0.7% over 40 m (p < 0.05). The static - dynamic stretching protocol also improved countermovement jump height by 8.7% (p < 0.01) and power by 6.7% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Static stretching reduces sprint speed and jump performance. Static stretching should be followed by dynamic stretching during warm-up to nullify any performance deficits caused by static stretching.