Frequency of Injuries in a Youth Soccer Tournament

Abstract

In brief: This study documents the types and frequency of injuries sustained in the 1984 Norway Cup-the largest soccer tournament in the world. During a total of 35,154 player-hours, 411 injuries and hyperventilatory conditions were recorded for the 1,016 boys' teams and 332 girls' teams participating. The injury rate was 8.9 and 17.6 per 1,000 player-hours for boys and girls, respectively. The overall injury rate for both sexes was 11.7 per 1,000 player-hours. Of total injuries 47% were contusions, 22% sprains, 18% lacerations, and 6% fractures. More than 60% of the injuries involved the lower extremities, 17% the head and neck, and 14% the upper extremities. The authors conclude that youth soccer, even on this highly competitive level, is a sport with few and mainly minor injuries.