Epidemiology of injuries in elite female rink hockey players: A two season observational study

• Published in: Physical therapy in sport Vol. 67; pp. 7 - 12
• Main Authors: Quintana-Cepedal, Marcos, Roces-Vila, Isaac, del Valle, Miguel, Olmedillas, Hugo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2024; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Athletes; Athletic Injuries - epidemiology; Athletic injury; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiology; Female; Females; Groin pain; Hamstring strain injury; Hockey; Hockey - injuries; Humans; Incidence; Knee; Lower Extremity - injuries; Males; Observational studies; Response rates; Sports injuries; Upper Extremity - injuries; Women in sport; Groin pain; Hamstring strain injury; Athletic injury; Women in sport
• ISSN: 1466-853X; 1873-1600; 1873-1600
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2024.02.002

To record the time-loss injuries of female rink hockey players and describe the affected region, tissue, and onset of injury. Cross-sectional survey study. First (Ok Liga) and Second (Plata) division clubs. Participants: 280 player-seasons. Incidence of overall, training, and match injuries (number of injuries per 1000 h) from two seasons. A total of 229 injuries occurred in 56,438 h of exposure. The overall incidence was 4 injuries per 1000 h (4/1000 h), with a significantly higher rate of injuries during matches (15.2/1000 h) compared to training sessions (2.6/1000 h) (p < 0.001). Injuries affecting the lower limb were the most common (2.3/1000 h), followed by upper limb (1.2/1000 h), and head/trunk (0.6/1000 h). The tissue with the highest incidence of injury was the muscle/tendon (1.3/1000 h), followed by the ligament (0.8/1000 h). Around one in every three injuries (31%) affected either the thigh or hip/groin (73 injuries). The injury incidence in elite female rink hockey is moderate and occurs mainly during match sessions. Preventative measurements should be implemented in rink hockey with a special concern for injuries affecting the thigh, and hip/groin. •Injury incidence is moderate in female rink hockey.•One third of the injuries affect the thigh and hip/groin.•Most injuries were of moderate severity.