Key result
The post-COVID-19 lockdown period was associated with an increase in soccer injuries compared to pre-lockdown (1.91 vs 0.86 per 1000 exposure hours; injury risk ratio 0.45; 95% CI 0.31-0.65; P=0.0001).
Why the study?
The COVID-19 lockdown suspended sports activities and forced indoor training, but the impact on the number and nature of soccer injuries was unknown.
Does the post-COVID-19 lockdown period increase the rate of soccer-related injuries compared to the pre-lockdown period in amateur players?
Observational (n=630)
Yes
Does the post-COVID-19 lockdown period increase the rate of soccer-related injuries compared to the pre-lockdown period in amateur players?
Relative Risk: 0.45 (95% CI 0.31–0.65)
Absolute Event Rate: 1.91% vs 0.86%
p-value: p=0.0001
The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with a significant increase in soccer-related injuries upon return to play among amateur players in Saudi Arabia.
BACKGROUND: Soccer predisposes players to injuries because it involves running, jumping, and interactions between players; players must maintain fitness through training and matches. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused a global lockdown, and the ministry of sports suspended all sports activities, forcing players to train indoors. This study aimed to determine the number and nature of soccer injuries per thousand hours of exposure pre and post the COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A total of 45 soccer teams (630 players) competing in the amateur leagues were followed for two seasons (pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdown). The medical staff of the participating teams was requested to report all new injuries during matches and training. Exposure during all matches and training and number of overall, initial, recurrent, severity, and types of injuries reported pre- and post-COVID lockdown were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 43 injuries were reported pre-COVID-19 lockdown in 50130 h of exposure (0.86 injuries/1000 exposure hours). A total of 91 injuries were reported post-COVID-19 lockdown in 47622 hours of exposure (1.91 injuries/1000 exposure hours). The injury risk ratio was 0.45 (0.31 to 0. 65; P=0.0001), suggesting that the injuries increased by 55% post-COVID-19 lockdown. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicated that the COVID-19 lockdown influenced soccer-related injuries, as the overall number of soccer injuries increased because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
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Attar et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Soccer players (n=630). Post-COVID-19 lockdown vs. Pre-COVID-19 lockdown was evaluated on Number of soccer injuries per thousand hours of exposure (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.31-0.65, p=0.0001). The post-COVID-19 lockdown period was associated with an increase in soccer injuries compared to pre-lockdown (1.91 vs 0.86 per 1000 exposure hours; injury risk ratio 0.45; 95% CI 0.31-0.65; P=0.0001).
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