Foot and ankle injuries in women's soccer: epidemiology and risk factors
A summary of the research:
The article investigates foot and ankle injuries in women's soccer, analyzing injury rates, types, and risk factors across different competition levels. The study highlights the high frequency of these injuries among female players, particularly ligament sprains and fractures, which often result in time lost from training and competition. Differences in injury rates are noted between amateur, collegiate, and professional levels, with elite athletes experiencing more severe injuries. The study further explores gender-specific factors contributing to injury risk, including biomechanical and hormonal influences, as well as external factors like footwear design and playing surface.
Key findings reveal that intrinsic factors such as ligament laxity and bone density, which are influenced by hormonal cycles, increase women’s susceptibility to foot and ankle injuries. Extrinsic factors like improper footwear and playing on synthetic turf also play a significant role in injury occurrence. The article underscores the importance of targeted prevention programs and suggests that customized footwear for female athletes could help reduce these injury rates.
Key Takeaways
Female soccer players have a high rate of foot and ankle injuries, with elite athletes facing more severe injuries during competition.
Intrinsic risk factors, such as ligament laxity and bone density, heighten injury susceptibility in women, often influenced by hormonal variations.
Customized footwear and injury prevention programs can mitigate these risks, highlighting the need for gender-specific solutions.
Authors: Adrian J. Talia & Rick Brown
You can read the whole article here.
