Injury Epidemiology among Malaysian National Men's and Women's Football Teams: A Prospective Cohort Study during 2022-2023
Abstract
Introduction: To determine the injury incidence, burden, and characteristics among Malaysian national football players.
Materials and methods: Three Malaysian national men’s teams (U-19, U-23, and Senior) and the three Malaysian national women’s teams (U-18, U-20, and Senior) were followed prospectively from June 2022 to June 2023. All training and match injuries, together with exposures, were recorded by the team doctor and physiotherapist.
Results: The men’s team recorded a total of 85 injuries during 5153 hours of exposure, equal to an incidence rate of 16.5 injuries per 1000 hours. Match injuries showed greater incidence (65.9 vs 7.8 injuries per 1000 hours) and burden (444.6 time-loss days per 1000 hours against 13.9 time-loss days per 1000 hours) as compared to training. Thigh injuries were the predominant injuries, followed by knee and ankle injuries. In the women’s team, 17 injuries were reported over 1698 hours of exposure, producing a total incidence rate of 10.0 injuries per 1000 hours. Higher injury frequency and burden were seen during match play (47.6 versus 4.1 injuries per 1000 hours and 1272.7 versus 6.81 time-loss days per 1000 hours, respectively). The ankle and quadriceps were the most frequently reported injuries, followed by the knee.
Conclusion: The Malaysian national men’s team recorded a higher injury incidence compared to the women's, however no significant difference in injury burden noted between genders. The incidence of injuries during matches is greater than that during training, with thigh, ankle, and knee injuries being the most prevalent.
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