FSH - School of Health and Human Performance header
School of Health & Human Performance
Shows DCU Gaelic footballers in huddle

Just over half of footballers only occasionally wear mouthguard in games finds DCU study

DCU Research news - Gaelic footballers in huddle mouthguards study
Despite mandatory mouthguard rules introduced nearly a decade ago, a new study published in PLoS ONE reveals that a large proportion of Gaelic footballers are not using mouthguards during training and games.

The research, which surveyed 545 adult players across Ireland, found that only 26% of athletes always wear mouthguards during training sessions, with compliance improving to just 48% during actual games. Perhaps most concerning, over one-third of players admitted to keeping their mouthguards in their socks until instructed by officials to put them in.

The findings highlight a significant gap between policy and practice in Ireland's most popular sport, where an estimated 472,500 adults participate regularly. The team behind the study includes Dr Aoife Burke, Niall O’Connor, Niall Duffy, Katie Holohan, Dr Siobhan O’Connor, and Dr Enda Whyte.

The study revealed interesting patterns between male and female players. While more women skip mouthguards entirely during training, they show better compliance during games compared to their male counterparts. Female players cited injury insurance coverage as a stronger motivator than males.

The stakes are high for non-compliant players. Recent data shows the average dental injury claim in ladies Gaelic football costs €968.54, and players aren't covered by injury insurance if they're not wearing mouthguards.

Dental injuries account for 5% of all adult male Gaelic football injuries, with teeth specifically contributing to 57% of maxillofacial injuries in the sport.

The most common reasons players gave for avoiding mouthguards were discomfort, difficulty breathing, and problems communicating with teammates. However, researchers suggest these issues could be addressed through custom-fitted mouthguards rather than the standard boil-and-bite varieties many players currently use.

The study's authors recommend that the GAA and LGFA consider subsidizing custom-fitted mouthguards and enhancing education programs. They also called for coaches and management staff to take more active roles in enforcing compliance during training sessions, where no referees are present to enforce the rules.

The mandatory mouthguard rule was introduced for men's Gaelic football in 2014 and women's in 2017, leading to a 52% drop in dental injury claim costs in the ladies' game. However, these new findings suggest more work is needed to achieve full compliance and maximize player safety.