Matt Konopinski1, Ian Graham2, Mark I Johnson3, Gareth Jones4. 1. Liverpool Football Club, Liverpool, UK; Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK. Electronic address: matt.konopinski@liverpoolfc.com. 2. Liverpool Football Club, Liverpool, UK. Electronic address: ian.graham@liverpoolfc.com. 3. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK; Leeds Pallium Research Group, Leeds, UK. Electronic address: m.johnson@leedsbeckett.ac.uk. 4. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK; Leeds Pallium Research Group, Leeds, UK. Electronic address: g.j.Jones@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A recent study demonstrated joint hypermobility increased the incidence of injury in an elite football team utilising a univariate statistical model. OBJECTIVES: To compare injury incidence between hypermobile and non-hypermobile elite football players incorporating a multi-site design and multivariate inferential statistics. METHODS: 80 players comprising 3 English Championship football teams were followed prospectively during the 2012-2013 season. Joint hypermobility was assessed according to the 9-point Beighton Criteria at the start of the study period. A cut-off score of ≥4 categorised a participant as hypermobile. Player exposure and time-loss injuries were recorded throughout. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation incidence of injuries was 9.2 ± 10.8 injuries/1000 h. The prevalence of hypermobility was 8.8%. Hypermobiles had a tendency for higher injury incidence (mean [95% confidence interval] difference, 5.2 [0.9-2.7] injuries/1000 h; p = 0.06). Cox regression analyses found training exposure to be highly significant in terms of injury risk (p < 0.001) for all participants. Non-hypermobiles had a lower injury risk (p = 0.11), according to the Cox model, which is suggestive but not conclusive that hypermobility predisposes injury risk. CONCLUSIONS: Hypermobility showed a trend towards increased risk of injury. Training exposure is a significant injury risk factor in elite football.
BACKGROUND: A recent study demonstrated joint hypermobility increased the incidence of injury in an elite football team utilising a univariate statistical model. OBJECTIVES: To compare injury incidence between hypermobile and non-hypermobile elite football players incorporating a multi-site design and multivariate inferential statistics. METHODS: 80 players comprising 3 English Championship football teams were followed prospectively during the 2012-2013 season. Joint hypermobility was assessed according to the 9-point Beighton Criteria at the start of the study period. A cut-off score of ≥4 categorised a participant as hypermobile. Player exposure and time-loss injuries were recorded throughout. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation incidence of injuries was 9.2 ± 10.8 injuries/1000 h. The prevalence of hypermobility was 8.8%. Hypermobiles had a tendency for higher injury incidence (mean [95% confidence interval] difference, 5.2 [0.9-2.7] injuries/1000 h; p = 0.06). Cox regression analyses found training exposure to be highly significant in terms of injury risk (p < 0.001) for all participants. Non-hypermobiles had a lower injury risk (p = 0.11), according to the Cox model, which is suggestive but not conclusive that hypermobility predisposes injury risk. CONCLUSIONS: Hypermobility showed a trend towards increased risk of injury. Training exposure is a significant injury risk factor in elite football.
Authors: Kerttu Toivo; Pekka Kannus; Sami Kokko; Lauri Alanko; Olli J Heinonen; Raija Korpelainen; Kai Savonen; Harri Selänne; Tommi Vasankari; Lasse Kannas; Urho M Kujala; Jari Villberg; Jari Parkkari Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2018-05-30