Rugby union still generates the most ACC injury claims, costing $147.5 million last year. Photo: Supplied: Jo Caird / Jogie&Co
As the first matches of the winter sports season get underway, ACC is reminding amateur sportspeople to condition their bodies for action.
ACC said injury claims for sports like football, netball, basketball, rugby union and rugby league peaked about May, right at the beginning of the season.
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said things like staying active in the off-season, warming up and cooling down, along with stretching, would help reduce injury risk.
"One of the best ways you can prepare your body and avoid the pain of early season injuries is by starting your training well before the season starts," Whitaker said. "Gradually build intensity in the build-up to the season and put your body through the movements you'll use in the game.
"A dynamic warm-up should be done before every training and game, and the same with a cool down after the game/training to gradually bring your body back to a resting state, to help your body recover. This is also a good time to include static stretching."
Winter sports-related injury claims and costs have consistently gone up over the past five years.
Between 2020-24, ACC data showed 106,099 netball claims cost $181.4 million, 262,700 rugby union claims cost $566.5 million, 204,383 football claims cost $286.5 million and 35,695 rugby league claims cost $103.8 million.
Last year, the cost of supporting people with rugby union-related injuries topped $147.5 million to support 59,242 claims, football-related injuries cost $78.5 million for 48,232 claims, rugby league cost $29.5 million for 10,079 claims and netball-related injuries cost $48 million for 23,796 claims.
The age groups with the highest number of sports-related concussion claims last year were 15-19-year-olds (3061), followed by 10-14-year-olds (2511), 20-24-year-olds (1711), 25-29-year-olds (1055) and 30-34-year-olds (780).
Football and netball injuries were most common among 10-14-year-olds, while rugby union and rugby league injuries were most common among 15-19-year-olds.
Whitaker said it was important for players put themselves through activities they'd do in their games.
"It's important for coaches to educate players, and emphasise the importance of a thorough warm-up before trainings and games to prepare their bodies and minds.
"A warm-up should include a combination of activation and dynamic exercises tailored for the game, and be completed before every training and game. A cool down should include static stretches to help your body recover, and be completed after every training and game."
"Without a focused warm-up, players run the risk of injury and will not be ready to go at the whistle.
"It's really important to take a step back and think about how you can best prepare yourself for the upcoming season. This includes your fitness, skill work, and physical conditioning for impact sports," Whitaker said.
