Osgood–schlatter disease onset in male high school soccer players

Abstract

[Purpose] Osgood–Schlatter disease (OSD) onset was investigated in high school soccer players. [Subjects and Methods] A survey was performed of 201 subjects. Quadriceps femoris muscle (QF) strength, rectus femoris muscle (RF)/vastus intermedius muscle thickness, QF/hamstrings muscle extensibility, and six factors of forward reach in the long-sitting position were also measured. Physical factors were compared between two groups of subjects: those with a history of OSD, and those without a history of OSD. Comparisons were also made within the OSD history group among students in different grades. [Results] There were 41 players with a history of OSD, a rate of disease onset of 20.4%. Compared with the group without a history of OSD, QF muscle strength (axis legside) was significantly lower in those with a history of OSD; no significant difference was found in any of the other parameters. In the OSD history group, RF thickness (axis leg side) of first year students was significantly lower than that of second year students; no significant difference was observed in any of the other parameters. [Conclusion] OSD had a high tendency to occur in the axial leg, and QF muscle strength in the axial leg was low. First year students also had lower thigh muscle thickness in the axial leg than second year students.