Injuries in soccer.

Abstract

The injury profile of a professional soccer team from the 1976 to 1977 season is compiled in this report. Injuries are spread across all of the playing positions, with midfielders and forwards being most prone to injury. During the entire season of this report, 60 injuries were encountered, 35 during game situations and 25 in practice. The most common injuries noted were foot and ankle sprains, but muscle strains were also frequent. Most injuries were of a minor variety. Seventeen injuries resulted in missed games while 46 injuries resulted in no games being missed. Only one player had an injury which did not allow him to return to play during the season. Although little is written in the American literature concerning soccer injuries, it does appear that the injury potential is much less when compared with that of football. The rapid increase in interest in this sport will require physicians and trainers to become familiar with its specific needs in order to render adequate care and participate in injury prevention programs.