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Background: Studies on subsequent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and career length in male professional football players after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) are scarce.Aim: To investigate the second ACL injury rate, potential predictors of second ACL injury and the career length after ACLR.Study Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting: Men's professional football.Methods: 118 players with index ACL injury were tracked longitudinally for subsequent ACL injury and career length over 16.9 years. Multivariable Cox regression analysis with HR was carried out to study potential predictors for subsequent ACL injury.Results: Median follow-up was 4.3 (IQR 4.6) years after ACLR. The second ACL injury rate after return to training (RTT) was 17.8% (n=21), with 9.3% (n=11) to the ipsilateral and 8.5% (n=10) to the contralateral knee. Significant predictors for second ACL injury were a non-contact index ACL injury (HR 7.16, 95% CI 1.63 to 31.22) and an isolated index ACL injury (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.06 to 7.07). In total, 11 of 26 players (42%) with a non-contact isolated index ACL injury suffered a second ACL injury. RTT time was not an independent predictor of second ACL injury, even though there was a tendency for a risk reduction with longer time to RTT. Median career length after ACLR was 4.1 (IQR 4.0) years and 60% of players were still playing at preinjury level 5 years after ACLR.Conclusions: Almost one out of five top-level professional male football players sustained a second ACL injury following ACLR and return to football, with a considerably increased risk for players with a non-contact or isolated index injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The UEFA Elite Club Injury Study is the largest and longest running injury surveillance programme in football.Objective: To analyse the 18-season time trends in injury rates among male professional football players.Methods: 3302 players comprising 49 teams (19 countries) were followed from 2000-2001 through 2018-2019. Team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries.Results: A total of 11 820 time-loss injuries were recorded during 1 784 281 hours of exposure. Injury incidence fell gradually during the 18-year study period, 3% per season for both training injuries (95% CI 1% to 4% decrease, p=0.002) and match injuries (95% CI 2% to 3% decrease, p<0.001). Ligament injury incidence decreased 5% per season during training (95% CI 3% to 7% decrease, p<0.001) and 4% per season during match play (95% CI 3% to 6% decrease, p<0.001), while the rate of muscle injuries remained constant. The incidence of reinjuries decreased by 5% per season during both training (95% CI 2% to 8% decrease, p=0.001) and matches (95% CI 3% to 7% decrease, p<0.001). Squad availability increased by 0.7% per season for training sessions (95% CI 0.5% to 0.8% increase, p<0.001) and 0.2% per season for matches (95% CI 0.1% to 0.3% increase, p=0.001).Conclusions: Over 18 years: (1) injury incidence decreased in training and matches, (2) reinjury rates decreased, and (3) player availability for training and match play increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been hypothesised that injury risk after return to play following an injury absence is influenced by the amount of training completed before return to competition.Aim: To analyse if the number of completed training sessions between return to play and the first subsequent match appearance was associated with the odds of injury in men's professional football.Methods: From a cohort study, including 303 637 individual matches, 4805 first match appearances after return to play following moderate to severe injuries (≥8 days absence) were analysed. Rate ratios (RRs) were used to compare injury rates in the first match appearances with the average seasonal match injury rate. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to analyse associations between the number of completed training sessions and general (all injuries), muscle, and non-muscle injury odds.Results: Injury rate in the first match after return to play was increased by 87% compared with the average seasonal match injury rate (46.9 vs 25.0/1000 hours, RR=1.87; 95% CI 1.64 to 2.14). The odds of injury dropped 7% with each training session before the first match (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87 to 0.98). The same association was found for muscle injuries (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.79 to 0.95) but not for non-muscle injuries (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.91 to 1.07).Conclusions: Injury rates in the first match after injury are higher than the average seasonal match injury rate, but the propensity for player injury is decreased when players complete more training sessions before their first match. