Abdominal Muscle Injuries in Professional Football: Patterns of Preceding and Subsequent Injuries

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, seasonal distribution, and risk factors of abdominal muscle injuries in professional football players competing in Europe's five major leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1). A retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted using data from 2,627 professional players across the 2018–2023 seasons. A total of 92 abdominal muscle injuries sustained by 75 players were analyzed using data obtained from club reports and publicly available databases. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation analysis, linear regression, injury sequence analysis, and odds ratio analysis were performed. Abdominal muscle injuries resulted in a mean time-loss of 22.5 ± 24.1 days and occurred most frequently in February, March, and October. A significant increase in injury incidence was observed over the study period (ρ = 0.853, p < 0.001). Hamstring, knee, and ankle injuries generally preceded abdominal muscle injuries, whereas groin/adductor, hamstring, and lower back injuries were more frequently observed following abdominal muscle injuries (p < 0.05). Injuries involving the pelvis, groin/adductor region, knee, and hamstrings were identified as significant risk factors for subsequent abdominal muscle injuries, whereas foot and ankle injuries were not significantly associated with abdominal muscle injury risk. The predictive model demonstrated acceptable discriminatory performance. These findings suggest that abdominal muscle injuries are closely associated with injuries involving the lower extremities and pelvic region.

Keywords

• Abdominal muscle injury
• Football injuries
• Injury sequence
• Risk factors

Profesyonel Futbolda Abdominal Kas Yaralanmaları: Yaralanma Zinciri ve Risk Faktörleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Avrupa’nın beş büyük futbol liginde (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A ve Ligue 1) oynayan profesyonel futbolcularda abdominal kas yaralanmalarının epidemiyolojisini, mevsimsel dağılımını ve risk faktörlerini belirlemeyi amaçlamıştır. 2012–2023 sezonlarını kapsayan 2.627 oyuncuya ait veriler üzerinde retrospektif, tanımlayıcı ve ilişkisel analiz yapılmıştır. 75 oyuncuda görülen toplam 92 abdominal kas yaralanması incelenmiş; veriler kulüp raporları ve açık veri tabanlarından elde edilmiştir. Analizlerde tanımlayıcı istatistikler, Spearman korelasyonu, doğrusal regresyon, yaralanma dizisi, olasılık oranı öntemleri kullanılmıştır. Abdominal kas yaralanmaları ortalama 22,5 ± 24,1 gün kayba yol açmış ve en sık Şubat, Mart ve Ekim aylarında görülmüştür. Yaralanma insidansında yıllar içinde anlamlı artış saptanmıştır (ρ = 0,853, p < 0,001). Hamstring, diz ve ayak bileği yaralanmaları genellikle abdominal yaralanmalardan önce; groin/adduktor, hamstring ve bel yaralanmaları ise sonrasında görülmüştür (p < 0,05). Pelvis, kasık/adduktor, diz ve hamstring bölgesindeki yaralanmaların abdominal kas yaralanması riskini artırdığı belirlenirken, ayak ve ayak bileği yaralanmaları ile abdominal kas yaralanmaları arasında anlamlı bir ilişki saptanmamıştır. Modelin ayırt edicilik düzeyi kabul edilebilir seviyede bulunmuştur. Bulgular, abdominal kas yaralanmalarının özellikle alt ekstremite ve pelvik bölge yaralanmaları ile ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Abdominal kas yaralanması
• Futbol yaralanmaları
• Yaralanma zinciri
• Risk faktörleri

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