A prospective study of knee ultrasound findings in asymptomatic football players in the Uganda Premier League

A prospective study of knee ultrasound findings in asymptomatic football players in the Uganda Premier League | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A prospective study of knee ultrasound findings in asymptomatic football players in the Uganda Premier League Sewankambo Moses, Richard Malumba, Senai Goitom Sereke, Muyinda Zeridah This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7387462/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Asymptomatic knee injuries in football players are a concern in sports medicine, as they can have short-term and long-term effects on a footballer’s career. These knee injuries require special investigations for identification. This study aimed to describe the ultrasound findings and factors associated with injury in the asymptomatic knees of football players in the Uganda Premier League. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving Uganda Premier League football players. A total of 398 players had their knees examined with ultrasound machines to detect any obvious abnormalities. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with abnormal knee findings on ultrasound. Results: Abnormal ultrasound findings were observed in 44 (13.6%) football players, with medial collateral ligament tear being the most common abnormality, followed by medial meniscus and distal biceps tendon injuries. In multivariate analysis, abnormal sonographic findings were significantly associated with shorter footballers [<1.7 meters] (aOR=5.287, CI=2.158-12.952, P=0.001) and those with a history of knee injuries (aOR=1.623, CI=0.205-1.892, P=0.042). Conclusion: Despite the absence of symptoms, knee ultrasound revealed multiple hidden knee injuries. Therefore, we recommend conducting ultrasound screenings every two years for all asymptomatic football players in UPL and other major leagues. Knee ultrasound asymptomatic footballers Uganda Premier League Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Background Owing to its location at the center of the lower limb, the knee sustains great forces transmitted from the ground through the ankle, foot, and trunk, making it prone to injuries (1). Knee injuries account for 58% of all major injuries in sports (2). In FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) competitions, knee injuries have an annual prevalence of 18% (3). A recent study among 12 teams in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) tournament revealed 82 injuries per 1000 match hours (3). The prevalence of asymptomatic knee injuries has been increasing and is estimated to be 13% to 37% globally (4). Different types of knee injuries in football players include ligament, tendon, meniscus, articular cartilage, and muscle injuries (5). Studies have shown that most football players have asymptomatic knee injuries, which are normally silent and require special investigations to be revealed (6). Asymptomatic knee injuries in football players have been a concern in sports medicine, as these injuries can have short-term and long-term effects on a footballer’s career (4). These factors increase the risk of injury exacerbation, alter body biomechanics as a compensatory response to the injury, and can create psychological stress for the player (4,7,8). Knee injuries are also associated with knee osteoarthritis, which could be attributed to the injuries themselves and the knee surgeries that result in reduced physical knee function (9). Asymptomatic knee injuries in football could advance to symptomatic injuries and could lead to physical disability, financial costs, lost playing hours, and may even end a career for a football player (10). Thus, early detection of these injuries helps to alert sports physicians, orthopedic trauma surgeons, and radiologists to institute prevention measures to prevent injury exacerbation (6). Different imaging modalities are available to examine knee injuries, including plain radiographs, microfocal radiographs, radionuclide imaging, arthrography, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, arthroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (11). Radiography, along with radionuclide scans, can detect early abnormalities in structures such as cartilage (12). MRI is the gold standard for knee joint imaging; however, the use of MRI is expensive and not readily accessible. Ultrasound on the hand is easily accessible and inexpensive (13). Ultrasound plays a paramount role in the detection of asymptomatic knee injuries , as it provides additional diagnostic information on tissue-specific morphological changes not detected by conventional radiography (14). Moreover, it is used in guided interventions to alleviate symptoms if a significant finding is detected and guide further investigative modalities (13,14). Using ultrasound as a complementary imaging tool along with radiography could also enhance more accurate and cost-effective diagnostics of knee injuries at the primary healthcare level in most developing countries, such as Uganda (15,16). Thus, an ultrasound can be used to screen football athletes for structural abnormalities related to current or possible future musculoskeletal complaints, including in participants without any symptoms. Therefore, this study sought to determine the ultrasound findings and associated factors of knee injuries in asymptomatic football players in Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs to ensure players' longevity in sports and minimize medical expenses. Methods Study design and setting This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among professional football players from sixteen UPL clubs for the 2023-2024 season. These 16 clubs are located in six districts of Uganda. Four hundred football players were actively trained and playing games. Study population All consented registered professional football players from UPL football clubs who had played for the club for the past 3 months and were asymptomatic for knee injuries were included in the study. The study, however, excluded players with previous knee interventions (surgery), known autoimmune disorders, and fractures around the knee joint. Footballers who had any symptoms suggesting a knee injury or those who had confirmed knee injuries were also excluded. Sample size The sample size was determined via Leslie Kish's formula (1965), and 404 participants were included in the sample size of the study. The initial sample size calculation yielded 385 participants, and an additional 5% was added to account for nonrepsonses, resulting in a target sample size of 404. The following assumptions were taken into account in determining the sample size: P=50%, Z= Z value (e.g., 1.96 for the 95% confidence level), and c= confidence interval, expressed as a decimal/the margin of sampling error tolerated = 5%. A total of 398 Uganda Premier League footballers participated, resulting in a 98.5% response rate. Since the total population of foot ballers was 400, almost all of them were included in the