The epidemiology of back injuries in elite Gaelic football athletes: An 8-year prospective study

To describe the epidemiology of back injury in elite male Gaelic football athletes between 2008 and 2016. Prospective cohort study. Injury data from the National GAA Injury Surveillance Database. Elite male Gaelic football athletes. Incidence of injury as a rate per 1000 h of exposure. 38 datasets were analysed. Out of a total of 1606 time-loss injuries, 76 were back injuries (4.73%, 95% CI 3.80%–5.88%). The incidence of back injuries in match play was 1.72 (CI 95% 1.21 to 2.45) and in training was 0.2 (CI 95% 0.14 to 0.28) injuries per 1000 h of exposure. The majority of back injuries (63.16%, CI 95% 51.93–73.12) were new, as opposed to recurrent (35.53% CI 95% 25.7–46.74). Most back injuries were acute (51.32%, CI 95% 40.29–62.22), compared to chronic (31.58%, CI 95% 22.23–42.7) or overuse (11.84%, CI 95% 6.36–21.00). The majority of back injuries occurred during non-contact player activities (n = 60, 78.94% CI 95% 68.50–86.60). Back injury rates in Gaelic football are similar to soccer and Australian football but less than rugby union. Further research is needed to understand the factors leading to the onset and recurrence of back injury in Gaelic football athletes. •Back injuries account for 5% of all injuries in Gaelic football.•Gaelic football Back injury rates are similar to soccer and Australian football.•Most injuries are acute in nature and arise through non-contact mechanisms.•Most back injuries occur during the competition phases of the season.