Youth Soccer Lower Extremity Injuries Presenting to US Emergency Departments Decrease Over 10-Year Period

Strategic Insights -

Recent research from the University of Hawaii has shed light on a concerning trend in youth soccer injuries. According to data analyzed from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, the number of lower extremity injuries in youth soccer players decreased by an average of 3,124 per year from 2013 to 2022. This decline is significant, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from -5,324 to -925 (P = .01). The study also found that sex-specific analyses revealed significant differences in proportions of injuries between male and female participants for mechanism, diagnoses, and body parts injured. This study provides valuable insight into the epidemiology of lower extremity youth soccer injuries presenting to US emergency departments over a 10-year period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of lower extremity injuries in youth soccer players decreased by an average of 3,124 per year from 2013 to 2022.
  • The decrease was significant, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from -5,324 to -925 (P = .01).
  • Sex-specific analyses revealed significant differences in proportions of injuries between male and female participants for mechanism, diagnoses, and body parts injured.
  • The study analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for soccer players 18 years old sustaining lower extremity injuries from January 2013 to December 2022.
  • The research suggested that the decline in injuries may be due to changes in playing techniques, equipment, or other factors.
  • The study provided valuable insight into the epidemiology of lower extremity youth soccer injuries presenting to US emergency departments over a 10-year period.

Statistics:

  • 503,169 lower extremity injuries were diagnosed in US emergency departments from 2013 to 2022 (57.2% male; 42.8% female)
  • The number of lower extremity injuries decreased by an average of 3,124 per year from 2013 to 2022
  • The decrease was significant, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from -5,324 to -925 (P = .01)
  • Excluding 2020, the number of lower extremity injuries decreased by an average of 2,384 per year from 2013 to 2022

Sources:

  • Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation, 2025,7(3):101140
  • University of Hawaii Researchers Release New Study Findings on Sports Medicine (Youth Soccer Lower Extremity Injuries Presenting to US Emergency Departments Are Decreasing: A 10-Year Analysis of National Injury Data)
  • Health & Medicine Week, July 18, 2025; p 5877