study. Study procedure A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire ( Appendix I) was used to collect data on participants’ sociodemographic information, clinical history, and physical examination findings. Ultrasound examinations were performed by the principal investigator under the supervision of a consultant radiologist. A targeted ultrasound scan of the knee joints was performed via a high-frequency linear transducer (7–12 MHz), the Sonoscape S20 Ultrasound Machine from SonoLogic [China] (manufacturer date 2016). Both the right and left knees were examined in four positions: anterior, posterior or popliteal fossa, lateral, and medial aspects of the knee. Findings were then recorded in the ultrasound machine’s computer memory and immediately recorded in the datasheet. Statistical analysis STATA version 14 was used for data analysis. Frequencies and proportions were used to analyse the knee findings. Associated factors were determined via logistic regression. The outcome variable “ultrasound findings” was converted into a binary (normal or abnormal knee findings). All variables with a P–value < 0.2 at the bivariate level were considered for multivariable analysis. The final model was built via the stepwise technique, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean age of the respondents was 26.6 ± 3.72 years, and the majority, 320 (80.4%), weighed 51-75 kilograms. The majority of the participants, 249 (62.6%), had played in UPL for 5-10 years, and 347 (87.2%) players reported no history of knee injuries in their playing career. More than three-fifths of the players were 170 cm or less (Table 1). Abnormal knee findings in asymptomatic footballers were found in 44 (13.6%) players. The most common abnormality was a medial collateral ligament tear (N=8, 18.2%) ( Figure 1 ), followed by suprapatellar effusion ( Figure 2B ), superficial infrapatellar bursitis, bicipital tendinopathy ( Figure 2A ), and grade 1 medial meniscal tear (Table 2) . Additional findings, such as ganglion and Baker cysts, were also observed ( Figure 3 ). Logistic regression analysis revealed that abnormal sonographic findings among asymptomatic footballers are significantly associated with short footballers (aOR=5.287, CI=2.158-12.952, P=0.001) and footballers who have had previous injuries (aOR=1.623, CI=0.205-1.892, P=0.042) (Table 3). On the other hand, weight, number of years played, and type of playing ground showed no statistically significant associations with abnormal sonographic findings. Discussion Routine evaluation of asymptomatic athletes, particularly football players' knees, is paramount in identifying obscure injuries that could impact players' careers. This study aimed to determine the ultrasound knee findings of asymptomatic football players with UPL. We found that 13.6% of football players with asymptomatic knees had abnormal ultrasound findings, which is similar to the 15% prevalence reported by Chan-Shien et al. (17) among asymptomatic basketball players and the 16% prevalence of meniscal injuries among footballers reported by Boden et al. (18). However, the prevalence reported in this study was much lower than that reported in a study performed among Russian Premier League players, which reported approximately 97% of meniscal and cartilage injuries (4). This difference can be attributed to the fact that MRI has a better detection rate of deep-seated injuries and variations in the demographics, playing styles, training regimens, and genetic predispositions of football players between Uganda and Russia (19–21). The most common injuries in this population were medial collateral ligament injuries, followed by medial meniscus injuries. These findings are in line with the fact that medial collateral ligament injury is the most common type of traumatic knee injury among football players (22). Most MCL injuries are due to a direct contact mechanism in which players are approached (22). This could also explain why short-height football players were affected more than tall football players were in this study. Our study also revealed that a history of knee injuries was associated with abnormal sonographic findings, which is supported by studies (23,24) that reported that previous knee injury and surgery history were strongly associated with abnormal imaging findings. The increased risk of injuries in those with a previous history of injuries could imply that footballers in UPL do not wait for the injuries to heal properly before they return to football, which makes them prone to other injuries. The relationship between MCL injury and medial meniscus injury is explained by the reduced mobility of the medial meniscus due to its strong adherence to the collateral ligament (25). Distal biceps femoris tendon injury was also a common pathology in our study. Although much is known about proximal biceps femoris tendon or muscle injuries as part of hamstring injuries, there is a paucity of data in the literature, regarding distal biceps femoris tendon injuries (26). Suprapatellar effusion was also observed in 13.6% of the patients, which was similar to the 16% prevalence reported by Bezuglov et al. (4) Abnormal sonographic findings among asymptomatic footballers were found to be more likely in short footballers, in contrast to what was reported by Bastos et al. (27), who noted that taller heights were a risk factor for injuries in general, with taller players having more knee injuries from jumping, whereas short players had injuries from direct impact. The high risk of knee injuries among short players is attributed to the current shift in soccer style, where shorter players often occupy offensive positions and have more direct contact with the defenders of the opposing team (27,28). According to Khan et al., shorter individuals are responsible for moving the ball downfield due to their greater agility (28). Physical contact through intensive and often violent checks predisposes these athletes to injuries inherent to soccer (28). Moreover, studies claim that, together with the impact mechanism, short soccer players have a high rate of injury through the indirect mechanism stemming from running and abrupt changes in direction (29). This study has several limitations. The ultrasound findings were not compared with those of the gold standard examination, which is MRI. Additionally, ultrasound is operator-dependent. Conclusion Despite a lack of symptoms, football players, especially short players and players with a previous history of injuries, have obscure injuries that may have a negative impact on their professional careers. The study recommends a mandatory biannual ultrasound screening at the start of the football season and midseason for all football players in UPL to protect them from secluded injuries, which might develop into larger injuries. Abbreviations MCL: Medical collateral ligament UPL: Uganda Premier League MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Declaration Ethics approval and consent to participate Written informed consent was obtained from all participants to participate in the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Mengo Hospital Research and Ethics Committee (MHREC) (reference number 10103/05-2022), and administrative clearance was sought from Mengo Hospital. The research was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki. Consent for publication Not applicable Availability of data and materials The datasets used and/or analaysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Funding Self-funded Authors’ contributions SM conceived and designed the study, conducted data collection, and drafted the manuscript; RM guided statistical analysis. SGS, involved in writing the original draft, reviewing, and editing, and MZ provided supervision, data curation, and reviewed the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript. Clinical trial number Not applicable References Grooms DR, Simon JE, Dalton SL, Dompier TP, Kerr ZY. High School Athletic Trainer Services for Knee Injuries. J Athl Train. 