Gaelic football, hurling and camogie training: the GAA 15, strength, hamstrings and safety

Matches carry the risk

Elite Gaelic footballers had 61.86 injuries per 1,000 match hours against 4.05 per 1,000 training hours, and elite hurlers 61.75 against 2.99.

Sources 1, 2

Hamstrings first

Hamstring strains were about a quarter of all injuries in elite Gaelic football, and over a third of them were repeats.

Sources 1, 3

The GAA 15, at every training session

The GAA's own 15-minute warm-up. In one college cohort that wasn't randomised, teams using it had 66% fewer injuries; a small randomised trial found better balance and landing, but didn't measure injuries.

Sources 4, 5, 6

Helmets with face guards, unmodified

Helmets with a face guard are compulsory in all hurling and camogie games and training, and mustn't be modified. Eye injuries in young players fell after helmets became compulsory for under-18s.

Sources 7, 8, 9

Mouthguards in training too

Mouthguards are compulsory in Gaelic football and ladies' football games and training, but only 22% of adult footballers in one survey always wore one in training.

Sources 10, 11, 12

Concussion: the 2024 guidelines

Off at once, no return that day, and medical approval before full contact. Adults return to play at day 15 at the earliest, and under-18s at day 21.

Source 13

Repeated sprints over a long match

In 50 elite Gaelic footballers over 30 games, players covered 8,160 m a game, 1,731 m of it at high speed, with 44 sprints, 184 accelerations and a top speed of 30.3 km/h. Elite hurlers covered 7,617 m with a top speed of 29.8 km/h, and intercounty camogie players 6,040 m with 14 sprints. Under-18 footballers covered 5,774 m in 60 minutes at 81.6% of maximum heart rate. The Compendium of Physical Activities has no value for Gaelic games.

Sources 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Later in the matchEmerging evidence

High-speed running fell in the second half of elite football matches and after the first quarter in hurling, in most positions. Elite footballers kept their running up better in later quarters than players at the level below.

Sources 14, 15, 19, 20

Strength and fitnessEmerging evidence

Elite female footballers produced more force, jumped higher and rebounded faster than club players. Elite camogie players' strength, jump, sprint and endurance scores were similar across positions, and there are norms for teenage hurlers, camogie players and footballers.

Sources 21, 22, 23

Recovery after a matchEmerging evidence

In 41 senior club footballers, jump height was 8.6% lower and how fast they could rebound off the ground 15.6% lower 24 hours after a match, with signs of muscle damage still raised at 48 hours. Players with better aerobic fitness and squat strength, relative to body weight, lost less and recovered faster, an association.

Sources 24, 25

Where the load falls

The sites the studies point to:

• Hamstrings: sprinting.
• Groins and hips: kicking, turning and striking.
• Knees and ankles: landing and cutting.
• The back, and the head and neck in tackles.
• In hurling and camogie, the hands, face and eyes: the hurley and the sliotar.

Sources 3, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

What to train (our reading)

Repeated sprints with regular running near top speed, hamstring and groin strength, leg strength and landing control for the knees, ankle balance, and trunk strength and rotation for kicking and striking.

How often players get hurtEmerging evidence

The numbers, by group:

• Elite Gaelic football, 2007 to 2010 (851 players): 61.86 injuries per 1,000 match hours and 4.05 per 1,000 training hours.
• Elite hurling, 2007 to 2011 (856 players): 61.75 per 1,000 match hours and 2.99 per 1,000 training hours.
• Elite camogie, 11 weeks (62 players): 26.4 per 1,000 match hours and 4.2 per 1,000 training hours.
• College ladies' football, 2 seasons: 42.48 per 1,000 match hours and 7.93 per 1,000 training hours.
• Gaelic football, 12 groups pooled: 10.7 injuries per 1,000 hours of matches and training together.
• Irish college athletes: hurling and camogie had the lowest rate of four sports, 6.3 per 1,000 hours.

Sources 1, 2, 32, 33, 34, 35

HamstringsEmerging evidence

Hamstring strains were 21 to 24% of elite football injuries, 44% of them in the biceps femoris muscle; 36% were repeats, they cost 26 days on average, and the rate doubled between 2008 to 2011 and 2012 to 2015. They were 21.5% of injuries in college ladies' football. Our hamstring strain guide covers recovery.

