Epidemiology and risk factors for injuries and illnesses in Finnish elite female and male floorball players

Effectivity

Based on the information obtained through research, methods for preventing injuries and illnesses can be planned more effectively than before. By monitoring injuries and illnesses, health issues in athletes can be addressed at an early stage, thereby minimizing the harm caused by the problem. Injury prevention increases the number of healthy training days, improves the chances of success for both the player and the team, reduces the risk of short- and long-term consequences resulting from injuries, and lowers the direct and indirect costs to society caused by injuries.

Background

Measured by the number of participants, floorball is one of the most popular sports in Finland. It is widely practiced across all age groups and by both men and women. While floorball injuries have been studied to some extent, such a comprehensive investigation of male and female top-league players in Finland has not been conducted before. Comprehensive registration of injuries and illnesses is necessary to assess players' health status and injury risk, as well as to promote athlete health.

Target

The main aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of injuries and other health issues among elite-level floorball players in Finland.

Set-up

The study is a prospective follow-up conducted between 2025 and 2028. Data collection will be carried out using a mobile application that gathers weekly information on injuries, illnesses, training, and matches. The primary outcome variables are acute and overuse injuries related to floorball. Secondary variables include other health issues and mental health problems.

Researcher in charge

Dr. Mari Leppänen

A team of researchers

Mari Leppänen (Leading Researcher, Title of Docent, PhD), Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine, UKK Institute; Kerttu Toivo (Specialist in Sports and Exercise Medicine, PhD), Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine, UKK Institute; Tommi Vasankari (Professor, Director), UKK Institute; Johanna Ihalainen (PhD), University of Jyväskylä; Riittakerttu Kaltiala (Professor, Specialist in Psychiatry), Tampere University; Harri Forstén (Specialist in General Medicine, Doctoral Researcher), Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine, Finnish Floorball Federation; Iida Mustakoski (MSci, Doctoral Researcher), Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine, University of Jyväskylä; Tiina Röning (Psychologist, Doctoral Researcher), Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine.

Collaboration

Finnish Floorball Federation, University of Jyväskylä, Tampere University

Funding

The project has received a grant from the Finnish Floorball Federation.

Publication year

2025

Discussion of the Ethics Committee

Ethical approval to conduct this study has been received from the Regional Medical Research Ethics Committee of the Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa, September 23, 2025 (ETL code R25036).