Self management of acute soft tissue injuries: A survey of female gaelic football players

Background: Within Gaelic football, high rates of injury have been reported. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association has 100,000 members; however no injury management research currently exists within this population. The aim of this study was to survey the knowledge of senior level ladies Gaelic football club players of acute soft tissue injury management. Secondary aims were to investigate the treatments employed following injury and player awareness of potentially harmful post injury practices. Methods: A questionnaire exploring demographic, treatment, and PRICE (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) details was constructed. Results: All six senior County Clare ladies Gaelic football club teams were sampled, and a response rate of 95% was achieved. 43.9 % of respondents knew four or more of the PRICE letters. Treatments employed by respondents included ice (61.8%), physiotherapy (59.2%) and rest (36.8%). 27.6% of participants would avoid three or more of the following immediately post injury; heat, alcohol, vigorous exercise and vigorous massage. If respondents were to use ice as a form of treatment in the initial stages following injury, 85.7% of them would commence the intervention immediately after injury, and it would be applied by players every one (54.4%) or two (22.2%) hours. Conclusion: The PRICE regime was moderately well known by this population. Poor knowledge of potentially harmful post injury practices and recommended cryotherapy application was reported. As the evidence concerning the PRICE guidelines is not conclusive, further research in this area is required.