Abstract
1265 The aim of the study was to document the epidemiology of injuries in high school soccer players. A cohort of 227 players representing all the players in 20 schools in the region of Tembisa (South Africa) was followed for a season. All the injured players were diagnosed and the injury severity was graded (according to missed games). Exposure (playing hours), pre-season training, warm-up, stretching, playing surface, and use of protective equipment was recorded. The overall injury rate (injuries/1000 hrs) was 9 (matches=44, practices=0.2) with a seasonal incidence of 63%. Injury severity was graded as mild in 22% followed by moderate (57%), and severe (22%). The injury rate was highest in goalkeepers (14), followed by defenders (11), midfielders (10), and forwards (8). The most frequent (%) of all injuries) injuries were lateral ankle ligament sprains (38), MCL knee sprains (10), groin muscle strains (10), patellofemoral pain (8), LCL knee sprains (7), and medial ankle ligament sprains (5). The type of injury was mostly ligamentous sprains (68%), followed by muscle strains (13%). Players were not aware of appropriate stretching, warm-up or strapping techniques, and only 10% of coaches had formal coaching training. The injury rate in this cohort is higher than what is mostly reported for adolescent soccer players. Measures to prevent injuries must be implemented in this population.
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