Injuries in Iranian Elite Female Volleyball Players

Authors

Abstract

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world. The purpose of this
study was to investigate characteristics of injury in Iranian elite female volleyball
players. 74 players from five teams which participated in 2006-2007 Iran female
volleyball leagues were studied. The data of injuries were collected using injury
report form that was completed by team physicians. Descriptive statistics and chi
square test were used for analysis of data. Totally, 27 injuries were noted; 77.8%
occurred in lower extremities, 18.5% in upper extremities and 3.7% in trunk. Most
common sites of injury were ankle (51.8%) and knee (22.2%). Most common types
of injuries were sprain (55.6%) and strain (18.5%). The majority of injuries
occurred in spikers (55.6%), setters (25.9%) and liberos (18.5%). Spikers were
injured mostly in ankle and knee, setters in fingers and liberos in wrist. There was
no difference between contact and non – contact injuries (?2 = 1, P>0.05). Injuries
during practice were significantly more than competition (?2=5.89, P<0.05). Most
of injuries occurred because of landing. Injuries occurred in front line position
were significantly higher than back line position (?2=5.81, P<0.05). In conclusion,
spikers were more prone to ankle and knee injury during landing and sprain was
the most common type of injury and front line was the most critical zone in
volleyball court. These findings are useful to volleyball medical staff to cover the
competition and also to design prevention strategies to minimize injury.

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