Background: Head and face injuries in field hockey are a concern. However, published data on injuries in field hockey are minimal, with apparently no reports on head and face injuries in elite youth hockey players during major international tournaments.
Purpose: To provide a descriptive account of head and face injuries in elite youth male field hockey players during the Men's Junior World Cup 2009.
Study design: Descriptive epidemiological study.
Methods: A total of 324 players were observed during 58 matches in the tournament. The injury reporting system was based on that used in team sports during international tournaments. All the head and face injury documentation was done by direct on-location observation by a trained sports medicine physician followed by confirmation from the team doctors or physical therapists.
Results: A total of 24 head and face injuries were documented. The overall injury frequency rate was 16 per 1000 match hours and 19 per 1000 player matches. There were 92% of injuries that were of contact type, with the head being the most common site and contusion being the most common type of injury. The incidence of injuries was higher during the second half and during the medal/ranking phase of the tournament.
Conclusion: The risk of head and face injuries is high in elite youth players with a potential of both short- and long-term player time loss in international tournaments. Rigorous enforcement of rules prohibiting body contact can significantly reduce the chances of head and face injuries in elite youth field hockey players. In addition, player education on the injury risks and safe practices at the developmental stages is desirable to prevent injuries and prolong sporting careers.