Injury risk and patterns in newly transferred football players: a case study of 8 seasons from a professional football club. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carling, Christopher; McCall, Alan; Le Gall, Franck; Dupont, Gregory
• Is Part Of: Science and medicine in football. Volume 2:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Injuries -- incidence -- burden -- soccer -- player transfers; Soccer injuries -- Periodicals; Soccer -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Soccer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 617.102763
• DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2017.1370123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2473-3938

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This case study investigated injury risk and patterns in players newly transferred to a professional football club. Time-loss injuries were recorded prospectively over 8 seasons (2008–2015). Injury incidence overall, in match and training, and patterns (contact, non-contact, sprain, strain, overuse and re-injury) were compared in transferred players ( n = 25) across their first versus second seasons and with those in players currently at the club at the moment of the transfer ( n = 55 individual players, 134 in total). Incidence rate ratios [IRR] in transferred players in their first versus second competitive season ranged from a 0.9 lower risk in training to a 1.5 higher risk of sustaining a contact injury (respective P values: 0.74, 0.19, inferences: unclear, likely harmful ) in the first season. IRR for transferred players in their first and second seasons compared to rates in the same seasons in current players ranged from a 0.5 lower risk of incurring an overuse injury to a 1.1 higher risk of match injury (respective P values: 0.18, 0.89, inferences: unclear, possibly harmful ), both occurring in season 1. For the between season and group comparisons, effect sizes regarding mean injury layoff time and matches missed ranged from trivial to small (0.03–0.22). Although limited to one club, these findings are positive as generally there was no meaningful increase in injury risk or burden in newly transferred players. Potential explanations include systematic pre-participation screening and injury prevention protocols and player rotation strategies in place at the club.