Age of Adolescent Female Soccer Players at First Ankle Sprain and Menarche

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : To provide targeted interventions for the prevention of first ankle sprains, this study determined the prevalence of ankle sprains in female adolescent soccer players and analyzed the correlation between the age at the first occurrence of ankle sprain and the age at menarche. METHODS : The study included 131 female participants from three club teams. The mean age was 13.37 ± 0.96 years. A survey was conducted using a questionnaire that requested information regarding the age at which the first ankle sprain occurred, age at menarche, status of ankle problems, extent to which the ankle joint problem affected playing ability, use of medical facilities or other healthcare facilities for the first or recurrent ankle sprains, and methods used to care for their ankle. RESULTS Ankle sprains most commonly occurred for the first time at 12 years, followed by the ages of 13, 10, and 11 years. About 25% of participants experienced their first ankle sprain at the age of menarche, 20% at 1 year after menarche, and 16% a year before menarche. The incidence of the first ankle sprain was high in the second and fifth years after starting to play soccer. Medical treatment was rarely received for the second or subsequent injury, although 36% had some sequelae. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent female soccer players were not injured early in their soccer careers. Most players experienced their first ankle sprain at the age of 12 years, which was at or close to the age of menarche.