Risk of injury on third-generation artificial turf in Norwegian professional football.
BACKGROUND
Artificial turf is used extensively in both recreational and elite football in areas with difficult climatic conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the risk for acute injuries between natural grass (NG) and third-generation artificial turf (3GAT) in male professional football. study design: Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
All injuries sustained by players with a first-team contract were recorded by the medical staff of each club, from the 2004 throughout the 2007 season. An injury was registered if the player was unable to take fully part in football activity or match play.


RESULTS
A total of 668 match injuries, 526 on grass and 142 on artificial turf, were recorded. The overall acute match injury incidence was 17.1 (95% CI 15.8 to 18.4) per 1000 match hours; 17.0 (95% CI 15.6 to 18.5) on grass and 17.6 (95% CI 14.7 to 20.5) on artificial turf. Correspondingly, the incidence for training injuries was 1.8 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.0); 1.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.0) on grass and 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.2) on artificial turf respectively. No significant difference was observed in injury location, type or severity between turf types.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant differences were detected in injury rate or pattern between 3GAT and NG in Norwegian male professional football.
Bjørneboe
John
J
Department of Sports Medicine, Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, PO Box 4014 Ullevaal Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway. john.bjorneboe@nih.no
Bahr
Roald
R
Andersen
Thor Einar
TE
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D006109:Poaceae / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors