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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 7/2016

01-07-2016 | Sports Medicine

Increase in ACL and PCL injuries after implementation of a new professional football league

Authors: Werner Krutsch, Florian Zeman, Johannes Zellner, Christian Pfeifer, Michael Nerlich, Peter Angele

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 7/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

In the season 2008–2009, a third professional football league was established in Germany. This study analysed the influence of increased training and playing intensity on severe knee injuries in football players.

Methods

In a prospective controlled one-season trial, injury incidence and injury patterns of players of the newly established professional football league were analysed, particularly with regard to ruptures of the anterior (ACL) and posterior (PCL) cruciate ligaments. Players of the highest amateur level served as a control group.

Results

Four hundred and eight players of 24 teams were allocated to two groups. The overall training exposure was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the new professional league (335.3 h per player) than at the amateur level (286.6 h per player). Players at both levels showed similar overall injury rates and injury patterns. However, players in the professional league had a significantly higher (p = 0.04) incidence of ACL and PCL injuries, than players at the amateur level. More than 90 % of all ACL and PCL ruptures in both groups were sustained by players, who had played at least one level lower in the previous season. In addition, injuries of players who had sustained repeat injuries over the season were more severe.

Conclusion

The introduction of a new professional football league increased the training and playing intensity of players as well as the number of ACL and PCL ruptures. A specific injury prevention concept, particularly for players facing rapidly increasing training and playing intensity, seems to be mandatory.

Level of evidence

Prospective controlled cohort study, Level II.
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Metadata
Title
Increase in ACL and PCL injuries after implementation of a new professional football league
Authors
Werner Krutsch
Florian Zeman
Johannes Zellner
Christian Pfeifer
Michael Nerlich
Peter Angele
Publication date
01-07-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 7/2016
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3357-y

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