Causation of injuries in female football players in top-level tournaments

BACKGROUND: Analyses of tackle parameters in injury situations have provided valuable information regarding men's football. However, there are no similar data for women's football. OBJECTIVE: To categorise the tackle mechanisms leading to injury in elite women's football. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective video analysis of injury situations. METHODS: Events associated with all reported injuries during six women's top-level tournaments were analysed on video recordings for tackle parameters. RESULTS: More than half of all injuries were due to tackles from the side (52%, 103/200), whereas tackles from behind were much less commonly involved in injury situations (11%, 21/200). One-footed (65%, 130/200) and upper body (21%, 42/200) tackle actions were most common. Sliding-in tackles leading to injury were the least likely to be sanctioned by match referees. Tackling players (45%, 90/200) were almost as likely to be injured as the tackled player (55%). CONCLUSION: The present study found differences between injury mechanisms in women's football and previously published data on men's football. Further research, especially using video analysis, is needed for a better understanding of risk situations in football.