Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the existence of a relationship between training load and injury continues to be well supported in the literature and is strongest for subjective internal training load .
The directionality of this relationship appears to depend on the type and timeframe of load measured
Background The relationship between training load and musculoskeletal injury is a rapidly advancing area of research in need of an up date d systematic review .
Incidence and characteristics of injuries in elite Australian junior rugby league players.
OBJECTIVES Rugby league ( RL ) is a physically dem and ing collision sport , yet few studies describe injuries at the junior level despite their potential impact on career pathways and long-term health . With the absence of an injury surveillance paradigm in junior competition , this study aim ed to investigate injury incidence in an Australian setting . DESIGN Prospect i ve cohort study . METHODS A set of injury surveillance forms were developed and used to record injury characteristics , mechanism , severity and follow-up throughout one season . RESULTS Junior RL players ( n=368 , age : 15.8±1.0 years ) from 15 clubs provided baseline information . Of these , approximately six clubs ( n=122 ) provided longitudinal injury data . A total of 109 injuries ( 90 % match-related ) were recorded , with the tackle accounting for 61 % . Injury incidence ( 37.1 injuries per 1000 match hours ) was consistent with previous literature . Most injuries did not result in missed matches . The ankle and head/face were most frequently injured ( both 13 % ) , with ankle injuries leading to the highest losses of match-play . Contusions were common ( 38 % ) , although ligament injuries caused the greatest match-play losses . Injury site significantly differed between forwards and backs ( p=0.003 ) , with forwards sustaining more head/face and sternum injuries , and backs more ankle injuries . Injury type ( p=0.25 ) and severity ( p=0.09 ) were similar between positions . CONCLUSIONS Given the ongoing biological maturation in adolescent players and the injury risks related to RL , playing intensity , training regimes and injury incidence warrant rigorous documentation and monitoring . This study argues for functional but low-burden injury surveillance systems ( e.g. electronic platforms ) to be developed and implemented in junior RL
Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the existence of a relationship between training load and injury continues to be well supported in the literature and is strongest for subjective internal training load .
The directionality of this relationship appears to depend on the type and timeframe of load measured
Background The relationship between training load and musculoskeletal injury is a rapidly advancing area of research in need of an up date d systematic review .