Sources 1, 3, 33

Groins and hipsEmerging evidence

Over half (54.8%) of 775 players had hip or groin pain in a year, and 38% of 2,703 elite men in a season; pain in the previous season was the best predictor. Adductor injuries were 6% of elite time-loss injuries, and hip impingement syndrome only 1.9% of complaints. Our groin strain, sports hernia, osteitis pubis and hip impingement guides cover these.

Sources 26, 36, 27

Knees and anklesEmerging evidence

Ankle sprains were 7% of elite football time-loss injuries, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears 13% of knee injuries. Of 1,891 Gaelic games players who had an ACL reconstruction, 88% of footballers and 90% of hurlers and camogie players returned to play, female footballers less often (84% against 89% of men), and re-tears were less common with patellar tendon grafts (3.3%) than hamstring grafts (15.3%). Our ACL injury and sprained ankle guides cover these.

Sources 27, 1, 37

ConcussionEmerging evidence

On broadcast video, suspected concussions mostly came from tackles and front-on collisions, and in hurling often from a shoulder to the head. In one season, 17.5% of ladies' footballers surveyed had a suspected or diagnosed concussion, and only 3.5% of them followed all the advice. Teenage players were less likely to report symptoms before important games. Our concussion guide covers the graduated return.

Sources 29, 38, 39, 40, 41

Eyes and faces in hurling and camogieEmerging evidence

Two hospitals saw 310 hurling eye injuries in 1994 to 2002; 17% needed admission and one player lost an eye. In 70 hurling face and mouth injuries in 2007 to 2008, 75% of players weren't wearing a helmet and 60% were hurt in training. At one Cork hospital, facial fractures from hurling more than halved between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s, as helmet use and coaching improved. The warning signs below give the National Health Service (NHS) advice.

Sources 31, 42, 43

HandsEmerging evidence

Hand injuries were 52.1% of hurling emergency visits in one study, 65% of them from a hurley and 62% of them fractures, mostly of the long bones of the hand and the finger bones. Our broken hand and broken finger guides cover these.

Sources 30, 44

BacksEmerging evidence

Back injuries were 4.7% of elite football injuries, 79% of them without contact. Our back pain guide covers what to do.

Source 28

Who's at higher riskEmerging evidence

A previous injury; players over 30; defenders and midfielders for hamstrings; poor aerobic fitness, high weekly loads and sudden jumps in load, especially in first-year players; too little or too much running near top speed; low groin squeeze strength; and playing both codes or other sports for hip and groin pain. These are associations, and eccentric hamstring strength didn't predict hamstring injury in 185 elite footballers.

Sources 3, 34, 45, 46, 47, 26, 48

The GAA 15, as the GAA publishes it

Developed by the GAA's Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee with University College Dublin physiotherapy, from the National GAA Injury Database and prevention trials: 15 minutes, 19 exercises in six parts, "performed at the start of each training session". Before matches, only the running parts (A and F).

• A. Running (up to 5 minutes): a slow jog, hip out, hip in, heel flicks, touch toes, then runs at 50% and 80%, each twice to the 20 m line and back.
• B. Strengthening (up to 4 minutes): single-leg bridges, 8 each leg; 6 forward lunges with the arms raised; 6 reverse lunges; 2 sets of 8 squats, or single-leg squats at level 2; front-to-side plank turns, 2 sets of 30 seconds.
• C. Balance (up to 1 minute): 6 single-leg lunges each leg, reaching to a partner's hands; a partner's pushes at level 2, a heel raise at level 3.
• D. Jumps (up to 1 minute): 2 sets of 8 countermovement jumps (level 1), jumps across an imaginary cross (level 2) or jumps sideways onto one leg (level 3).
• E. Hamstrings (up to 1 minute): Nordic lowers, 3 to 5 (level 1), 7 to 10 (level 2) or 12 to 15 (level 3).
• F. Sport specific (up to 3 minutes): 2 runs of 20 m at 75 to 80% of top speed, 2 runs of 6 to 8 high bounds, and 30 seconds of planting and cutting.

Sources 49, 4

The GAA 15: what the studies showEmerging evidence

In a small randomised trial of 4 college teams (Gaelic football and hurling), the GAA 15 twice a week for 8 weeks improved balance (by about 4%) and landing technique; it didn't count injuries. In one college cohort that wasn't randomised, 131 players using it before every training session and match through a season had 66% fewer injuries than players with their usual warm-ups (2.62 against 7.62 per 1,000 hours), with fewer hamstring injuries. The summary we read gives no figures for how often teams did it.

