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| Research Title: |
Rye grass is associated with fewer non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries than Bermuda grass. |
| Type of Research: |
Publication Articles |
| Category: |
Preventative Techniques
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| Keywords: |
Grass, Weather, Playing surface, Anterior cruciate ligament, Non-contact injury, AFL, Football
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| Author(s): |
J W Orchard, I Chivers, D Aldous, K Bennell, H Seward |
| Author(s) Bio Box: |
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| Release Date: |
03 April 2006 |
| Research Summary/Text: |
Knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are generally considered to be among the most severe that regularly occur in many sports. There are few known reversible risk factors for ACL injuries, however there are previously observed warm and early season biases in the injury rate warranting further investigation. In this study the contribution of ground hardness, grass types and other match and weather variables to the rate of ACL injuries was assessed. The scope of the study was all Australian Football League (AFL) Players in AFL competition matches over the seasons 1992 to 2004 inclusive.
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| Research Objectives: |
To assess the contribution of ground variables including grass type to the rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury in the AFL.
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| Research Outcomes: |
Grass type is a stronger predictor of injury than ground hardness and weather variables. Rye grass appears to offer protection against ACL injury compared with Bermuda grass. The likely mechanism is a shallower thatch layer leading to lower shoe-surface traction on more occasions.
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| Research Implications: |
While acknowledging the limitations of pure rye grass as a playing surface for football, turf managers should be aware of the trends observed in this study and should consider promoting rye grass and reducing the depth of thatch where possible.
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| Availability of Full Research Paper: |
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