Injury Patterns and Associated Factors Among Portuguese Federated Rink Hockey Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To describe injury patterns and identify factors associated with the number of reported injuries among Portuguese senior first-division rink hockey players during the 2024–2025 competitive season.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included Portuguese senior first-division rink hockey players who completed an anonymous electronic questionnaire regarding injuries sustained during the 2024–2025 season. Demographic and sport-related characteristics, injury location, type, mechanism, severity, supervised strength training, and physiotherapy availability were collected. Descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests were used to compare reported injury numbers between participant groups.

Results: 124 athletes participated (mean age 23.8 ± 5.3 years; mean federated practice 16.9 ± 5.6 years), of whom 115 (92.7%) reported at least one injury. Lower limb injuries were most frequent (143; 36%), followed by head and neck injuries (119; 30%). Facial injuries accounted for 94 (79%) head and neck injuries. Trauma from stick or ball contact was the most frequent mechanism (105; 26.4%). Overall, 119 (30%) injuries were severe and 25 (6.4%) required surgery. Playing position was associated with reported injury numbers, with goalkeepers sustaining approximately 52% fewer injuries than field players (p = 0.00066). No significant associations were observed with sex, training frequency, years of federated practice, supervised strength training, or physiotherapy availability.

Conclusions: Lower limb and facial injuries were the most frequently reported patterns. Playing position was the only participant characteristic significantly associated with reported injury numbers. These findings highlight potential targets for injury prevention, particularly lower limb prevention and facial protection, and support future prospective research.