Injury surveillance during the 2024 under 20s Men’s European Field Lacrosse Championships

Objectives: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of injuries sustained at the under 20s (U20) Men’s European Lacrosse Championships. Method: Injury surveillance data was prospectively collected during the 2024 U20 European Lacrosse Championships (Wrocław, Poland). A standardized electronic reporting system based on the 2020 IOC consensus statement was used. Injury incidence was reported per 1000 match-player-hours (match-p-h). Results: A total of 55 match-related injuries were reported with an injury incidence rate of 88.7 injuries per 1000 match-p-h (66.8–115.5 CI). The majority of injuries were non-time-loss (82%, 72.6 per 1000 match-p-h, 52.9–97.1 CI), 15% resulted in time-loss (>24 hours lost due to injury, 12.9 per 1000 match-p-h, 5.6–25.4 CI), and 4% reported as unknown (3.2 per 1000 match-p-h, 0.4–11.7 CI). Most injuries had a time-loss lasting between 0–1 day (73%; 64.5 per 1000 match-p-h, 46.1–87.9 CI). The onset of injury was predominantly as a result of sudden-acute trauma (73%; 64.5 per 1000 match-p-h, 46.1–87.9 CI), with contact mechanisms accounting for 67% (59.7 per 1000 match-p-h, 42.0–82.3 CI). The most frequent injuries reported were anterior thigh muscle contusion (9%; 8.1 per 1000 match-p-h, 2.6–18.8 CI), calf muscle injury (9%; 8.1 per 1000 match-p-h, 2.6–18.8 CI), ankle sprain (7%, 6.5 per 1000 match-p-h, 1.8–16.5 CI), and knee contusion (7%, 6.5 per 1000 match-p-h, 1.8–16.5 CI). Conclusions: The injury incidence during the 2024 U20 Men’s European Lacrosse Championships was high compared to similar youth field sports, though most injuries did not result in time-loss. The findings should be used to inform preparations for future age-group international lacrosse tournaments.