Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Soccer is associated with substantial injury risk, with reported between 13 to 35 injuries per 1000 player-hours of competitive play. Notably, approximately 77% of soccer-related ankle injuries are attributed to ankle sprain injuries (ASIs). ASI can lead to chronic ankle instability, obe...

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Main Authors: Amir Human Hoveidaei, Amir Reza Moradi, Amin Nakhostin-Ansari, Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi Nasab, Seyed Pouya Taghavi, Shayan Eghdami, Bijan Forogh, Masumeh Bagherzadeh Cham, Christopher J. Murdock
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/4/105
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author Amir Human Hoveidaei
Amir Reza Moradi
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari
Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi Nasab
Seyed Pouya Taghavi
Shayan Eghdami
Bijan Forogh
Masumeh Bagherzadeh Cham
Christopher J. Murdock
author_facet Amir Human Hoveidaei
Amir Reza Moradi
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari
Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi Nasab
Seyed Pouya Taghavi
Shayan Eghdami
Bijan Forogh
Masumeh Bagherzadeh Cham
Christopher J. Murdock
author_sort Amir Human Hoveidaei
collection DOAJ
description Background: Soccer is associated with substantial injury risk, with reported between 13 to 35 injuries per 1000 player-hours of competitive play. Notably, approximately 77% of soccer-related ankle injuries are attributed to ankle sprain injuries (ASIs). ASI can lead to chronic ankle instability, obesity, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This study focuses on identifying factors such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and a history of ASIs, which contribute to the development of ASI in soccer players. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in October 2023 across databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest, without applying any filters. Keywords included ankle, ankle joint, sprain, risk factors, etc. Data extraction was performed on the included studies, with findings standardized and analyzed using Stata Statistical Software: Release 17 to determine a weighted treatment effect. Results: Our systematic review included 26 studies. The meta-analysis revealed that a history of ankle sprain is the most significant risk factor for future ASIs. BMI emerged as a risk factor in three out of seven studies, while age and height were significant in one out of six studies each. Gender and weight were not found to significantly affect ASI occurrence. Other factors identified but not subjected to a meta-analysis due to methodological heterogeneity or insufficient studies included playing surface, joint laxity, muscle weakness, match congestion, strength asymmetries, ground reaction forces, balance maintenance, skill level, and playing position. Conclusions: This research contributes valuable insights into the prevention of ASIs in soccer, highlighting the importance of previous ankle sprains and playing surface quality. These findings assist sports professionals in developing optimal conditions and strategies for effective ankle sprain prevention.
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spelling doaj-art-38150fdfb5ca45f7ba4687a268984ec12025-08-20T03:13:59ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632025-03-0113410510.3390/sports13040105Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAmir Human Hoveidaei0Amir Reza Moradi1Amin Nakhostin-Ansari2Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi Nasab3Seyed Pouya Taghavi4Shayan Eghdami5Bijan Forogh6Masumeh Bagherzadeh Cham7Christopher J. Murdock8International Center for Limb Lengthening, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21215, USASchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, IranNeuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, IranSchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1983969411, IranStudent Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan 8715981151, IranNeuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, IranNeuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, IranNeuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, IranDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USABackground: Soccer is associated with substantial injury risk, with reported between 13 to 35 injuries per 1000 player-hours of competitive play. Notably, approximately 77% of soccer-related ankle injuries are attributed to ankle sprain injuries (ASIs). ASI can lead to chronic ankle instability, obesity, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This study focuses on identifying factors such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and a history of ASIs, which contribute to the development of ASI in soccer players. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in October 2023 across databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest, without applying any filters. Keywords included ankle, ankle joint, sprain, risk factors, etc. Data extraction was performed on the included studies, with findings standardized and analyzed using Stata Statistical Software: Release 17 to determine a weighted treatment effect. Results: Our systematic review included 26 studies. The meta-analysis revealed that a history of ankle sprain is the most significant risk factor for future ASIs. BMI emerged as a risk factor in three out of seven studies, while age and height were significant in one out of six studies each. Gender and weight were not found to significantly affect ASI occurrence. Other factors identified but not subjected to a meta-analysis due to methodological heterogeneity or insufficient studies included playing surface, joint laxity, muscle weakness, match congestion, strength asymmetries, ground reaction forces, balance maintenance, skill level, and playing position. Conclusions: This research contributes valuable insights into the prevention of ASIs in soccer, highlighting the importance of previous ankle sprains and playing surface quality. These findings assist sports professionals in developing optimal conditions and strategies for effective ankle sprain prevention.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/4/105ankle sprainfootballrisk factorssoccer
spellingShingle Amir Human Hoveidaei
Amir Reza Moradi
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari
Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi Nasab
Seyed Pouya Taghavi
Shayan Eghdami
Bijan Forogh
Masumeh Bagherzadeh Cham
Christopher J. Murdock
Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Sports
ankle sprain
football
risk factors
soccer
title Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_short Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_sort risk factors of ankle sprain in soccer players a systematic review and meta analysis
topic ankle sprain
football
risk factors
soccer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/4/105
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