Characteristics of female university soccer player's injuries in comparison with male soccer player

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of past injuries of female university soccer players in comparison with injuries in male university soccer players. We investigated past injuries of female players (n = 32) and male players (n = 24). A past injury was defined as any injury sustained during soccer that required admission to a team doctor, medical attention or absence from practices or games for more than seven days. The most frequent injury was Joint Injuries in both female and male players. High occurrence of overuse injuries of lower leg was most apparent in the female players. The 32 female players had experienced 144 injuries, or 4.5 injuries per player, and the 24 male players had suffered 85 injuries, or 3.5 injuries per player. The numbers of injuries per player of female players were 1.3 times higher than the male players. Also, the incidence of injury was 0.64 (injury/player/year) in female players, and 0.27 (injury/player/year) in male players. The incidence of injury of female players was significantly larger than that of male players. We conclude that the prevention and care of overuse injuries in lower leg is very important for female succor players.