Frequency of Achilles Tendinopathy Among Football Players in Rawalpindi and Islamabad

Background: Football is a widely popular sport with a high risk of overuse injuries, including Achilles tendinopathy, which can impair performance and cause long-term disability.Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of Achilles tendinopathy among football players in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 261 football players from various clubs in Rawalpindi and Islamabad between March 27, 2023, and January 30, 2024. Participants aged 13 to 19 years who had been playing for at least six months were included. Achilles tendinopathy was assessed using the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics used to report frequencies and percentages.Results: Out of 261 participants, 52 (20%) had Achilles tendinopathy as indicated by VISA-A scores below 95. The mean age was 15.82 ± 1.75 years, mean height 154.45 ± 18.08 cm, mean weight 49.35 ± 13.09 kg, and mean BMI 21.02 ± 5.81.Conclusion: The study established a 20% prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy among football players in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, highlighting the need for targeted preventive strategies.