Analysis of the joint flexibility and prevalence of soccer injuries according to age

Abstract

Muscle shortening has been associated with asymmetrical posture and Sports Injuries (SI) in soccer players in distinct ages. The objective of the present study was to analyze the joint flexibility, muscle extensibility and the SI prevalence in soccer players according to age: young and adults practitioners. Studied subjects integrated 170 male soccer players from amateurs and professional teams of a sports club from Campo Grande (MS), Brazil. Participants were divided into three age groups: G1 (juvenile), G2 (teenagers) and G3 (adults). To obtain information about injuries, was used a morbidity survey. Anthropometry and clinical tests were performed to analyze the joint flexibility (sit and reach test) and muscle extensibility (Thomas test; Schöber test and posture analysis). In relation to SI prevalence, 48 athletes (28.2%) reported SI incidence during two last years, with register of 55 SI; G3 presented 0.68 IS/ athlete, while G2 showed 1.4 IS/injured athlete. Moreover, G2 reported higher degrees of hip flexibility, with range of 26.3±8.0 cm in sit and reach test, and presence of lumbar shortening in response to Schöber test. In addition, G3 exhibited greater indexes of muscle shortening in hip flexors, evidenced in Thomas examination. In conclusion, evidences have been showing that professional athletes have presented higher incidence and prevalence of sports injuries. However, muscle shortening scores were more important results in youth soccer players, suggesting a possible interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic as cause of skeletal muscle disturbances in youth athletes.