Table 1

 Examples of how to record injuries under different recording regimens

ExampleInjury recording regimen
Medical attentionTime loss
1. A defender sustained a hamstring injury during a match that required 30 days of rehabilitation before he could return to full training. The player sustained another hamstring injury to the same muscle (same leg) 3 weeks later and required a further 50 days of rehabilitation before he could return to full training.First incident should be recorded as an injury (severity: 30 days); second incident as a recurrence (severity: 50 days).First incident should be recorded as an injury (severity: 30 days); second incident as a recurrence (severity: 50 days).
2. A goalkeeper developed shoulder instability and sought medical attention; the condition did not prevent him from taking a full part in team training or competition even though it caused him some pain. The team physiotherapist recommended an individual training programme for the goalkeeper to avoid aggravating the condition.Episode should be recorded as an injury (severity: 0 days).Episode should not be recorded as long as he remained able to take a full part in team training.
3. A defender sustained a groin injury, which the team doctor decided did not warrant immediate treatment; the player continued to take a full part in team training and competition. The player underwent elective surgery 2 months later and required 90 days rehabilitation.Incident should be recorded as an injury (severity: 0 days); when the player underwent elective surgery, the severity should be reclassified to 90 days.Incident should be recorded as an injury at the time of the player’s elective surgery (severity: 90 days).
4. A defender suffered groin pain that did not result in time loss; this incident was followed by a 1 month pain-free period; he then suffered a further period of groin pain, which prevented him from training and which required 21 days of rehabilitation.First episode should be recorded as an injury (severity: 0 days); second episode should be recorded as a recurrence (severity: 21 days).First episode should not be recorded; second episode should be recorded as an injury (severity: 21 days).
5. A forward sustained an ankle sprain during a match but continued to play; he received medical attention after the match. He completed full team training using ankle taping (with some pain) for 6 days but aggravated the injury during the next match; he then required 15 days of rehabilitation.First incident should be recorded as an injury (severity: 0 days) and when the second incident occurred the severity of the index injury should be reclassified to 15 days.First incident should not be recorded and the second incident should be recorded as an injury (15 days).
6. A midfield player sustained a laceration to the face during a morning training session; the doctor sutured the cut but the player missed the afternoon training session. The player was able to take a full part in training on the following day.Incident should be recorded as an injury (severity: 0 days).Incident should be recorded as an injury (severity: 0 days).