Apophyseal Injuries of the Lower Extremities in Male Adolescent Football Players From a Single Academy: A One-Season Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

Youth football players experience a high incidence of injuries, particularly apophyseal injuries in the lower extremities. However, the prevalence and characteristics of these injuries in male adolescent academy players remain inadequately documented.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence, incidence, and characteristics of apophyseal injuries in the lower extremities among male adolescent academy football players over one season.

DESIGN

One-season prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-eight Norwegian male adolescent academy football players (aged 12-19 years) were investigated during the 2022 football season.

METHODS

Weekly self-reports of health problems were collected using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2). Clinical examinations were performed to diagnose apophyseal injuries.

RESULTS

The average weekly prevalence of self-reported health problems was 37%, while the average weekly prevalence of clinically diagnosed apophyseal injuries in the lower extremities was 12%. The incidence rate for these injuries was 4.6 per 1.000 h of exposure. Pubic apophysitis was the most common injury (32% of diagnosed cases). Most injuries (77%) had a gradual onset, with 81% occurring during or directly after training sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

Apophyseal injuries represent a significant health problem in male youth football players, with pubic apophysitis being the most prevalent condition. These findings highlight the need for improved awareness, early detection, and targeted injury prevention strategies in youth football.