Incidence and injury risk factors in portuguese futsal players

Abstract

Introduction: The reduced number of studies published on the occurrence of injuries in futsal in Portugal motivated this study. Objective: This study aimed to identify potential causes of injuries in this sport, which can be a reference for the creation of specific protocols for injury prevention. Methods: The sample was composed of 411 Portuguese male and female futsal players, of diverse competitive levels. All the participants filled out a previously validated questionnaire, based on retrospective information. Statistical inference consisted of inferential analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test and using the Mann- Whitney test for non parametric data (significance level of 5%). Results: The results confirm ankle sprain injuries as the injury with the highest incidence (48.8% of total) in futsal. Injuries with recovery period between 8 and 28 days were the most frequent (52.7% of total). This study did not show gender or the position of the player on the pitch to cause significant differences on the frequency of the injuries or on the type or anatomical region of the injury. However, there were significant differences between training and competition, with greater occurrence of sprains and contractures during training and higher incidence of muscle tears and fractures in competition, with a longer recovery period resulting from injuries suffered during competition. Moreover, there were significant differences for the mechanism of injury, with higher incidence of bone or joint injuries, sprains and fractures as a result of contact with opponents and higher incidence of muscle or ligament injuries without contact with opponents. The results did not show any significant differences in the laterality of injuries. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of specific programmes for ankle sprain injury prevention, especially in early stages, regardless of the position of the player on the pitch, mainly in situations of contact with opponents.