Anterior cruciate ligament injury in female soccer. Epidemiology of three seasons

Background and purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are 2-4 times higher in female soccer players than in male players. This injury leads to a long-term absence from the sport and to future complications (risk of re-injury and osteoarthritis). The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of ACL injuries in the first three FC Barcelona female soccer teams over three seasons. Study design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: : We retrospectively studied three seasons (2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010) and we included the players of three teams of the FC Barcelona. The sample was 53 players (age, 18.4 +/- 2 years) in the first season, 53 (18.4 +/- 2 years) in the second and 60 (20.1 +/- 2 years) in the third. Exposure times were documented by the technical staff of each team and the injuries (diagnosis and follow-up) by the FC Barcelona medical staff. Results: There were 11 ACL injuries, all of them by non-contact mechanism (absence of direct trauma against another player): 4 in 2007-2008, 3 in 2008-2009 and 4 in 2009-2010. Injury incidence (x1000 hours of exposure) was 0.33, 0.25 and 0.29 respectively. Injury incidence was higher in matches than in training: 2.59 vs. 0 in the first season, 0.69 vs. 0.19 in the second and 1.15 vs. 0.17 in the third. Conclusions: Due to the constant growth of the female soccer we believe that more injury incidence studies are required, and more research is needed to identify high risk players and preventive measures. (C) 2011 Consell Catal de l'Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.