Study design: Prospective cohort study of Indian women field hockey players. Background: Ground sport injury is a challenging task for physiotherapists around the world and lack of literature data makes it more difficult. In India it is still in the growing phase. This first case study provides the basic baseline data regarding potential areas of injury, their types, treatments, and outcome of the treatment on subjects and on game results. Case description: This study covers 16 Indian women field hockey players who participated in 15th Asian Games held at Doha from 1st Dec to 15 Dec, 2006 where they played a total of matches, each of 70 minutes. Outcomes: Throughout the tournament, 39.3% total players got injured: at least three body parts were affected by seven different types of injuries and rehabilitated according to symptoms by using physical therapy which is cost effective. Occurrence of muscle related injury was the highest (35%) and cut injury on head and eye were the least (2%). Forwards were at highest risk (43%) while goal keeper at least risk (0%). The effect of treatment was 100% and recovery time ranged from 5 min to 35 mins. Out of 22 total goals scored, forwards scored the maximum (19 goals-86%) followed by midfielder (2 goals-9%) and defender (1 goal-5%). The fact that after rehabilitation, injured players scored significantly (p<0.01) more goals (68%) than the non-injured (32%), shows physiotherapy enhanced the game performance. Discussion: Musc related injuries which were found most were probably due to running or less flexibility in the muscles. Forwards being affected the most may have been due to their quick responses and chasing the ball at both the end goals.

Key words: Field hockey, sports injury, physiotherapy, rehabilitation