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hip and groin injuries are common in men's professional football, but the time-trend of these injuries is not known.Aim: To investigate hip and groin injury rates, especially time-trends, in men's professional football over 15 consecutive seasons.Study Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting: Men's professional football.Methods: 47 European teams were followed prospectively for a varying number of seasons between 2001/2002 and 2015/2016, totalling 268 team seasons. Time-loss injuries and individual player exposure during training and matches were recorded. Injury rate was defined as the number of injuries/1000 hours and injury burden as the number of lay-off days/1000 hours. Time-trends for total hip and groin injuries and adductor-related injury rates were analysed using Poisson regression, and injury burden was analysed using a negative binomial regression model.Results: Hip and groin injuries contributed 1812 out of 12 736 injuries (14%), with adductor-related injury as the most common of hip and groin injuries (n=1139, 63%). The rates of hip and groin injury and adductor-related injury were 1.0/1000 hours and 0.6/1000 hours, and these rates decreased significantly with on average 2% (Exp(b)=0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99, P=0.003) and 3% (Exp(b)=0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99, P<0.001) per season (year on year), respectively. The seasonal trend of hip and groin injury burden did not improve (Exp(b)=0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.01, P=0.40).Conclusions: Hip and groin injuries constitute a considerable part of all time-loss injuries in men's professional football. Although there was a promising slight decreasing trend in the rates of hip and groin injury (as a category) and adductor-related injury (as a specific diagnosis), the injury burden remained at a consistent level over the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data regarding direct athletic muscle injuries (caused by a direct blunt or sharp external force) compared to indirect ones (without the influence of a direct external trauma) are missing in the current literature--this distinction has clinical implications.Aim: To compare incidence, duration of absence and characteristics of indirect and direct anterior (quadriceps) and posterior thigh (hamstring) muscle injuries.Methods: 30 football teams and 1981 players were followed prospectively from 2001 until 2013. The team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. Muscle injuries were defined as indirect or direct according to their injury mechanism.Results: In total, 2287 thigh muscle injuries were found, representing 25% of all injuries. Two thousand and three were valid for further analysis, of which 88% were indirect and 12% direct. The incidence was eight times higher for indirect injuries (1.48/1000 h) compared to direct muscle injuries (0.19/1000 h) (p<0.01). Indirect muscle injuries caused 19% of total absence, and direct injuries 1%. The mean lay-off time for indirect injuries amounted to 18.5 days and differed significantly from direct injuries which accounted for 7 days (p<0.001). 60% of indirect injuries and 76% of direct injuries occurred in match situations. Foul play was involved in 7% of all thigh muscle injuries, as well as in 2% of indirect injuries and 42% of direct injuries.Summary: Muscle anterior and posterior thigh injuries in elite football are more frequent than have been previously described. Direct injuries causing time loss are less frequent than indirect ones, and players can usually return to full activity in under half the average time for an indirect injury. Foul play is involved in 7.5% of all thigh muscle injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Heterogeneous taxonomy of groin injuries in athletes adds confusion to this complicated area. Aim The 'Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes' was convened to attempt to resolve this problem. Our aim was to agree on a standard terminology, along with accompanying definitions. Methods A one-day agreement meeting was held on 4 November 2014. Twenty-four international experts from 14 different countries participated. Systematic reviews were performed to give an up-to-date synthesis of the current evidence on major topics concerning groin pain in athletes. All members participated in a Delphi questionnaire prior to the meeting. Results Unanimous agreement was reached on the following terminology. The classification system has three major subheadings of groin pain in athletes: 1. Defined clinical entities for groin pain: Adductor-related, iliopsoas-related, inguinal-related and pubic-related groin pain. 2. Hip-related groin pain. 3. Other causes of groin pain in athletes. The definitions are included in this paper. Conclusions The Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes reached a consensus on a clinically based taxonomy using three major categories. These definitions and terminology are based on history and physical examination to categorise athletes, making it simple and suitable for both clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective cohort study described return-to-play (RTP) data for different types of muscle injuries in male elite-level football players in Europe. Eighty-nine European professional teams were followed between 2001 and 2013. Team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. A total of 17,371 injuries occurred, including 5603 (32%) muscle injuries. From 2007, we received results from 386 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, and radiological grading was performed. A negative MRI was associated with shorter recovery time (6 ± 7 days). Lay-off days were correlated with MRI grading of thigh muscle injuries (P < 0.001). Among hamstring injuries, 83% occurred to the biceps femoris, 12% affected the semimembranosus and 5% the semitendinosus. Recurrence rate was higher among biceps femoris injuries (18%) compared with semitendinosus and semimembranosus injuries (2% together). Groin muscle injuries caused shorter median absence (9 days) than hamstring (13 days;P < 0.001), quadriceps (12 days;P < 0.001) and calf muscle (13 days;P < 0.001) injuries. Overall, we found that MRI was valuable for prognosticating RTP, with radiological grading associated with lay-off times after injury. Re-injuries were common in biceps