DCU Study provides foundation for Injury Prevention Programme in Ladies Gaelic Football

The research, conducted through a three-round Delphi study with 24 experts from coaching science, injury prevention, athletic therapy, and physiotherapy, reached consensus on 17 essential components that should be incorporated into injury prevention routines.

According to the findings, 12 components, including agility and balance training, were deemed vital for inclusion in most or every training session. Experts emphasized that effective programmes should be accessible, requiring minimal or no equipment, and brief enough to be practical - ideally 10-15 minutes in duration.

High injury rates in ladies Gaelic football have significant implications for both players and the LGFA and yet injury prevention programmes haven't been widely adopted across clubs and teams.

The research identified pragmatic solutions to this implementation gap. Experts recommended that programmes include 3-4 versions of each exercise to allow for progression and variation, helping maintain player engagement while gradually building protective physical qualities.

The study also determined specific content requirements for programme materials, with consensus on 13 items that should be included in comprehensive versions of programmes and six essential elements for condensed versions. Visual aids such as pictures were highlighted as particularly important for effective communication of proper technique.

Timing flexibility was another key recommendation, with experts agreeing that prevention routines should be adaptable enough to fit various points within training sessions, rather than being restricted to a single time slot.