Workload is associated with the occurrence of non-contact injuries in professional male soccer players: A pilot study

Hadi Nobari; Hadi Nobari; Hadi Nobari; Hadi Nobari; Hadi Nobari; Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili; Angel Denche Zamorano; Thomas G. Bowman; Urs Granacher

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.925722

Frontiers in Psychology (Aug 2022)

Workload is associated with the occurrence of non-contact injuries in professional male soccer players: A pilot study

Hadi Nobari,
Hadi Nobari,
Hadi Nobari,
Hadi Nobari,
Hadi Nobari,
Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili,
Angel Denche Zamorano,
Thomas G. Bowman,
Urs Granacher

Affiliations

Hadi Nobari: Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
Hadi Nobari: Department of Motor Performance, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, Braşov, Romania
Hadi Nobari: Sports Scientist, Sepahan Football Club, Isfahan, Iran
Hadi Nobari: Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
Hadi Nobari: Faculty of Sports Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili: Department of Health and Sport Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Angel Denche Zamorano: Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
Thomas G. Bowman: Department of Athletic Training, College of Health Sciences, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA, United States
Urs Granacher: Division of Training and Movement Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.925722
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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Injuries in professional soccer are a significant concern for teams, and they are caused amongst others by high training load. This cohort study describes the relationship between workload parameters and the occurrence of non-contact injuries, during weeks with high and low workload in professional soccer players throughout the season. Twenty-one professional soccer players aged 28.3 ± 3.9 yrs. who competed in the Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League participated in this 48-week study. The external load was monitored using global positioning system (GPS, GPSPORTS Systems Pty Ltd) and the type of injury was documented daily by the team's medical staff. Odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) were calculated for non-contact injuries for high- and low-load weeks according to acute (AW), chronic (CW), acute to chronic workload ratio (ACWR), and AW variation (Δ-Acute) values. By using Poisson distribution, the interval between previous and new injuries were estimated. Overall, 12 non-contact injuries occurred during high load and 9 during low load weeks. Based on the variables ACWR and Δ-AW, there was a significantly increased risk of sustaining non-contact injuries (p < 0.05) during high-load weeks for ACWR (OR: 4.67), and Δ-AW (OR: 4.07). Finally, the expected time between injuries was significantly shorter in high load weeks for ACWR [1.25 vs. 3.33, rate ratio time (RRT)] and Δ-AW (1.33 vs. 3.45, RRT) respectively, compared to low load weeks. The risk of sustaining injuries was significantly larger during high workload weeks for ACWR, and Δ-AW compared with low workload weeks. The observed high OR in high load weeks indicate that there is a significant relationship between workload and occurrence of non-contact injuries. The predicted time to new injuries is shorter in high load weeks compared to low load weeks. Therefore, the frequency of injuries is higher during high load weeks for ACWR and Δ-AW. ACWR and Δ-AW appear to be good indicators for estimating the injury risk, and the time interval between injuries.

Published in Frontiers in Psychology

ISSN: 1664-1078 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology

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