Sources 6, 5

Getting teams to do itEmerging evidence

Only 32.4% of adult players knew of any injury prevention programme, and 41.6% said their coach didn't know how to run one. After a workshop, 72.5% of camogie coaches who replied were using a programme 4 weeks later, though many found the Nordic too hard. Experts recommend programmes of 10 to 15 minutes with little equipment for ladies' football.

Sources 50, 51, 52

ACL programmes, borrowed from other sportsStrong evidence

Across 8 meta-analyses, warm-ups with strength, jump-and-land and balance work halved ACL injuries and cut ACL tears without contact by about two-thirds in women and girls. Women in team sports tear an ACL about twice as often as men. The GAA 15 includes landing and balance work; none of these programmes has been tested on Gaelic injuries.

Sources 53, 54

Nordic and Copenhagen programmes, borrowed from footballEmerging evidence

Programmes including the Nordic hamstring exercise were linked with about half as many hamstring injuries across sports, though when only properly randomised trials are pooled the effect is uncertain. The Copenhagen adductor exercise cut groin problems by 41% in semi-professional footballers. Neither has been tested in Gaelic games.

Sources 55, 56, 57, 58

Ankle braces and balance, borrowed from other sportsStrong evidence

Lace-up ankle braces cut ankle injuries by about two-thirds in high-school basketball players, and across trials braces cut repeat sprains by about two-thirds and first ones by about half.

Sources 59, 60

Load and top speedEmerging evidence

In one elite squad, players who reached over 95% of their top speed in training had fewer leg injuries than those who only reached 85%, and a higher chronic training load protected against more running at top speed. High weekly loads and sudden jumps in load raised injury risk, especially in first-year players, while better aerobic fitness protected. Players who did more pre-season sessions had fewer injuries without contact, though not clearly. These are associations from single squads.

Sources 46, 45, 61

What isn't shownMixed evidence

No randomised trial has tested the GAA 15 on injuries, and no trial has tested hip and groin prevention, gloves or headgear in Gaelic games. Neck strength had only small links with concussion across team sports.

Sources 6, 5, 62

Drop jumps and sprints, as trialled in hurlersEmerging evidence

Twenty-one hurlers were randomised to two sessions a week for 7 weeks:

• Sprint group: 6 sprints of 20 m.
• Combined group: 6 rounds of 3 bounce drop jumps, each followed 15 seconds later by a 20 m sprint.
• Both groups got stronger (back squat for 3 reps up 12.7 to 17.6%) and faster over 5 m (5.7 to 9.5%), 10 m (4.3 to 5.6%) and 20 m (3.4 to 4.0%); the combined group also jumped 7.4% higher.
• The groups didn't differ clearly from each other, and there was no group that didn't train.

Source 63

Hamstring strength: more than one wayEmerging evidence

In 24 college footballers randomised for 4 weeks, back extensions on a 45-degree bench raised eccentric hamstring strength as much as Nordic lowers. In 12 footballers with a previous hamstring injury, 6 weeks of single-leg Roman chair holds improved a hamstring endurance test by 23.7% while Nordics didn't. In 26 elite under-20 players, 2 sets of 4 Nordics and 3 sets of 6 staggered-stance Romanian deadlifts once a week for 9 weeks in season lengthened the hamstring's muscle fibres without raising eccentric strength.

Sources 64, 65, 66

Top speed and fitnessEmerging evidence

Regular running near top speed and good aerobic fitness went with fewer injuries, and fitter, stronger players recovered faster after matches. These are associations in single squads.

Sources 46, 45, 25

What separates levelsEmerging evidence

Elite female footballers were stronger and more powerful than club players, and elite male footballers kept their running up better through matches. These are comparisons, not trials.

Sources 21, 20

Fitting it around the games

Every session: the GAA 15 at the start of training, and only Parts A and F before matches. Pre-season: 2 strength sessions a week, with the drop jumps and sprints twice a week as in the hurling trial, and running loads built up gradually, avoiding sudden jumps.

In season: 1 or 2 shorter strength sessions, Nordics once a week (2 sets of 4 in the under-20 study) and the Copenhagen exercise once a week. Keep the 2 days after a match light and the 48 hours before the next free of heavy legs, Nordics and hard jumping (our suggestion). Players in both codes or several sports: count all your weekly sport, because they had more hip and groin pain.

Sources 4, 63, 45, 66, 58, 24, 26

What predicts a hamstring injuryEmerging evidence

A previous hamstring injury raised the rate 3.3 times in elite footballers, and players aged 18 to 20 and over 30 had more. Eccentric hamstring strength, measured in a Nordic test, didn't predict who got injured in 185 elite players.

