Epidemiology of Football Injuries of the German Bundesliga: A Media-Based, Prospective Analysis over 7 Consecutive Seasons

Abstract

Background This study describes the implementation of a standardised, prospective injury database covering the entire 1st male German football league (“Bundesliga”) based on publicly available media data. For the first time, various media sources were used simultaneously as the external validity of media-generated data was low in the past compared to data obtained by way of the “gold standard”, i.e. by the teams’ medical staffs. Methods The study covers 7 consecutive seasons (2014/15–2020/21). The primary data source was the online version of the sport-specific journal “kicker Sportmagazin™” complemented by further publicly available media data. Injury data collection followed the Fuller consensus statement on football injury studies. Results During the 7 seasons, 6653 injuries occurred, thereof 3821 in training and 2832 in matches. The injury incidence rates (IRs) per 1000 football hours were 5.5 [95% CI 5.3–5.6], 25.9 [25.0–26.9] per 1000 match, and 3.4 [3.3–3.6] per 1000 training hours. Twenty-four per cent of the injuries (n = 1569, IR 1.3 [1.2–1.4]) affected the thigh, 15% (n = 1023, IR 0.8 [0.8–0.9]) the knee, and 13% (n = 856, IR 0.7 [0.7–0.8]) the ankle. Muscle/tendon injuries contributed 49% (n = 3288, IR 2.7 [2.6–2.8]), joint/ligament injuries 17% (n = 1152, IR 0.9 [0.9–1.0]), and contusions 13% (n = 855, IR 0.7 [0.7–0.8]). Compared to studies using injury reports from the clubs’ medical staff, media data revealed similar proportional distributions of the injuries, but the IRs tended towards the lower end. Obtaining specific locations or diagnosis especially with regard to minor injuries is difficult. Conclusions Media data are convenient for investigating the quantity of injuries of an entire league, for identifying injuries for further subanalysis, and for analysing complex injuries. Future studies will focus on the identification of inter- and intraseasonal trends, players' individual injury histories, and risk factors for subsequent injuries. Furthermore, these data will be used in a complex system approach for developing a clinical decision support system, e.g. for return to play decisions.

Efficacy of a new injury prevention programme (FUNBALL) in young male football (soccer) players: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

“…Severe injuries accounted for 21–37% of all injuries,1 3 or 0.78 injuries per 1000 hours 6. This aligns with injury locations and injury severity reported in adult professional football players 6–8…”

Entorses do tornozelo no futebol profissional brasileiro: Análise epidemiológica de 126.357 horas de jogo

“…This study reported a rate of 46.66 injuries per year, which represents a difference of 35.55% concerning our study. 3 Árnason et al 8 evaluated 10 elite Icelandic football clubs, and 82% of the injuries occurred in the lower limbs.…”

“…7 Em um estudo alemão que avaliou atletas da Bundesliga (liga alemã de futebol profissional) nas temporadas de 2008 a 2014, foram observados 280 episódios de entorses do tornozelo (5,17% do total de lesões) com uma taxa de 46,66 lesões por ano, o que representa uma diferença de 35,55% em relação ao nosso estudo. 3 Árnason et al 8 avaliaram 10 clubes da elite do futebol islandês, e do total de lesões encontradas, 82% localizavam-se nos membros inferiores.…”

“…Essas correspondem a cerca de 13% das lesões no futebol, atrás apenas de lesões na coxa e no joelho. 3 Além do impacto na carreira do atleta, essas lesões resultam em altos custos para os clubes, devido ao tratamento e reabilitação. O entendimento da epidemiologia e incidência das lesões do tornozelo pode ajudar as equipes a prepararem seus atletas de forma direcionada.…”

“…These lesions correspond to around 13% of injuries in football, only behind thigh and knee injuries. 3 In addition to the impact on the athlete's career, these injuries result in high costs for clubs due to treatment and rehabilitation. Understanding the epidemiology and incidence of ankle injuries can help clubs prepare their athletes in a targeted manner.…”