Abstract
One hundred eighty players in a male soccer division were followed prospectively for
1 year to assess etiologic factors in soccer injuries. Range of motion and muscle
strength in the lower extremities were measured in a preseason test. All injuries
during 1 year were examined by the same orthopaedic surgeon.
42% of the injuries were considered to be due to player factors, such as joint instability,
muscle tightness, inadequate rehabilitation, or lack of training. Ankle sprains were
commoner in players with previous ankle sprains or clinical instability. 35% of the
moderate (absence from practice > 1 week, < 1 month) or major (absence > 1 month)
injuries were preceded by minor (absence < 1 week) injuries, reflecting inadequate
rehabilitation. Players sustaining knee sprains not due to collision had reduced muscle
strength in the injured leg. No other strength differences between injured and uninjured
players were found. 63% of players had tight muscles. Strains more commonly affected
players with muscle tightness. 71% of the injuries proved to be explicable by and
associated with player factors, equipment, playing ground, or rules.
Key words
soccer injuries - epidemiology - injury prevention - range of motion - muscle tightness
- muscle strength
