Injuries in the Premier League have evolved over time due to various factors such as changes in playing styles, the introduction of new rules, advancements in medical science, and the increase in the physical demands of the game.
In each of the last five Premier League seasons leading up to 2018/19, there was a reported increase in injuries. During the 2018/19 season, a 44% increase in injuries involving players who had competed in the 2018 World Cup was noted.
Analysis from the 2018/19 season showed that the Premier League and the Bundesliga had more injuries per player than other major European leagues, both during the winter period and over the whole season. Additionally, the Premier League had the highest injury cost among the top five European leagues, with an injury cost of nearly £185 million.
Stats from the 2018/19 season indicated that Manchester City had more injuries compared to Liverpool. City had a first-team player missing 10 or more days on 35 occasions in the first 24 games, whereas Liverpool had a player out for at least 10 days on 28 occasions during a recent season.
Over an 18-year study period ending around 2017, injury incidence in men’s professional football, including the Premier League, fell gradually by 3% per season for both training and match injuries.
Prevalence of Hamstring Injuries Hamstring injuries have been particularly common in the Premier League, with more than 40% of injuries in professional soccer attributed to hamstring issues. This trend has persisted over the years.
In a comparison among top European leagues, the Premier League experienced 1,231 injuries out of nearly 5,000 total injuries, equating to nearly 26% of all injuries among these top five divisions.
UEFA's Initiative for Injury Research Since 1999, UEFA initiated a research project to follow injury rates and patterns over time. The objective was to reduce the number and severity of injuries and to boost player safety. This led to the commencement of an injury surveillance study in 2001.
This information provides insights into an ever-changing injury landscape within the Premier League, which is influenced by a myriad of factors, ranging from player workload and competition intensity, to advancements in medical science and preventive strategies.