@article{ref1,
title="Lost in transition: exploring injury risk in academy footballers shifting between the second and first teams",
journal="Journal of science and medicine in sport",
year="2023",
author="Martin-Garetxana, Imanol and Ortuzar, Isusko and Urkiza, Iban and Lekue, Jose A. and Monasterio, Xabier and Gil, Susana M. and Larruskain, Jon",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To compare the injury profiles of football players shifting between second and first teams with those of second- and first-team players, and to examine the opinions of shifting players. <br><br>DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. <br><br>METHODS: 170 male players from Athletic Club (second team = 90, shifting = 20, first team = 60) were followed over eight seasons. Injuries and exposure time were recorded following the FIFA consensus, and 18 shifting players answered a seven-item questionnaire on their experience. <br><br>RESULTS: 35 % shifting players became full-time first-team players, in contrast to only 8 % of second-team players (odds ratio = 6.4, p < 0.01). There were no differences in the overall injury incidence, but the overall burden of injuries was higher in second-team (172 days lost/1000 h) and shifting players (194 days lost/1000 h) compared with first-team players (114 days lost/1000 h, p < 0.01). Shifting players had a higher burden of knee joint/ligament injuries compared with first-team players (137 vs. 18 days lost/1000 h, p < 0.01) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures (122 vs. 10 days lost/1000 h, p < 0.01). There was a trend towards a higher burden of ACL ruptures in shifting players than in second-team players (122 vs. 41 days lost/1000 h, p = 0.07). Shifting players reported constant pressure and better communication with the second-team coaching staff than with the first-team staff. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The high burden of injuries in shifting players, particularly from ACL ruptures, highlights the need for action. Ensuring high-quality communication between second- and first-team staff remains a key challenge.  Keywords: Soccer<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1440-2440",
doi="10.1016/j.jsams.2023.11.009",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.11.009"
}