Effects of the GAA15 in reducing lower extremity injury rates in adolescent males participating in hurling

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kelly, Sean T.^{; *} | Lodge, Clare A.

Affiliations: Department of Science and Health, Physiology Laboratory, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow, Ireland

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Sean T. Kelly, Physiology Laboratory, Department of Science and Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow, Ireland. E-mail: sean.kelly@itcarlow.ie.

Abstract: PURPOSE:The aim of this analytical observation cohort study was to establish the effectiveness of the GAA15 (Gaelic Athletic Association 15) in reducing lower extremity injury rates (IR) in adolescent males playing hurling at post primary school level during one season. METHODS:A sample of 516 male subjects (mean age 15.9 years±SD 1.9), were recruited from fourteen post primary schools. Seven schools participated in the intervention group with equal group numbers in the control group. The intervention group implemented an injury prevention programme namely the GAA15 before training and matches. The control group adopted their normal warm-up behaviour prior to matches and training. RESULTS:Control group participants sustained lower extremity training IRs of 15.83/1000 hrs (95% CI 9.4–22.3) compared to 8.78/1000 hrs (95% CI 5.2–12.4) in the intervention group (p = 0.063). Match lower extremity IRs of 36.32/1000 hrs (95% CI 21.1–51.5) were reported for the control group, with 25.62/1000 hrs (95% CI 16.9–34.4) reported for the intervention group participants (p = 0.230). Hurling lower extremity IRs were reduced by between 30% to 45% in the intervention group when compared to the respective control groups. CONCLUSIONS:Following this investigation, it can be concluded that the implementation of the GAA15 is effective in reducing lower extremity injury rates in adolescent males participating in hurling when compared to a matched control group.

Keywords: Injury prevention programme, warm-up

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-180112

Journal: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 99-105, 2018