Information about project titled 'Individual risk factors for injuries in Icelandic soccer'
Individual risk factors for injuries in Icelandic soccer
| Details about the project - category | Details about the project - value |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Published |
| Project manager: | Arni Arnason |
| Supervisor(s): | Roald Bahr, Ingar Holme |
| Coworker(s): | Arni Gudmundsson, Stefan B. Sigurdsson, Lars Engebretsen |
Description
Few studies are found which indicate possible connection between physical performance of the soccer players and injuries. Most of these studies just take into account one or two factors, such as strength, stability, etc. There is a lack of studies, which use multivariant analysis to test connection between many possible risk factors and injuries.
The aim of this study are: a) to investigate physical performance of the soccer players, b) to eliminate individual risk factors, which possibly can predispose to injuries.
Participants in the study are male soccer players from 17 of 20 soccer teams in the Icelandic elite soccer league and the 1st division, totally more than 300 players.
Method: Before the 1999 soccer season started the players from this 17 teams were tested with regard to physical performance. The tests performed were: a) VO2max test performed on treadmill. b) Percentage of fat measured with skin fold measurements. c) Flexibility tests for hip flexors, hip adductors, hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups, measured with MIE tension meter, JVC digital camera and KINE View movement-analyze system. d) Jump height (countermovement jump and standing jump) measured on contact mat. e) Maximal average power in squat, measured with MuscleLab. f) Functional and mechanical stability of ankles and knees, tested by one experienced physical therapist. g) General inspection of legs and spine of each player. h) Questionnaire about previous and recurrent injuries.
All acute and overuse injuries, which caused time loss from training or matches were prospectively registered by each team physical therapist on a special registering form. For each injury the following factors were registered: Date of injury, activity (match, training match, training), when in match or training the injury occurred, player position when the injury occurred, type and location of injuries, injury mechanism (tackling, kicking, heading, other contact, running, passing, shooting, other), severity and exact diagnosis. The coaches registered player exposure (training and match program).