title: Incidence, nature, and pattern of injuries to referees in a premier football (soccer) league: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the crucial role of referees in a soccer match, few researchers have targeted the injury profile of referees in their studies. Understanding the incidence, nature, and pattern of injuries could provide important information for educational and preventative efforts at the international level.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The incidence rate and patterns of acute injuries to official referees of the Iranian Premier Football League during the 2009-2010 season are similar to those reported among referees in short-term international competitions such as FIFA World Cup.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic data for 74 referees, including 30 main referees and 44 assistant referees, were collected at the beginning of the season. To record injuries and refereeing time, weekly contact was made by a physician.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 102 injuries were reported by referees during the football season. The incidence rates of injuries among referees during training and matches were 4.6 and 19.6 injuries per 1000 hours, respectively. Muscular and tendon injuries were found to be the most common type of injury, and the most common site of injury was the lower leg followed by the hip and groin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study are consistent with similar prospective studies evaluating injuries to referees over the course of a short-term tournament.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide a base for suggesting possible preventive recommendations in future studies.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Noorafshar Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kordi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chitsaz
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Noorafshar Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rostami
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mostafavi
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoodreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghadimi
keywords: assistant referee; football (soccer); injury; main referee