femoris injuries but rare in semitendinosus and semimembranosus injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is the most common knee ligament injury in professional football. Aim To investigate the rate and circumstances of MCL injuries and development over the past decade. Methods Prospective cohort study, in which 27 professional European teams were followed over 11 seasons (2001/2002 to 2011/2012). Team medical staffs recorded player exposure and time loss injuries. MCL injuries were classified into four severity categories. Injury rate was defined as the number of injuries per 1000 player-hours. Results 346 MCL injuries occurred during 1 057 201 h (rate 0.33/1000 h). The match injury rate was nine times higher than the training injury rate (1.31 vs 0.14/1000 h, rate ratio 9.3, 95% CI 7.5 to 11.6, p<0.001). There was a significant average annual decrease of approximately 7% (p=0.023). The average lay-off was 23 days, and there was no difference in median lay-off between index injuries and reinjuries (18 vs 13, p=0.20). Almost 70% of all MCL injuries were contact-related, and there was no difference in median lay-off between contact and non- contact injuries (16 vs 16, p=0.74). Conclusions This largest series of MCL injuries in professional football suggests that the time loss from football for MCL injury is 23 days. Also, the MCL injury rate decreased significantly during the 11-year study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a cohort research conducted over nine seasons in 10 countries to determine the relation between soccer injury rates, games venue, match results and type of competitions. 2738 injuries in 610 matches were observed. Results showed that severe injuries with absence of more than one week were recorded more in Champions League soccer competition or in League matches than in cup matches. Also matches in which team was drawing or loosing suffered more injuries than winning.

The article presents a study examining if being a newcomer to professional soccer impacts injury rates, and assesses if the playing position and age of the player has influence on injury rates. The results revealed that general injury rates were lower and stress-related bone injuries were higher in newcomers to professional soccer than the established players. It showed that goalkeeping position had lower injury rates than other outfield positions and injury rates increased with age.

The article reports a study which was conducted to evaluate the effects of various player- and match-related risk factors on the occurrence of lower extremity muscle injury in male professional soccer. The results revealed that intrinsic factors like previous injury, and older age were important risk factor for lower extremity muscle injury. Extrinsic factors like match location and type of competition were also identified as risk factors for injury.

Background: Muscle injuries constitute a large percentage of all injuries in football.Purpose: To investigate the incidence and nature of muscle injuries in male professional footballers.Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods: Fifty-one football teams, comprising 2299 players, were followed prospectively during the years 2001 to 2009. Team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. The first-team squads of 24 clubs selected by the Union of European Football Associations as belonging to the best European teams, 15 teams of the Swedish First League, and another 15 European teams playing their home matches on artificial turf pitches were included. A muscle injury was defined as “a traumatic distraction or overuse injury to the muscle leading to a player being unable to fully participate in training or match play.”Results: In total, 2908 muscle injuries were registered. On average, a player sustained 0.6 muscle injuries per season. A squad of 25 players can thus expect about 15 muscle injuries per season. Muscle injuries constituted 31% of all injuries and caused 27% of the total injury absence. Ninety-two percent of all muscle injuries affected the 4 major muscle groups of the lower limbs: hamstrings (37%), adductors (23%), quadriceps (19%), and calf muscles (13%). Sixteen percent of the muscle injuries were reinjuries. These reinjuries caused significantly longer absences than did index injuries. The incidence of muscle injury increased with age. When separated into different muscle groups, however, an increased incidence with age was found only for calf muscle injuries and not for hamstring, quadriceps, or hip/groin strains.Conclusion: Muscle injuries are a substantial problem for players and their clubs. They constitute almost one third of all time-loss injuries in men’s professional football, and 92% of all injuries affect the 4 big muscle groups in the lower limbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of injury in football is high, but few studies have compared men’s and women’s football injuries. The purpose of this prospective study was to analyse the exposure and injury characteristics of European Championships in football and to compare data for men, women and male youth players. The national teams of all 32 countries (672 players) that qualified to the men’s European Championship 2004, the women’s European Championship 2005 and the men’s Under-19 European Championship 2005 were studied. Individual training and match exposure was documented during the tournaments as well as time loss injuries. The overall injury incidence was 14 times higher during match play than during training (34.6 vs. 2.4 injuries per 1000 h, P < 0.0001). There were no differences in match and training injury incidences between the championships. Teams