Information about project titled 'Can clinical tests predict ankle and knee injuries in female football players?'
Can clinical tests predict ankle and knee injuries in female football players?
| Details about the project - category | Details about the project - value |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Published |
| Project manager: | Nina Agnete Markussen |
| Supervisor(s): | Kathrin Steffen, Agnethe Nilstad |
| Coworker(s): | Tron Krosshaug, Eirik Kristianslund, Thor Einar Andersen |
Description
Football is a popular sport in the whole world, and the number of female players is increasing. However, most studies on injury risk have been conducted on male football players, and more research is needed on injuries among female football players to gain knowledge.
Previous studies on injuries in female football players have shown that injuries mostly occur in the lower extremities and in particular to the ankle and knee. To be able to prevent injuries to occur, we need to know what causes the injuries. However, there are only a few studies on the relationship between clinical test performance before a football season and injuries occurring later in the season.
The master thesis is a part of a larger cohort study; “Risk factors for ACL injury for female elite handball- and football players”. The project started in 2007 and will continue till the end of the 2012 season. The main purpose in this study is to evaluate whether different biomechanical, neuromuscular and anatomical factors can predict the risk of future ACL-rupture.
The purpose of this Master thesis is to investigate whether performance on different clinical tests can predict ankle and knee injuries in female elite football players.
Method
This study will include data on approximately 200 female elite football players, tested before the 2009 season. The testa included are ”The Star Excursion Balance Test”, subjectively assessed one leg squat, vertical drop jump, as well as isometric hip strength, measured by a hand-held dynamometer. During the nine months season, the players have registered injuries per SMS tracking.
Results from this study will give us a better insight in the predictive value of simple clinical testing. Players at risk for ankel and knee injuries will be able to be identified early and provided with targeted preventive measures.