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Injuries in Young Professional Soccer Players: Epidemiological and Prevention Topics

Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide and is known to be correlated to high risk of of injuries, which negatively influence the performance of the single player and team: higher positions in league or cup standings are achieved by clubs with injury-prevention programs. Prevention is fundamental for athletes allowing them to play at the highest level in complete safety: however, only a few studies reported the effectiveness of preventive programs especially in young players. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, reporting season injuries in young professional footballers and assessing their risk factors; secondly, demonstrating how a specific prevention program reduce injuries incidence. 32 professional footballers («Primavera» under-19 Italian league 2014/2015) were included and compared with the previous season («Allievi» under-17 Italian league 2013/2014) because of 95% of the team was formed by the same players. An injury-prevention program was introduced: core training, active warm-up, static stretching and cryotherapy were inserted into a program of football technical, tactical and physical exercises, co-operated by technical and medical staff. For each injury we collected: type, days of absence, severity, body segment, match or training features, pathogenesis, recurrence, therapy. Therefore, incidence, burden injury and availability were calculated. Analysis was made by MedCalc® (P-value <0,05). We collected 45 injuries: 5 contusions, 9 overexertion-related disorders, 10 sprains, 6 tendonitis, 8 muscle tears, 1 knee ligament strain, 5 bone fractures and 1 skin wound. Injuries mostly occurred during training (60.00%) than matches (33.33%) and 3 extra-soccer activities (6.67%). Incidence was 5,6/1000hs, burden injury of 72.92 days of absence/1000hs and average availibility 87%. Prevention program was significantly effective: injuries were similar (46 vs 45) in the two consecutive seasons even though a doubled-time sport performance (3847.40hs vs 8050.18) (p=0.01). Injuries prevention is relevant for footballers. Our proposals resulted very effective, decreasing predictable injuries.