Using administrative datasets to study sports and exercise injuries in the UK and Ireland: a scoping review

Participation in sport and exercise is widely recognised for its substantial physical and mental health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, mental well-being, and overall life satisfaction. However, engaging in these activities also carries an inherent risk of injury. Understanding the incidence, causes, and impact of sports injuries is essential for developing effective prevention strategies. Finch’s (2006) framework for sports injury prevention emphasises the importance of grounding public health interventions in robust epidemiological evidence. Administrative datasets present a valuable opportunity to address this need by studying sports injuries at a population level. The aim of this scoping review is to map the existing literature on the use of administrative data for studying sports injuries in the UK and Ireland.