Influence of the limited interchange rule on injury rates in sub-elite Rugby league players

This study investigated the incidence of injury in sub-elite Rugby League players before and after the introduction of the limited interchange rule. The incidence of injury was prospectively studied in one sub-elite Rugby League club over three competitive seasons. Two seasons were played under the unlimited interchange rule, while the third season was played under the limited interchange rule. Players participated in 91 matches under the unlimited interchange rule and 44 matches under the limited interchange rule. Injury was defined as any pain, disability or injury that occurred as a result of a competition game that caused the player to miss a subsequent game. The relative risk (RR) of injury significantly decreased (RR = 0.70 [0.65 to 0.75], P<0.05) following the introduction of the limited interchange rule, with the incidence of injury decreasing from 72.5 (58.2 to 86.8) per 1000 playing hr under the unlimited interchange rule to 51.0 (33.8 to 68.1) per 1000 playing hr under the limited interchange rule. The risk of sustaining thigh and calf injuries (RR= 0.27 [0.12 to 0.59], P < 0.05), muscular strains (RR= 0.23 10.17 to 0.31]., P<0.05), and high intensity running injuries (RR= 0.16 [0.04 to 0.691, P<0.05) was significantly reduced following the introduction of the limited interchange rule. These findings demonstrate that the risk of injury in sub-elite Rugby League players is significantly reduced following the introduction of the limited interchange rule. The reduced injury risk may reflect a fatigue-induced reduction in match speed and impact forces associated with physical collisions and tackles.     

Risk factors for football injuries in young players aged 7 to 12 years

Football (soccer) is very popular among children. Little is known about risk factors for football injuries in children. The aim was to analyze potential injury risk factors in 7‐ to 12‐year‐old players. We collected prospective data in Switzerland and the Czech Republic over two seasons. Coaches reported exposure of players (in hours), absence, and injury data via an Internet‐based registration system. We analyzed time‐to‐injury data with extended Cox models accounting for correlations on team‐ and intra‐person levels. We analyzed injury risk in relation to age, sex, playing position, preferred foot, and regarding age‐independent body height, body mass, and BMI . Further, we analyzed injury risk in relation to playing surface. In total, 6038 player seasons with 395 295 hours of football exposure were recorded and 417 injuries occurred. Injury risk increased by 46% (Hazard Ratio 1.46 [1.35; 1.58]; P  < .001) per year of life. Left‐footed players had a higher injury risk (Hazard Ratio 1.53 [1.07; 2.19]; P  = .02) for training injuries compared to right‐footed players. Injury risk was increased in age‐adjusted taller players (higher percentile rank). Higher match‐training ratios were associated with a lower risk of match injuries. Injury risk was increased on artificial turf (Rate Ratio 1.39 [1.12; 1.73]; P  < .001) and lower during indoor sessions (Rate Ratio 0.68 [0.52; 0.88]; P  < .001) compared to natural grass. Age is known as a risk factor in older players and was confirmed to be a risk factor in children's football. Playing surface and leg dominance have also been discussed previously as risk factors. Differences in injury risks in relation to sex should be investigated in the future.     

High ankle injury rate in adolescent basketball: A 3‐year prospective follow‐up study

This prospective study investigated the incidence and pattern of acute time‐loss injuries in young female and male basketball players. Eight basketball teams (n=201; mean age 14.85±1.5) participated in the follow‐up study (2011‐2014). The coaches recorded player participation in practices and games on a team diary. A study physician contacted the teams once a week to check new injuries and interviewed the injured players. In total, 158 injuries occurred. The overall rate of injury (per 1000 hours) was 2.64 (95% CI 2.23‐3.05). Injury rate was 34.47 (95% CI 26.59‐42.34) in basketball games and 1.51 (95% CI 1.19‐1.82) in team practices. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) between game and practice was 22.87 (95% CI 16.71‐31.29). Seventy‐eight percent of the injuries affected the lower limbs. The ankle (48%) and knee (15%) were the most commonly injured body sites. The majority of injuries involved joint or ligaments (67%). Twenty‐three percent of the injuries were severe causing more than 28 days absence from sports. Number of recurrent injuries was high (28% of all injuries), and most of them were ankle sprains (35 of 44, 79%). No significant differences were found in injury rates between females and males during games (IRR 0.88, 0.55, to 1.40) and practices (IRR 1.06, 0.69, to 1.62). In conclusion, ankle and knee ligament injuries were the most common injuries in this study. Moreover, the rate of recurrent ankle sprains was alarming.     

Seasonal time-loss match injury rates and burden in South African under-16 rugby teams

Objectives

Youth rugby union is a popular sport with a high injury incidence density (IID) and burden. This high risk has called for further research into the factors affecting the injuries in youth rugby. The aim of the study was to analyse time-loss IID and burden in multiple schoolboy rugby teams over a season and the potential factors associated with injury.

