Injury Incidence in Semi-professional Football Claims for Increased Need of Injury Prevention in Elite Junior Football

Purpose: Injuries are a common occurrence in football. Sufficient epidemiological data are available in professional football but not in salaried semi-professional football. This study investigates the injury incidence at different levels of semi-professional football with focus on junior football.

Methods: The data were based on injury reports provided by players and medical staff over the 2015-2016 season, which corresponded to the consensus statement for data samples in football. This study investigated the injury incidence and prevalence of five skill levels of semi-professional football (the fourth to the seventh league and elite junior football).

Results: 1130 players had sustained 2630 injuries over the 2015-2016 season. The overall injury incidence was 9.7 per 1000 h football exposure; prevalence with at least one injury was 79%. The highest overall injury incidence in elite junior football was 10.4 in 1000 h football exposure. The fifth league had the lowest incidence with 9.0 in 1000 h football (p < 0.05). Traumatic injuries most often occurred in the fourth league (3.9 in 1000 h football). The body areas most affected by traumatic injury were knees, ankles and thighs. Elite junior players had a significantly higher incidence of overuse complaints (7.4 in 1000 h football) than the fourth league (5.4, p = 0.005). The body areas most affected by overuse complaints were the lower back, thigh and groin. No differences were found between the different positions on field.

Conclusions: Salaried semi-professional football involves a high overall injury incidence. The highest incidence, particularly of overuse injuries, was seen in elite junior football. These findings should be incorporated in specific injury prevention training or screenings beginning in junior football. Level of evidence II.