The incidence of injury in elite camogie, an in-season prospective study

Camogie is a stickhandling, high-velocity, multidirectional field sport for females which is native to Ireland, but is also played internationally.

To establish the incidence, nature and severity of injuries in elite camogie players.

A prospective, observational cohort study was carried out during the Provincial Championships and extending into the All-Ireland Championship until a participating team was eliminated (11 weeks). A purposive sample of 62 players from 3 of the total 11 senior intercounty teams participated to generate geographical representation. Injury data were recorded and classified by team physiotherapists using a time loss definition, consistent with consensus statements. A concurrent measure of exposure to matches and training was recorded.

Twenty-one incidents of injury were recorded with 14 players injured. Injury incidence rate was 26.4 (95% CI 13.44 to 47.16) per 1000 match hours and 4.2 (95% CI 2.12 to 7.46) per 1000 training hours. There were 11 contact and 10 non-contact injuries. The lower limb accounted for 71.4% (n=15), the upper limb 9.5% (n=2) and the trunk and head 19.1% (n=4) of injuries. The main tissues injured were both muscle and ligament, representing 57.2% (n=6 each). The mean duration time loss from sport per injury was 12.14 days.

These results provide data on the incidence, nature and severity of camogie injuries using definitions that reflect international consensus statements. Further study of injury incidence over a full season or multiple seasons is recommended.