2018 Oct;53(10):956–64. Gurau TV, Gurau G, Musat CL, Voinescu DC, Anghel L, Onose G, et al. Epidemiology of Injuries in Professional and Amateur Football Men (Part II). 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Tables Table 1 : Sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents Variable (n=398) Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Age 15-25 251 63.1 26-35 147 36.9 Weight (Kgs) 24- 50 2 0.5 51-75 320 80.4 >75 76 19.1 Height (Meters) 1.7 meters and below 250 62.8 Greater than 1.7 meters 148 37.2 Time spent in professional football Less than 5 years 106 26.6 5-10 249 62.6 11-15 39 9.8 16-20 4 1.0 History of knee injuries [1] Have never had an injury 347 87.2 Have had injuries [2] 51 12.8 [1] Injuries sustained in the past 6 months. 2 Effusion in the supra - and infrapatellar bursa, meniscal tear, tendinopathy, and tear of the ligaments Table 2: Abnormal ultrasound findings of asymptomatic knees of UPL footballers Variable Frequency Percentage Status of the knees Normal findings 280 86.4 Abnormal findings 44 13.6 Abnormalities (n=44) Quadriceps tendinitis 2 4.5 Supra-patella effusion 6 13.6 Tendinopathy quadriceps tear 2 4.5 Suprapatellar bursitis 2 4.5 Deep infrapatellar bursitis 4 9.1 Superficial infrapatellar bursitis 6 13.6 Semimembranosus bursa degeneration 4 9.1 Submembranous bursa ganglion cyst 2 4.5 Biceps tendinopathy 6 13.6 Medial meniscal tear – grade 1 6 13.6 Lateral meniscal tear – grade 1 2 4.5 Medical collateral ligament injury 8 18.2 Table 3 : Bivariate analysis of factors associated with abnormal ultrasound findings in asymptomatic knees of UPL footballers. Frequency (%) Bivariate analysis Multivariate analysis Variable (n=398) Abnormal (n=44) Normal (n=280) cOR (95% CI) P value cOR (95% CI) P value Age 15-25 30 (68.2) 180 (64.3) 1.19 (0.603 - 2.349) 0.615 26-35 14 (31.8) 100 (35.7) Ref Occupation Footballer 42 (95.5) 268 (95.7) 0.94 (0.203 - 4.351) 0.937 Others 2 (4.5) 12 (4.3) Ref Weight (Kgs) >75 Kgs 11 (25) 62 (22.1) 1.172 (0.56 - 2.453) 0.673 75Kgs and below 33 (75) 218 (77.9) Ref Height (Meters) 1.7meters and below 38 (86.4) 155 (55.4) 5.108 (2.092 - 12.471) 0.001 5.287 (2.158-12.952) 0.001 Greater than 1.7 meters 6 (13.6) 125 (44.6) Ref Smoking Yes 2 (4.5) 7 (2.5) 1.857 (0.373 - 9.242) 0.45 No 42 (95.5) 273 (97.5) Ref Alcohol No 44 (100.0) 261 (93.2) NA Yes 0 (0.0) 19 (6.8) Time spent in football More than 10 years 0 (0.0) 35 (12.5) NA 10 years and below 44 (100.0) 245 (87.5) History of injuries No 40 (90.9) 249 (88.9) 1.245 (0.417 - 3.716) 0.064 1.623 (0.205-1.892) 0.042 Yes 4 (9.1) 31 (11.1) Ref Playing ground Both natural and artificial 42 (95.5) 264 (94.3) 1.273 (0.282 - 5.736) 0.754 Natural 2 (4.5) 16 (5.7) Ref Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7387462","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":505673819,"identity":"5474262b-5252-4291-aad8-e8082abe5b39","order_by":0,"name":"Sewankambo Moses","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Malcom Medical Centre","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sewankambo","middleName":"","lastName":"Moses","suffix":""},{"id":505673820,"identity":"864439fd-072a-4c82-984b-9ba66bc6a90d","order_by":1,"name":"Richard Malumba","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education 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Ultrasound Research and Education Institute","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muyinda","middleName":"","lastName":"Zeridah","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-08-16 12:38:08","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7387462/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7387462/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":90304662,"identity":"68cb2c17-b048-4817-9eec-eaa6584e2572","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-01 09:19:36","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":347502,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA sonogram revealed a small intrasubstance discontinuity in the medial collateral ligament of the right knee, which appeared as a hypoechoic region, in a 20-year-old asymptomatic footballer, suggesting a grade 1 medial collateral ligament tear.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7387462/v1/bfc866e14de94a31541bb49e.png"},{"id":90306544,"identity":"f12dfc19-0277-4caa-8da0-64d3496e1a9c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-01 09:27:36","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":189930,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSonogram showing biceps femoris tendon sheath effusion with tendinopathy (A) and suprapatellar effusion (B) in 26-year-old and 19-year-old asymptomatic footballers,respectively.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7387462/v1/86625061190e43cfe89ce438.png"},{"id":90304665,"identity":"c3d0313d-4234-41d6-a156-2ded14bd8f81","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-01 09:19:36","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":219391,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eA sonogram shows a ganglion cyst (A) and Baker cyst (B) from a 24-year-old asymptomatic footballer.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7387462/v1/7d7ece728ec3971cb7952d72.png"},{"id":92160791,"identity":"565cfdd9-6737-447a-9a1a-a31263db35e1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-25 10:02:16","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1249720,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7387462/v1/6aa8b9cf-5291-48cc-8cd6-588a8c968237.pdf"},{"id":90304663,"identity":"b020c7ce-c4f7-4682-9b3d-2817b4823a1b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-01 09:19:36","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":17421,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"AppendixIQuestionnaire.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7387462/v1/5f9572fcb4435627911197f6.