Epidemiology of injuries in male under-19 futsal players competing in the highest national league in Spain

Introduction This study analyzed injury epidemiology and incidence in male youth futsal players competing in the top national category over a regular season. The aim was to quantify injury incidence, prevalence, and burden, and to describe injury distribution according to exposure (training vs. match), body region, injury type, severity, and playing position. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted during the 2023–2024 season in the Spanish Youth Division of Honour, the highest national Under-19 futsal league in Spain. The sample comprised 164 male players from 13 teams who were followed prospectively over a nine-month period. Injury data were recorded throughout the season, whereas training and match exposure were estimated based on the standard schedule of the participating teams. Playing position, dominant leg, injured body region, injury type, severity, and time-loss duration were also recorded. Injury incidence, prevalence, and burden were subsequently calculated. Results A total of 111 injuries were registered, affecting 79 players (48% of the cohort), resulting in an overall incidence of 4.96 injuries per 1,000 hours of exposure. Match incidence (53.84/1,000 h) was substantially higher than training incidence (1.94/1,000 h). Most injuries involved the lower limbs (80.1%), particularly the ankle (23.4%) and knee (20.7%). Muscle/tendon (36.9%) and ligament (36.0%) injuries were the most frequent, and wingers sustained the highest number of injuries ( n = 51). Median time loss was 16 days, while mean time loss reached approximately 36 days, and injury burden reached 176.5 days per 1,000 hours. Conclusion These findings indicated a considerable injury risk in this population, especially during matches, and supported the need for targeted prevention strategies focused on strength development, neuromuscular control, and load management.