Citation

Hartmut G, Becker A, Walther M, Hess H. Clin. J. Sport. Med. 2010; 20(4): 264-271.

Affiliation

Orthopedic Clinic Munich-Schwabing, Munich, Germany; Caritas-Klinik St. Theresia Saarbruecken, Saarbruecken, Germany; FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Orthopedic Hospital Munich-Harlaching, Munich, Germany; and Elisabeth-Klinik Saarlouis, Saarlouis, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JSM.0b013e3181e78e33

PMID

20606511

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To obtain precise information on injury patterns in the women's premier soccer league in Germany. DESIGN:: One-year, prospective, epidemiologic cohort study. SETTING:: Institutional level German Football Association. PARTICIPANTS:: All 254 players from all 12 women's premier league teams were included. INTERVENTIONS:: Base information by standardized personal interviews. Evaluation of all injury-associated medical data transmitted by standardized documentation forms. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS:: Injuries incidence rates (average, 95% confidence intervals) based on the exposure in matches and at practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: All time loss diagnoses, number and context of injuries related to their anatomical localization, severity, and rehabilitation period were recorded. RESULTS:: All 254 players finished the study average age, 22.8 years (16-35 years). Two hundred forty-six injuries amounted to an injury rate of 3.3 per 1000 hours (games, 18.5 per 1000 hours; practice, 1.4 per 1000 hours). Injury distribution: knee, 31.0%; ankle, 22.1%; thigh, 12.9%; and head, 7.1%. The seasonal peak was at the beginning of the competitive season. Injury rates doubled after the 60th minute. Twenty-nine percent of the injuries were severe, and 37% were moderate. CONCLUSIONS:: Female players suffer a high amount of head injuries and severe knee and ankle injuries. The most common single injury is a sprained ankle. Torn ligaments in the ankle and knee are the most common injuries that require a long recovery period. Most of the severe injuries (>30 days) are due to noncontact intrinsic mechanisms. Almost one-quarter of all injuries consist of exertion syndromes not yet correlated with certain seasonal periods.

Language: en