Post-World Cup fixture congestion could increase injury risk, says research
A congested fixture period increases the chances of football players getting injured, suggests new research.
With the Premier League season now back in full swing following the FIFA World Cup 2022 break, researchers have warned that players’ overloaded schedules could put them at risk of becoming injured during matches.
The first ever systematic review into the impact of match congestion on injuries, which involved sport scientists from the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, has revealed that overall, injury risk increased during these periods.
Experts say that congested schedules in professional football reduce the amount of time a player has to recover between matches, which could be responsible for the increase in injury risk.
Dr Adam Field, Lecturer in Sport Science and Elite Performance at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “It is clear from the review congested calendars in football are increasing the risk of injury for the players.
“While there are no clear patterns or causes of injury according to the studies we analysed, we suggest that the lack of rest time between matches is a plausible explanation, with players having insufficient time to recover, which might then impact injury in subsequent matches.
“From a scientific perspective, we know that the repetition of changes of direction, rapid accelerations and decelerations and sprints throughout a football match lead to fatigue, inflammation and muscle damage.
“These changes might result in an increase in soft tissue stress, reduce the ability of muscles to work effectively and changes the way a player moves, which might lead to further injuries and is something that further research can explore.”
Evidence shows that around 40% of professional footballers believe they play too many games per season with more than half (55%) claiming that at least one injury was caused by an overloaded schedule, concerns which are backed up by the findings of this review.
As well as fixture congestion, recovery could also be affected by travel schedules and kick off times – putting players at even greater risk of injury.
“We suggest that the lack of rest time between matches is a plausible explanation, with players having insufficient time to recover, which might then impact injury in subsequent matches.”
But scientists say that the findings of this study, which was led by Edge Hill University and carried out with the University of Münster, provide actionable steps for practitioners to plan and develop safer training and competition agendas.
The evidence provided can also be useful for governing bodies responsible for the policies and cultures that support athlete welfare, while also helping the development of a more sustainable match calendar that would help players to prolong their careers.
Lead researcher Dr Richard Page, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics at Edge Hill University, said: “Christmas fixtures are an important tradition in British football but there is no denying that the number of games in such a short period of time puts players at increased risk of getting injured.
“This year more than ever, with a condensed second half of the season due to the World Cup in Qatar, managers will have to consider player workloads and rotation to reduce that risk.
“In the long term, developing a more sustainable match calendar would help mitigate the risks faced by players and help prolong the longevity of their careers.
“It could be argued that TV revenue is the key determinant of match schedules, but additional considerations should be made in relation to the players welfare and to maintain the game as a spectacle. Until these changes are made, coaches and practitioners may need to rest players in matches where previously they would have played.”
Research considered as part of the review was conducted before the widespread adoption of extra substitutions. The impact of this change on mitigating injury risk is not yet known.
