A one year prospective study of soccer injuries in the 1992-1993 Kenyan national team

Abstract

Injuries are common in all sports, including soccer. Most of these injuries can be prevented if their aetiology, mechanisms and predisposing actions are analyzed. There were a total of 32 injuries in the study period. The incidence of lesions was 1.78 per match or 1.1 per player. 43.75% were contusions, 31.25% overuse and 25% sprains. 34.38% of the injuries affected the groin/thigh, 28.13% the knee and 25% the ankle. The right side of the body (65.63%) suffered more injuries. The opponent (60%), ball (12%)and the ground (10%) were the major causes. The activities during injury were running/dribbling (43.8%), tackling (18.8%) and heading (9.4%). A similar study of longer duration is recommended.