Background: Understanding the epidemiology of injury and risk factors for injury are critical for injury prevention strategies. It is unknown if risk factors for particular injuries apply to Gaelic games (GG). Effective injury prevention exercise programmes (IPEP) have been developed, but their use is anecdotally low.
Aims: Investigate injury epidemiology in GG, focusing on injury burden. Assess a screening protocol to identify GG players at risk of hamstring injury (HSI). Investigate GG players' and coaches' awareness, use and attitudes towards IPEP.
Methods: Injury epidemiology was prospectively captured in collegiate GG players. A screening protocol was designed based on the literature and epidemiological study. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed to adult players and coaches investigating current injury prevention practices.
Results: Injury rates were high in all GG codes. HSI were the most common in Gaelic football, and calf injuries in hurling/Camogie. However, HSI had the largest burden of injury in all GG codes. Study 2. Preseason screening identified previous HSI, increased age, and increased height on the countermovement jump as risk factors for HSI. Using GPS, injured players covered more significant high-speed running distance, sprint distance and sprints in speed zone 5 on the week of their injury than uninjured players. Weekly testing of knee-to-wall, eccentric hamstring strength and countermovement jump did not differ. Study 3. Awareness and use of IPEP was low amongst GG players and coaches. However, both had a positive attitude to injury prevention. Many coaches currently alter/create their own IPEP. Players lack confidence in their coach's ability to deliver an IPEP.
Conclusion: GG players are susceptible to lower limb injuries. Limiting spikes in highspeed running distances may mitigate HSI risk. The positive attitude to injury prevention is promising. However, organisations need to incorporate injury prevention training in coaching education.