Risk factors for Severʼs disease in elementary school male soccer players: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the risk factors for Severʼs disease. Eighty male soccer players aged 8-12 years were included in this study. Data were collected on age, height, body mass, the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) with the knee fully extended and 90 degrees flexed, and onset of Severʼs disease. One year after the baseline measurement, an orthopedist diagnosed Severʼs disease, and participants were divided into 2 groups: a Severʼs disease group and a healthy group. All data were compared between the groups with t-test or Mann-Whitneyʼs U test. We analyzed the risk factors for Severʼs disease with logistic regression analysis using variables with P＜0.25 for between-group comparison as explanatory variables. Thirty-six participants were included in the analysis, 11 of whom were in the Severʼs group. There were no significant differences between the groups in age, height, body mass, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM with the knee flexed. The ankle dorsiflexion ROM with the knee extended was significantly higher in the Severʼs disease group (P=0.008), and was a risk factor for Severʼs disease (Odds ratio: 1.193, 95%CI：1.038-1.370). It was revealed that a larger ankle dorsiflexion ROM is a risk factor for Severʼs disease.