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Martins F, Marques A, França C, Sarmento H, Henriques R, Ihle A, de Maio Nascimento M, Saldanha C, Przednowek K, Gouveia ÉR. Weekly External Load Performance Effects on Sports Injuries of Male Professional Football Players. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1121. [PMID: 36673875 PMCID: PMC9859064 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
One of the most challenging issues professional football players face throughout their careers is injuries. Those injuries often result from suboptimal training programs that were not designed according to the players' individual needs. This prospective study aimed to examine in detail the effects of sports injuries on professional football players' weekly external load performances. Thirty-three male professional football players were monitored using 10-Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) units (Apex pro series, StatSports) during an entire season. The variables considered in the analysis were total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), accelerations (ACC), and decelerations (DEC). The comparisons were made between the four-week block before injury (-4T), four-week block after return (+4T), and players' season averages (S). Players displayed significantly higher values of TD, HSR, ACC, and DEC in the -4T, compared to the other two moments (+4T and S). Furthermore, the comparison between the +4T and S showed no significant variations in the GPS metrics. It was shown that a significant increase in players' weekly external load performance over a four-week period may have a negative effect on the occurrence of injuries from a professional football standpoint. Future research should consider the effects of injury severity on players' external load variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Martins
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Adilson Marques
- CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
- ISAMB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cíntia França
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Andreas Ihle
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcelo de Maio Nascimento
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina 56304-917, Brazil
| | - Carolina Saldanha
- University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Krzysztof Przednowek
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Élvio Rúbio Gouveia
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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Martins F, França C, Henriques R, Ihle A, Przednowek K, Marques A, Lopes H, Sarmento H, Gouveia ÉR. Body composition variations between injured and non-injured professional soccer players. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20779. [PMID: 36456608 PMCID: PMC9715542 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24609-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Professional soccer is characterized by its physical demands, making players' exposure to high injury risks a growing problem. It is crucial to study the factors associated with injuries in professional soccer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age, body composition, and others variables related with the injury profile of professional soccer players of a specific Portuguese team. Also, it analyzed the impact of the injury profile on soccer's variations in body fat (BF%), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and total body water (TBW) throughout the season. The sample comprised 31 male professional soccer players competing in the First Portuguese Soccer League. Older players had a higher prevalence of muscular injuries. Midfielders and forwards showed the highest number of muscular injuries during the season being quadriceps the most affected zone. Considering players' BF% [Wilks' Lambda = 0.42, F (7, 23) = 4.61, p = 0.002, r = 0.58], SMM [Wilks' Lambda = 0.59, F (6, 23) = 2.70, p = 0.039, r = 0.41] and TBW [Wilks' Lambda = 0.54, F (7, 23) = 2.80, p = 0.029, r = 0.46] there was a substantial main effect for the assessments performed throughout the season and the injury status. Age assumes relevance in explaining the injury profile. The impact of the injury profile on soccer's variations in BF%, SMM and TBW throughout the season must be analyzed considering the clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Martins
- grid.26793.390000 0001 2155 1272Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal ,LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Cíntia França
- grid.26793.390000 0001 2155 1272Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal ,LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal ,grid.513237.1Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | | | - Andreas Ihle
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland ,grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland ,grid.425888.b0000 0001 1957 0992Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Krzysztof Przednowek
- grid.13856.390000 0001 2154 3176Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University, Rzeszów University, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Adilson Marques
- grid.9983.b0000 0001 2181 4263Centro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal ,grid.9983.b0000 0001 2181 4263ISAMB, University of Lisbon, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hélder Lopes
- grid.26793.390000 0001 2155 1272Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal ,grid.513237.1Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- grid.8051.c0000 0000 9511 4342Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physhical Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Élvio Rúbio Gouveia