Sources 3, 48

GroinsEmerging evidence

In 55 elite footballers, low groin squeeze strength (below 225 mmHg) and low scores on a hip and groin questionnaire before the season went with groin injury. In 2,703 elite men, pain in the previous season was the best predictor of hip and groin pain.

Sources 47, 36

Our reading

Keep the GAA 15's Nordics going at every session, add back extensions and Romanian deadlifts in the gym, and do the Copenhagen exercise in pre-season. Strength tests alone won't tell you who will get hurt, so treat a previous injury as the main warning.

The hurling helmet ruleStrong evidence

GAA Rule 4.2(i), as the GAA quoted it on 16 March 2026: "in all Hurling Games and Hurling Practice Sessions, it shall be mandatory for, and the responsibility of, each individual player to wear a helmet with a facial guard that meets the standard set out in IS:355", and "Such helmets shall not be modified from their original manufactured state in any circumstances." A player whose helmet doesn't meet the standard or has been modified isn't covered by the GAA Player Injury Fund. The GAA has warned about counterfeit helmets and set up a work group to regulate the helmet market.

Sources 7, 10

The camogie helmet ruleStrong evidence

Camogie Association Rule 7.2: "In all Camogie games and training sessions it is mandatory for all players to wear an approved, i.e. NSAI Standard IS355, helmet with facial guard", and "Any modification of an approved helmet may deem it to be non-compliant".

Source 8

When the helmet rules came in

According to studies of the rule, not the rule books, helmets with face guards became compulsory in hurling for players aged 18 and under from 1 January 2005, and for all players from 1 January 2010.

Sources 9, 42

Helmets: the evidenceEmerging evidence

Before the rules, nearly half (48.5%) of hurlers surveyed wore no face guard, mostly because of their view. In the 12 months after the under-18 rule, eye injuries in under-18s in one region fell from 11 to 2, and facial fractures had already more than halved as helmet use grew. Serious eye injuries still happen in warm-ups and drills without face guards, and with modified ones: 31% of 304 adult players had modified their helmets, mostly for vision or comfort, and modified face guards have caused penetrating arm wounds.

Sources 31, 9, 43, 67, 68, 69

Mouthguards: the rulesStrong evidence

GAA: "Since January 1st 2014, it has been mandatory for players in all grades to wear a mouthguard in all Gaelic football games and practice sessions". Players can be sent off, aren't covered by the injury fund without one, and need medical evidence for an exemption. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) made mouthguards compulsory up to and including minor from 1 January 2014 (announced 19 December 2013), and, according to Mayo LGFA's guidance, in all age grades from 1 January 2017. We found no mouthguard rule for hurling or camogie.

Sources 10, 11, 70

Mouthguards: the evidenceEmerging evidence

After the GAA rule, its dental injury claims fell by 37% in grades up to minor and 39% in adults. Across sports, people without mouthguards had over twice the risk of mouth and face injuries, and in collision sports mouthguards went with about a quarter fewer concussions. But of 545 adult footballers, only 48% always wore one in matches and 22% in training, citing discomfort and trouble breathing and speaking.

Sources 10, 71, 72, 12

Hands and glovesMixed evidence

Only 4.9% of injured hurlers wore hand protection regularly, though most had tried it, and 10% of players with hand fractures wore it. Neither the GAA nor the Camogie Association requires gloves, and no study has tested them. Padded gloves are a reasonable choice, especially after a hand fracture (our suggestion).

Sources 30, 44

Recognise and removeStrong evidence

The concussion guidelines shared by the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association (updated in 2024): a player with a suspected concussion is removed at once, doesn't return that day, is medically assessed, and doesn't return to full contact without medical approval. Relative rest for up to the first 2 days. Anyone with two or more concussions in a year should see a practitioner experienced in concussion, and symptoms lasting beyond 10 to 14 days need a specialist.

Source 13

Return to play, by ageStrong evidence

The minimums, counting from the day of diagnosis:

• Adults: at least 2 days each for symptom-limited activity, light aerobic exercise, moderate aerobic exercise and individual sport-specific exercise, then at least 3 days each for non-contact and contact training, with contact only after medical clearance. Return to play at day 15 at the earliest.
• Adult men over 18: "If assessed by a doctor experienced in concussion care", they may return before day 15, but never within 7 days of diagnosis.
• Adult women: no full contact training or matches for at least 15 days.
• Under-18s: at least 4 days each for light aerobic, moderate aerobic and sport-specific exercise, and 3 days each for non-contact and contact training: no full contact training or matches for at least 21 days.

