# Injuries and Pain Associated with Goalkeeping in Football--Review of the Literature
## 1 Introduction
### Characteristics of Football Goalkeepers Play and Risk of Injury
#### 1.1.4 Risky Conditions and Situations  
According to many authors [22; 23; 24; 25] GKs get into a number of situations during training and matches which pose a high risk of injury. For GKs there are additional specific situations which can cause injury risks that are not present in the actions of field players. Such actions are crosses interceptions, 1v1 duels and shot stopping with diving techniques.  
Non-contact injuries are caused by dynamic movements, including quick changes of direction, sprints, dives, jumps, throws, and kicks. Jumps and shot stopping, as well as diving saves, require large and rapid generation of forces at push-off [11; 26; 27; 28] and include many diving techniques, which mostly end in hitting the ground [12]. Therefore,it is reasonable to anticipate that shot stopping training can lead to contusions, bruises, abrasions, wounds and even fractures [29]. Moreover, repetitive impact of diving saves may result in elbow and other upper extremity injuries. Additionally, some diving saves require the body to contort into extreme ranges of motion. The goal of deflecting the ball may cause muscle strain, tendon rupture, or joint sprains [25]. Shot stopping by catching is considered ideal as the opponent's attack ends and a possibility of rebound or second shot is reduced. However, catching powerful shots or deflecting the ball is not without risk. Such catches can cause sprains, dislocations and fractures of wrists, hands or fingers [30; 31; 32]. During throwing, an excessive range of motion combined with a high level of dynamics can lead to injuries, especially in the dominant arm [33; 34].  
Contact (with an opponent or a teammate) injuries are caused by colliding with other players, being hit by the ball, falling on the ground and, in exceptional cases, even hitting a goal post. Passing under pressure or sweeping before a rival reaches the ball puts GKs at the risk of being kicked, hit or rammed by the opponent. Such situations can lead to bruises, abrasions, wounds, muscle strains, joint sprains and fractures. Similarly, aerial play and cross interceptions involve a high risk of colliding with another player [35]. At the same time, landing from aerial play can lead to joint sprains, muscle and tendon strains or ruptures. Additionally, 1 \(\times\) 1 defensive situations often start dynamically and end in diving under opponents' feet, blocking the ball, or reaction saves.  
A risk of trauma in the lower limbs is connected with running, kicking the ball, jumping, accelerating, decelerating, and changing directions both in GKs and in field players. In addition, kicking a ball and contact with other players challenging for a ball or making a tackle can result in trauma. Long passes demand dynamic movement with a lot of force production, leading to muscle and tendon strains, muscle attachments, avulsions (avulsion fractures) [36; 37], or sprains--especially ankle sprains [2].  
The factors described above, i.e., quick movements, excessive range of motion and impacts are apparent sources of pain and may cause injuries.