Table 3.

Recommendations for key data items that should be collected and reported on in surveillance systems to enable multiple and subsequent injuries/illnesses to be monitored (modified from Finch and Fortington¹¹⁵)

Data items	Why it is important
1. Unique identifier to link all injuries/illnesses in one participant	All participants require a unique identifier that covers all seasons/time periods and should be anonymised to protect privacy and confidentiality.
2. The injury/illness time order sequence	The exact date (day, month, year) of onset for each health problem is essential for the sequence to be clear. For greater precision, time can be important if multiple events/heats each day (eg, swimming).
3. Multiple injury/illness type details	Multiple injuries and illnesses can be the result of different or same event or aetiology, coincide at the same time or a mixture of both. Injuries/illnesses need to be linked to the specific circumstances/events that led to them. Date and time stamping, directly linked to diagnoses of all injuries/illnesses can inform these relationships.
4. Injury/illness details, including diagnosis	Collect information on the nature, body region/system, tissue/organ, laterality and diagnosis for all injuries/illnesses. Sport injury/illness diagnostic classification and coding is optimal.
5. Details of circumstances and time elapsed between	The time elapsed between injuries/illnesses will be determined by date and time stamping. If away from participation in sport then it is important to collect details and date/time stamps regarding rest, rehabilitation, treatment, training, modified sport participation and return to play.