Information about project titled 'Risk factors for lower exteremity injuries in female football'
Risk factors for lower exteremity injuries in female football
| Details about the project - category | Details about the project - value |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Published |
| Project manager: | Agnethe Nilstad |
| Supervisor(s): | Kathrin Steffen |
| Coworker(s): | Thor Einar Andersen, Roald Bahr, Ingar Holme |
Description
Injuries to the lower extremities are common in female football, accounting for 60-85% of all time-loss injuries in senior female players. However, the knowledge on injury risk factors is limited, and only three studies have been conducted to assess injury risk in senior female football players, with conflicting results reported.
Objectives
The main objective of this prospective cohort study was to investigate intrinsic risk factors for lower extremity injuries in elite female football players using a comprehensive screening battery and a subsequent registration of injuries and exposure. Secondly, we wanted to assess potential predictors for new injuries to the thigh, knee, ankle and lower leg/foot.
Methods
The current study is part of a larger cohort study aiming to investigate risk factors for ACL injuries in elite female football players (ACL risk factor study). We included players in the Norwegian elite female football league (N=12 teams) who participated in baseline screening tests prior to the 2009 competitive football season.
The screening included tests assessing maximal lower extremity strength, dynamic balance, knee valgus angles in a drop jump landing, knee joint laxity, generalized joint laxity and foot pronation. We also included a questionnaire to collect information on demographic data, elite level experience and injury history.
Time-loss injuries and exposure in training and match were recorded prospectively in the subsequent football season using weekly text messaging (link to methodology study using text messaging). Players reporting an injury were contacted to collect data regarding injury circumstances.
Increased knowledge on risk factors for lower extremity injuries enables more targeted prevention strategies with the aim of reducing injury rates in female football players.