The Comparison of the Incidence of Sport Injuries between Premier and First Divisions of Student Soccer Players

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of sport injuries between premier and first divisions of student soccer players (championships of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, summer 2008). For this purpose, all the games of the premier division (28 games) and first division (42 games) were investigated and the data of the number and mechanism of injury, playing post of injured players and time of injury were registered in an injury report data sheet. In a descriptive – comparative approach, the appropriate statistical tests including z test to compare the incidence of injury between premier and first divisions and chi – square test (?2) to analyze other data were used. The results indicated that injuries in the first division (122 injuries per 1000 hours of game) were significantly more frequent than premier division games (91.6 injuries per 1000 hours of game) (z>1.96). In both premier and first divisions, the majority of injuries occurred in the last 15 minutes of the second half time (P>0.05). Being tackled in the premier division (35.1%) and contact and collision in the first division (34%) were the most frequent mechanisms of injury (P<0.05). Forward players in the premier division (22.3%) and goalkeepers in the first division (22.5%) experienced more frequent injuries (P>0.05). It seems that in the equal condition of play, season of tournament, field condition and the facilities in both divisions, lower playing skill was the most important reason why first division players were more susceptible to injury compared to premier division players.