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"A prospective study of knee ultrasound findings in asymptomatic football players in the Uganda Premier League","fulltext":[{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eOwing to its location at the center of the lower limb, the knee sustains great forces transmitted from the ground through the ankle, foot, and trunk, making it prone to injuries (1). Knee injuries account for 58% of all major injuries in sports (2). In FIFA (F\u0026eacute;d\u0026eacute;ration Internationale de Football Association) competitions, knee injuries have an annual prevalence of 18% (3). A recent study among 12 teams in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) tournament revealed 82 injuries per 1000 match hours (3). The prevalence of asymptomatic knee injuries has been increasing and is estimated to be 13% to 37% globally (4). Different types of knee injuries in football players include ligament, tendon, meniscus, articular cartilage, and muscle injuries (5).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudies have shown that most football players have asymptomatic knee injuries, which are normally silent and require special investigations to be revealed (6). Asymptomatic knee injuries in football players have been a concern in sports medicine, as these injuries\u003cins cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e \u003c/ins\u003ecan have short-term and long-term effects on a footballer\u0026rsquo;s career (4). These factors\u003cins cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e \u003c/ins\u003eincrease the risk of injury exacerbation, alter body biomechanics as a compensatory response to the injury, and can create psychological stress for the player (4,7,8). Knee injuries are also associated with knee osteoarthritis, which could be attributed to the injuries themselves and the knee surgeries that result in reduced physical knee function (9). Asymptomatic knee injuries in football could advance to symptomatic injuries and could lead to physical disability, financial costs, lost playing hours, and may even end a career for a football player (10). Thus, early detection of these injuries helps to alert sports physicians, orthopedic trauma surgeons, and radiologists to institute prevention measures to prevent injury exacerbation (6).\u003cdel cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e \u003c/del\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDifferent imaging modalities are available to examine knee injuries, including plain radiographs, microfocal radiographs, radionuclide imaging, arthrography, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, arthroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (11). Radiography, along with radionuclide scans, can detect early abnormalities in structures such as cartilage (12). MRI is the gold standard for knee joint imaging; however, the use of MRI is expensive and not readily accessible. Ultrasound on the hand is easily accessible and inexpensive (13).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUltrasound plays a paramount role in the detection of asymptomatic knee injuries\u003cins cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e,\u003c/ins\u003e as it provides additional diagnostic information on tissue-specific morphological changes not detected by conventional radiography (14). Moreover, it is used in guided interventions to alleviate symptoms if a significant finding is detected and guide further investigative modalities (13,14). Using ultrasound as a complementary imaging tool along with radiography could also enhance more accurate and cost-effective diagnostics of knee injuries at the primary healthcare level in most developing countries, such as Uganda (15,16). Thus, an ultrasound can be used to screen football athletes for structural abnormalities related to current or possible future musculoskeletal complaints, including in participants without any symptoms. Therefore, this study sought to determine the ultrasound findings and associated factors of knee injuries in asymptomatic football players in Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs to ensure players\u0026apos; longevity in sports and minimize medical expenses.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eStudy design and setting\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among professional football players from sixteen UPL clubs for the 2023-2024 season. These 16 clubs are located in six districts of Uganda. Four hundred football players were actively trained and playing games.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStudy population\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll consented registered professional football players from UPL football clubs who had played for the club for the past 3 months and were asymptomatic for knee injuries were included in the study. The study, however, excluded players with previous knee interventions (surgery), known autoimmune disorders, and fractures around the knee joint. Footballers who had any symptoms suggesting a knee injury or those who had confirmed knee injuries were also excluded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"_Toc166935752\"\u003eSample size\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size was determined via Leslie Kish\u0026apos;s formula (1965), and 404 participants were included in the sample size of the study. The initial sample size calculation yielded 385 participants, and an additional 5% was added to account for nonrepsonses, resulting in a target sample size of 404. The following assumptions were taken into account in determining the sample size: P=50%, Z= Z value (e.g., 1.96 for the 95% confidence level), and c= confidence interval, expressed as a decimal/the margin of sampling error tolerated = 5%. A total of 398 Uganda Premier League footballers participated, resulting in a 98.5% response rate. Since the total population of foot ballers was 400, almost all of them were included in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStudy procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire (\u003cem\u003eAppendix I)\u003c/em\u003e was used to collect data on participants\u0026rsquo; sociodemographic information, clinical history, and physical examination findings. Ultrasound examinations were performed by the principal investigator under the supervision of a consultant radiologist. A targeted ultrasound scan of the knee joints was performed via a high-frequency linear transducer (7\u0026ndash;12 \u0026nbsp;MHz), the Sonoscape S20 Ultrasound Machine from SonoLogic [China] (manufacturer date 2016). Both the right and left knees were examined in four positions: anterior, posterior or popliteal fossa, lateral, and medial aspects of the knee. Findings were then recorded in the ultrasound machine\u0026rsquo;s computer memory and immediately recorded in the datasheet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"_Toc166935760\"\u003eStatistical analysis\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSTATA version 14 was used for data analysis. Frequencies and proportions were used to analyse the knee findings. Associated factors were determined via logistic regression. The outcome variable \u0026ldquo;ultrasound findings\u0026rdquo; was converted into a binary (normal or abnormal