Prevalence of Football Injuries in Egyptian Children and Adolescents and its Correlation To Anthropometric Parameters

Abstract

Purpose the study aims to survey the prevalence and incidence of football injuries at the age group from (10-15) years old, correlate the injuries to anthropometric measurements as body and the height and correlate injuries to the player's position in the field. Methods 100 players were randomly selected their history of injuries and their positions were recorded and 12 measurements (weight, height, sitting height, lower extremity length, thigh length, arm length, head, waist, upper arm, thigh and calf circumferences and BMI were calculated. Results 23% players had been injured for only one injury within the recorded two seasons, 12% players and 5% players had been injured for two times and three times respectively. with incidence 32% and prevalence 21%. Spearman’s rho correlation was tested between the player position and injury both recent and previous. A moderate positive correlation (0.3-0.7) was found between the player position and both total and recent injuries with no significant correlation between the player position and their previous injuries. No significant correlation between the anthropometric measurements and injuries. Conclusion players at (10-15) years old are highly suspected for injuries especially fractures, most of those injuries are contact injuries which occurs during the match. Anthropometric measurements cannot be used to predict the incidence of injuries. Defenders were the highly suspected for injuries.