Epidemiological analysis of injury occurrence and current prevention strategies on international amateur football level during the UEFA Regions Cup 2019

Abstract

Introduction Football is the most popular sport worldwide and results in a high frequency of injuries. So far, mainly injuries in professional football have been investigated, and the literature lacks data regarding detailed injury epidemiology and current prevention data in amateur football tournaments. Materials and methods A prospective cohort study investigated an international amateur football tournament, the UEFA Regions’ Cup, which took place in 2019 in Germany. Injury epidemiology, current prevention strategies of the teams and the implementation of the UEFA concussion protocol were investigated in detail by means of standardized injury definitions and data samples for football (Fuller et al., Scand J Med Sci Sports 16:83–92, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2006.00528.x, 2006). Results 138 player of 8 teams participated in this study, while 39 players were excluded. Overall injury incidence was 12.5 per 1000 h total football exposure, 43.5 per 1000 h for match exposure. No injuries were registered during training. Injury prevalence was 14.1% per player and 1.1 injuries per match were registered. The lower extremity was predominantly affected by injuries (71.4%) and the majority of injuries (78.6%) were non-severe injury types like contusions (50%) and sprains (18.2%). Two head injuries, one contusion and one skin lesion, were handled by the guidelines of the UEFA concussion protocol. 44.4% of the players indicated at least one previous injury before tournament, 45.3% of them during the last two football seasons before start of the tournament. Injury prevention performance was included in all participating teams during the tournament by warm up or training strategies (100%). During the warm-up program just 5 exercises of the FIFA 11 + program was detected by this investigation in participating teams to be done by more half of the teams. Running exercises were the most frequently performed exercises, while trunk muscle exercises were less represented (14.3%). Conclusion This study presents for the first time epidemiological injury and prevention data of the UEFA Regions Cup. Injury incidence was higher compared to injury reports of regular seasons, but lower compared to other amateur football tournaments. Currently used prevention programs revealed trunk muscle exercises as often neglected.

The perception of injury risk and prevention among football players: A systematic review

“…Overall, the incidence of injuries in professional football players is 8.1 injuries/1,000 h of exposure for male players ( 2 ), and 6.1 injuries/1,000 h of exposure for female players ( 3 ). At the amateur level, generally, the incidence is 12.5/1,000 h of exposure ( 4 ). For both groups and competitive levels, the incidence of injuries is higher in matches than in training sessions, and lower extremity injuries have the highest incidence rates ( 2 – 4 ).…”

Acute Hamstring Injury Prevention Programs in Eleven-a-Side Football Players Based on Physical Exercises: Systematic Review

“…It follows that the most comprehensive programs are 11+, Harmoknee, and NWP, all of which share the addressing of all physical qualities, i.e., intrinsic risk factors [ 4 ] for hamstring injuries (see introduction). Of these programs, the efficacy of the 11+ in relation to the variables hamstring injury incidence [ 16 ] and strength [ 12 , 15 , 28 ] is noteworthy, although it is not significant in balance and stability [ 28 ].…”

“…Lower limb injuries stand out in sports such as football, where they account for 92% of the total [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The physical demands and characteristics of this sport lead to a high incidence of injuries [ 4 ]. For this reason, we have felt it necessary to recall some of the many and interrelated intrinsic risk factors.…”

“…In football, it is worth noting the contingency factor or the control of contingencies that occur continuously in competition and that influence the incidence of injuries [ 4 ] such as contusions from contact with opponents or falls, joint injuries to the ankles and knee due to twists or poor support on the ground and musculoskeletal injuries (quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, adductors) from constant starts, stops, sprints, ball kicks, jumps, etc.…”

“…There are additional influential aspects such as dehydration during training or competitions, poorly planned warm-ups or stretching, progressions in exercise intensity, rest times throughout the season (training overload), level of physical qualities [ 4 ] (endurance, strength, speed, motion range, and coordination), etc. Therefore, the technical team plays a fundamental role in controlling and preventing injuries [ 10 ].…”