Injuries in male youth football: a one season prospective cohort study of 223 Danish elite players

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study prospectively investigated injury prevalence, incidence, and burden in male elite under-17 football players (N = 223) during a full season.MethodsThe players weekly completed a standardized web-based injury survey (OSTRC-H2) and a physical exposure report throughout the study.ResultsAverage weekly response rate was 89.5%. Football exposure accounted for 52.4% of total physical exposure. On average (±SD), the players participated in individual football, strength, and rehabilitation practices for 1.2 ± 1.5, 3.0 ± .2.1, and 1.9 ± 3.4 h/week, respectively. In total, 742 health problems were reported. Mean weekly prevalence of health problems, injuries and illnesses were 20.1%, 16.5% and 3.8%, respectively. The injury incidence per 1,000 h of football exposure, match play and team practice were 8.28 (95% CI: 7.54–9.08), 16.77 (95% CI: 13.65–20.4), and 7.24 (95% CI: 6.5–8.04), respectively. Sudden-onset and gradual-onset injuries accounted for 36.7% and 43.4% of the total proportion of health problems. Hip/groin injuries had the highest incidence (1.58/1,000 h), whereas knee injuries had the highest burden (20.86 days lost/1,000 h). On average, the players experienced 3.33 health problems (average duration: 7.8 days). On average pr. player, 2.7 (95% CI: 2.2–3.3) wks of football exposure were lost.ConclusionSudden and gradual-onset injuries influenced player availability during the season. Health problem prevalence fluctuated markedly, and injury incidence was higher during match play than training. The players had substantial volumes of training beyond football-specific training and matches. Our findings could assist medical and sports science practitioneers in enhancing training and recovery processes to maximize player availability.

Unveiling the Knee Injury Landscape: A Comprehensive Study of Youth Male Football Players in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia

“…In the current study, muscle injuries constituted the most prevalent type, making up 61.5% of all reported injuries, with quadriceps and hamstring injuries being equally common and predominantly occurring during training sessions. The results of the current study are consistent with previous studies [11,12] that found that knee injuries caused the highest burden among injuries and that muscular injuries in general were the most common in youth football players. However, no direct comparison can be conducted because these studies do not specifically address the incidence of knee muscle injuries in this population.…”

“…Moreover, continuous involvement in football activities promotes the development of muscle imbalances [27], amplifying susceptibility to knee injuries [20]. This assumption is supported by Andersen et al [12] who identified a higher injury incidence rate per 1000 h during match play compared to team practice, suggesting that the intensity and duration of football exposure may impact the risk of knee injuries. Another study reported an overall injury incidence of 12.0 per 1000 h, with a heightened burden observed in the U16 age group [22].…”

“…This observation can be ascribed to the physical demands inherent in the sport, involving activities such as running and sudden directional changes, which contribute to the cumulative stress and strain on the knee joint. Prolonged engagement in football, particularly during matches, induces muscle fatigue, jeopardizing knee stability and predisposing individuals to injuries [12]. Moreover, continuous involvement in football activities promotes the development of muscle imbalances [27], amplifying susceptibility to knee injuries [20].…”