Epidemiology of injury in English Professional Football players: A cohort study. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Ashley; Jones, Gareth; Greig, Neil; Bower, Paul; Brown, James; Hind, Karen; Francis, Peter
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 35(2019)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Audit -- Injury -- Football -- Muscle; Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To estimate the current incidence and location of injury in English professional football. Design: Prospective cohort study conducted over one competitive season (2015/16). Setting: Professional football players competing in the English Football League and National Conference. Participants: 243 players from 10 squads (24.3 ± 4.21 per squad). Main outcome measure: Injury incidence, training and match exposure were collected in accordance with the international consensus statement on football injury epidemiology. Results: 473 injuries were reported. The estimated incidence of injury was, 9.11 injuries/1000 h of football related activity. There was a higher incidence of injury during match play (24.29/1000 h) compared to training (6.84/1000 h). The thigh was the most common site of injury (31.7%), muscle strains accounted for 41.2% of all injuries. The hamstrings were the most frequently strained muscle group, accounting for 39.5% of all muscle strains and 16.3% of all injuries. Moderate severity injuries (8–28 days) were the most common (44.2%). Conclusions: Incidence of injury has increased over the last 16 years with muscle strains remaining the most prevalent injury. The hamstrings remain the most commonly injured muscle group. Highlights: Previous epidemiological studies reported muscle injury to be the highest in incidence and prevalence in professional male football players. This study aims to provide an update on current epidemiological figures in football players, competing across all professional English leagues. The reported findings will serve to influence medicine and science staff in decision making of injury prevention strategies and procedures.