Risk Factors for Noncontact Ankle Injuries in Amateur Male Soccer Players: A Prospective Cohort Study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors [ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), lower limb power output, and balance], as identified in preseason screening, predict the risk of sustaining a noncontact ankle injury in amateur male soccer players during the training and competitive season.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Amateur soccer competition (club and area representative teams).


METHODS
Amateur soccer players (n = 210) aged ≥15 years.
Height, weight, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, power (vertical jump) and balance (time of double-leg balanced stance on an electronic wobble board, maximum 20 seconds) measured in preseason screening.
Incidence of noncontact ankle injury and exposure to both training and games, monitored during the competitive season following baseline measurement. Noncontact ankle injury was defined as any ankle injury not caused by a collision (with another player or object) resulting in a participant missing at least 1 game or training session.


RESULTS
Fourteen of the 210 participants (6.7%) sustained a noncontact ankle injury yielding an injury rate of 0.484 injuries per 1000 player hours. Lower limb power output scores <30 W/kg [odds ratio (OR), 9.20, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13-75.09, P = 0.038] and poorer balance scores (OR, 0.43, 95% CI, 0.21-0.89, P = 0.024) were associated with higher odds of injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Poorer lower limb power output and balance are risk factors for noncontact ankle injury among amateur soccer players. These deficits can potentially be identified by screening, providing opportunities to investigate prevention strategies.
*Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; †Health and Physical Education, School of Education, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; and ‡School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
Thomas
T
Henry
Karrin
K
Evans
Suzanne J
SJ
Snodgrass
Andrew
A
Miller
Robin
R
Callister
D000293:Adolescent; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult