Why the study?
Rapid somatic growth and biological maturity status may affect youth football injury patterns, but firm conclusions cannot be drawn from existing research.
Do growth velocity, maturity, and age affect injury risk in high-level youth football players?
Population
95 academy players (11.9–15.0 years)
Comparison
Growth velocity, maturity, and age as injury risk factors
Design
Prospective cohort study
Follow-up
Three seasons (2016/17–2018/19)
Key result
Older age was associated with an increased risk of overall injuries (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.15-5.91) and sudden onset injuries (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.17-3.37) in youth football players.
Authors
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May support age-targeted monitoring in youth football; leaves open causal roles of growth velocity and maturity.
Cohort (n=95)
Do growth velocity, maturity, and age affect injury risk in high-level youth football players?
Effect estimate: OR 2.61 (95% CI 1.15-5.91)
In high-level youth football players, older age is associated with a higher risk of overall and sudden onset injuries, while growth velocity and maturity showed significant but not practically relevant associations.
Wik et al. (2023) conducted a cohort in Injury risk in youth football (n=95). Older age, growth velocity, and maturity was evaluated on Overall injury risk (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.15-5.91). Older age was associated with an increased risk of overall injuries (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.15-5.91) and sudden onset injuries (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.17-3.37) in youth football players.