The prevalence of overuse injuries in Australian non-elite netballers

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overuse injuries in non-elite netballers and whether these increase over a typical competitive season and to establish if player age, experience, training, and use of bracing are related to overuse injuries.Patients and methodsA prospective study was conducted over a 12-week period, using a recently developed questionnaire. Data were collected on overuse injuries in the knee, ankle, and shoulder areas every week.ResultsThirty-seven players responded to the questionnaire, with an average response rate of 65%. The total prevalence of overuse injuries identified was 52.7%, with ankle problems accounting for 26% (75 cases), knee problems accounting for 21.2% (61 cases), and shoulder problems accounting for 5.5% (16 cases). Ankle injuries increased over the study period, while knee and shoulder problems decreased. Injuries were more common in players over 36 years old or those with less than 5 years of playing experience. Players who used a brace were more likely to have an overuse complaint. Training volume was not associated with increased risk.ConclusionOveruse injuries are common in netballers, particularly of the knee and ankle. Shoulder overuse complaints are higher than previously reported. Risk factors for injury include older age and less playing experience, and these should be considered when planning injury prevention programs for this sport.

The Applied Sports Science and Medicine of Netball: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…The majority of epidemiological studies collected data over extended periods of a year or longer [ 32 , 45 – 47 , 74 , 81 – 88 , 90 – 93 ]. However, some studies utilised data representing much shorter periods, e.g., tournament weeks [ 71 – 73 , 76 , 94 ] or days [ 33 , 34 , 42 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 80 ].…”

“…Various approaches were taken when defining or classifying injury amongst the included studies. Some based classifications on accepted criteria [ 73 , 78 ], others utilised broad definitions including, for example, aspects such as an injury that occurs whilst participating in sport, that leads to either a reduction in the amount of level of sports activity, or the need for advice or treatment [ 30 ]. Finally, narrow definitions such as “trauma to a specific body part resulting in cessation of play” were also utilised [ 32 ].…”

“…A common theme of included studies was the reporting of injuries relative to hours of exposure [ 31 , 33 , 34 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 80 , 94 ] or number of athletes [ 32 , 34 , 42 , 73 , 75 , 81 , 88 , 89 , 91 – 93 ]. Injury incidence was commonly reported between 12 and 14 injuries per 1000 exposure hours [ 30 , 31 , 34 , 74 , 76 ].…”

“…landing, contact, overuse) involved [ 31 , 32 , 45 , 71 , 75 , 77 , 85 , 88 , 94 ]. Furthermore, the type and/or site of injury was commonly reported [ 30 , 32 , 33 , 42 , 47 , 71 , 73 – 77 , 79 , 80 , 82 – 84 , 86 – 91 ] with lower limb injury, particularly to the knee and ankle, common [ 30 , 32 , 42 , 45 , 71 , 74 , 75 , 79 , 80 , 83 , 84 , 88 , 90 , 91 , 94 ]. Whilst a systematic review of the mechanisms of non-contact knee injury has recently been carried out [ 95 ], the volume of injury epidemiology research in netball may warrant a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide researchers and practitioners with a high level of evidence regarding incidence and prevalence in addition to injury mechanism and site.…”

“…Of the 45 studies to investigate injury in netball, 31 (67%) had an injury epidemiology focus (Supplementary Table S3). These studies involved a wide range of cohorts including populations such as club [42,[71][72][73][74][75][76] and state or national level [32-34, 75, 77-80], whilst 23% (n = 11) of included studies reported netball injuries relative to "general population" patients [45][46][47][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88]. Studies also examined netball injury in both junior/youth [72,87,89] and senior/ open age [77][78][79] athletes.…”