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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(13): 1112-1117
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1555778
Clinical Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anthropometric Injury Risk Factors in Elite-standard Youth Soccer

G. L. J. Kemper
1   University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department Human Movement Sciences, The Netherlands
2   Physiotherapy, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Enschede, Netherlands
,
A. van der Sluis
1   University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department Human Movement Sciences, The Netherlands
4   School of Sports Studies, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands
,
M. S. Brink
1   University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department Human Movement Sciences, The Netherlands
4   School of Sports Studies, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands
,
C. Visscher
1   University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department Human Movement Sciences, The Netherlands
,
W. G. P. Frencken
1   University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department Human Movement Sciences, The Netherlands
3   Football Club Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
4   School of Sports Studies, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands
,
M. T. Elferink-Gemser
1   University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department Human Movement Sciences, The Netherlands
5   Institute for Studies in Sports and Exercise, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 26 May 2015

Publication Date:
10 August 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate whether an increased risk of injury occurrence can be determined through frequent anthropometric measurements in elite-standard youth soccer players. Over the course of one season, we followed 101 male elite-standard youth soccer players between 11 and 19 years of age. Height and body mass were monitored at monthly measurement intervals and fat percentage was assessed every 3 months by use of the sum of skinfold method. Growth in height (cm), alternations in body mass index (kg/m2), fat percentage and fat-free mass index (kg/m2) were calculated. Injuries were recorded in accordance with the recommendations of the FIFA Consensus Model for Injury Registration. Odds ratio scores and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using binary logistic regression analyses. The following anthropometric injury risk factors were identified: ≥ 0.6 centimeter growth per month (p=0.03; OR=1.63; 95% CI: 1.06–2.52), ≥ 0.3 kg/m2 increase of body mass index value per month (p=0.03; OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.04–2.49) and low fat percentage; i. e., < 7% for players aged 11–16 and < 5% for players over 16 years (p=0.01; OR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.18–2.76). Individual monitoring of anthropometrics provides useful information to determine increased risk of injury occurrence in elite-standard youth soccer.

Key words

growth spurt - maturation - sports medicine - football - adolescent
 

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