Reducing Injuries in Soccer (Football): an Umbrella Review of Best Evidence Across the Epidemiological Framework for Prevention

Abstract

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Expectedly, the incidence of soccer-related injuries is high and these injuries exert a significant burden on individuals and families, including health and financial burdens, and on the socioeconomic and healthcare systems. Using established injury prevention frameworks, we present a concise synthesis of the most recent scientific evidence regarding injury rates, characteristics, mechanisms, risk and protective factors, interventions for prevention, and implementation of interventions in soccer. In this umbrella review, we elucidate the most recent available evidence gleaned primarily from systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Further, we express the exigent need to move current soccer injury prevention research evidence into action for improved player outcomes and widespread impact through increased attention to dissemination and implementation research. Additionally, we highlight the importance of an enabling context and effective implementation strategies for the successful integration of evidence-based injury prevention programs into real-world soccer settings. This narrative umbrella review provides guidance to inform future research, practice, and policy towards reducing injuries among soccer players.

Assessment of External Load during Matches in Two Consecutive Seasons Using the Mediacoach® Video Analysis System in a Spanish Professional Soccer Team: Implications for Injury Prevention

“…A match was defined as any friendly or competitive match. An injury was defined as one that occurs during a training session or match and prevents the player from performing the next training session or match [39].…”

“…Emerging evidence targets load (external and internal) management programs as an interesting tool to reduce injury risk among soccer players [39]. Moreover, considering the higher injury incidence rates during matches in male professional soccer players, Pfirrmann et al [40] recommended the review of those data in competition to reduce the overall injury rates.…”

Influence of Size and Maturity on Injury in Young Elite Soccer Players

“…The psychological and physical health benefits of physical activity and sports practice are well known and documented [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. However, given its nature as a high-intensity contact sport, soccer is associated with a great injury risk, which makes it a target sport for injury prevention [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Injury incidence among soccer players differs across levels of participation, age, type of exposure, and sex [ 1 , 8 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] with soccer players under the age of 12 years exhibiting a lower injury rate (1.0–1.6 injuries per 1000 h) compared to older players [ 1 , 16 , 17 ]. However, this rate varies considerably among different studies.…”

Dissemination and implementation research in sports and exercise medicine and sports physical therapy: translating evidence to practice and policy

“…For example, in a recent umbrella review of best evidence for mitigating injury risk among soccer players, no single systematic or narrative review was found regarding intervention implementation and evaluation despite numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses for studies regarding risk/protective factors and intervention efficacy. 6 Some of the challenges of capturing D&I in research can be addressed by clarifying core D&I concepts and principles to create a ‘common language’ for SEMS researchers and implementation partners and stakeholders, including policymakers, administrative leaders and practitioners in collaborative intervention efforts.…”