A twofold reduction in the incidence of acute ankle sprains in volleyball after the introduction of an injury prevention program: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an injury prevention program, consisting mainly of an injury awareness session, technical training (with emphasis on proper take‐off and landing technique for blocking and attacking) and a balance board training program, for players with recurrent sprains. Baseline data were collected during the 1992‐93 season and the program was introduced during the 1993‐94 season. The 1994‐95 season was used to evaluate the effects of the prevention program. The coaches and players in the top two divisions of the Norwegian Volleyball Federation kept monthly records of exposure time and acute injuries (causing a player to miss at least one playing day). The total exposure time was 149 968 h, 132 757 h of training and 17 211 h of match play during the three seasons. The incidence of ankle injuries was reduced from 0.9 ± 0.1 per 1000 player hours during the 1992‐93 season (48 injuries) to 0.7 ± 0.1 during the 1993‐94 season (38 injuries; NS vs. 1992‐93) and to 0.5 ± 0.1 during the 1994–95 season (24 injuries, P < 0.01 vs. 1992‐93).

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Conservative Management and Prevention of Ankle Sprains in Athletes

“…Other injury-prevention programs focusing on balance training have also shown a reduction in ankle-injury incidence, especially in athletes with a history of ankle injury. [67][68][69] McKeon and Hertel 41 reported a relative risk reduction of 20% to 60% based on these controlled trials.…”

ECSS Position Statement 2009: Prevention of acute sports injuries

“…However, as for external ankle support, the effect appears to be limited only to athletes with a history of previous sprains. It is also important to note that specific technical training to avoid vulnerable situations may be effective, at least in volleyball (Bahr, Lian, & Bahr, 1997). In soccer, late tackles resulting in laterally directed blows to the lower leg serve to put the ankle in a vulnerable position when landing or running (Andersen et al, 2004b;Giza et al, 2003).…”

Laboratory Measures of Postural Control During the Star Excursion Balance Test After Acute First-Time Lateral Ankle Sprain

“…Decreased physical activity, 2 the potential for the development of posttraumatic ankle arthritis, 3 and medical costs 4 are immediate concerns associated with the acute ankle-joint injury, which has substantial potential for recurrence. 5 Investigators 6,7 have hypothesized that the chronic sequelae associated with ankle-sprain injury result from the emergence of inappropriate postinjury-movement strategies.…”