Game Exposure, Player Characteristics, and Neuromuscular Performance Influence Injury Risk in Professional and Youth Field Hockey Players

Abstract

Background: Identifying factors that contribute to the occurrence of injury is an important step in designing training programs to minimize the risk of injury. However, despite high injury rates, variables contributing to injury in field hockey players remain relatively unexplored. Purpose: To identify factors that may predict injury in professional and youth field hockey players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Method: Professional and youth hockey players completed preseason neuromuscular performance testing and were monitored for injuries, training, and game exposure throughout the subsequent 12-month indoor and outdoor hockey season. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis was conducted to identify injury risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic curves were then calculated to determine the individual predictive accuracy of the identified variables. Results: A total of 83 players (mean ± SD age, 20.7 ± 4.9 years; 34.9% female) with complete performance, injury, and exposure data were included for data analysis. Almost half of players (44.6%) sustained a time-loss injury during the season, and 73% of these injuries occurred in the lower limb. Playing more games and having an older age, asymmetrical and poor dynamic postural control, and better explosive performance were identified as jointly influencing the risk of injury. When considered individually, number of games played throughout the season was the most accurate predictor of injury risk (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.74; P < .001), while asymmetrical and poor dynamic postural control (AUCs = 0.61-0.65; P = .01-.04) and better explosive athletic performance (AUCs = 0.65-0.67; P < .01) were identified as moderate individual predictors of sustaining a general or lower limb injury. Conclusion: A number of modifiable factors were individually and jointly associated with an increased injury risk in field hockey players, providing initial evidence for the design of targeted and sport-specific training programs to mitigate the risk of injury.

Intrinsic Risk Factors for Ankle Sprain Differ Between Male and Female Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Tyler et al [ 17 ] observed that an overweight high school American football player with a history of ankle sprain was 19 times more likely to sustain an ankle sprain than a player who was within a normal weight range and had no history of ankle sprain. Indeed, risk factors that are independently identified likely interact to influence injury risk in a joint fashion [ 69 , 70 ], as highlighted throughout this discussion. Further evidence of this comes again from the male-specific risk factors in the current study, with De Ridder and colleagues [ 41 ] suggesting that decreases in hip strength may contribute to reduced dynamic control of the hip joint, which likely influences performance on dynamic balance tests [ 71 ].…”

Prevalence of symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder in field hockey players of German first and lower leagues

“…The data for this cross-sectional study were collected during the baseline examination of a prospective study on epidemiology and risk factors of injuries in field hockey players during the season 2015/2016. [14][15][16] The setting, recruitment procedure, and inclusion criteria have been previously described. 15,16 All data were treated strictly confidential, and it was ensured that no individual data would be shared with anyone, including the coach or club management.…”

“…The data for this cross‐sectional study were collected during the baseline examination of a prospective study on epidemiology and risk factors of injuries in field hockey players during the season 2015/2016 14–16 . The setting, recruitment procedure, and inclusion criteria have been previously described 15,16 .…”

“…This team sport is played in-and outdoor and has an exceptionally high training and competition load with matches often played on consecutive days. 14 German field hockey teams consistently rank among the world's best. The men's team ranked sixth (2014) and fifth (2018) and the women's team fifth (2018) and fourth (2022) in the most recent World Cups.…”

“…Field hockey is a summer Olympic sport, the first Olympic competition for men was introduced in 1908, and for women in 1980. This team sport is played in‐ and outdoor and has an exceptionally high training and competition load with matches often played on consecutive days 14 . German field hockey teams consistently rank among the world's best.…”