# Evaluation of youth male soccer players' injuries in the context of body posture

## TL;DR

This study finds that poor posture in young male soccer players is linked to a higher risk of injuries, especially in those aged 13-15.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel analysis of posture-injury relationships in youth football using mobile posture assessment technology.

## Key findings

- Injury rates were highest in U14 and U15 age groups.
- Postural parameters in frontal and sagittal planes correlated with injury incidence.
- PostureScreen app effectively identified posture-related injury risks.

## Abstract

The number of injuries among junior footballers is extremely high. Adolescent footballers may be at particularly high risk due the changes during fast growth period. Their poor posture could be in association with incidence of injuries. Our aim was investigate the relationship between poor posture and injury characteristics of youth football players.

One hundred and sixteen football players (n = 116, age range 11–18 years) were studied. We grouped our subjects by age group and academic group. A questionnaire and injury registration software were used to assess training and injury‐related data. Habitual posture was analysed using the PostureScreen mobile application.

Injury rates were high in the overall study population, typically highest in the U14 and U15 age groups. Significant positive correlations were found between several postural parameters and injury characteristics. Less significant correlations were observed according to academic grouping.

There is a clear relationship between postural parameters measured in the frontal and sagittal planes and injury incidence in youth football players.

Level III.