Incidence, Nature, and Pattern of Injuries to Referees in a Premier Football (Soccer) League: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Despite the crucial role of referees in a soccer match, few researchers have targeted the injury profile of referees in their studies. Understanding the incidence, nature, and pattern of injuries could provide important information for educational and preventative efforts at the international level. HYPOTHESIS: The incidence rate and patterns of acute injuries to official referees of the Iranian Premier Football League during the 2009-2010 season are similar to those reported among referees in short-term international competitions such as FIFA World Cup. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Demographic data for 74 referees, including 30 main referees and 44 assistant referees, were collected at the beginning of the season. To record injuries and refereeing time, weekly contact was made by a physician. RESULTS: In total, 102 injuries were reported by referees during the football season. The incidence rates of injuries among referees during training and matches were 4.6 and 19.6 injuries per 1000 hours, respectively. Muscular and tendon injuries were found to be the most common type of injury, and the most common site of injury was the lower leg followed by the hip and groin. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are consistent with similar prospective studies evaluating injuries to referees over the course of a short-term tournament. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provide a base for suggesting possible preventive recommendations in future studies.