Injury Prevention at North Queensland Cowboys 2012 - 2015

OBJECTIVES: Review injury rates at North Queensland Cowboys and compare this to the league in general and finishing position. METHODS: Injury statistics and surveillance body. Review shoulder and knee injury statistics from 2012 – 2016. Comparisons to rest of the competition and finishing position for the various seasons. RESULTS: It has long been thought that to win premierships, injury rates are important. In 2012 North Queensland Cowboys finished in eight position. The injury rates at this time were high. 2011 signify high injury rates which led us to introduce prevention strategies for knee and shoulder injury based on FIFA 11+ format. There has been a significant decline in injury rates such that by 2015 we had the least injuries in the competition. This corresponds to finishing the season as premiers. During this period the only significant knee injuries occurred in players that were new to our system. CONCLUSION: The injury prevention strategies have worked well at our club. Significantly reducing our serious injury rates.