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Epidemiology of Injury in Gaelic Handball
S O'Connor1,2, M Downey1, K Moran1
1School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.
Irish Medical Journal
|September 30, 2016
Summary
Gaelic handball injuries are common, with most affecting the upper limbs like the shoulder and fingers. This study highlights the need for injury prevention strategies in this sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Establishing injury epidemiology is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
- There is a lack of published research on injuries in Gaelic handball.
- This study addresses this gap by examining injury patterns in Gaelic handball players.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of injuries in Gaelic handball.
- To identify the most common injury sites and circumstances.
- To provide foundational data for future injury prevention research in Gaelic handball.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective questionnaire was administered to 75 Gaelic handball players.
- Data collected included injury incidence, location, timing, and severity.
- Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the injury data.
Main Results:
- 88% of players reported at least one injury.
- Upper limb injuries were most prevalent (52.9%), followed by lower limb injuries (30.3%).
- The shoulder (17.6%), finger (10.5%), and ankle (9.8%) were the most frequently injured sites. Injuries predominantly occurred during games (82.4%) and were often severe (54.7%), with 14.6% requiring hospitalization.
Conclusions:
- Gaelic handball is associated with a high incidence of injuries, particularly to the upper limbs.
- The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted injury prevention strategies in Gaelic handball.
- Further prospective epidemiological studies are recommended to inform these strategies.
