Injury surveillance during the 2024 under-20's Men's European Field Lacrosse Championships.

Abstract

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of injuries sustained at the under 20s (U20) Men's European Lacrosse Championships. Injury surveillance data was prospectively collected during the 2024 U20 European Lacrosse Championships (Wrocław, Poland). A standardized electronic reporting system based on the 2020 IOC consensus statement was used. Injury incidence was reported per 1000 match-player-hours (match-p-h). A total of 55 match-related injuries were reported with an injury incidence rate of 88.7 injuries per 1000 match-p-h (66.8-115.5 CI). The majority of injuries were non-time-loss (82%, 72.6 per 1000 match-p-h 52.9-97.1 CI), 15% resulted in time-loss (>24 hours lost due to injury, 12.9 per 1000 match-p-h 5.6-25.4 CI) and 4% reported as unknown (3.2 per 1000 match-p-h 0.4-11.7 CI). Most injuries had a time-loss lasting between 0-1 day (73%; 64.5 per 1000 match-p-h 46.1-87.9 CI). The onset of injury was predominantly as a result of sudden-acute trauma (73%; 64.5 per 1000 match-p-h 46.1-87.9 CI), with contact mechanisms accounting for 67% (59.7 per 1000 match-p-h 42.0-82.3 CI). The most frequent injuries reported were anterior thigh muscle contusion (9%; 8.1 per 1000 match-p-h 2.6-18.8 CI), calf muscle injury (9%; 8.1 per 1000 match-p-h 2.6-18.8 CI), ankle sprain (7%, 6.5 per 1000 match-p-h 1.8-16.5 CI) and knee contusion (7%, 6.5 per 1000 match-p-h 1.8-16.5 CI). The injury incidence during the 2024 U20 Men's European Lacrosse Championships was high compared to similar youth field sports, though most injuries did not result in time-loss. The findings should be used to inform preparations for future age-group international lacrosse tournaments.