title: Prevention of injuries among male soccer players: a prospective, randomized intervention study targeting players with previous injuries or reduced function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to investigate whether the most common injuries in soccer could be prevented, and to determine if a simple questionnaire could identify players at increased risk.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Introduction of targeted exercise programs to male soccer players with a history of previous injury or reduced function in the ankle, knee, hamstring, or groin will prevent injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 508 players representing 31 teams were included in the study. A questionnaire indicating previous injury and/or reduced function as inclusion criteria was used to divide the players into high-risk (HR) (76%) and low-risk (LR) groups. The HR players were randomized individually into an HR intervention group or HR control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 505 injuries were reported, sustained by 56% of the players. The total injury incidence was a mean of 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-3.9) in the LR control group, 5.3 (95% CI, 4.6-6.0) in the HR control group (P = .0001 vs the LR control group), and 4.9 (95% CI, 4.3-5.6) in the HR intervention group (P = .50 vs the HR control group). For the main outcome measure, the sum of injuries to the ankle, knee, hamstring, and groin, there was also a significantly lower injury risk in the LR control group compared with the 2 other groups, but no difference between the HR intervention group and the HR control group. Compliance with the training programs in the HR intervention group was poor, with only 27.5% in the ankle group, 29.2% in the knee group, 21.1% in the hamstring group, and 19.4% in the groin defined as having carried out the minimum recommended training volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The players with a significantly increased risk of injury were able to be identified through the use of a questionnaire, but player compliance with the training programs prescribed was low and any effect of the intervention on injury risk could not be detected.
authors.affiliation: Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norwegian School of Sports Science, PO Box 4014 Ullevål Stadion, N-0806 Oslo, Norway. Anders.Engebretsen@nih.no
authors.forename: Anders H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Engebretsen
authors.forename: Grethe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Myklebust
authors.forename: Ingar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Holme
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Engebretsen
authors.forename: Roald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bahr
mesh_terms: D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006119:Groin / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices