The incidence of soccer injuries can be reduced by preventive interventions, especially in low skill level youth teams. Coaches and players need better education regarding injury prevention strategies and should include such interventions as part of their regular training.

Review of the literature shows that information concerning risk factors for football injuries is incomplete and partly contradictory. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of medical history, physical findings, football skills, and football performance, as well as psychosocial characteristics on the occurrence and severity of football injuries. The prospective outline of the study was as follows: after a baseline examination was performed to ascertain possible predictors of injury, all players were followed up weekly for 1 year to register subsequent injuries and complaints. Two hundred sixty-four of 398 players (67%) had complete weekly follow-ups over 1 year. A majority of the players ( N = 216; 82%) were injured during the observation period. In comparing injured and uninjured players, several differences were observed. To create a multidimensional predictor score for football injuries, 17 risk factors were selected. These risk factors covered a wide spectrum, such as previous injuries, acute complaints, inadequate rehabilitation, poor health awareness, high life-event stress, playing characteristics, poor reaction time, poor endurance, and insufficient preparation for games. By summing up the individual risk factors, a predictive sum was calculated for each player. The more risk factors present at the baseline examination, the higher the probability of that player incurring an injury in the ensuing year. Using two risk factors as the cut-off score, more than 80% of the players were correctly classified as to whether they went on to incur an injury. Based on these findings, knowledge from the literature, and practical experience, possibilities for a prevention program are suggested.

The most important variables for measuring performance in team sports such as football are physical condition and technical and tactical performance. However, because of the complexity of the game of football it is difficult to ascertain the relative importance of each of these variables. The aim of the present study was to develop a standardized test battery to evaluate physical performance in football players. The F-MARC test battery was designed to closely relate to the football player's normal activity and comprised a functional, structured training session of approximately 2.5 hours. It included a “quality rating” of the warm-up procedure, tests of flexibility, football skills, power, speed, and endurance. The players finished with a cool-down. A total of 588 football players underwent the F-MARC test battery. Mean values for performance on each test are presented for groups of differing age and skill levels. The test battery proved to be a feasible instrument to assess both physical performance and football skills. This study supports the proposal by Balsom (1994) that analysis of an individual player's physical profile, in relation to mean values for a similar age group and skill level, might be of assistance to the coach in objectively evaluating the effects of a specific training program. It may also be of use to the physician and physical therapist responsible for monitoring progress during rehabilitation after football injuries.

It is hypothesized that players of different levels of play might differ not only in their football skills but also in their way of playing football and with respect to psychological factors such as concentration, reaction time, or competitive anxiety. The psychological characteristics of a player might influence his way of playing football (in particular with respect to fair play) and also his risk of injury. A group of 588 football players were studied by questionnaire; additionally, reaction time tests were performed. Psychological characteristics were assessed by three established self-evaluation questionnaires: the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory, the State Competitive Anxiety Test, and the State-Trait-Anger-Expression-Inventory. Football-specific characteristics that were investigated included playing experience and positions played, style of play, number of training hours and games, as well as aspects of fair play. Reaction time was tested twice: without the influence of physical exercise and immediately after a 12-minute run. A significant reduction in reaction time was observed after physical exercise. In high-level players, the reaction time immediately after the 12-minute run was significantly shorter than it was in low-level players. The questionnaire answers given regarding fair play clearly indicated that fair play is not paid sufficient respect. The relationship between psychological characteristics and attitudes toward fair play was analyzed and discussed.