Injury incidence, burden, and patterns in peruvian football: A retrospective analysis of the 2023 regular season versus the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of football leagues worldwide, resulting in changes to tournament formats and player performance. While European leagues have reported injury characteristics during this period, similar analyses are lacking in South America. This study aimed to compare injury incidence, burden, and patterns between a regular season (2023) and the pandemic-affected season (2020) in Peruvian professional football.
A total of 266 and 360 official matches were analyzed from the 2020 and 2023 seasons, respectively. Injury data were collected through video analysis of official broadcasts, sports media publications, and official statements from club medical departments. Injury severity was classified based on days lost until return to full competition. Injury burden was defined as total days lost per 1000hours of exposure. Injury incidence rates (injuries per 1000hours) and injury characteristics (type, anatomical location, mechanism, and severity) were compared between seasons.
The 2020 season included 19 teams, 521 registered players, and 28 matches per team. In 2023, 20 teams and 532 players participated, with each team playing 37 matches. No significant difference was found in match injury incidence between seasons. However, injury burden in 2020 was 1.23 times higher (95% CI, P<.01) compared to 2023, with a median difference of 6 days lost per injury (U=77, P<.001). Contact injuries significantly decreased in the 2020 season (RR 0.58, 95% CI, P<.05).
Although injury incidence remained similar, the 2020 pandemic season showed higher injury burden and fewer contact injuries, highlighting the need for adaptive strategies to protect athlete health during unexpected interruptions.
A total of 266 and 360 official matches were analyzed from the 2020 and 2023 seasons, respectively. Injury data were collected through video analysis of official broadcasts, sports media publications, and official statements from club medical departments. Injury severity was classified based on days lost until return to full competition. Injury burden was defined as total days lost per 1000hours of exposure. Injury incidence rates (injuries per 1000hours) and injury characteristics (type, anatomical location, mechanism, and severity) were compared between seasons.
The 2020 season included 19 teams, 521 registered players, and 28 matches per team. In 2023, 20 teams and 532 players participated, with each team playing 37 matches. No significant difference was found in match injury incidence between seasons. However, injury burden in 2020 was 1.23 times higher (95% CI, P<.01) compared to 2023, with a median difference of 6 days lost per injury (U=77, P<.001). Contact injuries significantly decreased in the 2020 season (RR 0.58, 95% CI, P<.05).
Although injury incidence remained similar, the 2020 pandemic season showed higher injury burden and fewer contact injuries, highlighting the need for adaptive strategies to protect athlete health during unexpected interruptions.
Authors
Villalobos-Otayza Villalobos-Otayza, Arias-Calderon Arias-Calderon, Castrejon-Arias Castrejon-Arias
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