eliminated in the women’s championship had a significantly higher match injury incidence compared to teams going to the semi-finals (65.4 vs. 5.0 injuries per 1000 h, P = 0.02). Non-contact mechanisms were ascribed for 41% of the match injuries. One-fifth of all injuries were severe with absence from play longer than 4 weeks. In conclusion, injury incidences during the European Championships studied were very similar and it seems thus that the risk of injury in international football is at least not higher in women than in men. The teams eliminated in the women’s championship had a significantly higher match injury incidence than the teams going to the final stage. Finally, the high frequency of non-contact injury is worrying from a prevention perspective and should be addressed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soccer injuries are common, and athletes returning to play after injury are especially at risk. Few studies have investigated how to prevent reinjury. Hypothesis: The rate of reinjury is reduced using a coach-controlled rehabilitation program. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Twenty-four male amateur soccer teams were randomized into an intervention (n = 282) and control group (n = 300). The intervention was implemented by team coaches and consisted of information about risk factors for reinjury, rehabilitation principles, and a 10-step progressive rehabilitation program including return to play criteria. During the 2003 season, coaches reported individual exposure and all time loss injuries were evaluated by a doctor and a physiotherapist. Four teams (n = 100) withdrew from the study after randomization, leaving 10 teams with 241 players for analysis in both groups. Results: There were 90 injured players (132 injuries) in the intervention group, and 10 of these (11 %) suffered 14 reinjuries during the season. In the control group, 23 of 79 injured players (29%) had 40 recurrences (134 injuries). A Cox regression analysis showed a 66% reinjury risk reduction in the intervention group for all injury locations (hazard ratio [HR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.16-0.72, P = .0047) and 75% for lower limb injuries (HR 0.25, 95% Cl 0.11-0.57, P <.001). The preventive effect was greatest within the first week of return to play. Injured players in the intervention group complied with the intervention for 90 of 132 injuries (68%). Conclusion: The reinjury rate in amateur male soccer players was reduced after a controlled rehabilitation program implemented by coaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the statement of the Injury Consensus Group of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Medical Assessment and Research Center on injury definitions and data collection procedures in studies of football injuries. Significantly, variations in definitions and methodologies have created differences in the results and conclusions obtained from studies of football injuries. The group have proposed definitions of injury, recurrent injury, severity, and training and match exposures in football, criteria for classifying injuries in terms of location, type, diagnosis, and causation are proposed. Finally, the definitions and methodology proposed in the consensus statement will ensure that consistent and comparable results will be obtained from studies of football injuries.

The Danish and Swedish male top football divisions were studied prospectively from January to June 2001. Exposure to football and injury incidence, severity and distribution were compared between the countries.Swedish players had greater exposure to training (171 vs. 123 h per season,P<0.001), whereas exposure to matches did not differ between the countries. There was a higher risk for injury during training in Denmark than in Sweden (11.8 vs. 6.0 per 1000 h,P<0.01), whereas for match play there was no difference (28.2 vs. 26.2 per 1000 h). The risk for incurring a major injury (absence from football more than 4 weeks) was greater in Denmark (1.8 vs. 0.7 per 1000 h,P=0.002). The distribution of injuries according to type and location was similar in both countries. Of all injuries in Denmark and Sweden, overuse injury accounted for 39% and 38% (NS), and re-injury for 30% and 24% (P=0.032), respectively.The greater training exposure and the long pre-season period in Sweden may explain some of the reported differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term development of injury risk in Swedish male elite football was studied. Two prospective cohort studies from seasons 1982 and 2001 were compared with respect to exposure to football, injury incidence and injury severity. The mean number of training sessions during the season had increased by 68% between 1982 and 2001 (142 vs. 238, P<0.001), whereas teams played more matches in 1982 (49 vs. 41, P=0.02). The total exposure to football had increased by 27%. Three out of four players incurred an injury in both seasons. In 2001, players suffered more training injuries due to an increased training exposure. Accounting for risk exposure, there was no difference in injury incidence or severity between the two seasons. The incidence was 8.3 injuries/ 1000 h of total exposure (4.6 in training and 20.6 in matches) in 1982, compared to 7.8 1000 h−1 (5.2 in training and 25.9 in matches) in 2001. Major injuries accounted for 9% of all injuries, corresponding to an incidence of 0.8 /1000 h of football, in both seasons. A trend from semi-professionalism to full professionalism in Swedish elite football was seen during the last two decades. The injury risk did not change over the same period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]