Description
The study investigated how elite football players' performance is impacted by Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) using a weighted plus/minus (PM) metric. Data from Transfermarkt.com between 2007 and 2018 were analyzed, focusing on first or second-league players with ATRs. After exclusions, 125 ATR athletes and 750 controls were included for comparison.
Results showed significant differences in match participation between Year -1 and Year 1 for the ATR group, whereas the control group exhibited differences only in reasons for match absence. However, no significant differences were observed in the weighted PM metric between ATR and control groups or within groups across years.
Despite reduced match participation, elite football players with ATRs did not show significant differences in performance compared to controls, as measured by the weighted PM metric. This suggests that although ATRs may affect match participation, they may not substantially impact overall performance in elite football players.
