Risk Factors for Injuries in Football

TLDR

The injury risk in football is high, but little is known about its causes. The study aimed to identify risk factors for football injuries using a multivariate model. A prospective cohort of 306 male players from Iceland’s top divisions measured anthropometrics, fitness, and injury history before the season and recorded injuries and exposure throughout the competitive season. Older age and a history of previous injury were the strongest predictors, with age increasing overall injury odds by 10% per year and prior hamstring (OR = 11.6) and groin (OR = 7.3) strains, as well as knee (OR = 4.6) and ankle (OR = 5.3) injuries, markedly raising specific injury risks.

Abstract

The injury risk in football is high, but little is known about causes of injury.To identify risk factors for football injuries using a multivariate model.Prospective cohort study.Participants were 306 male football players from the two highest divisions in Iceland. Before the 1999 football season started, the following factors were examined: height, weight, body composition, flexibility, leg extension power, jump height, peak O(2) uptake, joint stability, and history of previous injury. Injuries and player exposure were recorded throughout the competitive season.Older players were at higher risk of injury in general (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1 per year, P = 0.05). For hamstring strains, the significant risk factors were age (OR = 1.4 [1 year], P < 0.001) and previous hamstring strains (OR = 11.6, P <0.001). For groin strains, the predictor risk factors were previous groin strains (OR = 7.3, P = 0.001) and decreased range of motion in hip abduction (OR = 0.9 [1 degrees ], P = 0.05). Previous injury was also identified as a risk factor for knee (OR = 4.6) and ankle sprains (OR = 5.3).Age and previous injury were identified as the main risk factors for injury among elite football players from Iceland.