Background: Participation of girls in football is growing in Kenya. Football in Kenya is notonly a leisure time activity it is also used as a tool for community and individual development.Injuries in developing countries are often neglected. Most epidemiological studies on femaleyouth football players are from Europe or North-America. Epidemiological studies on femaleyouth football players in Africa are limited.Objective: To analyze the incidence, characteristics and circumstance of injuries during atwo-day national female youth football tournament in Kenya.Method: Injuries were registered on a standardized injury report form by specially trainedKenyan injury reporters. They were supported by four physiotherapist and two doctors.Injuries were defined as all injuries, painful conditions or physical complaints that occurredduring the match, regardless if the player could continue to play.Results: A total of 252 injuries were reported from 106 matches. The incidence of all injurieswas 191.2 injuries/1000h [95% CI 167.6-214.8]. Most injuries allowed the players to continueto play (n=199; 80%). U13 players had an increased risk of injury compared to U16 players(RR=1.36; 95% CI 1.01-1.84; p=0.043) and O16 players (RR=1.50; 95% CI 1.16-2.11;p=0.003). Fourteen injuries (6%; 10.6 injuries/1000h; 95% CI 5.1-16.2) were expected toresult in absence from play for at least 1-7 days. The injuries most commonly involved thelower limb (n= 184; 73%). A contusion to the knee (n=27; 11%) and ankle (n=26; 10%) werethe most common specific injury types. Most acute injuries (188 of 238, 79%) were caused byplayer contact.Conclusion: The incidence of injuries among female youth football players in a nationaltournament in Kenya was high. U13 players had the highest injury risk. Contusions to theknee and ankle were the most common specific injury types. Most of the injured players hadminor injuries and could continue to play, which is positive since football is used to developindividuals and communities.
展开▼
