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Muscle injuries of the lower extremity: a comparison between young and old male elite soccer players

  • Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to make a comparison between players in two age groups in an elite male soccer team regarding injury localisation within the muscle–tendon unit, injury size and muscle group in terms of muscle injuries of the lower extremity.

Methods

Cohort study based on data collected from a Swedish elite male soccer team during the seasons 2007–2012. In total, 145 muscle injuries were included. Injury localisation to the tendon or muscle, the size of haematoma and the affected muscle group were assessed using ultrasound. Age comparison was made between younger players (≤23 years) and older players (>23 years).

Results

No difference regarding injury localisation to either the tendon or the muscle, or the size of haematoma between the two age groups was found. However, the older group of players suffered a significantly higher number of injuries to the triceps surae than the younger players (p = 0.012).

Conclusions

In a Swedish team of male soccer players at elite level, there was no difference between players 23 years or younger and players older than 23 years, in terms of injury distribution to muscles or tendons. Players older than 23 years sustained more injuries to triceps surae when compared with players 23 years or younger. The clinical relevance is to pay attention to muscle function of triceps surae in older players and to screen those players who may need an injury prevention programme.

Level of evidence

II.

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Acknowledgments

The Swedish Centre for Sport Research is gratefully acknowledged for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery Stockholm Sports Trauma Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Kjell Svensson, Gustav Karnebäck & Suzanne Werner

  2. Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sport Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden

    Marie Alricsson

  3. Department of Sport Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden

    Marie Alricsson

  4. Clinic of Radiology, Gällivare Hospital, Gällivare, Sweden

    Theo Magounakis

  5. CIFU/Capio Artro Clinic, Sophiahemmet, Box 5605, 114 86, Stockholm, Sweden

    Suzanne Werner

Authors
  1. Kjell Svensson
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  2. Marie Alricsson
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  3. Gustav Karnebäck
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  4. Theo Magounakis
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  5. Suzanne Werner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kjell Svensson.

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Svensson, K., Alricsson, M., Karnebäck, G. et al. Muscle injuries of the lower extremity: a comparison between young and old male elite soccer players. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 24, 2293–2299 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3527-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3527-6

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