Key result
Amateur male football players in Greece were 6.6 times more likely to sustain injuries in matches (12.1 injuries/1000 hours) than in training sessions (1.8 injuries/1000 hours).
Why the study?
Injury research predominantly targets professional football players, leaving limited data for amateur players, especially in Greece.
Cross-Sectional (n=222)
Relative Risk: 6.6
Absolute Event Rate: 12.1% vs 1.8%
Amateur male football players in Greece experience a high rate of injuries, predominantly strains in the lower limbs during matches, highlighting the need for targeted injury prevention measures.
High injury rates in amateur Greek football; hypothesis-generating for prevention and should not yet change practice.
Injuries in football affect team performance, players’ quality of life, and careers. While research mainly targets professionals, limited data exists for amateur players, especially in Greece. Methodological differences and variations in preparation and technique make applying professional injury data to amateurs uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the injury profile, sports history, and training routines of amateur male football players in Greece over one competitive season. It was conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional study using an electronic questionnaire to survey 222 amateur players aged 18–44 years. Among them, 70.7% reported at least one injury. A total of 220 injuries were recorded, with an incidence rate of 5.3 injuries per 1000 hours of play. Most injuries occurred during matches, predominantly affecting the lower limbs, with the posterior and inner thighs being the most common injury sites. Players were found to be 6.6 times more likely to sustain injuries in matches (12.1 injuries/1000 hours) than in training sessions (1.8 injuries/1000 hours). Strains were identified as the most common type of injury, often resulting from running/sprinting. These findings underscore the importance of implementing specific injury prevention measures in amateur football leagues in Greece to minimise the risks and severity of injuries among players.
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Vassis et al. (2024) conducted a cross-sectional in Musculoskeletal injuries (n=222). Football matches vs. Training sessions was evaluated on Injury incidence rate (RR 6.6). Amateur male football players in Greece were 6.6 times more likely to sustain injuries in matches (12.1 injuries/1000 hours) than in training sessions (1.8 injuries/1000 hours).