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Review
. 2023 Sep 20;11(9):187.
doi: 10.3390/sports11090187.

Predicting Risk Factors of Lower Extremity Injuries in Elite Women's Football: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Feim Gashi  1 , Tine Kovacic  2 , Arbnore Ibrahimaj Gashi  3 , Arben Boshnjaku  4 , Ismet Shalaj  5
Affiliations
Review

Predicting Risk Factors of Lower Extremity Injuries in Elite Women's Football: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Feim Gashi et al. Sports (Basel). .

Abstract

This study identified and analyzed the risk factors of lower extremity injuries (LEI) in elite women football players to improve career and health outcomes. To address this aim, a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology was used. In total, four relevant research articles were identified through database searching and screening using the PRISMA flow diagram. From these articles, eight predictors were identified that influence the risk of LEI among elite women football players: higher body mass index (OR 1.51, 95% CI); previous knee injury (OR 3.57, 95% CI); low normalized knee separation (≤10th percentile) (RR 1.92, 95% CI); all previous injury (previous ACL tear: OR 5.24, 95% CI; ankle sprain: 1.39, 95% CI; knee sprain: 1.50, 95% CI); and previous injury in the lower body (OR 2.97, 95% CI). Meanwhile, lower knee valgus angle in a drop-jump landing (OR 0.64, 95% CI) was found to decrease the risk of LEI among elite women football players.

Keywords: elite; football; lower extremity injuries; players; risk factor; women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of study selection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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