PhysioRoom.com Injury League Table Analysis: 2004/05 Season

1. Introduction 2. Total reported injuries per club 3. Total days lost through injury per club 4. Total cost of paying injured players per club 5. Total reported injuries by type 6. Total reported muscle injuries per club 7. Total reported muscle injuries by muscle group 8. Total reported Hamstring strains per club 9. Total days lost due to reported muscle injuries 10. Average days lost due to reported muscle injuries

As per the previous season, muscle injuries (usually strains) were the most common injury type, accounting for 33% of all Premiership injuries. This is consistent with previous research on soccer injuries. Muscle strains refer to a structural break in the continuity of muscle tissue. They are usually sustained during intense effort - which is frequently required from players in the Premiership. A previous history of having a muscle injury is the most reliable variable when attempting to predict future muscle injury. Fatigue is also a major contributing factor, so fixture congestion in the Premiership is one reason why muscle injuries are so prevalent.

Ligament sprains are the next most common injury in Premiership players, accounting for 31% of all injuries sustained. The collision and contact nature of Premiership soccer means that these injuries (like fractures and contusions) are very difficult to prevent. However, fatigue can be a factor in ligament injuries and on occasions a player can injure themselves due to an uncoordinated landing or twist. For this reason teams incorporate proprioception and plyometric training programmes in an effort to reduce these injuries. Unfortunately, these tend not to be effective when players are asked to play three games in one week.

Meniscal injuries refer to cartilage tears of the knee and the increasingly well diagnosed acetabular labrum tears in the hip joint. The acetabular labrum tears may explain why there are more 'meniscal' injuries than in previously published studies.

'Other' injuries and conditions included viral and bacterial infections and conditions such as appendicitis.

Total reported muscle injuries per club >

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