Ten years of football (soccer) injuries in the literature. A bibliometric approach

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyse the scientific production of publications produced during a decade (2010-2019) about injuries in football (soccer). A bibliographic search was done for publications featuring key terms such as football, soccer, and injuries. We searched for studies in journals that had a five-year impact factor in the Journal Citation Report in the “Sport Sciences” category. The PRISMA methodology was used. The following bibliometric indicators were analysed: number of publications by journal; country of origin; country of publication; publications per year; number of authors; authors’ native language; evidence level; type of study; sex; anatomical location and topographic location of injuries. To assess the level of evidence, the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) level of evidence classification was used, dichotomised as follows: articles with level 1 and level 2 evidence were ‘high evidence’, and articles with levels 3, 4, and 5 were ‘low evidence’. The statistical tests were performed using SPSS V. 28. A total of 222 articles published in four journals met the inclusion criteria. Production rose as the decade progressed. The highest frequency was in 2013. The British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) had the highest number of publications. Sports Medicine (SM) had the most authors per article and the highest level of evidence. The United States was the main producer. There were more publications regarding injuries in males, and in males and females, compared to publications that only took females into account. More muscle, thigh, and hip injuries were described. The level of evidence was generally low. The increase in scientific production related to football (soccer) injuries during the decade reflect an elevated interest for the subject matter. Publications that prevail around this theme consider injuries in the thigh and lower extremities and in men.