title: Injury prevention strategies at the FIFA 2014 World Cup: perceptions and practices of the physicians from the 32 participating national teams.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The available scientific research regarding injury prevention practices in international football is sparse. The purpose of this study was to quantify current practice with regard to (1) injury prevention of top-level footballers competing in an international tournament, and (2) determine the main challenges and issues faced by practitioners in these national teams.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was administered to physicians of the 32 competing national teams at the FIFA 2014 World Cup. The survey included 4 sections regarding perceptions and practices concerning non-contact injuries: (1) risk factors, (2) screening tests and monitoring tools, (3) preventative strategies and (4) reflection on their experience at the World Cup.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following responses from all teams (100%), the present study revealed the most important intrinsic (previous injury, accumulated fatigue, agonist:antagonist muscle imbalance) and extrinsic (reduced recovery time, training load prior to and during World Cup, congested fixtures) risk factors during the FIFA 2014 World Cup. The 5 most commonly used tests for risk factors were: flexibility, fitness, joint mobility, balance and strength; monitoring tools commonly used were: medical screen, minutes/matches played, subjective and objective wellness, heart rate and biochemical markers. The 5 most important preventative exercises were: flexibility, core, combined contractions, balance and eccentric.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed that many of the National football (soccer) teams' injury prevention perceptions and practices follow a coherent approach. There remains, however, a lack of consistent research findings to support some of these perceptions and practices.
authors: Research and Development Department, LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, Lille, France University Edinburgh Napier, Edinburgh, UK.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: McCall
authors: Isokinetic, Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Davison
authors: Department of Sports Medicine, Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway The Football Association of Norway, Ullevål Stadion, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Thor Einar
authors: TE
authors: Andersen
authors: Sports Medicine and Science Department, English Football Association, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, London, UK.
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Beasley
authors: F-MARC (FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre), Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Bizzini
authors: Research and Development Department, LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, Lille, France Univ Lille Nord de France, UDSL, Lille, France.
authors: Gregory
authors: G
authors: Dupont
authors: Sport & Exercise Discipline Group, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, Australia.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Duffield
authors: Research and Development Department, LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, Lille, France Institute of Coaching and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, UK.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Carling
authors: F-MARC (FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre), Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Jiri
authors: J
authors: Dvorak
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D013178:Sports Medicine
keywords: Football; Risk factor; Soccer; Testing