567 BO24 – What is the extent of apophyseal load-related injuries in the lower extremities among youth male academy football players?

Background Apophyseal load-related injuries in the lower extremities are unique to children and adolescents, often resulting in reduced participation in football. Objective To investigate the prevalence, incidence, and characteristics of apophyseal load-related injuries in male youth academy football players. Design A prospective cohort study. Setting A Norwegian Premier League club's youth male academy. Participants A total of 58 players from the U-14, U-16, and U-19 teams accepted the invitation to participate. Fifty-two players completed the full study period. Interventions Players reported all health problems, injuries, and illnesses using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2) during 42 weeks of the 2022 season. The players who reported symptoms from the pelvis, hip, groin, knee, or heel were assessed by a sports physiotherapist (SR), using a standardized clinical examination protocol. Subsequently, they were categorized as having an apophyseal load-related injury or not. Main outcome measurements We calculated the average weekly prevalence and overall injury incidence of apophyseal load-related injuries, and we investigated their characteristics. Results The players' average weekly response rate of the OSTRC-H2 was 91%. The average weekly prevalence of self-reported health problems was 37%. Clinically diagnosed apophyseal load-related injuries had an average weekly prevalence of 12% and the overall injury incidence was 4.6 injuries per 1000 training and match hours. A total of 37 players were assessed using the standardized clinical examination protocol, and we diagnosed 31 apophyseal load-related injuries in 21 players. Complaints from the adductor (pubic) apophyses was most common with ten cases (32%). The U-14 team constituted 55% of all apophyseal load-related injuries. Conclusion Youth male academy players exhibited a notable prevalence and incidence of apophyseal load-related injuries, with complaints from the adductor (pubic) apophysis being most frequent. This warrants a need for injury prevention strategies targeting these injuries in youth players.