knee findings). All variables with a P\u0026ndash;value \u0026lt; 0.2 at the bivariate level were considered for multivariable analysis. The final model was built via the stepwise technique, and P \u0026lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe mean age of the respondents was 26.6 \u0026plusmn; 3.72 years, and the majority, 320 (80.4%), weighed 51-75 kilograms. The majority of the participants, 249 (62.6%), had played in UPL for 5-10 years, and 347 (87.2%) players reported no history of knee injuries in their playing career. More than three-fifths of the players were 170 cm or less (Table 1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbnormal knee findings in asymptomatic footballers were found in 44 (13.6%) players. The most common abnormality was a medial collateral ligament tear (N=8, 18.2%) (\u003cem\u003eFigure 1\u003c/em\u003e), followed by suprapatellar effusion (\u003cem\u003eFigure 2B\u003c/em\u003e), superficial infrapatellar bursitis, bicipital tendinopathy (\u003cem\u003eFigure 2A\u003c/em\u003e), and grade 1 medial meniscal tear (Table 2)\u003cem\u003e.\u003c/em\u003e Additional findings, such as ganglion and Baker cysts, were also observed (\u003cem\u003eFigure 3\u003c/em\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLogistic regression analysis revealed that abnormal sonographic findings among asymptomatic footballers are significantly associated with short footballers (aOR=5.287, CI=2.158-12.952, P=0.001) and footballers who have had previous injuries (aOR=1.623, CI=0.205-1.892, P=0.042) (Table 3).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, weight, number of years played, and type of playing ground showed no statistically significant associations with abnormal sonographic findings.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eRoutine evaluation of asymptomatic athletes, particularly football players\u0026apos; knees, is paramount in identifying obscure injuries that could impact players\u0026apos; careers. This study aimed to determine the ultrasound knee findings of asymptomatic football players with UPL. We found that 13.6% of football players with asymptomatic knees had abnormal ultrasound findings, which is similar to the 15% prevalence reported by Chan-Shien et al.\u0026nbsp;(17)\u0026nbsp;among asymptomatic basketball players and the 16% prevalence of meniscal injuries among footballers reported by Boden et al.\u0026nbsp;(18). However, the prevalence reported in this study was much lower than that\u003cins cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/ins\u003ereported in a study performed among Russian Premier League players, which reported approximately 97% of meniscal and cartilage injuries\u0026nbsp;(4). This difference can be attributed to the fact that MRI has a better detection rate of deep-seated injuries and variations in the demographics, playing styles, training regimens, and genetic predispositions of football players between Uganda and Russia\u0026nbsp;(19\u0026ndash;21).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most common injuries in this population were medial collateral ligament injuries, followed by medial meniscus injuries. These findings are in line with the fact that medial collateral ligament injury is the most common type of traumatic knee injury among football players\u0026nbsp;(22). Most MCL injuries are due to a direct contact mechanism in which players are approached\u0026nbsp;(22). This could also explain why short-height football players were affected more than tall football players were in this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur study also revealed that a history of knee injuries was associated with abnormal sonographic findings, which is supported by studies\u0026nbsp;(23,24)\u0026nbsp;that reported that previous knee injury and surgery history were strongly associated with abnormal imaging findings. The increased risk of injuries in those with a previous history of injuries could imply that footballers in UPL do not wait for the injuries to heal properly before they return to football, which makes them prone to other injuries. The relationship between MCL injury and medial meniscus injury is explained by the reduced mobility of the medial meniscus due to its strong adherence to the collateral ligament\u0026nbsp;(25). Distal biceps femoris tendon injury was also a common pathology in our study. Although much is known about proximal biceps femoris tendon or muscle injuries as part of hamstring injuries, there is a paucity of data in the literature, regarding distal biceps femoris tendon injuries\u0026nbsp;(26). Suprapatellar effusion was also observed in 13.6% of the patients, which was similar to the 16% prevalence reported by Bezuglov et al.\u0026nbsp;(4)\u003cdel cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/del\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbnormal sonographic findings among asymptomatic footballers were found to be more likely in short footballers, in contrast to what was reported by Bastos et al.\u0026nbsp;(27), who noted that taller heights were a risk factor for injuries in general, with taller players having more knee injuries from jumping, whereas short players had injuries from direct impact. The high risk of knee injuries among short players is attributed to the current shift in soccer style, where shorter players often occupy offensive positions and have more direct contact with the defenders of the opposing team\u0026nbsp;(27,28). According to Khan et al., shorter individuals are responsible for moving the ball downfield due to their greater agility\u0026nbsp;(28). Physical contact through intensive and often violent checks predisposes these athletes to injuries inherent to soccer\u0026nbsp;(28). Moreover, studies claim that, together with the impact mechanism, short soccer players have a high rate of injury through the indirect mechanism stemming from running and abrupt changes in direction\u0026nbsp;(29).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study has several\u003cins cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/ins\u003elimitations. The ultrasound findings were not compared with those of\u003cins cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/ins\u003ethe gold standard examination, which is MRI. Additionally, ultrasound is operator-dependent.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eDespite a lack of symptoms, football players, especially short players and players with a previous history of injuries, have obscure injuries that may have a negative impact on their professional careers. The study recommends a mandatory biannual ultrasound screening\u003cdel cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/del\u003eat the start of the football season and midseason for all football players in UPL to protect them from secluded injuries, which might develop into larger injuries.