Epidemiology of quadriceps muscle strain injuries in elite Australian rules football players.

INTRODUCTION: Quadriceps muscle strain injuries are prevalent in the Australian Football League (AFL) with each team recording 1-2 new quadriceps per season. Little is known about epidemiology and recovery time frames for especially when compared to other common football. This study aimed describe of AFL players. We also milestones investigate influence clinical factors such as injury type (index or re injury), primary injured, mechanism on timeframes. METHODS: data from Soft Tissue Injury Registry 2014-2020 seasons were evaluated. Player demographic data, circumstances (activity MRI results (location injury) outcomes following (days walk pain free, return running >90% maximum speed, full training, play) extracted. Descriptive statistics frequency distributions used injuries. Mann Whitney U tests assess between group differences type, location injury. RESULTS: 164 122 players included. There was an average 23.4 season (range: 31-16) a mean play 25.4 days (95% CI 22.6-28.2). 134 index 30 re-injuries (18.3%). Of 137 investigation, majority strains occurred rectus femoris (91.3%). Nearly half (48.4%) all during kicking, further 14.8% occurring acceleration activities. most dominant kicking leg (72.0%), more frequent training (64.6%). All (100%) femoris. 70.0% within 6 months prior injury, primarily (63.0%). Longer timeframes found (rectus 28.8 days, SD 15.1 vs vastii 14.9 11.1; p=0.001), (kicking 28.0 15.7 22.3 13.1; p=0.045). Re-injuries older (re years, 3.9 23.9 4.1; p=0.047) took longer (re-injuries 30.2 13.9 24.6 14.9; p=0.074). DISCUSSION: frequently occur leg, mechanism. Rectus result significantly than occured femoris, kicking. IMPACT AND APPLICATION: Knowledge that re-injury may be assistance clinicians assessing injuries, developing rehabilitation programs determining Conflict Interest Statement: My co-authors I acknowledge we have no conflict interest relevance submission this abstract.