Skip to content

Study note

Accumulated workloads and the acute:chronic workload ratio relate to injury risk in elite youth football players.

PMID 27450360 (2017): injury, load — Injury risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 27450360

Accumulated workloads and the acute:chronic workload ratio relate to injury risk in elite youth football players.

British journal of sports medicine2017 • DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095820

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: controlled study.
  • Population relevance: mixed/unclear athlete specificity.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical workload and injury risk in elite youth football players. (controlled study; elite participants).

The abstract suggests a positive effect on Injury risk under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical workload and injury risk in elite youth football players.
  • The abstract suggests a positive effect on Injury risk under the tested conditions.
  • Population: elite participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 3 weeks.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: injury, load.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 3 weeks.
  • Outcomes: Injury risk.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (elite participants) working on injury risk.
  • Athletes who can measure Injury risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: controlled study.
  • Population: elite participants.
  • Outcomes measured: Injury risk.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 3 weeks.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 27450360 (2017) — British journal of sports medicine.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

In general, higher accumulated and acute workloads were associated with a greater injury risk.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

Adaptive AI coach for iPhone

Meet your adaptive AI coach.

Tell your coach what you are training for. It builds the plan, follows the work you complete, and adapts upcoming training when recovery, your schedule, or real life changes.

Keep going

Sources