A Pilot Study Examining Injuries in Relation to Field Position of Competitive Football Players

The objectives of this study were to quantify the football injuries in relation to field position in competitive football players and to determine the nature, location, causes, outcome of injuries and the possible risk factors involved. Information on injuries were collected through a questionnaire from eight Indian football teams which were participating in All India Mayor Trophy football tournament held in Aurangabad, Maharashtra in September-2006. The age range was 16 to 30 years, 68 % (87) of players were in the range of 20 to 25 years. The football players were asked to recall injuries over the preceding one year period. A total of 98 out of 128 football players sustained injuries in relation to field position. One hundred and eight injuries were recorded of which 27 % were recurring injuries. Lower limb injuries predominated; the ankle and knee being the most commonly injured anatomical site. A significant proportion of injuries occurred in the upper limb region. A high number of injuries occurred in the Goalkeepers, and were mainly related to the thumb. Most injuries were of soft tissue in nature and relate to muscle, ligament, and tendon. Most common situations giving rise to injuries were collision (27.77%), twist/turn (22.22%) and stumble (17.59%). Those football players directly involved in attack or defense are more likely to be injured. Lower limb injuries were found to be predominated, muscle injuries being the most common type, collision is common causes of injuries. The results of the research provide a useful insight into the injuries in relation to field position, nature and sites of injury in competitive football players