[The injury pattern following the introduction of the junior premier league in Germany compared to professional senior football (soccer)].
In 2003 the junior soccer premier league (U19) has been introduced in Germany to increase the competitive level in this group of age (16 - 18 years). It is the aim of this study to compare the injury pattern accompanying this new league of semi-professional junior soccer with a professional senior team. In a retrospective study all traumatic and overuse injuries, responsible for absence from practice or matches, which occurred in two seasons of one junior premier league team were recorded and analyzed. These data were compared to the injury pattern of a professional senior team based on a one-season survey. Overall, more traumatic than overuse injuries were seen. The lower extremity was predominantly affected by both. The ankle joint was the most injured joint. An injury rate of 2.89 per 1000 hours of soccer was calculated for the juniors and 2.35 for the seniors. Junior players missed 15.8 days and seniors 17.1 days of practice or match as result of an injury. Semi-professional junior and professional senior soccer share the same injury patterns with regard to injury rates and types of injuries. Therefore a professional medical care with special emphasis on prophylaxis is warranted in semi-professional junior soccer.
Müller-Rath
R
R
Orthopädische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Aachen. rmueller-rath@ukaachen.de
Schmidt
Ch
Ch
Mumme
T
T
Andereya
S
S
Miltner
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003625:Data Collection; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors