Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center

Intoduction

The coaches 120 girls’ teams have since February sent in weekly registration forms, where they have registered training-/match attendance and injuries of all the players. After a well-deserved vacation, they are now ready for the last part of the season, starting in August.

This winter more than 120 teams competing in the ”Girls 15/16”-classes signed up to participate in the SPILLEKLAR!-project in 2007. SPILLEKLAR! is a 20-minute warm-up program, developed by an expert group convened by FIFA, targeting the most common injury types in football, i.e. ankle and knee sprains, groin and hamstring strains.

After enrolment, the teams were randomized into two groups: an intervention group where the teams use the warm-up program SPILLEKLAR! in each training and match session, and a control group where the teams warm up and train as usual throughout the season. Early in the pre-season, the coaches and team captains from all the teams in the intervention group were invited to instructional courses where the SPILLEKLAR! warm-up program was introduced. The SPILLEKLAR!-program combines running exercises with strength exercises, plyometrics and exercises for neuromuscular training. Through thorough instruction the participants learned to focus on knee control and awareness, landing techniques, cutting and planting - all factors known to be important in preventing ankle and knee injuries.

All the teams in the project are followed throughout the season by The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center. After each week, the coaches fill out and send in a training- and match form, where they report the attendance and injuries of all their players. Additionally, every girl who obtains an injury will be contacted by phone to assess the details of the injury, based on a standardized injury questionnaire.

The project is conducted with support from FIFA, and will with the assistance of enthusiastic and diligent coaches and players continue throughout the football season of 2007 which ends in October.