Epidemiology of Injury in English Professional Football Players: a cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the current incidence and location of injury in English professional football. Design: Prospective cohort study conducted over one competitive season (2015/16). Setting: Professional football players competing in the English Football League and National Conference. Participants: 243 players from 10 squads (24.3 ± 4.21 per squad). Main Outcome Measure: Injury incidence, training and match exposure were collected in accordance with the international consensus statement on football injury epidemiology. Results: 473 injuries were reported. The estimated incidence of injury was, 9.11 injuries/1000h of football related activity. There was a higher incidence of injury during match play (24.29/1000h) compared to training (6.84/1000 hours). The thigh was the most common site of injury (31.7%), muscle strains accounted for 41.2% of all injuries. The hamstrings were the most frequently strained muscle group, accounting for 39.5% of all muscle strains and 16.3% of all injuries. Moderate severity injuries (8-28 days) were the most common (44.2%). Conclusions: Incidence of injury has increased over the last 16 years with muscle strains remaining the most prevalent injury. The hamstrings remain the most commonly injured muscle group.