Injury incidence, prevalence and return to play timeframes in community Australian football in 2024

Minimizing injuries in junior community Australian football is crucial for maintaining active participation, alleviating pressure on healthcare systems and supporting quality of life. To create and implement successful injury prevention programs it is essential to conduct injury surveillance which involves collecting data on injury rates, mechanisms, and circumstances.

The aim of this research is to describe the type, incidence, prevalence, and characteristics of musculoskeletal and suspected concussion injuries sustained by junior community footballers. The study also aims to explore return-to-play timeframes, time loss severity and school absenteeism resulting from these injuries. We also aim to explore whether changes to the AFL Community Concussion Guidelines in 2024 result in changes to the rates of head strikes or to compliance with concussion guidelines, compared to season 2023.