Epidemiology of injuries in Australian junior rugby league players

ObjectivesConduct a large-scale epidemiological study of injury characteristics (location, type, mechanism, severity, burden) and incidence in community junior rugby league.DesignProspective cohort epidemiology study.MethodsInjury surveillance was conducted in three district leagues (Penrith, Canberra, Melbourne) in under 6 (U6) to under 18 years (U18) age groups across the 2016 season. Club sports trainers recorded all match/training medical-attention injuries using a commercial electronic application which recorded injury circumstances and characteristics.ResultsA total of 13,169 players from 897 teams participated and 408 (89% male) players sustained 485 injuries, 94% of which were match related. The overall injury incidence was 5.9 injuries/1000 player hours and highest in U13–U18 female players (22.2 injuries/1000 player hours). The mean injury severity of 16 ± 31 days missed training/match-play caused an overall injury burden of 94.2 days missed/1000 player hours). Tackles accounted for 84% of injuries. Joint and contusion injuries were the most prevalent injury type and the head (35% total injuries, primarily bruising and bleeding) was the most injured body site.ConclusionsThis is the first study to report injuries across a large cohort of all-age Australian community junior rugby league players over one season. Injury prevalence was lower than previously reported in junior rugby league suggesting the sport has not become more dangerous for junior players. These findings provide an evidence-base to inform or revise policy, training and injury prevention programs and athlete development pathways in relation to game-wide safety and develop best-practice protocols in injury management for rugby league athlete support personnel.     

Incidence of injury in elite junior Rugby Union: a prospective descriptive study

The high incidence of injury in Rugby Union is well documented, particularly at elite levels of competition. This article describes the incidence and nature of all injuries sustained by elite Western Australian junior Rugby Union players during the 26 weeks up to and including the 1997 National Championship campaign. Informed consent was gained for each participant (n = 44) prior to completion of an extensive baseline questionnaire. Exposure and injury data were collected at each training session and game. The injury incidence rate over the 26 week period was 13.26/1000 player hours. Injury data were analysed by phase of play, position, severity and if occurred at games or training. The incidence of injury was significantly associated with the position played (chi2 = 67.49, p value = 0.008) and the phase of play in which the injury occurred (chi2 = 8.07, p value = 0.042). Tackling was the most dangerous phase of play (52% of injuries) and the most common site of injury was the lower limb (37%). Most injuries occurred during games (56%) and the flanker was the position most at risk of injury (12%). Further research is needed to identify the aetiology of injury at all levels of competition and to use these findings to develop effective injury prevention strategies in this sport. Position-specific risk factors should also be investigated, as should the mechanism of injury associated with tackling which is the phase of play in which significantly more injuries occur in rugby.     

Presentation and mechanisms of concussion in professional Rugby League Football.

The present study prospectively recorded the circumstances, incidence, mechanisms, injury detection and presentation of concussion in Rugby League. Forty-three consecutive concussions were recorded over three competitive seasons in 175 professional Rugby League players. Data showed (i) the incidence of concussion ranged from 5.9 to 9.8 injuries/1000 player hours across grades - except when age-group players were mismatched (18.4): (ii) 'head-high tackles' accounted for a significant number of concussions; (iii) concussion rarely involved a loss of consciousness with the most common indicators of concussion being amnesia, headache and unsteadiness, with the mechanism of injury often missed: and (iv) concussion often occurs concurrently with other injuries. Concussion (including repeated episodes) is a common injury in Rugby League. Systematic mental status questioning is warranted whenever concussion is suspected. Coaches, trainers and players need more education in the recognition and management of concussion. Stricter penalties for illegal 'head-high' tackling are strongly recommended.     

Handball injuries during major international tournaments

BACKGROUND: Several authors have analyzed the incidence of handball injuries in amateur players but information of handball injury in top-level players is very limited. The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence, circumstances and characteristics of handball injuries during major international tournaments. METHODS: Injuries during six international handball tournaments were analyzed, using an established injury report system. The physicians of all participating teams were asked to report all injuries after each match on a standardized injury report form. The response rate was on average 87%. RESULTS: The incidence of injury was on average 108 injuries/1000 player hours (95% confidence interval (CI): 98-117) or 1.5 injuries/match (95% CI: 1.4-1.6). The injuries affected most frequently the lower extremity (42%), followed by injuries of the head (23%), upper extremity (18%) and trunk (14%). The most frequent diagnosis was contusion of head (14%) or ankle sprain (8%). The majority of injuries were caused by contact with another player. The incidence of time loss injuries was on average 27/1000 player hours (95% CI: 22-32), and significantly higher in men than in women. CONCLUSION: Preventive program proven effective should be implemented. Fair Play is an essential aspect of injury prevention. Therefore, close cooperation with the referees is also necessary to make handball a safer sport.     

