Published in PLOS One on 2026-05-07, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Gilbert Mua Akwa, Tankeng Leonard Tanko, Njowe Serge Ludwig, Ange Veronique Ngo Bilong, Nana Chunteng Theophile
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0348717
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Football injuries are a major source of morbidity among athletes, imposing health and economic burdens on teams and systems. While extensive surveillance exists in Europe, data from sub-Saharan Africa remain scarce. This study described the incidence, patterns, severity, and contextual factors of match-related injuries among professional male footballers in Cameroon.
A prospective cohort design was conducted during the 2023/2024 Cameroon Elite 1 and Elite 2 league playoff tournaments. Match-day medical officers recorded all medical-attention injuries using standardized consensus-based forms [1]. Injury incidence was calculated per 1,000 player-hours, and descriptive analyses summarized injury characteristics. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Douala and authorization from the Cameroon Football Federation.
Across 139 matches, 171 injuries were recorded giving an incidence of 37.3 per 1,000 player-hours. Elite 2 players had more than double the rate of Elite 1 players (53.6 vs. 26.3). Lower-limb injuries (71.9%) predominated, mainly affecting the thigh (33.9%) and lower leg (17.5%). The most common diagnoses were cramps (20.5%), contusions (19.9%), and sprains (17.5%). Severe injuries (>28 days) represented 20.5%, with tears, fractures, and concussions most frequent. Nearly half injuries occurred in the final 30 minutes of play, and midfielders and attackers sustained 68% of all injuries.
This first surveillance study in Cameroon reveals a high match injury burden, particularly in lower-tier leagues. The late-match clustering supports fatigue-related mechanisms, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention focusing on conditioning, workload regulation, and medical readiness in African football.
Introduction
Injury in football is defined as any physical complaint sustained by a player during a match or training session, irrespective of the need for medical attention or absence from future participation. Injuries that result in the player receiving medical attention are termed medical-attention injuries, whereas those causing absence from subsequent training or matches are considered time-loss injuries [1].
Professional footballers are at high risk of injury, which can negatively impact player health, team performance, and career longevity. Reliable injury surveillance is essential to guide prevention strategies by identifying incidence, mechanisms, and risk factors [2,3].
Extensive surveillance has been conducted in major international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup [4–6]. In Europe, the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study has provided long-term monitoring across top clubs, demonstrating higher injury incidence during matches compared to training, and the predominance of lower-extremity injuries [7]. Similar studies in Sweden and Finland have offered prospective data on professional leagues, highlighting differences between acute and overuse injuries, as well as the influence of season length and match congestion [8,9].
In Africa, injury surveillance in football is less well established than in Europe and other high-resource settings. Data from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) reported muscle strains and contact injuries as the most common injury types [10]. Similarly, studies in youth football from South Africa have documented high injury rates, particularly involving lower-limb strains and contact mechanisms [11]. In Cameroon, Ghana, and comparable settings, several studies have examined injury patterns and risk factors in youth and academy players; however, systematic injury surveillance data from professional domestic leagues remain largely unavailable [12–14]. Existing surveillance efforts in sub-Saharan Africa have predominantly focused on zonal or tournament settings, such as the COSAFA Women’s Championship, which provided important insights into injury burden and medication use in female football [ 15,16]. Nevertheless, surveillance data from professional men’s domestic leagues in the region are scarce.
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider research & evidence desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Gilbert Mua Akwa, Tankeng Leonard Tanko, Njowe Serge Ludwig, Ange Veronique Ngo Bilong, Nana Chunteng Theophile. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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