- grid.26793.390000 0001 2155 1272Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal ,LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal ,grid.425888.b0000 0001 1957 0992Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Martins F, França C, Marques A, Iglésias B, Sarmento H, Henriques R, Ihle A, Lopes H, Ornelas RT, Gouveia ÉR. Sports Injuries of a Portuguese Professional Football Team during Three Consecutive Seasons. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912582. [PMID: 36231882 PMCID: PMC9565996 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Professional football players are exposed to high injury risk due to the physical demands of this sport. The purpose of this study was to characterize the injuries of a professional football team in the First Portuguese League over three consecutive sports seasons. Seventy-one male professional football players in the First Portuguese Football League were followed throughout the sports seasons of 2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022. In total, 84 injuries were recorded. Each player missed an average of 16.6 days per injury. Lower limbs were massively affected by injuries across all three seasons, mainly with muscular injuries in the quadriceps and hamstrings and sprains in the tibiotarsal structure. Overall, the injury incidence was considerably higher in matches than in training. The two times of the season that proved most conducive to injuries were the months of July and January. Our results emphasize the importance of monitoring sports performance, including injury occurrence, and assisting in identifying risk factors in professional football. Designing individualized training programs and optimizing prevention and recovery protocols are crucial for maximizing this global process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Martins
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Cíntia França
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Adilson Marques
- CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal
- ISAMB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Iglésias
- Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 2004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Andreas Ihle
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Helder Lopes
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Rui T. Ornelas
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Élvio Rúbio Gouveia
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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Martins F, Przednowek K, França C, Lopes H, de Maio Nascimento M, Sarmento H, Marques A, Ihle A, Henriques R, Gouveia ÉR. Predictive Modeling of Injury Risk Based on Body Composition and Selected Physical Fitness Tests for Elite Football Players. J Clin Med 2022; 11:4923. [PMID: 36013162 PMCID: PMC9409763 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11164923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Injuries are one of the most significant issues for elite football players. Consequently, elite football clubs have been consistently interested in having practical, interpretable, and usable models as decision-making support for technical staff. This study aimed to analyze predictive modeling of injury risk based on body composition variables and selected physical fitness tests for elite football players through a sports season. The sample comprised 36 male elite football players who competed in the First Portuguese Soccer League in the 2020/2021 season. The models were calculated based on 22 independent variables that included players' information, body composition, physical fitness, and one dependent variable, the number of injuries per season. In the net elastic analysis, the variables that best predicted injury risk were sectorial positions (defensive and forward), body height, sit-and-reach performance, 1 min number of push-ups, handgrip strength, and 35 m linear speed. This study considered multiple-input single-output regression-type models. The analysis showed that the most accurate model presented in this work generates an error of RMSE = 0.591. Our approach opens a novel perspective for injury prevention and training monitorization. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to identify risk factors associated with injury prediction in elite soccer players, as this is a rising topic that requires several analyses performed in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Martins
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Krzysztof Przednowek
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Cíntia França
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Helder Lopes
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Marcelo de Maio Nascimento
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina 56304-917, Brazil
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Adilson Marques
- CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
- ISAMB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreas Ihle
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Élvio Rúbio Gouveia
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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McCaskie CJ, Sim M, Newton RU, Hart NH. Lower-limb injury in elite Australian football: A narrative review of kinanthropometric and physical risk factors. Phys Ther Sport 2021; 52:69-80. [PMID: 34418589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide a succinct and critical analysis of the current physical and mechanical demands of elite Australian football while examining lower-limb injury and the associated physical and kinanthropometric risk factors. METHODS MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and SPORTSDiscus electronic databases were searched for studies that investigated the playing demands, injury trends, and physical and kinanthropometric injury risk factors of elite Australian football. Articles from similar team sports including soccer and rugby (union and league) were also included. RESULTS While the physical demands of elite AF have steadied over the past decade, injury rates continue to rise with more than two-thirds of all injuries affecting the lower-limbs. Body composition and musculoskeletal morphological assessments are regularly adopted in many sporting settings with current research suggesting high and low body mass are both associated with heightened injury risk. However, more extensive investigations are required to determine whether the proportions of muscle and fat are linked. Repeated assessment of musculoskeletal morphology may also provide further insight into stress fracture rates. CONCLUSIONS While kinanthropometric and physical attributes are highly valued within elite sporting environments, establishing a deeper connection with injury may provide practitioners with more insight into current injury trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum J McCaskie
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.
| | - Marc Sim
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia; Institute of Nutrition Research, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Perth, Australia.
| | - Robert U Newton
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia; Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Building 21, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Perth, Australia.
| | - Nicolas H Hart
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia; Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Building 21, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Perth, Australia.
