Can we improve coaches’ injury prevention views and implementation practices in the community female Gaelic sport of camogie?

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of a nationwide coach education workshop on the attitudes towards, willingness and perceived ability of camogie coaches to implement a Camogie Injury Prevention Programme (CIPP) and their implementation of this programme 4 weeks after the workshop.MethodsCoaches (n=98) from all four provinces in Ireland were recruited and completed a questionnaire prior to and immediately following a developed workshop on the CIPP. Four weeks later 40 of the 98 coaches completed a follow-up questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were completed and a mixed between–within analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences in willingness and perceived ability to conduct the CIPP over time and between genders. Non-parametric tests examined the differences in attitude scores. The implementation rate of the programme 4 weeks following the workshop was also assessed.ResultsJust 13.4% of coaches had previously heard of the CIPP. Significant improvements in attitudes towards, willingness and perceived ability to conduct the CIPP was noted (p<0.001) post-workshop. Ninety-one per cent of coaches reported that implementing the CIPP in a phased approach with their teams would be beneficial. The camogie coaches primarily viewed the CIPP content favourably, finding the exercises important, relevant and mostly enjoyable. However, some coaches reported that the Nordic hamstring curl is too challenging for players to complete (immediately following workshop: 28.7%; 4 weeks later: 53.3%). Four weeks after the workshop, 72.5% of coaches who responded were implementing the CIPP with their teams in the community.ConclusionsDue to the success of the education workshop, the Camogie Association should incorporate this injury prevention workshop into all mandatory camogie coaching education courses.

The positional and temporal running demands of elite inter-county camogie match play across 5-min intervals

“…Research on camogie and its players continues to grow in line with an increase in the sport's popularity, alongside players' reported time commitments and training regimes [1,2]. Previous research reported on players' injuries [2][3][4], strength and conditioning recommendations [1], and match-play demands [5,6]. Current match-play demand research has primarily focused on half-by-half comparisons.…”

Factors influencing performance and injury risk in elite female Gaelic team sport players and future research directions: a narrative review

“…This accentuates the importance of a systematic IPP to decrease the severity of injuries [82]. An applied, minimally invasive example of an INT is the Gaelic specific injury prevention program (IPP) (GAA 15) [83][84][85]. Both…”

Strength and Conditioning Recommendations for Female GAA Athletes: The Camogie Player

“…In a self-reported participant injury survey in intercounty camogie, O'Connor et al (124) indicated that most traumatic injury that occurred in game activities was knee ligament (115,123). Therefore, strength & conditioning practitioners need to be cognizant that there is a high incidence of knee injuries in female field sports athletes (2).…”

“…The strength & conditioning practitioner can play a pivot role in the education of both players and coaching staff. The implementation of an injury prevention program could assist in the potential reduction of injuries in hurling and camogie (49,123). (177).…”

“…The game is played with an ash stick, called a hurley (Camán-Figure 2), which is used to propel a solid leather ball, called a slíotar (slit•er) (diameter 69-72 mm, mass 110-120 g, see Figure 2). Despite the amateur ethos of the game, elite female intercounty camogie players may complete up to five sessions a week (pitch and resistance training-based sessions) (23,123). There are two major competitions at elite intercounty level during the year, the National League and the All Ireland Championship (160).…”