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ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to explore the contextual factors that affect the implementation of football injury prevention initiatives and the provision of effective injury management in the Irish Womens National League (WNL).MethodsWe used a criterion-based purposive sampling approach to recruit coaches (n=7), players (n=17) and medical personnel (n=8) representing eight of the nine clubs in the WNL to participate in one-to-one semistructured interviews. Our study was located within an interpretivist, constructivist research paradigm. The interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe participants identified academic and work pressures, financial challenges, conflict with college football, inadequate facilities and gender inequity as being barriers to the implementation of injury prevention initiatives and the provision of effective injury management. Financial constraints within clubs were perceived to limit the provision of medical care and strength and conditioning (S&C) support and this was deemed to be associated with a heightened risk of injuries.ConclusionSpecific contextual factors were identified which curtail the implementation of injury prevention initiatives and the provision of effective injury management in elite-level womens club football in Ireland. Gender inequity was identified as one of the factors impacting the availability of high-quality medical care, S&C support, as well as access to training and match facilities. Our results provide new insights that could be used to inform the design and implementation of injury prevention and management initiatives for women football players in Ireland., Funding Agencies|Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme (Postgraduate) [EPSPG/2019/543]

Objective To review the literature to establish overall, match and training injury incidence rates (IIRs) in senior (>= 18 years of age) womens football (amateur club, elite club and international). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of overall, match and training IIRs in senior womens football, stratified by injury location, type and severity. Data sources MEDLINE via PubMed; EMBASE via Ovid; CINAHL via EBSCO and Web of Science were searched from earliest record to July 2021. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies (1) football players participating in a senior womens football league (amateur club or elite club) or a senior womens international football tournament; (2) the study had to report IIRs or provide sufficient data from which this outcome metric could be calculated through standardised equations; (3) a full-text article published in a peer-reviewed journal before July 2021; (4) a prospective injury surveillance study and (5) case reports on single teams were ineligible. Results 17 articles met the inclusion criteria; amateur club (n=2), elite club (n=10), international (n=5). Overall, match and training time-loss IIRs are similar between senior womens elite club football and international football. Time-loss training IIRs in senior womens elite club football and international football are approximately 6-7 times lower than their equivalent match IIRs. Overall time-loss IIRs stratified by injury type in womens elite club football were 2.70/1000 hours (95% CI 1.12 to 6.50) for muscle and tendon, 2.62/1000 hours (95% CI 1.26 to 5.46) for joint and ligaments, and 0.76/1000 hours (95% CI 0.55 to 1.03) for contusions. Due to the differences in injury definitions, it was not possible to aggregate IIRs for amateur club football. Conclusion Lower limb injuries incurred during matches are a substantial problem in senior womens football. The prevention of lower limb joint, ligament, muscle and tendon injuries should be a central focus of injury prev

Objectives: The criterion validity of the sphygmomanometer was evaluated, relative to the Force Frame strength testing system. Test-retest reliability was assessed for both hip adduction and abduction strength. Design: Test-retest reliability study and criterion validity study. Participants: 50 asymptomatic, field-sport athletes. Main outcome measures: Maximal isometric hip adduction and abduction strength were measured. Interclass correlation coefficient(ICC2,1) with confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate reliability of peak strength values. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient(r) was calculated to examine criterion validity of the sphygmomanometer as a measure of force when compared to the ForceFrame. Results: Intra-rater reliability for bilateral adduction testing using both ForceFrame and sphygmomanometer values revealed good-excellent reliability for both the 0° (ICC2.1 = 0.87–0.90) and 45° (ICC2.1 = 0.81–0.91) positions. ForceFrame values revealed good-excellent reliability for 0° abduction position and 45° abduction position. A good-moderate relationship (Pearson's r = 0.63) for 0° adduction position, and poor relationship (Pearson's r = 0.40) for 45° adduction position, were found between adduction squeeze values on ForceFrame and sphygmomanometer. Conclusion: Excellent reliability in hip adduction squeeze strength testing for both modes. However, there exists a ‘good to moderate’-‘fair’ relationship between the Force Frame and sphygmomanometer.