Clinical characteristics in U19 elite soccer players, implications on injury prevention

Abstract

Background: Young soccer players’ injuries are receiving increased interest. The need of adopting injury prevention strategies to reduce financial, social and sport costs is obligated. The main purpose of this study is to analyse clinical characteristics of young soccer players in order to develop specific and effective injury prevention programs. Methods: This observational, transversal study includes 25 young soccer players from Spanish National League. Strength, motor control, flexibility and range of motion characteristics were analysed before the first preseason training. Results: Statistically significant differences were found for hip internal rotation (p value = 0.001), Thomas test (p value = 0.012) and ankle dorsiflexion test (p value = 0.009) between both sides. Dorsiflexion test showed a positive correlation with the hip internal rotation ROM (p < 0.016) and with the triple hop test (p < 0.007). The hip internal rotation ROM showed a positive correlation with the Thomas test (p < 0.033) and with the single leg squat test (p < 0.008). The drop jump test showed a positive correlation with the single leg squat test (p < 0.039). Conclusions: Clinical characteristics shown in this study should be taken into account in order to develop specific injury prevention for this specific population. Moreover, data shown in this study can be used as norm values for young soccer semi-professional players in future researches.