Roller Derby: A Descriptive Study of the Athletes, Sustained Injuries and Risk Factors
Abstract: Flat track roller derby (FTRD) is a fast growing full-contact team sport played mostly by women. The modern version is a tough game on roller skates, which includes body checks. No FTRD specific epidemiological research has yet been published. The aim of the study was to describe the athletes and retrospectively describe the injury pattern and risk factors in flat track roller derby during the past year. A retrospective survey study was conducted amongst a sample of 540 FTRD athletes. Distributions of the population were created and Chi-square cross-tabulations were calculated to find differences in the variables describing the athletes, the sport and its environment in relation to whether or not injuries were sustained during the past year. A list of the five most common injuries has been compiled: ankle sprain, knee sprain, finger sprain, concussion and torn knee ligament. The latter four occur most often during game situations while the ankle sprain occurs most during individual training. Possible risk factors have been identified: more FTRD experience, playing more bouts per year, playing scrimmages at training, using sports court flooring and playing the position of jammer. While in some aspects the injury pattern resembles other full-contact team sports (higher risk during games), other aspects are unique for this sport (flooring, game positions, FTRD- and athletic experience and the use of quad roller skates). Research with a suitable design needs to be conducted to create an epidemiology report so that injury prevention programs can be designed.
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