An evaluation of the presentation and severity of Australian football injury in children

Abstract

Introduction

Child participation in sport is important for physical, cognitive and psychosocial wellbeing. Australian rules football has high participation, but also carries a high risk of injury due to the contact nature of the sport. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the presentation and hospital admission of paediatric Australian rules football-related injuries, and to compare the severity of these injuries with those from other team ball sports.

Materials and methods

At an Australian paediatric major trauma service, ED and hospital trauma registry data relating to Australian rules football injury between 2009 and 2015 were obtained. Data from other common team ball sports with a shared field of play were also identified.

Results

During the study period, there were 10,003 ED presentations, and 1110 admissions resulting from team ball sports. With 4751 ED presentations and 616 admissions, Australian rules football accounted for almost one-third of all sports-related presentations and admissions, and around half of the team ball sports cohort. Compared to other team ball sports patients, Australian rules football-related patients were 40% more likely to be admitted, and nearly twice as likely to be classified as severe injury. Australian rules football players presented with different injury patterns were compared to other team ball sports players; admitted players were significantly more likely to have sustained head or neck injuries, and were more than twice as likely to sustain truncal injury.

Conclusions

Australian rules football is a common cause of ED presentations and results in substantial morbidity, both overall and when compared with other team ball sports. Australian rules football should remain a focus for ongoing and active research into strategies which reduce injury risk.