Injuries in adolescent female players in European football: a prospective study over one outdoor soccer season

Soccer injuries: a review on incidence and prevention

Several investigators have studied the incidence and causes of soccer injuries in male professional players; however, epidemiological data on injuries in female soccer players are limited. From the data presented, it can be estimated that, on average, every elite male soccer player incurs approximately one performance-limiting injury each year. Nine studies on the prevention of soccer injuries were found in the literature. There is some evidence that multi-modal intervention programmes result in a general reduction in injuries. Ankle sprains can be prevented by external ankle supports and proprioceptive/coordination training, especially in athletes with previous ankle sprains. With regard to severe knee injuries, the results of prevention studies are partly inconclusive; however, training of neuromuscular and proprioceptive performance as well as improvement of jumping and landing technique seem to decrease the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes. Prevention programmes are likely to be more effective in groups with an increased risk of injury. More methodologically well-designed studies are required to evaluate the effects of specific preventive interventions.

Impact of osteoarthritis on sports careers

The number of people participating in sports continues to increase. The relationship between sports participation, joint injury, and subsequent osteoarthritis is complex. A history of joint injury and participation in high joint loading sports increases the risk of subsequent osteoarthritis changes in affected joints. The impact of osteoarthritis on sports careers depends on multiple factors including the joint involved, the location within that joint, and the physical demands of the chosen sport.

Overuse injuries in pediatric athletes

Children can be seemingly invincible, with inexhaustible energy. Even the elite young athlete, however, may lack the experience to realize when his or her level of activity is increasing the risk of sustaining injuries related to overuse. Coaches, trainers, parents, and physicians need to monitor the activities of young athletes, modify factors that may place them at increased risk of injury, and enforce periods of "relative rest" when necessary. Factors that can increase the risk of overuse injuries can be identified and modified if possible. Environmental factors include the use of sport-specific equipment (ie, running shoes instead of cleats for running activities) and properly sized equipment. Children of the same age will be of different sizes; "one size fits all" is not a good enough policy in this diverse population. Training factors include magnitude, frequency, and intensity. Children should be asked if they are participating in more than one team or sport simultaneously. Also, because the child's interest may exceed his or her skill level, young athletes optimally should be taught sport-specific skills to prevent injuries related to improper biomechanics. Finally, anatomic factors should be assessed, including alignment, laxity, flexibility, and muscle balance. These factors cannot always be changed, but coaches can modify training regimens and suggest strength and flexibility training to counteract specific weaknesses. Young athletes have a long future of activity ahead of them. Even if they never reach the Olympics or compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the injuries that occur in young athletes can have significant repercussions long after they leave the competitive arena.

Update on osteoarthritis part 1: current concepts and the relation to exercise

There appears to be an increased risk of lower limb osteoarthritis in participants of repetitive, high impact sports, and this is strongly associated with joint injury. There seems to be little risk associated with recreational running. Assessment of risk for osteoarthritis should take into account the nature of the sport, intensity of training, presence of previous injury, body mass index, and occupation.

The incidence of ankle sprains in soccer

This study investigated the relationship between exposure time and ankle sprains in soccer. Forty-one teams (639 players) from four male senior soccer divisions at different levels of skill (divisions I-VI) were followed prospectively for 1 year. The exposure to soccer and the number of injuries per player were higher in higher divisions, but the injury incidence, percentage of ankle injuries and incidence of ankle injuries were the same at different levels of skill. Of all injuries 17 to 20% were ankle sprains and the incidence varied between 1.7 to 2.0 ankle injuries per 1,000 hours of exposure. Since players with previous ankle problems run an increased risk of reinjury we suggest that these players receive preventive advice.