Now that more girls are playing soccer can we expect to see more injuries? Do girls get injured more often than boys in these games?

The number of soccer injuries is increasing every year just based on the increased numbers of players. Injuries are also linked with increased amount of play time, number of soccer sessions per week, and level of play (beginner to elite).

Elite players are more likely to get injured. This is probably because the level of competition and aggressive action is much higher in the older, more elite groups.

Injury rates by gender (boys versus girls) don’t seem to be different. Both groups have ankle and knee injuries most often. There is one big difference between the two groups. Knee ligament sprains are five times more common in girls than boys.

Risk factors for injury more important than gender include having a previous injury and playing before the injury is healed. Left-leg dominant players are also more likely to get hurt compared with right-leg dominant players.