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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 May 2;58(10):548-555.
doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107388.

Efficacy of a new injury prevention programme (FUNBALL) in young male football (soccer) players: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Rilind Obërtinca  1   2 , Rina Meha  3 , Ilir Hoxha  4   5 , Bujar Shabani  6   7 , Tim Meyer  3 , Karen Aus der Fünten  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of a new injury prevention programme (FUNBALL) in young male football (soccer) players: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Rilind Obërtinca et al. Br J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a new multicomponent, exercise-based injury prevention programme in football players 13-19 years old.

Methods: Two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial with clubs as the unit of randomisation. 55 football teams from Kosovo of the under 15, under 17 and under 19 age groups were randomly assigned to the intervention (INT; 28 teams) or the control group (CON; 27 teams) and were followed for one football season (August 2021-May 2022). The INT group performed the 'FUNBALL' programme after their usual warm-up at least twice per week, while the CON group followed their usual training routine. The primary outcome measure was the overall number of football-related injuries. Secondary outcomes were region-specific injuries of the lower limbs (hip/groin, thigh, knee, lower leg, ankle and foot) and injury severity.

Results: 319 injuries occurred, 132 in the INT and 187 in the CON group. The INT group used the 'FUNBALL' programme in 72.2% of all training sessions, on average 2.2 times per week. There was a significantly lower incidence in the INT group regarding the overall number of injuries (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.69, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.87), the number of thigh injuries (IRR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.98), of moderate (time loss between 7 and 28 days) (IRR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.97) and of severe injuries (time loss >28 days) (IRR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.91).

Conclusion: The 'FUNBALL' programme reduced the incidence of football-related injuries among male adolescent football players, and its regular use for injury prevention in this population is recommended.

Trial registration number: NCT05137015.

Keywords: Adolescent; Football; Injury prevention; Randomized Controlled Trial.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: TM is the chairman of UEFA's and the German FA's (DFB) medical committee.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials flow diagram of teams and players through trial.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Example of correct (left) and incorrect (right) posture alignment for one of the exercises provided in the programme (core stability; exercise a).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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