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F. Aljowair1, P. Newman1, J. Witchalls1, J. Bousie1
1University of Canberra, Faculty of Health, Canberra, Australia
Background: Soccer is an intricate sport that has a high level of contact between players as well as high intensity, and thus there is an inherent injury risk. Soccer players experience a high prevalence of knee and ankle injuries, which ultimately proves detrimental to team outcomes.
Purpose: The current review aimed to collate, evaluate, and synthesise evidence of risk factors associated with the most common joint-related injuries (knee and ankle) in adult male soccer players.
Methods: A systematic search through the databases of CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, and Scopus was utilised in order to determine relevant research papers. A meta-analysis was undertaken using study results that reported risk factors with a consistent definition and results. Statistical heterogeneity was appraised via chi-square and I2 tests, and for studies with adequate data, standardised mean differences (SMDs) or risk ratios (RRs) were taken to compare the risk factors’ effect size.
Results: Twenty-nine studies were included (16 in descriptive analysis and 13 in meta-analysis). Among 18 variables that were pooled for analysis, previous knee injury (RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.89, p=0.0005) was the only significant factor associated with knee injuries. Previous ankle injuries (RR 2.22, 95% CI 1.72 to 2.87, p<0.0001), and training on an artificial turf ground (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.58, p=0.0001) demonstrated a greater risk of sustaining ankle injuries. A meta-analysis of other risk factors revealed no significant association with knee injury for play level and play surface; with ankle injury for BMI and player position; and with both knee and ankle for age, height, and weight.
Conclusion(s): A previous history of injuries is a factor that is significantly associated with both knee and ankle injuries. Training on artificial turf was another significant factor in sustaining ankle injuries. Future studies could consider multi-variate models, incorporating these features, to further understand injury prediction and prevention in adult male soccer players.
Implications: This study demonstrated that no modifiable risk factors beyond specific playing surfaces were identified for knee or ankle injuries, but there are certain sub-populations within the sport that need more specific risk reduction management approaches. Additional research in the future should have the goal of confirming modifiable factors of risk, as well as evaluating the factors where conflicting evidence appears.
Funding, acknowledgements: Mr Aljowair was sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence during the conduct of this review.
Keywords: Injury risk, knee, ankle
Topic: Sport & sports injuries
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: N/A
Committee: N/A
Reason: This study is a systematic review.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