\u003cdel cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/del\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cp\u003eMCL: Medical collateral ligament\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUPL: Uganda Premier League\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declaration","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten informed consent was obtained from all participants to participate in the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the\u0026nbsp;Mengo Hospital Research and Ethics Committee (MHREC)\u0026nbsp;(reference number\u0026nbsp;10103/05-2022), and administrative clearance was sought from Mengo Hospital. The research was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analaysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFunding\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelf-funded\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contributions\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSM conceived and designed the study, conducted data collection, and drafted the manuscript; RM guided statistical analysis. SGS, involved in writing the original draft, reviewing, and editing, and MZ provided supervision, data curation, and reviewed the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinical trial number\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003cins cite=\"mailto:SENAI\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T12:39\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/ins\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrooms DR, Simon JE, Dalton SL, Dompier TP, Kerr ZY. High School Athletic Trainer Services for Knee Injuries. J Athl Train. 2018 Oct;53(10):956\u0026ndash;64.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGurau TV, Gurau G, Musat CL, Voinescu DC, Anghel L, Onose G, et al. Epidemiology of Injuries in Professional and Amateur Football Men (Part II). Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023 Jan;12(19):6293.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMandorino M, Figueiredo AJ, Gjaka M, Tessitore A. Injury incidence and risk factors in youth soccer players: a systematic literature review. Part I: epidemiological analysis. Biol Sport. 2023 Jan;40(1):3\u0026ndash;25.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBezuglov EN, Lyubushkina AV, Khaitin VY, Tokareva AV, Goncharov EN, Gorinov AV, et al. Prevalence of Asymptomatic Intra-articular Changes of the Knee in Adult Professional Soccer Players. Orthop J Sports Med. 2019 Nov 27;7(11):2325967119885370.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLin KM, Atzmon R, Pierre KJ, Vel MS, Brinson K, Sherman SL. Common Soft Tissue Injuries About the Knee in American Football. HSS J. 2023 Aug;19(3):330\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvencher MT, Chahla J, Cinque ME, Sanchez G, Kennedy NI, Haber DB, et al. Symptomatic Focal Knee Chondral Injuries in National Football League Combine Players Are Associated With Poorer Performance and Less Volume of Play. Arthroscopy. 2018 Mar;34(3):671\u0026ndash;7.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBelkhelladi M, Cierson T, Martineau PA. Biomechanical Risk Factors for Increased Anterior Cruciate Ligament Loading and Injury: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2025 Feb 6;13(2):23259671241312681.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLogerstedt D, Ebert J, MacLeod T, Heiderscheit B, Gabbett T, Eckenrode B. Effects of and Response to Mechanical Loading on the Knee. Sports Medicine. 2021 Oct 20;52.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDriban JB, Eaton CB, Lo GH, Ward RJ, Lu B, McAlindon TE. Knee Injuries Are Associated with Accelerated Knee Osteoarthritis Progression: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Nov;66(11):1673\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKoch M, Kl\u0026uuml;gl M, Frankewycz B, Lang S, Worlicek M, Popp D, et al. Football-related injuries are the major reason for the career end of professional male football players. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2021;29(11):3560\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKoplas M, Schils J, Sundaram M. The painful knee: choosing the right imaging test. Cleve Clin J Med. 2008 May;75(5):377\u0026ndash;84.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHussain S, Mubeen I, Ullah N, Shah SSUD, Khan BA, Zahoor M, et al. Modern Diagnostic Imaging Technique Applications and Risk Factors in the Medical Field: A Review. Biomed Res Int. 2022 Jun 6;2022:5164970.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePandya S, Melville DM. Evaluation of the knee joint with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. J Ultrason. 23(95):e239\u0026ndash;50.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRazek AAKA, Fouda NS, Elmetwaley N, Elbogdady E. Sonography of the knee joint. J Ultrasound. 2009 Apr 28;12(2):53\u0026ndash;60.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePodlipsk\u0026aacute; J, Guermazi A, Lehenkari P, Niinim\u0026auml;ki J, Roemer FW, Arokoski JP, et al. Comparison of Diagnostic Performance of Semi-Quantitative Knee Ultrasound and Knee Radiography with MRI: Oulu Knee Osteoarthritis Study. Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 1;6:22365.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarad HV, Patel V, Patel S, Patel M. To determine the role of ultrasonography as a primary imaging modality as compared to MRI in patients with shoulder pain. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 May;11(5):2119\u0026ndash;22.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHo CS, Yu TY, Chen CH, Lin YC, Tsai WC. On-site Ultrasound Screens out Asymptomatic Knee Lesions in Elite Adolescent Male Basketball Players. Int J Med Sci. 2022;19(13):1856\u0026ndash;63.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoden SD, Davis DO, Dina TS, Stoller DW, Brown SD, Vailas JC, et al. A prospective and blinded investigation of magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. Abnormal findings in asymptomatic subjects. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1992 Sep;(282):177\u0026ndash;85.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasha MAA, Eldib DB, Aly SA, Azmy TM, Mahmoud NEM, Ghandour TM, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in the assessment of anterior knee pain. Insights Imaging. 2020 Oct 1;11:107.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVarillas-Delgado D. Genes Associated with Muscle, Tendon and Ligament Injury Epidemiology in Women\u0026rsquo;s Amateur Football Players. Applied Sciences. 2024 Jan;14(5):1980.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBradley J, Honkamp NJ, Jost P, West R, Norwig J, Kaplan LD. Incidence and variance of knee injuries in elite college football players. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2008 Jun;37(6):310\u0026ndash;4.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLundblad M, H\u0026auml;gglund M, Thome\u0026eacute; C, Hamrin Senorski E, Ekstrand J, Karlsson J, et al. Medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee in male professional football players: a prospective three-season study of 130 cases from the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2019 Nov;27(11):3692\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAitken D, Balogun S, Foong YC, Humphries D, Laslett L, Pitchford N, et al. Clinical relevance of MRI knee abnormalities in Australian rules football players: a longitudinal study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med [Internet]. 