This is an archive copy of a document originally located at http://www.sport.vic.gov.au/web/srv/srvsite.nsf/pages/research_injury_lawnbowls?OpenDocument  all copyright remains with creator.

See other sports injury prevention fact sheets.

• It has been estimated that 296,400 Australians, over the age of 15 years, participated in lawn bowls in 1995/96, which ranks lawn bowls as the fifth most popular sport and physical activity in Australia behind aerobics, golf, tennis and netball.
• The Royal Victorian Bowls Association (RVBA) estimates that 45,000 male and 29,000 female Victorians regularly play lawn bowls.
• More than three quarters of players are over 55 years of age and approximately 60% are male.

• Falls are the most frequent cause of injuries presenting to hospital emergency departments. Other causes are over exertion and being struck by a bowling ball.
• Lawn bowls injuries that present to hospital emergency departments are mostly fractures, strains and sprains.

• Anecdotal evidence from the RVBA suggests that fall injuries mostly occur when a player:
  steps backwards and falls over the bowls;
• steps forward over the ditch, rather than sideways, when crossing onto the green;
• delivers a bowl with incorrect balance

• Promote warm-up and stretch before play to improve joint range of motion, promote elasticity of tendons and ligaments and prevent muscular strain.
• Promote cool down after play to prevent stiffness and cardiovascular complications.
• Provide simple pre-season fitness testing to ensure players are fit for competition.
• Provide training sessions for fitness and skills development.

• Ensure correct technique because incorrect grip of the bowl, delivery or balance can lead to injury.
• Provide a trained coach at every club to advise and monitor the bowling technique of players at all levels of skill.
• Promote accreditation and regular training for coaches.
• Develop instruction clinics for social bowlers to improve technique.
• Promote balance training and exercises that strengthen the lower extremities, back and neck which could help prevent falls.
• Promote the use of trolleys for players who experience difficulty lifting their bowls bag.

• Seek professional advice when selecting bowls to ensure bowls are the correct size, to improve technique and prevent injury.
• Seek professional advice when purchasing footwear.
• Encourage players to change footwear to shoes with grip soles when stepping off the green.
• Use non-slip bowling mats with significant grip on the top surface to allow traction between the shoe and mat.
• Promote the use of bowling arms to players and community members with physical restrictions as a means of encouraging them to remain physically and socially active.

• Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen, hat and long sleeved shirt in high ultra-violet conditions.
  Avoid playing lawn bowls under extreme weather conditions.
• Ensure adequate player hydration by encouraging the sipping of water during play.
• Encourage various environmental measures to prevent falls including: hand rails around footpaths; ensuring footpaths are free of cracks or loose grave; use of anti-slip treatments on walking surfaces; good lighting at night games; and installation of ramps around the club and across the ditch.
• Provide sheltered seating areas at the end of each green for use between play.

• At least one trained first aider should be on duty at all bowls events.
• All bowls clubs should have a well-stocked first aid kit, a telephone and emergency contact numbers on display.
• Players should ensure that their injuries are completely rehabilitated and take sensible precautions to prevent
  re-injury, before resuming play.