Table 1

A comparison of FIFA World Cup 2002, 2006 and 2010 – the use of medication per match and per tournament.

20102006*2002*
No of playersNo of playersNo of players
Per matchDuring tournamentPer matchDuring tournamentPer matchDuring tournament
(n=2944)(%)(n=736)(%)(n=2944)(%)(n=736)(%)(n=2944)(%)(n=736)(%)
Any medication141848.2%52871.7%125742.7%50869.0%133545.3%50067.9%
NSAIDs102034.6%40354.8%85529.0%39954.2%96032.6%40354.8%
Injections*963.3%547.3%1033.5%587.9%1204.1%7710.5%
Analgesics1896.4%10914.8%1083.7%8311.3%1314.4%9112.4%
β-2 agonists582.0%202.7%311.1%121.6%341.2%81.1%
Antihistamines642.2%425.7%1063.6%557.5%602.0%435.8%
Any supplement101934.6%35348.0%104135.4%31743.1%92531.4%31442.7%
  • * Corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injections only.3

  • NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.