Source 13

What changedStrong evidence

The May 2021 guidelines set at least 1 week for adult men and 2 weeks for women and under-18s. Club documents based on them are out of date.

Source 73

Against the UK guidelines

The UK guidelines for grassroots sport set day 21 for everyone and don't need a doctor to clear each stage. The GAA's adult minimum is shorter, with medical clearance before contact. Follow the rules of the body you play under (our reading).

Sources 74, 13

On the pitchEmerging evidence

In elite hurling broadcasts, most potential concussions were assessed, but 81% of assessments lasted under a minute, and only 10 of 43 players with visible signs were removed. In elite ladies' football, 13.6% of suspected concussions led to the player coming off. Teenage players were less likely to report symptoms before important games.

Sources 75, 41, 40

Everyone: seven questions

The PAR-Q+ (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone) asks about a heart condition or high blood pressure, chest pain, dizziness or losing consciousness, other long-term conditions and their medicines, a bone or joint problem that activity could make worse, and being told to exercise only under supervision. If you answer yes to any, check with your doctor or a qualified exercise professional first. If you're over 45 and not used to hard exercise, ask a qualified exercise professional before the hardest sessions, and delay if you're ill.

Source 76

After a concussion, or two in a year

Follow the 2024 guidelines: medical approval before full contact, day 15 at the earliest for adults and day 21 for under-18s. Two or more concussions in a year means seeing a practitioner experienced in concussion. Our concussion guide has the stages.

Sources 13, 40

After a hamstring strain

A previous strain is the biggest risk factor. Use our hamstring strain guide, then build the GAA 15's Nordics up through the levels, with the strength workout's hamstring block.

Sources 3, 49

Hip or groin pain now, or last season

Pain last season was the best predictor of pain this season. See our groin strain, sports hernia, osteitis pubis and hip impingement guides, and add the Copenhagen exercise once you're pain-free.

Sources 36, 58

After an ACL reconstruction

Most players returned, female footballers a little less often. Follow the return-to-sport checks in our ACL injury guide, and keep landing and balance work going, as the GAA 15 does.

Sources 37, 53

Hurlers and camogie players after a hand fracture

Hand fractures from the hurley are common, and few players wear hand protection. Padded gloves are a reasonable choice (our suggestion); our broken hand and broken finger guides cover recovery.

Source 30

Players over 30

Injury rates were higher in players over 30. Build load gradually after breaks and keep hamstring work going all year (our suggestion).

Sources 34, 3, 45

Female players eating too little, or with changes in their periods

In one survey, 38.5% of female club players screened at risk of eating too little for their training, and 34.4% noticed changes in their periods when training increased. Talk to your GP; our menstrual cycle and eating disorders guides have more.

Source 77

Leaking when jumping or sprinting

In 159 elite female Gaelic players, 61.6% leaked urine, and 13% had done pelvic floor training in the past 4 weeks. It's common and treatable: see a pelvic health physiotherapist, and our pelvic floor guide.

Source 78

Fainting or chest pain

The NHS advises seeing a GP if you've fainted, and calling 999 if you faint while exercising; the PAR-Q+ asks you to check first if you get chest pain or dizziness. Do that before you play.

Sources 79, 80, 76

Pregnant

The NHS advises against sports with a risk of falling or bumping your tummy, naming hockey and rugby. Leave out contact (our suggestion), talk to your midwife or GP, and see our pregnancy guide.

Source 81

People with epilepsy

Our epilepsy guide explains that in the International League Against Epilepsy's grouping, team sports on the ground such as football, rugby and hockey add no significant extra risk. Gaelic games aren't named, but they're played the same way (our reading).

Teenagers playing both codes or several sports

Playing both codes or other sports went with more hip and groin pain. Count all your weekly sport across teams; our children's guide explains why total hours matter.

Source 26

A head injury: the GAA's red flags

Take the player for urgent assessment at the nearest hospital for severe neck pain, worsening consciousness, increasing confusion or irritability, repeated vomiting, unusual changes in behaviour, a seizure, double vision, or weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs. With a possible neck injury, the player "should not be moved, and an ambulance should be called immediately".

Source 13

A head injury: call 999

The NHS says to call 999 if someone has hit their head and:

• Has been knocked out and hasn't woken up, or can't stay awake or keep their eyes open.
• Has a fit (seizure).
• Has problems with their vision or hearing, or clear fluid coming from their ears or nose.
• Has new numbness or weakness in any part of their body, or problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing.
• Has a dent in their head, or their behaviour has changed, such as being more irritable or distracted.

