Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
An Inertial Measurement Unit Based Method to Estimate Hip and Knee Joint Kinematics in Team Sport Athletes on the Field
Published on: May 26, 2020
Quadriceps Injuries in Major League Soccer: A 10-Year Analysis of Injury Rate, Return-to-Play, and Performance
Brian Forsythe1, Catherine Hand1, Camden Bohn1
1Rush University Medical Center Chicago Illinois U.S.A.
Purpose:
To evaluate quadriceps injury rates, return-to-play (RTP) durations, and postinjury performance in Major League Soccer (MLS) athletes with quadriceps injuries.
Methods:
Data from MLS players with quadriceps injuries (2010-2021) were analyzed using the MLS Injury Surveillance database. Injury rates, RTP times, and reinjury rates were compared across 2 periods (2010-2015 vs 2016-2021). Uninjured players matched 2:1 by position, age, and experience served as controls. Postinjury performance metrics including games played, minutes played, goals, assists, and clean sheets were compared longitudinally across 3 seasons.
Results:
A total of 1550 MLS players were included. The average age of injured players was 25.57 ± 4.03 years. Injury rates slightly decreased from 7.70% (2010-2015) to 6.51% (2016-2021, P = .111). RTP times significantly increased from 14.4 to 23.0 days (P < .001). Reinjury rates declined from 5.08% (2010-2015) to 0.82% (2016-2021) (P = .098). RTP after reinjury was longer in 2016-2021 but nonsignificant (P = .647). Game-related injuries had shorter RTP (16.4 vs 20.7 days, P = .030). Acute contact injuries resulted in shorter RTP (9.55 days) compared with noncontact (27.0 days) or chronic injuries (16.2 days, P < .001). Weather at the time of injury influenced RTP, with shorter durations in rainy/snowy conditions (11.0 vs 18.75 days, P < .0001). Field type had no significant impact (P = .361). Defenders experienced significant declines in minutes played per season and at 3 years after injury (P = .002, P = .004, respectively). No significant differences were found in goals, assists, or clean sheets.
Conclusions:
In this study, reductions in injury and reinjury rates were not statistically significant. Longer RTP durations may reflect a cautious recovery approach or may also reflect end-of-season timing or off-season transitions. Position-specific rehabilitation, particularly for defenders, may enhance outcomes.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III, retrospective comparative study.
