Muscle injury characteristics and incidence rates in men’s amateur soccer: A one season prospective study

The objectives of the study were to examine the incident rate (IR), characteristics, and mechanisms of muscle injuries of 121 men amateur soccer players that voluntarily participated in this project. Sixty-five muscle injuries with an overall IR of 3.62/1000 h, 95% CI 2.7-4.5, were reported. The most frequently injured muscle groups were the hamstrings (IR 1.78/1000 h, 95% CI 1.1-2.3), followed by the adductors (IR 1.5/1000 h, 95% CI 0.93-2.06). Most muscle injuries were characterized as mild (IR 2.3/1000 h, 95% CI 1.53-2.92) or minimal (IR 1.28/1000 h, 95% CI 1.16-2.39. Higher incidence of injury sustained during matches (IR 14.09 injuries/1000 h, 95% CI 9.49-18.7), than in training (IR 1.88 injuries/1000 h, 95% CI 1.19-2.56). The most frequent injury mechanisms were high-speed running (84.4%) and change of direction (44.4%), for hamstring and adductors-related groin injuries, respectively. Players aged over 24 years had a 7-fold increased risk to sustain a hamstring injury but a lower risk to sustain an adductor-related groin injury. Injury prevention and rehabilitation management strategies may reduce muscle injury rates in amateur soccer.