Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Basketball Players: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders characteristically induce pain and limitations in mobility, ability, and overall functioning. In athletes, including basketball players, disorders such as back pain, postural changes, and spinal injuries are common. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of back pain and musculoskeletal disorders in basketball players and ascertain the associated factors. Methods: The Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for studies published in English without a time limit. Using STATA, meta-analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of pain and musculoskeletal disorders of the back and spine. Results: Of the 4135 articles identified, 33 studies were included in this review, with 27 studies included in the meta-analysis. Of these, 21 were used for the meta-analysis of back pain, 6 articles were used for the meta-analysis of spinal injury, and 2 studies were used for the meta-analysis of postural changes. The overall prevalence of back pain was 43% [95% CI, −1% to 88%]; of these, the prevalence of neck pain was 36% [95% CI, 22–50%], the prevalence of back pain was 16% [95% CI, 4–28%], the prevalence of low back pain was 26% [95% CI, 16–37%], the prevalence of thoracic spine pain was 6% [95% CI, 3–9%]. The combined prevalence of spinal injury and spondylolysis was 10% [95% CI, 4–15%], with a prevalence of spondylolysis of 14% [95% CI, 0.1–27%]. The combined prevalence of hyperkyphosis and hyperlordosis was 30% [95% CI, 9–51%]. In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of neck pain, followed by low back pain and back pain, in basketball players. Thus, prevention programs are important to improve health and sports performance.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) in a Population of Professional Basketball Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A longitudinal study evaluated all injuries in the National Basketball Association (NBA) players over 17 years. The study highlighted that 10.2% of all injuries involved the lumbar spine, and 0.9% were due to lumbar disk degeneration [28].…”

“…This result corresponds with the systematic review by de Carvalho Borges et al, which showed that the largest proportion of injuries occurred in the ankle (2832 injuries, 21.9%), followed by the knee (2305 injuries, 17.8%). Most authors point to the ankle as the most common site of injury; however, some authors report that the knee is the most affected region [28].…”

The Impact of Interaction between Body Posture and Movement Pattern Quality on Injuries in Amateur Athletes

“…While focusing on specific areas of injury risk, these factors provide valuable insights into the state and function of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, assessing these indicated factors and implementing appropriate preventive measures can effectively address underlying issues and reduce the risk of injury [ 15 , 16 ]…”

“…Current research unequivocally indicates that training loads can lead to structural changes in the musculoskeletal system specific to a particular sports discipline [ 16 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Even amateur athletes exhibit changes in the formation of anterior–posterior spinal curves [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

“…While focusing on specific areas of injury risk, these factors provide valuable insights into the state and function of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, assessing these indicated factors and implementing appropriate preventive measures can effectively address underlying issues and reduce the risk of injury [15,16] Numerous studies have analyzed the relationship between injuries and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test results, indicating movement dysfunctions [12,13]. Highquality movement patterns guarantee the safety of movement and motor efficiency, resulting from the correct construction and function of the body.…”