Amir Hossein Labbaf1, Jafar Ketabchi2
1Department of Motor Behavior & Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan
2Department of Health and Sports Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Analysis of the Relationship between Team Ranking in the Premier League Table and Football Players' Injuries: A Case Study of the Iranian Premier League
J. Anthr. Sport Phys. Educ. 2025, 9(4), 3-8 | DOI: 10.26773/jaspe.251001
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between team ranking in the Premier League table and the rate of football players' injuries. This descriptive-analytical research was conducted using a cross-sectional method over a three-season period (2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024). The statistical population included players from 16 Iranian Premier League football teams across these three seasons, and a census sampling method was employed. Data were collected from official team medical reports, the Premier League football website, and reputable sports resources. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, linear regression tests, and analysis of variance in SPSS version 26.The findings revealed that teams lower in the Premier League table experienced a significantly higher number and severity of injuries. An inverse correlation between team ranking and the number of injuries and a positive effect of players' average age and rest time between matches on the severity of injuries were identified. Furthermore, severe injuries were more frequently observed in the second half of matches (63%) and among defenders (42%). This research demonstrated that teams' ranking in the league table is directly related to the number and severity of player injuries, particularly in lower-ranked teams that are more vulnerable due to psychological pressure and limited resources.
Keywords
Team Ranking, Premier League, Player Injuries, Football, Football Analysis
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