PREVENTION OF ACL INJURIES IN OLYMPIC SPORTS – FIRST STEPS FOR A NATIONAL "ACL REGISTRY IN FOOTBALL". Issue 4 (1st February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krutsch, Werner; Gündisch, Christian; Nerlich, Michael; Angele, Peter
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 51:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 346
• Page End: 346
• Publication Date: 2017-02-01
• Subjects: Injury; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097372.159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Prevention strategies for ACL injuries in Olympic sports are mandatory and the collection of data about risk factors and injury characteristics have highest priority. Objective: What are the main risk and influencing factors on ACL injuries and safe return to play in different sports, beginning with worl's number one sport football? Design: A prospective analysis of ACL injuries in German amateur and professional football. Setting: ACL injury registration over two football seasons and investigation of ACL injured player by 2 questionnaire after injury and after one year. Patients: Players of German football divisions were investigated, including all divisions, both gender and all age levels. Interventions: Beside typical influencing and risk factors for ACL injuries, circumstances for a return to play decision were investigated. Main Outcome Measurements: Investigated variables are anthropometric data, football exposure data, training and warm up data, regeneration data and return to play decision-making. Results: 512 ACL injuries in football were registered in the first season with 71.1% non-contact injuries, 85.5% match injuries, younger female players and 93.5% surgical treatment rate. 68% of ACL injuries occurred in the preseason period, 60% of 1st division players were internationals and the first professional division revealed a higher ACL rate than the 2nd and 3rd division. Balancing exercises (<40%) or trunk stability exercises (<20%) were rare. Small pre-injuries were seen in 30% of all players directly before ACL injury. Over 50% had directly before the ACL injury changes of the training program or football level. Changing of football shoes before ACL injury was seen in 33.3%. A mean of 9.2 months for return to competition was seen in the male professional football players, which was earlier than in amateurs. Conclusions: To improve injury prevention strategies for ACL injuries, a detailed knowledge about injury characteristics is necessary in all sports.