Citation

Kaplan Y, Witvrouw E, Myklebust G, Nyska M, Plamanovich E, Victor J. Br. J. Sports Med. 2014; 48(7): 615-616.

Affiliation

Lerner Sports Center, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.151

PMID

24620192

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies in American Flag Football have revealed a high incidence of injuries. No previous study has attempted to prevent injuries. OBJECTIVE: To significantly reduce the incidence and the severity of injuries in an intervention cohort as compared to a two-season historical cohort, and to provide recommendations to the International Federation of Football (IFAF) pertaining to prevention measures to make the game safer. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Kraft Stadium, Jerusalem, Israel. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1 260 amateur male (mean age: 20.4±3.9 yrs) and 244 female (mean age: 18.5±1.7 yrs) players participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Four prevention measures were implemented: The no-pocket rule, self-fitting mouth guards, ankle braces (for those players with recurrent ankle sprains) and an injury treatment information brochure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All time-loss injuries sustained in game sessions were recorded by the off-the-field medical personnel and followed up by a more detailed phone injury surveillance questionnaire. RESULTS: There was an 88% reduction in the total number of injuries, and a significant reduction in the incidence rate and incidence proportion between the intervention cohort as compared to the historical cohort (P<.001). There was a trend towards a reduction in the number of injuries in all body parts, reaching statistical significance in hand/wrist injuries related to the use of pockets (P<.001), as well as the severity of mild-moderate injuries (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided evidence that hand/wrist injuries can be significantly reduced in flag football. Recommendations to the IFAF include strict enforcement of the no-pocket rule, the use of soft headgear, comfortable-fitting ankle braces and mouth guards and additionally, to change game rules concerning blocking.

Language: en