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Facer-Childs ER, Hoffman D, Tran JN, Drummond SPA, Rajaratnam SMW. Sleep and mental health in athletes during COVID-19 lockdown. Sleep 2021; 44:zsaa261. [PMID: 33535229 PMCID: PMC7928674 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The global coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions resulted in the majority of sports competitions around the world being put on hold. This includes the National Basketball Association, the UEFA Champions League, Australian Football League, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and regional competitions. The mitigation strategies in place to control the pandemic have caused disruption to daily schedules, working environments, and lifestyle factors. Athletes rely on regular access to training facilities, practitioners, and coaches to maintain physical and mental health to achieve maximal performance and optimal recovery. Furthermore, participation in sport at any level increases social engagement and promotes better mental health. It is, therefore, critical to understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures have affected the lives of athletes. We surveyed elite and sub-elite athletes (n = 565) across multiple sports. Significant disruptions were reported for all lifestyle factors including social interactions, physical activity, sleep patterns, and mental health. We found a significant increase in total sleep time and sleep latency, as well as a delay in mid-sleep times and a decrease in social jetlag. Training frequency and duration significantly decreased. Importantly, the changes to training and sleep-related factors were associated with mental health outcomes. With spikes in COVID-19 cases rising around the world and governments reinstituting lockdowns (e.g. United Kingdom; Melbourne, Australia; California, USA) these results will inform messaging and strategies to better manage sleep and mental health in a population for whom optimal performance is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise R Facer-Childs
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Hoffman
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennie N Tran
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean P A Drummond
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shantha M W Rajaratnam
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Mason J, Wellmann K, Groll A, Braumann KM, Junge A, Hollander K, Zech A. Game Exposure, Player Characteristics, and Neuromuscular Performance Influence Injury Risk in Professional and Youth Field Hockey Players. Orthop J Sports Med 2021; 9:2325967121995167. [PMID: 33889643 PMCID: PMC8033403 DOI: 10.1177/2325967121995167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying factors that contribute to the occurrence of injury is an important step in designing training programs to minimize the risk of injury. However, despite high injury rates, variables contributing to injury in field hockey players remain relatively unexplored. PURPOSE To identify factors that may predict injury in professional and youth field hockey players. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHOD Professional and youth hockey players completed preseason neuromuscular performance testing and were monitored for injuries, training, and game exposure throughout the subsequent 12-month indoor and outdoor hockey season. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis was conducted to identify injury risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic curves were then calculated to determine the individual predictive accuracy of the identified variables. RESULTS A total of 83 players (mean ± SD age, 20.7 ± 4.9 years; 34.9% female) with complete performance, injury, and exposure data were included for data analysis. Almost half of players (44.6%) sustained a time-loss injury during the season, and 73% of these injuries occurred in the lower limb. Playing more games and having an older age, asymmetrical and poor dynamic postural control, and better explosive performance were identified as jointly influencing the risk of injury. When considered individually, number of games played throughout the season was the most accurate predictor of injury risk (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.74; P < .001), while asymmetrical and poor dynamic postural control (AUCs = 0.61-0.65; P = .01-.04) and better explosive athletic performance (AUCs = 0.65-0.67; P < .01) were identified as moderate individual predictors of sustaining a general or lower limb injury. CONCLUSION A number of modifiable factors were individually and jointly associated with an increased injury risk in field hockey players, providing initial evidence for the design of targeted and sport-specific training programs to mitigate the risk of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Mason
- Institute of Sports Science, University of Jena, Jena,
Germany
| | - Kai Wellmann
- Institute of Sports Science, University of Jena, Jena,
Germany
| | - Andreas Groll
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund,
Germany
| | | | - Astrid Junge
- Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Swiss Concussion Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zürich,
Switzerland
| | - Karsten Hollander
- Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding
Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts,
USA
| | - Astrid Zech
- Institute of Sports Science, University of Jena, Jena,
Germany
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Hoffman DT, Dwyer DB, Bowe SJ, Clifton P, Gastin PB. Is injury associated with team performance in elite Australian football? 20 years of player injury and team performance data that include measures of individual player value. Br J Sports Med 2020; 54:475-479. [PMID: 31242988 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-100029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether specific injury measures were associated with team performance in the Australian Football League (AFL). METHODS 15 289 injuries caused players from 18 teams to miss 51 331 matches between 1997 and 2016. Data were aggregated to the team level. We analysed the associations among injury measures and team performance (reaching finals/playoffs and specific ladder/table position). Injury measures per team included: injury incidence, injury severity, injury burden, player match availability and percentage of the full player roster injured. We also weighted injury measures by five measures of player value. RESULTS AFL teams' injury burden and player match availability were associated with final table position (r2=0.03, p<0.05). Player value weighted injury burden was different between finalists and non-finalists (mean difference=-8, p<0.001) and explained 12% of the variation in the table position of teams (p<0.001). For a team, nine missed matches due to injury (burden weighted by a best and fairest player rating system) was associated with one lower table position. Player match availability weighted by player value was higher for finalists than non-finalists (mean difference=1.7, p<0.01) and explained 7% of the variation in the table position of teams (p<0.001). DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS The impact of injury (burden weighted by best and fairest) explained up to 12% of the variation in final table position-this is particularly relevant to making/not making playoffs as well as home ground/travel advantages for those teams that make the one-game format of AFL playoffs (not home-away or best of seven format).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan Brian Dwyer
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven J Bowe
- Biostatistics Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick Clifton
- Football Operations, Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul B Gastin
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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