A prospective video-based analysis of injury situations in elite male football: football incident analysis.
BACKGROUND
The mechanisms for football injuries are largely unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of injury situations in elite male football using a video-based method called football incident analysis.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
During the 1999 season, videotapes from 52 matches in the Icelandic elite football league were reviewed. Incidents (N = 95) were recorded when the match was interrupted by the referee because of a suspected injury. Team physical therapists recorded injuries prospectively (N = 28 time-loss injuries).


RESULTS
Duels caused 84 of the incidents, mostly tackling duels (n = 54). The exposed player's attention appeared to be focused away from the opponent in 93% of the cases. The 3 main mechanisms observed were (1) breakdown attacks, tackling from the side or the front, attention focused on the ball (24%); (2) defensive tackling duels, attention focused on the ball or low ball control (20%); and (3) heading duels, attention focused on the ball in the air (13%).


CONCLUSIONS
Most incidents and injuries occurred during breakdown attacks and when a player was involved in tackling duels. Player attention appeared to be focused mainly on the ball, not on the opponent challenging him to gain ball possession.
Arnason
Arni
A
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. arnarna@hi.is
Tenga
Albin
A
Engebretsen
Lars
L
Bahr
Roald
R
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D001288:Attention; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D014741:Video Recording