Evaluation of risk factors for injury in adolescent soccer: implementation and validation of an injury surveillance system.
BACKGROUND
There are limited data on the epidemiology of adolescent soccer injury across all levels of play.


OBJECTIVE
Through implementation and validation of an injury surveillance system in adolescent soccer, risk factors for injury will be identified.


METHODS
Descriptive epidemiology study.


METHODS
The study population was a random sample of 21 adolescent soccer teams (ages 12-18). A certified athletic therapist completed preseason baseline measurements and did weekly assessments of any identified soccer injury. The injury definition included any injury occurring in soccer that resulted in 1 or more of the following: medical attention, the inability to complete a session, or missing a subsequent session.


RESULTS
Based on completeness of data in addition to validity of time loss, this method of surveillance has proven to be effective. The overall injury rate during the regular season was 5.59 injuries per 1,000 player hours (95% confidence interval, 4.42-6.97). Soccer injury resulted in time loss from soccer for 86.9% of the injured players. Ankle and knee injuries were the most common injuries reported. Direct contact was reported to be involved in 46.2% of all injuries. There was an increased risk of injury associated with games versus practices (relative risk = 2.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-5.21). The risk of injury in the under 14 age group was greatest in the most elite division. Having had a previous injury in the past 1 year increased the risk of injury (relative risk = 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.1).


CONCLUSIONS
There were significant differences in injury rates found by division, previous injury, and session type (practice vs game). Future research should include the use of such a surveillance system to examine prevention strategies for injury in adolescent soccer.
Emery
Carolyn A
CA
Sport Medicine Centre, Roger Jackson Centre for Health and Wellness Research, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4E4. caemery@ucalgary.ca
Meeuwisse
Willem H
WH
Hartmann
Sara E
SE
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*