Traumatic injuries in polo players.
Abstract: To determine the frequency of traumatic injuries in polo players in England. Methods: The survey included data on body location and reason for injury derived from accident reports using a retrospective cohort design from 26 participating English polo clubs between the years 2018 and 2024. Results: The study population included injuries in 236 polo players. The most common injury site was the limb (arm, hand, leg, wrist, shoulder) 47.9% (95% CI: 41.4-54.5), and face or head 38.6% (95% CI: 32.3-45.1), of which 12.1% (95% CI: 6.2-20.6) affected the eyes. The most common reason to require hospital treatment was injury sustained to the eyes, 45.5% (95% CI: 16.7-76.6), followed by limb 36.9% (95% CI: 27.6-47.0), and face or head 35.4% (95% CI: 23.9-48.2) (proportional difference P = .006). The most common sites to suffer an injury by the ball or stick and require hospital treatment were the head or face, 38.1% (95% CI: 23.6-54.4), eyes, 37.5% (95% CI: 8.5-75.5), and limb, 19.2% (95% CI: 9.6-32.5) (proportional difference P ≤ .001). The most common injury requiring hospital treatment that involved the horse was to the eyes, 66.7% (95% CI: 1.0-91.0). There was a significant proportional difference for eye injuries caused by the horse requiring hospital treatment compared to face/head (57.7%, 95% CI: 28.8-86.6, P < .001) or limb injuries (58.9%, 95% CI: 30.3-87.7, P < .001). Conclusions: Traumatic injury to the eyes while playing polo is the most common reason for requiring hospital treatment. As the head is already protected by mandating helmet use, we now advise similar regulation for eye protection by directing the wearing of sports glasses, goggles, or face guards. Key messages What is already known on this topic: Polo is regarded as a high-risk sport, which may result in traumatic injuries, the most serious affecting the head. Wearing of helmets is required during play to reduce this risk. What this study adds: Traumatic eye injuries during play are common and sustained from either the stick, ball, or fall from the horse. While the head is reasonably protected with helmets, injuries to the eyes while playing polo are the most common reason for requiring hospital treatment. How this study might affect research, practice or policy: As helmets are already mandated while playing polo, we now advocate the compulsory use of eye protection (sports glasses, goggles or face guards) for all polo players.
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine.
Publication Date: 2025-11-20 PubMed ID: 41263769DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgaf200Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Overview
- This study investigated the frequency and characteristics of traumatic injuries among polo players in England, focusing particularly on injury locations and causes, and identified eye injuries as the most common reason for hospital treatment.
Background and Aim
- Polo is a high-risk sport with a recognized chance of traumatic injuries.
- Previous safety measures include mandatory helmet use to protect the head.
- The study aimed to quantify the frequency of traumatic injuries in English polo players, focusing on where injuries occur and which require hospital treatment.
Methods
- Design: Retrospective cohort study using accident reports.
- Population: Data collected from 26 English polo clubs, covering injuries between 2018 and 2024.
- Data points included the location of injury on the body and the cause (e.g., ball, stick, horse fall).
- Analysis included calculation of injury proportion estimates with 95% confidence intervals and statistical testing of proportional differences.
Key Findings
- Total injuries recorded: 236 polo players.
- Most common injury sites:
- Limbs (arm, hand, leg, wrist, shoulder): 47.9% of injuries.
- Face or head: 38.6%, with eye injuries accounting for 12.1%.
- Hospital treatment necessity:
- Eye injuries resulted in hospital treatment 45.5% of the time – the highest among injury types.
- Limb injuries required hospital treatment 36.9% of the time.
- Face or head injuries resulted in hospital treatment 35.4% of the time.
- Injuries caused by the ball or stick leading to hospital treatment:
- Head or face: 38.1%.
- Eyes: 37.5%.
- Limbs: 19.2%.
- Horse-related injuries requiring hospital treatment:
- Eye injuries were predominant, with 66.7% requiring hospital care.
- Eye injuries caused by horse incidents had significantly higher rates of hospital treatment compared to face/head and limb injuries.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- Eye injuries represent the most common and severe type of trauma requiring hospital treatment among polo players.
- Given that helmets already protect the head, additional eye protection is advised.
- The study recommends mandatory use of sports glasses, goggles, or face guards in polo to reduce eye injuries.
Implications for Practice and Policy
- Current safety regulations mandate helmet use to prevent head injuries.
- The results highlight a gap in protection for the eyes despite head protection.
- Implementation of compulsory eye protection could potentially reduce serious eye injuries and hospital admissions among polo players.
- Promoting protective eyewear in polo may influence sports safety guidelines and reduce injury burden.
Cite This Article
APA
Ken-Dror G, Chua V, Sharma P.
(2025).
Traumatic injuries in polo players.
Postgrad Med J, qgaf200.
https://doi.org/10.1093/postmj/qgaf200 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research Royal Holloway, University of London (ICR2UL), United Kingdom.
- Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), Safety Committee, United Kingdom.
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research Royal Holloway, University of London (ICR2UL), United Kingdom.
- Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), Safety Committee, United Kingdom.
- Ashford & St Peters NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom.
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London UK.
Citations
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