Incidence of injuries among male soccer players in the first team of the University of the Free State in the Coca Cola League – 2007/2008 season

Abstract

IntroductionAccording to the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), in 2006 there were approximately 38 million registered soccer players and 226 unregistered occasional players in 207 member countries worldwide. The total number of soccer players has increased by 10% over a 6-year period. 1Taking the increased popularity of the game and the high expectations of the players into consideration, the number of injuries associated with soccer could be anticipated.2 Soccer carries a risk for fractures, sprains, dislocations and other injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 3 in the USA, soccer injuries in male players accounted for 4.6% and 3.8% of non-fatal, unintentional sports-and recreation-related injuries in the 15 -19-year and 20 -24-year age groups, respectively.Most soccer injuries involve the lower extremities, are mild to moderate, and are typically sprains or contusions.2,4-8 Morgan andOberlander 7 reported that 77% of injuries in major league soccer players in the USA involved the lower extremity, with the knee slightly more often affected than the ankle.Several studies reported that more injuries occurred during matches than during practice. 2,7,8 An injury rate of 2.9 per 1 000 hours of practice, as opposed to 35.3 per 1 000 hours of match play, was noted by Morgan and Oberlander. 7 In a study of the epidemiology of soccer injuries conducted in Nigeria, 2 it was found that strikers and defenders were most commonly injured, especially those playing in amateur leagues. Design. A cohort descriptive study was conducted.setting. Twenty-three league matches were attended, during which injury information was recorded on game sheets. Main outcome measures.The injury type and site, the player game time, and the game period during which the injury occurred were recorded. Follow-up questionnaires were completed for injured players.results. In 23 matches played, a total of 15 injuries were sustained by 10 players. The incidence of injuries per 1 000 hours game time was 39.5. More injuries occurred at the beginning of the season. Midfield players were most often injured (53%). Most injuries were minor (class 1 severity), and none exceeded class 3 severity. Most injuries occurred in the first or fourth quarter of the game. Knee and ankle injuries were the most common (27% and