Correlation between body composition and injury amongst Malaysian professional football players

BACKGROUND: Whilst injuries in football are commonly reported around the world, research on the relationship between body composition and injury is still limited. The aim of our study was to examine the injury incidence and analyze the association between body composition and injury amongst football players.METHODS: A prospective cohort study of eighty-one Malaysian professional football players from a single football club was conducted during the 2023 Malaysian football calendar. Preseason medical assessments consist of collecting demographic data, conducting anthropometric assessments - including body composition - and performing medical examinations and screening. Injuries were monitored and recorded throughout the season. The body composition and injury pattern was statistically analyzed.RESULTS: The mean preseason Body Mass Index was 22.7 (1.93), mean body fat mass was 10.2 (3.6), mean body fat percentage was 14.8 (3.9) and mean skeletal muscle mass was 33.0 (4.0). There were 86 injuries documented throughout the season. The total injury incidence was 3.56/1000 H with injury during matches (46.62/1000 H) considerably higher than during training (1.56/1000 H). When comparing between injured and non-injured groups, there was statistically significant difference in body fat mass (10.8 vs. 8.9, P=0.012) and body fat percentage (15.4 vs. 13.1, P=0.028). Body fat percentage is indicated as a weak predictor of injury on further analysis.CONCLUSIONS: There are many intrinsic risks leading to injury amongst football players, one of which is body composition. Players with high body fat mass and percentage may be prone to greater risk of injury. It is important to take this into account when creating injury prevention programs.