scholarly journals Injuries on the Youth Soccer (Football) Field: Do Additional Referees Reduce Risk? Randomized Crossover Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 759-766
Author(s):  
David C Schwebel ◽  
D Leann Long ◽  
Leslie A McClure
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Crossover Trial ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Financial Investment ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Randomized Crossover Trial ◽  
Risky Play ◽  
Boys And Girls Clubs ◽  
Football Field ◽  
Soccer Fields

Abstract Objective Youth soccer injury can be prevented through various means, but few studies consider the role of referees. Following previous research suggesting children take fewer risks when supervised intensely, this randomized crossover trial evaluated whether risky play and injuries decrease under supervision from three referees instead of one referee. Methods Youth soccer clubs serving a metropolitan U.S. area participated. Boys’ and girls’ clubs at under age 10 (U10) and under age 11 (U11) levels were randomly assigned such that when the same clubs played each other twice in the same season, they played once with one referee and once with three referees. A total of 98 games were videotaped and subsequently coded to obtain four outcomes: collisions between players, aggressive fouls (involving physical player-to-player contact) called by the referee(s) on the field, aggressive fouls judged by trained coders, and injuries requiring adult attention or play stoppage. Results Poisson mixed model results suggest players in the 98 games committed fewer aggressive fouls, as identified independently by referees (rate ratio [RR] 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35–0.96) and by researchers (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.50–0.90), when there were three referees versus one referee. Collisions (RR 0.98; 95% CI 0.86–1.12) and injury rates (RR 1.15; 95% CI 0.60–2.19) were similar across conditions. Conclusion When the same youth soccer clubs played with three referees rather than one, they committed fewer aggressive fouls. More intense supervision created better rule adherence. Injury rates were unchanged with increased supervision. Results raise questions concerning whether financial investment in additional referees on youth soccer fields yields safety benefits.

scholarly journals Application of a Preventive Training Program Implementation Framework to Youth Soccer and Basketball Organizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayley J. Root ◽  
Barnett S. Frank ◽  
Craig R. Denegar ◽  
Douglas J. Casa ◽  
David I. Gregorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Program Implementation ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Implementation Framework ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Education Workshop

Context Preventive training programs (PTPs) can reduce injury rates and improve neuromuscular control and sport performance. However, PTPs must be implemented correctly and consistently over time for athletes to benefit. Coaches represent the best long-term option for implementing PTPs. Youth athletes are at the optimal age for developing good habits before maturation. Although frameworks have been proposed to guide implementation efforts, little is known regarding the feasibility and real-world context of PTP implementation at the youth sport level. Objective To evaluate the application of the 7-Step framework for promoting implementation of a preseason PTP workshop. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Youth soccer and basketball organizations. Patients or Other Participants Organizations with at least 1 team of athletes aged 8 to 14 years were invited to participate in a free preseason coaches' education workshop on PTP implementation. Intervention(s) The 7-Step framework was used to guide PTP education and implementation for each organization. Personnel at organizations that agreed to participate attended a single preseason workshop for coaches. Research staff were available as a resource throughout the season but did not actively implement or monitor the PTPs. Main Outcome Measure(s) Retrospective evaluation of each organization's completion of steps 1 through 5 of the 7-Step framework. Results A total of 62 youth soccer (n = 40) and basketball (n = 22) organizations were invited to participate. Twelve organizations completed steps 1 through 4 and steps 5a through 5d. The highest drop-off rate occurred during step 1, “Establishing Administrative Support.” No organization completed all components of steps 1 through 5. Conclusions To better understand how to successfully promote PTP adoption, we must identify the implementation steps that may present the most challenges. Because the highest drop-off rate was seen during the initial step, establishing administrative support and strengthening initial engagement are necessary to improve PTP implementation.

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