2021 Sep 29 [cited 2025 Apr 20];7(3). Available from: https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/7/3/e001097\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePappas GP, Vogelsong MA, Staroswiecki E, Gold GE, Safran MR. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Asymptomatic Knees in Collegiate Basketball Players: The Effect of One Season of Play. Clin J Sport Med. 2016 Nov;26(6):483\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStein G, Koebke J, Faymonville C, Dargel J, M\u0026uuml;ller LP, Schiffer G. The relationship between the medial collateral ligament and the medial meniscus: a topographical and biomechanical study. Surg Radiol Anat. 2011 Nov;33(9):763\u0026ndash;6.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNa IS. Isolated Tear of the Distal Biceps Femoris Tendon in a Young Elite Australian Rules Football Player. [cited 2025 Apr 20]; Available from: https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijsem/international-journal-of-sports-and-exercise-medicine-ijsem-7-182.php?jid=ijsem\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBastos FN, Vanderlei FM, Vanderlei LCM, J\u0026uacute;nior JN, Pastre CM. Investigation of characteristics and risk factors of sports injuries in young soccer players: a retrospective study. Int Arch Med. 2013 Apr 20;6(1):14.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKhan AR, Khan MJ, Hawlader MDH. The epidemiological profile of knee injury pattern among different divisional football players. Turk J Kinesiol. 2019 Jun 30;5(2):50\u0026ndash;6.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKlein C, Luig P, Henke T, Bloch H, Platen P. Nine typical injury patterns in German professional male football (soccer): a systematic visual video analysis of 345 match injuries. Br J Sports Med. 2020 Aug 26;bjsports-2019-101344.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e1\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e: Sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable (n=398)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15-25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e251\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e63.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26-35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e147\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWeight \u0026nbsp;(Kgs)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24- 50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51-75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e320\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHeight (Meters)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.7 meters \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; and below\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGreater than 1.7 meters\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e148\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTime spent in professional football\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLess than 5 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e106\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5-10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e249\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11-15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16-20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHistory of knee injuries\u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003csup\u003e[1]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHave never had an injury\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e347\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e87.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50.7799%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHave had injuries\u003csup\u003e\u003csup\u003e[2]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.3172%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.9029%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e[1]\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Injuries sustained in the past 6 months.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eEffusion in the supra\u003cins cite=\"mailto:Editor%202\" datetime=\"2025-08-16T10:29\"\u003e-\u003c/ins\u003e and infrapatellar bursa, meniscal tear, tendinopathy, and tear of the ligaments\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2: Abnormal ultrasound findings of asymptomatic knees of UPL footballers\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePercentage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStatus of the knees\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNormal findings\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e280\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAbnormal findings\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAbnormalities (n=44)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eQuadriceps tendinitis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSupra-patella effusion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTendinopathy quadriceps tear\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSuprapatellar bursitis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDeep infrapatellar bursitis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSuperficial infrapatellar bursitis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSemimembranosus bursa degeneration\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSubmembranous bursa ganglion cyst\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBiceps tendinopathy\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMedial meniscal tear \u0026ndash; grade 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLateral meniscal tear \u0026ndash; grade 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45.8529%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMedical collateral ligament injury\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22.8482%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2989%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e3\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e: Bivariate analysis of factors associated with abnormal ultrasound findings in asymptomatic knees of UPL footballers.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"727\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequency (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 210px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBivariate analysis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 202px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMultivariate analysis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable (n=398)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAbnormal (n=44)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNormal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;(n=280)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ecOR (95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ecOR (95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15-25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30 (68.