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Overuse injuries shown to be a common occurrence in volleyball players

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Volleyball players are particularly susceptible to overuse injuries in the ankles, knees, hands, shoulders and backs, according to a campaign designed to prevent overuse-related sports injury.

Officials with the Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention (STOP) Sports Injuries campaign stated in a release that studies have found volleyball players to be in as much danger of injury as basketball players.

Role of parents, coaches

The campaign recommends that parents and coaches help prevent injuries by promoting proper warm-up, as well as stretching and strengthening exercises. Furthermore, they should pay close attention to proper techniques, footwear, braces and pads.

“It is important for parents and coaches to understand the power they have to prevent injuries before they occur,” James R. Andrews, MD, the STOP Sports Injuries campaign leader, stated in the release.

A variety of injuries

According to the release, a 2007 study by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association found that at the high school level, the highest percentage of injuries affected players’ ankles and feet (35.6%); hips, thighs or legs (16.2%); and forearms, wrists or hands (15.8%). Furthermore, the most common injuries are either instant injuries to muscles (48.6%) or sprains (25.5%).

“Volleyball players jump, spike and block during their matches, making them prone to a number of overuse injuries in their ankles, knees, hands, shoulders and backs,” Andrews stated in the release. “Ankle injuries are the number one injury to volleyball players and are responsible for the most lost playing time. Fingers are also vulnerable to injury during blocking, setting and digging the ball during competition.”

The STOP Sports Injuries campaign is a partnership of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and a coalition of 20 other health and sport organizations. It aims to arm the public with information and tools to prevent, recognize and treat the long-term consequences of sports overuse and trauma injuries to young athletes.

Reference:

• www.STOPSportsInjuries.org

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