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Review of Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention in Female Soccer Athletes

  • Sports Medicine Rehabilitation (B Liem and BJ Krabak, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This paper aims to review the recent literature regarding the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in female soccer athletes.

Recent Findings

Female soccer players are at risk for many musculoskeletal injuries, mostly involving the lower extremities, due to anatomic, hormonal, and biomechanical factors. Various programs are available that target overall injury prevention, as well as specifically the prevention of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ankle, and overuse injuries. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ is the most well-studied program for overall injury prevention and has been shown to have modest but significant effects in injury incidence. Prevention of ACL injuries is also well studied, and multiple programs have been shown to significantly reduce incidence, especially in youth athletes. Fewer current studies are available regarding ankle and overuse injuries.

Summary

Musculoskeletal injury prevention programs are available for female soccer players and may be effective in decreasing the incidence of certain injuries. There are clear differences in injury patterns in females compared to males, and further research is needed to specifically look at injury prevention in this population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, NewYork Presbyterian-Columbia, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Zachary Bailowitz & Jennifer Soo Hoo

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 E. 68th St, Baker 16, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Zachary Bailowitz & Jennifer Soo Hoo

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Bailowitz, Z., Soo Hoo, J. Review of Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention in Female Soccer Athletes. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 7, 195–203 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-019-00230-x

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