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. 2025 Jan 10;32(6):e279169.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220243206e279169. eCollection 2024.

INJURIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE 2021 PAULISTA SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP IN BRAZIL

Gustavo Gonçalves Arliani  1 , Danilo José Leite Gomes  2 , Paulo Henrique Schmidt Lara  1 , Jorge Roberto Pagura  3 , Moisés Cohen  1
Affiliations

INJURIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE 2021 PAULISTA SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP IN BRAZIL

Gustavo Gonçalves Arliani et al. Acta Ortop Bras. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To assess the incidence and characteristics of injuries that occurred during the 2021 season of the Paulista Soccer Championship during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and to compare these characteristics before and after the championship interruption.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted using an electronic form developed by the Medical Committee of the Paulista Soccer Federation. The results were sent by the team physicians of Series A1 after each round of the Paulista Soccer Championship.

Results: Series A1 presented 7.2 injuries per 1,000h of game time. Most injuries occurred within 31-45 min of the match, with muscle injuries being the most frequent and the lower limbs the most affected. Only 10% of injuries required surgery. The strikers were the most affected players and most injuries occurred in penalty-free movements. There was no statistical difference between pre- and post-interruption of the championship due to the pandemic.

Conclusion: The incidence of injuries per 1,000h was below the average reported in the literature. Most injuries occurred in the lower limbs; muscle sprains were the most common type of injury, followed by sprains and fractures. MRI was the most commonly requested examination; and most injuries were classified as moderate. Overall, 10% of the injuries were treated surgically. There was no difference between pre- and post-championship interruption. Level of evidence VI, Descriptive epidemiology study.

Objetivo: Avaliar a incidência e características das lesões ocorridas durante a temporada de 2021 do Campeonato Paulista de Futebol que ocorreu durante a pandemia do Covid-19 e comparar as características antes e depois da pandemia dessa doença.

Metodologia: Estudo prospectivo que utilizou um questionário eletrônico desenvolvido pelo Comitê Médico da Federação Paulista de Futebol. Os resultados foram enviados pelos médicos das equipes da Série A1 após cada rodada do Campeonato Paulista de Futebol.

Resultados: Série A1 apresentou 7.2 lesões por 1000 horas de tempo de jogo. Maioria das lesões ocorreu entre 31-45 minutos de jogo, com lesões musculares sendo as mais comuns e o membro inferior o mais acometido. Apenas 10% das lesões necessitaram de cirurgia. Os atacantes foram os jogadores mais comumente lesionados, e a maioria das lesões ocorreu em situações em que não foi assinalada infração. Não houve diferença estatística em relação às lesões nos períodos antes e após interrupção pela pandemia do Covid-19. Conclusão: A incidência de lesões por 1000 horas de tempo de jogo foi abaixo da reportada na literatura. Maioria das lesões ocorreu nos membros inferiores; lesões musculares foram o tipo mais comum de lesão, seguido de entorses e fraturas. Ressonância foi o exame de imagem mais comumente solicitado, e a maior parte das lesões foi classificada como moderada. Não houve diferença entre antes e após interrupção pela pandemia nas características das lesões. Nível de evidência VI, Estudo epidemiológico descritivo.

Keywords: Athletes; Epidemiology; Injuries; Soccer.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Adressing inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Player positions.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Time interval of injury occurrence
Figure 4.
Figure 4.. Tipe of injury
Figure 5.
Figure 5.. Final diagnoses
Figure 6.
Figure 6.. Injury severity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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