RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Predictors of lower extremity injuries in team sports (PROFITS-study): a study protocol JF BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine JO BMJ OPEN SP EX MED FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP e000076 DO 10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000076 VO 1 IS 1 A1 Kati Pasanen A1 Marko T Rossi A1 Jari Parkkari A1 Ari Heinonen A1 Kathrin Steffen A1 Grethe Myklebust A1 Tron Krosshaug A1 Tommi Vasankari A1 Pekka Kannus A1 Janne Avela A1 Juha-Pekka Kulmala A1 Jarmo Perttunen A1 Urho M Kujala A1 Roald Bahr YR 2015 UL http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/1/1/e000076.abstract AB Introduction Several intrinsic risk factors for lower extremity injuries have been proposed, including lack of proper knee and body control during landings and cutting manoeuvres, low muscular strength, reduced balance and increased ligament laxity, but there are still many unanswered questions. The overall aim of this research project is to investigate anatomical, biomechanical, neuromuscular, genetic and demographic risk factors for traumatic non-contact lower extremity injuries in young team sport athletes. Furthermore, the research project aims to develop clinically oriented screening tools for predicting future injury risk.Methods Young female and male players (n=508) from nine basketball teams, nine floorball teams, three ice hockey teams, and one volleyball team accepted the invitation to participate in this four-and-half-year prospective follow-up study. The players entered the study either in 2011, 2012 or 2013, and gave blood samples, performed physical tests and completed the baseline questionnaires. Following the start of screening tests, the players will be followed for sports injuries through December 2015. The primary outcome is a traumatic non-contact lower extremity injury. The secondary outcomes are other sports-related injuries. Injury risk is examined on the basis of anatomical, biomechanical, neuromuscular, genetic and other baseline factors. Univariate and multivariate regression models will be used to investigate association between investigated parameters and injury risk.