The Medical Aspects of Soccer Injury Epidemiology

Abstract

In this article, the six major studies of soccer injury epidemiology are reviewed. Strengths and weaknesses of each epidemiologic design are critiqued and the crucial importance of the definition of injury is emphasized. The effect of age, sex, and intensity of play on injury rates is discussed. Our present knowledge of injury rate by anatomical site, player position, and the type of playing surface are reviewed. We examined the importance of player factors such as flexibility, joint laxity, weakness, and incomplete rehabilitation from other injuries. In addition, we reviewed the role played by inadequate equipment, field conditions, and rule violations. A successful program for soccer injury prevention is described, and guidelines for future soccer injury epidemiology research are proposed.

Exposure and injury risk in Swedish elite football: a comparison between seasons 1982 and 2001

“…A “tissue damage” definition based on the prevalence of complaints due to football, and not only absence, has therefore been suggested by Junge & Dvorak (2000). There is probably no ideal definition, and the time lost criterion has been recommended for studies of football injuries as it takes into account those injuries that are most likely to affect the player's health and performance (Keller et al, 1987).…”

Injuries in high-skilled and low-skilled soccer: a prospective study.

“…A number of different ways have been used to obtain information: (1) attendance at emergency departments3'5 or special sports injury clinics6; (2) from insurance claims reports8'9; (3) questionnaires10.…”

Methods for epidemiological study of injuries to professional football players: developing the UEFA model

“…Although this definition depends on the frequency of training sessions and matches, the teams at the professional level usually train or compete daily, which minimises the risk of missing less severe injuries. Furthermore, it can be argued that injuries resulting in time lost from training and matches have a substantial impact on the player's health and performance, 17 and also on the performance of the club, and therefore should be recorded.…”

“…No consensus exists about study design, data collection, injury definition, and observation period. [16][17][18][19] To interpret the results of an epidemiological study on football injuries, it is necessary to compare the results with data from other published studies. However, the methodological differences between studies may be greater than any statistically significant difference in the results.…”