Citation

Brito J, Rebelo A, Soares JM, Seabra AF, Krustrup P, Malina RM. Clin. J. Sport. Med. 2011; 21(3): 259-260.

Affiliation

Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Section of Human Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; and §Department of Kinesiology, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JSM.0b013e31821a6025

PMID

21487292

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate injuries occurring during the preseason in youth soccer players. DESIGN:: Prospective cohort study over 1 preseason. SETTING:: 2009-2010 preseason. PARTICIPANTS:: Subjects were 912 youths aged 12 to 19 years. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS:: The club's medical staff prospectively recorded all injuries. A reportable injury was defined as by the consensus statement on soccer injuries. Estimated injury rates per 1000 hours of exposure during the preseason period were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Injury rates (injuries per 1000 hours of soccer exposure) during preseason practices by age group, as well as prevalence, severity, and type of injuries. RESULTS:: Total incidence was 2.5 injuries per 1000 hours of exposure. Incidence of match and training injuries were 6.7 and 1.8 injuries per 1000 hours (P = 0.02), respectively. Injuries were sustained by 7.2% of players during the preseason, and 79% of the injuries involved the lower limbs, of which 23% were located to the thigh. Muscle strains and contusions were the most common injuries and external trauma the main cause. CONCLUSIONS:: No age-related trend in the incidence of preseason injuries was found. During the preseason training period, athletic trainers should expect a majority of muscle strains, especially in the thigh region.

Language: en