Incidence and factors associated with injuries among adolescent players in an amateur soccer tournament in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with injuries among adolescents participating in an amateur soccer tournament in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted among 90 participants (66 players and 24 substitutes) from six all-male teams with each team comprising 11 players. A total of six matches, each lasting 60 minutes (132 player-hours) were played in the tournament. Players were observed during all matches and followed up for up to two weeks after the final match. The association between selected risk factors and injury occurence was assessed using x(2) test. RESULTS: Players mean age was 16.1 (+/- 1.8) years. Twelve (13.3%) of the 90 players were involved in 15 injury events. The injury incidence was 113.6 injuries per 1000 player hours (95% CI: 56.1-171.1) and 12 (80.0%) of all injuries occurred within 15 minutes of the end of each half of the match. Injuries often affected the lower limb 10 (58.8%), and the upper limb 6 (35.3%). Common injuries sustained were abrasions, 11 (64.6%), sprains, 3 (17.6%) and contusions 2 (11.8%). Eighty percent of injuries were due to collision with another player. All injuries were slight to mild as all the injured players returned to practice or games within five days of sustaining the injury. Dominant playing foot (mainly left foot or both feet) was associated with a higher incidence of injuries (x(2)=7.321; P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Injury incidence was relatively high although injuries were mild. Measures to minimize injuries following player-to-player contact would be beneficial for adolescent soccer players in our study setting.