title: Shinguards effective in preventing lower leg injuries in football: Population-based trend analyses over 25 years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The majority of football injuries are caused by trauma to the lower extremities. Shinguards are considered an important measure in preventing lower leg impact abrasions, contusions and fractures. Given these benefits, Fédération Internationale de Football Association introduced the shinguard law in 1990, which made wearing shinguards during matches mandatory. This study evaluated the effect of the introduction of the shinguard law for amateur players in the Netherlands in the 1999/2000-football season on the incidence of lower leg injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Time trend analyses on injury data covering 25 years of continuous registration (1986-2010).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were retrieved from a system that records all emergency department treatments in a random, representative sample of Dutch hospitals. All injuries sustained in football by patients aged 6-65 years were included, except for injuries of the Achilles tendon and Weber fractures. Time trends were analysed with multiple regression analyses; a model was fitted consisting of multiple straight lines, each representing a 5-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were predominantly males (92%) and treated for fractures (48%) or abrasions/contusions (52%) to the lower leg. The incidence of lower leg football injuries decreased significantly following the introduction of the shinguard law (1996-2000: -20%; 2001-2005: -25%), whereas the incidence of all other football injuries did not. This effect was more prominent at weekends/match days. No gender differences were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results significantly show a preventive effect of the shinguard law underlining the relevance of rule changes as a preventive measure and wearing shinguards during both matches and training sessions.
authors: VeiligheidNL, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: i.vriend@veiligheid.nl.
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Vriend
authors: VeiligheidNL, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Huib
authors: H
authors: Valkenberg
authors: VeiligheidNL, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Schoots
authors: Qatar Football Association, Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar.
authors: Gert Jan
authors: GJ
authors: Goudswaard
authors: University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science & Sports, The Netherlands.
authors: Wout J
authors: WJ
authors: van der Meulen
authors: University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science & Sports, The Netherlands.
authors: Frank J G
authors: FJ
authors: Backx
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011482:Protective Devices; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Epidemiology; Leg injuries; Preventive measures; Rule change; Sports