A survey of injuries at five greyhound racing tracks

The number of orthopaedic injuries sustained by racing greyhounds from five greyhound tracks in the state of Wisconsin, USA, was obtained over a two-y ear period. Calculated injury rates were analysed to predict the probabilit y that a given competitor would halve an injury based on track design, temp erature, bodyweight, grade of race, race distance, race number, injury loca tion on track and type of trauma. One track had a significantly higher Inju ry rate than the others, and this track was constructed with a decreased in itial straightaway, a decreased turning radius in the second turn and an in creased turn bank. Increased injury rates were also seen with successively higher grades of race, suggesting a possible correlation with speed. Race d istance had a significant effect on racing greyhound injury rates as well. Races measuring 3/16 mile and 7/16 mile resulted in a higher incidence of i njury as compared with races with lengths of 5/16 mile and 3/8 mile. injuri es were most likely to occur at the first: turn of a race. Temperature, bod yweight, race number and type of trauma had no significant effect on injury rate. Speed, race distance and track design were significant factors that were found to influence the injury rate of the racing greyhound and should be areas to focus on for the prevention of injury.