An assessment of the relationship between behaviour and injury in the workplace: A case study in professional football

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of individual, cultural and situational factors on players’ behaviour and the level of injury during international football tournaments. A prospective cohort study using video recordings was used to analyse the tackling behaviour of players. The proportions of tackles identified as fouls by match referees were used as measures of aggressive behaviour by players and teams whilst injuries were used as measures of the adverse outcomes of the tackling players’ behaviours. This study differed from previous studies of risk-taking behaviour as the instigators of aggressive behaviour were less likely to suffer the consequences of their actions than someone else. The results indicated that individual, cultural and situational factors had significant effects on players’ behaviour and that aggressive behaviour was associated with injury. The role of players within a team influenced their propensity to adopt risk-taking behaviours but not the likelihood that they would cause injury. A framework model for analysing the effects of contributory factors on behaviour and the consequences of safe and unsafe acts in professional football is proposed and its application in other contact sports and more conventional work-based settings is considered.