Do Components of a Pre-participation Examination in Female Adolescent Soccer Players Predict Acute Lower Extremity Injuries in Soccer

Objective: To determine if components of a pre-participation examination in female adolescent athletes can predict acute lower extremity soccer injuries.;Setting: All baseline testing was conducted in a Sport Medicine Centre, University of Calgary and team monitoring was performed at the soccer training centres.;Participants: Youth female soccer players (ages 11-17) from 12 teams (n=142) in the elite soccer divisions (Tier 1 and 2) from five Calgary Minor Soccer Association clubs.;Independent Variables: Vertical drop jump risk rating; single leg squat risk rating; hip, knee and trunk strength; dynamic balance; lower extremity power; flexibility measures; cardiovascular fitness; height, weight and body mass index; and a pre-participation questionnaire were examined at baseline.;Research Design: A prospective cohort study over one indoor soccer season.;Main Outcome Measurements: To assess whether the vertical drop jump test is predictive of lower extremity injury in female adolescent soccer players.;Results: The vertical drop jump was not predictive for lower extremity (LE) injuries (IRR 1.35; 95% CI 0.55 - 3.25) but the single leg squat (IRR 2.06; 95% CI 1.01 - 4.22) was. Older players (U16-U18) were at a greater risk of LE injury than younger players (U14) (IRR 1.55; 95% CI 1.05 - 2.28), and players in tier 2 were at greater risk than players in tier 1 (IRR 2.0; 95% CI 1.12 -- 3.57).;Conclusions: A high-risk rating on the vertical drop jump test was not a significant predictor of LE injuries, however the single leg squat test was predictive for LE injuries.