Objective: This study describes risk factors for injuries in elite female soccer players. Methods: 143 female soccer players of the German national league participated in this study. Baseline information on player characteristics (e.g. anthropometric measures and playing position) and medical history were recorded at the start of the study. During one outdoor season injuries as well as training and match exposure times were prospectively documented for each individual. Results: The risk for a new ACL rupture was significantly enhanced in the players with a previous one (odds ratio (OR)=5.24, p=0.01). This was not the case for sprains at the ankle (OR=1.39) or knee (OR=1.50), respectively. Additionally, no significantly increased risk for new sprains or ACL ruptures, respectively, was found when the injured leg was the unit of analysis. Defenders (9.4 injuries per 1000 hours exposure) and strikers (8.4/1000h) showed a considerably higher incidence compared to goalkeepers (4.8/1000h) and midfielders (4.6/1000h). 10% of all players (N=14) sustained more than three injuries. Most of these subjects were defenders (N=8) or strikers (N=4). More injuries occurred at the players' dominant leg (105 vs 71, p=0.01). Particularly, this was true for contact injuries (52 vs 29, p=0.01). Conclusions: It is concluded that injury risk should be assessed on an individual basis. Therefore, it seems appropriate to individualize preventive training programs as it is also recommended for other training contents. Additionally, an evaluation of the existing rules of soccer as well as their appropriate application may contribute to a decreased injury risk, particularly in contact situations.
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