Background: Injuries represent one of the most challenging scenarios for both athletes and teams. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the incidence and epidemiological data of injuries in female futsal players. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, and Web of Science databases, and subsequently, nine studies were selected. Results: The most frequently damaged area is the ankle (28.15%), followed by the thigh (19.99%), knee (18.41%), and groin (17.26%), according to an analysis of nine studies, seven of which included data on professional futsal players and four of which included amateurs. Elite (28.62%) and amateur futsal players (27.06%) experience ankle injuries almost equally, whereas amateurs suffer thigh injuries (29.41%) far more often than elite athletes (13.71%). The most common injuries are strains (27.05%) and sprains (40.6%), with amateurs suffering from sprains more frequently (51%) than elite athletes (36.44%) and elite athletes suffering from strains more frequently (29.4%) than amateurs (20%). Conclusions: Ankle injuries are the most prevalent in female futsal players, with amateurs particularly prone to sprains. Based on these results, professionals in this field may identify injury patterns that could guide future prevention efforts specifically tailored to female futsal players.
Swimming is a widely practiced sport with significant physical demands, placing athletes at a considerable risk of injury, particularly in the shoulder, due to repetitive high-intensity movements. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the patterns and frequency of injuries associated with swimming. Methods: A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus databases identified nine relevant studies. Results: The findings revealed a higher incidence of injuries in female swimmers compared to males, with the shoulder being the most frequently affected joint. This disparity is partially attributed to the Female Athlete Triad, a syndrome characterized by low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and poor bone health, which increases injury susceptibility. Other commonly affected regions include the knee, often associated with the biomechanical demands of breaststroke, and the lumbar spine, which is impacted by degenerative changes resulting from high training volumes. However, variability in the injury measurement protocols across studies limits their comparability and highlights the need for standardized methods. Conclusions: Based on these findings, professionals in the field can identify injury patterns to enhance diagnosis and treatment, design personalized prevention programs, implement early interventions, and innovate equipment and training methods to improve swimmer safety and performance.
Ankle sprains have been defined as the most common injury in sports. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ankle taping for the reduction of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and inter-limb in elite soccer and basketball players U18 in a single training session. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was performed on 38 male healthy elite athletes divided into two groups: a soccer group and a basketball group. Ankle dorsiflexion ROM and inter-limb asymmetries in a weight-bearing lunge position were assessed in three points: with no-tape, before the practice and immediately after the practice. Results: For the soccer group, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for the right ankle, but no differences for the asymmetry variable. The basketball group reported significant differences (p < 0.05) for the right ankle and symmetry. Conclusions: Ankle taping decreased the ankle dorsiflexion ROM in youth elite soccer and basketball players U18. These results could be useful as a prophylactic approach for ankle sprain injury prevention. However, the ankle ROM restriction between individuals without taping and individuals immediately assessed when the tape was removed after the training was very low.
El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las diferencias en la composición corporal y el somatotipo entre futbolistas profesionales de un mismo equipo de fútbol de la primera división española (Liga BBVA) teniendo en cuenta los minutos de competición oficiales disputados durante la temporada 2012/13. Fueron analizados los datos antropométricos de 20 futbolistas profesionales. La muestra fue dividida en 2 grupos: Grupo 1 (n=8) “titulares”, jugadores que han disputado el 50% o más de los minutos de la competición. Grupo 2 (n=12) “suplentes”, jugadores que han disputado menos del 50% de los minutos de competición. A pesar de la diferencia de minutos disputados, no se han encontrado diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos. Esto puede explicarse debido a las sesiones de entrenamiento específicas que desarrollan los suplentes durante los microciclos de competición, con el fin de compensar el supuesto déficit causado por la falta de minutos.