Predictors of hamstring injury in elite Australian football

• Published in: Journal of science and medicine in sport 2003-12, Vol.6 (4), p.87-87
• Main Authors: Gabbe, B, Bennell, K, Finch, C, Wajswelner, H, Orchard, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1440-2440; 1878-1861
• DOI: 10.1016/S1440-2440(03)80199-8

Hamstring injuries are the most common and costly injury, with respect to lost match time, at the elite-level of Australian football. Aetiological studies for hamstring injury have either identified risk factors that cannot be manipulated to reduce injury risk (eg age, ethnicity), or have reported contradictory results (eg strength). A cohort of 224 elite (AFL) football players was studied prospectively in 2002. At baseline, players completed a brief questionnaire and underwent a musculoskeletal screen. Players were monitored for exposure and injury through the AFL injury database. Bivariate analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for exposure, was used to identify independent predictors of a hamstring injury. Bivariate analyses identified increasing age, positive hamstring injury history, reduced ankle dorsiflexion lunge range of movement (ROM) and decreased hip flexor length as risk factors for hamstring injury. Multivariate modelling found increasing age, positive hamstring injury history and reduced ankle dorsiflexion lunge ROM to be independent predictors of hamstring injury. The findings identify the groups of elite football players at increased risk of hamstring injury. Whilst two identified risk factors are not able to be modified, the findings highlight these groups for further research to establish the reasons for such an elevated injury risk. The identification of ankle dorsiflexion ROM and hip flexor length as risk factors warrant consideration for the development of prevention programs. Ongoing routine screening of elite players is necessary to confirm the findings and to definitively exclude other measured factors as risk factors for hamstring injury.