Prevalence and intensity of pain in male and female amateur football players: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES:To determine the prevalence and intensity of pain due to a football-related injury during activities of daily living and during training and/or match play in both male and female and youth and adult amateur players. DESIGN:A prospective cohort study involving amateur football players. METHODS:Players (n = 502, median age 18 years, range 14-46) responded to weekly questionnaires during one season, including the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire. Weekly pain prevalence and pain intensity (measured on the numeric rating scale [range 0-10]) during activities of daily living and while playing football were determined. RESULTS:A total of 6601 weekly questionnaires were collected (response rate 63.7 %). Average weekly pain prevalence during activities of daily living was 17.2 % for all players, and 15.7 % among players who participated in training and/or match play. Pain prevalence during training and/or match play was 18.3 % with an average pain intensity of 4.0. In 21.3 % of cases the recorded pain intensity was >5. Sex, age, and mode of injury onset (sudden or gradual) were not significant predictors of pain intensity. CONCLUSION:At a given week, one in six football players experiences pain during activities of daily living from a football-related injury. Almost one in five players reports pain while playing football, of whom >20% report a pain intensity above 5. Oftentimes, injury-related pain present while playing football transcends to activities of daily living. This warrants further monitoring and adequate management of pain within amateur football.