Cumulative fatigue identified as leading predictor of injuries in elite women's soccer

A team of international researchers led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the University of Bonn has announced a new computer‑based method that enhances injury prediction for elite women’s soccer players. The study, published in *npj Digital Medicine*, was developed in collaboration with FC Barcelona’s medical department, the Barça Innovation Hub (BIHUB), and the genetics company Made of Genes.

The approach integrates artificial intelligence, survival analysis, statistical calibration and decision theory to transform raw predictive data into a practical risk assessment tool. By combining these techniques, the model can more accurately forecast injury likelihood, offering clinicians and coaching staff a data‑driven resource for preventive care and performance management.

The researchers emphasize that the tool is designed for real‑world application in both clinical and sports settings, potentially reducing injury rates and improving player welfare across elite women’s soccer leagues.