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Br J Sports Med 2005;39:212-216 doi:10.1136/bjsm.2004.011973
  • Original article

Injuries in women’s professional soccer

  1. E Giza1,
  2. K Mithöfer2,
  3. L Farrell3,
  4. B Zarins4,
  5. T Gill4
  1. 1Central Maine Orthopaedic Group, Auburn, ME, USA
  2. 2Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
  3. 3Boston Breakers, Boston, MA, USA
  4. 4Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Eric Giza
 Central Maine Orthopaedics, 690 Minot Ave, Suite One, Auburn, ME 04210, USA; egizmassmed.org
  • Accepted 15 June 2004

Abstract

Objective: The injury data from the first two seasons of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) were analysed to determine the injury incidence, anatomic location of injuries, and relation of player position.

Methods: Injury data on 202 players from eight teams during the first two seasons of the WUSA were prospectively collected and analysed.

Results: A total of 173 injuries occurred in 110 players with an overall injury incidence rate of 1.93 injuries per 1000 player hours. The incidence of injury during practice and games was 1.17 and 12.63 per 1000 player hours, respectively. Of the injuries 82% were acute and 16% were chronic. Most of the injuries (60%) were located in the lower extremities. Strains (30.7%), sprains (19.1%), contusions (16.2%), and fractures (11.6%) were the most common diagnoses and the knee (31.8%) and head (10.9%) were the most common sites of injury. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries accounted for 4.6% of all injuries and the incidence of ACL tears was 0.09 per 1000 player hours (practice 0.04, game 0.90). Midfielders suffered the most injuries (p<0.007).

Conclusion: We conclude that the injury incidence in the WUSA is lower than the 6.2 injuries per 1000 player hours found in the corresponding male professional league (Major League Soccer); however, knee injuries predominate even in these elite female athletes.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

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