Source 82

Suspected concussion

Off at once, no return that day, and a medical assessment. Contact NHS 111 (the National Health Service's urgent advice line) straight away if they're being sick, feel dizzy or take medicine that thins the blood.

Sources 13, 82

A sliotar or hurley to the eye

Go to A&E (accident and emergency) or call 999 if the eye was hit at high speed, your sight has changed, it's very painful, you have a headache or are sensitive to light, you feel or are being sick, you can't move the eye or keep it open, or blood or pus is coming from it.

Source 83

Hands, fingers and wrists

Go to A&E if a finger or thumb points at an odd angle, looks blue or feels numb, or bone can be seen, or if a wrist or hand is numb or tingling, has changed shape or a bone is sticking out. Get help from NHS 111 if it's painful, swollen and bruised, or stiff and hard to move.

Sources 84, 85

Teeth, noses and cuts

A chipped or broken tooth needs a dentist: keep any piece in milk or saliva. Call 999 or go to A&E for a nosebleed that won't stop, clear, watery fluid from the nose, a cut that won't stop bleeding, or a bad cut on the face.

Sources 86, 87, 88

Sudden pain at the back of the thigh

Stop and don't play on. Our hamstring strain guide explains what to do next and when to get it checked.

Knees and ankles

Call 999 or go to A&E if you heard a crack, the joint has changed shape or points at an odd angle, it's numb or tingling, or the skin is blue, grey or cold. Get help from NHS 111 if it's very painful, very swollen, or you can't put weight on it or walk more than a few steps.

Source 89

A blow to the chest, then collapse: call 999

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 or 112, start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) straight away, and ask a helper to find and bring a defibrillator. A teenager whose heart stopped after a sliotar hit his chest made a full recovery with prompt resuscitation and a defibrillator.

Sources 90, 91

Heat at summer matches and camps

Heat exhaustion needs a cool place, fluids and cooling. Call 999 if someone is still unwell after 30 minutes of rest, cooling and fluids, or has a very high temperature, hot skin that isn't sweating, a fast heartbeat or breathing, confusion, a fit or loss of consciousness.

Source 92

"Hurling was safer before compulsory helmets"Emerging evidence

Eye injuries in under-18s fell from 11 to 2 a year in one region after the 2005 rule, and facial fractures more than halved as helmet use and coaching improved. Before the rules, two hospitals saw 310 hurling eye injuries in 9 years.

Sources 9, 43, 31

"Taking a bar off the face guard is harmless if it helps you see"Strong evidence

The GAA's rule says helmets "shall not be modified from their original manufactured state in any circumstances", and a modified helmet isn't covered by the injury fund. Modified face guards have let in serious eye injuries and caused penetrating arm wounds.

Sources 7, 67, 69, 68

"The GAA 15 is just a warm-up"Emerging evidence

In one college cohort that wasn't randomised, teams using it through a season had 66% fewer injuries, and in a small trial it improved balance and landing. It hasn't been tested on injuries in a randomised trial.

Sources 5, 6

"Strong hamstrings in a Nordic test mean you won't pull one"Emerging evidence

Eccentric hamstring strength didn't predict hamstring injury in 185 elite footballers, while a previous strain raised the rate 3.3 times. Programmes that include the Nordic are still linked with fewer hamstring injuries in other sports.

Sources 48, 3, 55

"Save your hamstrings: don't sprint flat out in training"Emerging evidence

In one elite squad, players who reached over 95% of their top speed in training had fewer leg injuries than those who only reached 85%, an association.

Source 46

"An adult can be back playing a week after a concussion"Strong evidence

Under the 2024 guidelines, adults return at day 15 at the earliest; only adult men assessed by a doctor experienced in concussion may return sooner, never within 7 days, and under-18s wait until day 21. The 2021 one-week minimum for adult men has been replaced.

Sources 13, 73

"Mouthguards are only for matches"Strong evidence

The GAA has required them in Gaelic football games and practice sessions since 1 January 2014, and the LGFA in training and games, yet only 22% of adult footballers in one survey always wore one in training.

Sources 10, 11, 12

"Groin pain is part of the game, and it goes away"Emerging evidence

Pain in the previous season was the best predictor of hip and groin pain in elite men, and over half of players had it in a year. Strength work for the groin cut groin problems in footballers.

Sources 36, 26, 58