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e180 (64.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.19 (0.603 - 2.349)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.615\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26-35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14 (31.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100 (35.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOccupation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFootballer\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42 (95.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e268 (95.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.94 (0.203 - 4.351)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.937\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (4.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (4.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWeight \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; (Kgs)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;75 Kgs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (25)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62 (22.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.172 (0.56 - 2.453)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.673\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75Kgs and below\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33 (75)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e218 (77.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHeight (Meters)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.7meters \u0026nbsp;and below\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38 (86.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e155 (55.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.108 (2.092 - 12.471)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.287 (2.158-12.952)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGreater than 1.7 meters\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (13.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e125 (44.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSmoking\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (4.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (2.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.857 (0.373 - 9.242)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42 (95.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e273 (97.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAlcohol\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e261 (93.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNA\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (6.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTime spent in football\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 10 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35 (12.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNA\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 years and below\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e245 (87.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHistory of injuries\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40 (90.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e249 (88.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.245 (0.417 - 3.716)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.064\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.623 (0.205-1.892)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.042\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (9.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31 (11.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlaying ground\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBoth natural and artificial\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42 (95.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e264 (94.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.273 (0.282 - 5.736)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNatural\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (4.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16 (5.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Knee ultrasound, asymptomatic footballers, Uganda Premier League ","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7387462/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7387462/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eBackground: Asymptomatic knee injuries in football players are a concern in sports medicine, as they can have short-term and long-term effects on a footballer’s career. These knee injuries require special investigations for identification. This study aimed to describe the ultrasound findings and factors associated with injury in the asymptomatic knees of football players in the Uganda Premier League.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethods: This was a cross-sectional study involving Uganda Premier League football players. A total of 398 players had their knees examined with ultrasound machines to detect any obvious abnormalities. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with abnormal knee findings on ultrasound.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResults: Abnormal ultrasound findings were observed in 44 (13.6%) football players, with medial collateral ligament tear being the most common abnormality, followed by medial meniscus and distal biceps tendon injuries. In multivariate analysis, abnormal sonographic findings were significantly associated with shorter footballers [\u0026lt;1.7 meters] (aOR=5.287, CI=2.158-12.952, P=0.001) and those with a history of knee injuries (aOR=1.623, CI=0.205-1.892, P=0.042).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConclusion: Despite the absence of symptoms, knee ultrasound revealed multiple hidden knee injuries. Therefore, we recommend conducting ultrasound screenings every two years for all asymptomatic football players in UPL and other major leagues.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"A prospective study of knee ultrasound findings in asymptomatic football players in the Uganda Premier League","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-01 09:19:31","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7387462/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"010e322c-9de9-4814-ab37-593316544032","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 1st, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-25T09:54:06+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-01 09:19:31","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7387462","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7387462","identity":"rs-7387462","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}