Injuries in competitive youth bandy: an epidemiological study of a league season

PURPOSE: Bandy, with a century-long tradition in northern Europe, is a winter team-sport similar to ice hockey. To investigate the occurrence of injuries during competitive youth bandy games, injury incidence, injury types, and age-related risks were analyzed for one youth league season. METHODS: The National Athletic Injury/Illness Reporting System (NAIRS) definition of sports injury was used for the injury registration. All 416 games during the 1999-2000 season in the Swedish southeastern youth bandy league were included in the study. Primary data was collected by a questionnaire and completed by the team coaches after each game. At the end of the season, physician interviews with each team coach were performed to assure that no injuries had been missed as well as to ascertain whether there was any remaining disability. RESULTS: In total, 2.0 injuries (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.9 injuries) per 1000 player game hours were recorded. Sixty-eight percent of the injuries caused the injured player to be absent from bandy play for more than a week. Collision was the most common cause of injury (36%), and contusion was the most common injury type (41%). The injury incidence in the leagues for older players (Youth 14 -Youth 16) was slightly higher than in the leagues for the younger players (Youth 12 -Youth 13), while participation by under-aged players in games organized for older players led to an almost four-fold increase of injury risk. For severe injuries, the mean rehabilitation time away from bandy practice or competition was 27 d (range 8-56 d). CONCLUSION: The overall injury incidence during youth bandy games is low, but the injuries that occur cause extensive absences from the only four months long bandy season. From a public health perspective, bandy can be recommended for consideration when physical exercise is to be promoted among school-age children in countries with a winter climate.     

Soccer injuries among youth

This study reports the quantitative and qualitative aspects of sports injuries in a 5-day youth soccer tournament with 12,907 players. A total of 132 injuries that resulted in at least one days' absence from soccer playing were of special interest. The overall injury rate was 3.6 for boys and 4.4 injuries per 1000 hours of play for girls. Statistically significantly higher injury rates between players in puberty and differences in type and location of injuries between boys and girls were found. In 77% of the cases, the injury happened while the injured player was in physical contact with another player, 59% had ball contact and 7% had no contact with any person or ball at all. Five months later a questionnaire was send out to the serious injured players. Of 85 injured players, 10 were absent from school or work on average 11.5 days. Five had surgery. Injury prophylaxis in soccer tournaments is proposed.     

Incidence of injury in amateur rugby league sevens

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence, site, and nature of injuries sustained in amateur rugby league sevens tournaments. METHODS: A total of 168 players competing in three amateur rugby league sevens tournaments were studied. All injuries sustained during matches were recorded. Information recorded included the name of the injured player and the time, cause, anatomical site, and nature of the injury. RESULTS: The incidence of injury was 283.5 per 1000 playing hours. Some 40% (113.4 per 1000 playing hours) of all injuries sustained were to the lower limb (chi(2) = 5.3, df = 1, p<0.05). Contusions were the most common type of injury (113.4 per 1000 hours, 40%, chi(2) = 9.5, df = 4, p<0.05), with most (198.4 per 1000 hours, 70%, chi(2) = 31.5, df =4, p<0.001) occurring in physical collisions and tackles. An increasing injury incidence was observed over the first (99.2 per 1000 hours), second (198.4 per 1000 hours), third (347.2 per 1000 hours), and fourth (694.4 per 1000 hours) matches played during the tournaments (chi(2) = 9.2, df = 3, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that amateur rugby league sevens tournaments, which require players to compete repeatedly on the same day, may hasten the onset of fatigue and predispose to injury.     

Injuries in Australian cricket at first class level 1995/1996 to 2000/2001

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyse injuries and illness occurring in Australian cricket at first class level. METHODS: Injuries occurring to the state and national teams were surveyed prospectively between the seasons 1998/1999 and 2000/2001, and the three preceding seasons were surveyed retrospectively. The definition of an injury was detailed and generally required the player to miss playing time in a major match. RESULTS: Average injury match incidence in the seasons studied prospectively varied from a low of 19.0 injuries per 10 000 player hours in first class domestic matches to a high of 38.5 injuries per 10 000 player hours in one day internationals. The average seasonal incidence was 19.2 injuries per squad (25 players) per season (20 matches). Injury prevalence (the percentage of players missing through injury at any given time) was 14% for pace bowlers, 4% for spin bowlers, 4% for batsmen, and 2% for wicket keepers. The most common injuries were hamstring strains, side strains, groin injuries, wrist and hand injuries, and lumbar soft tissue injuries. Bowlers who had bowled more than 20 match overs in the week leading up to a match had an increased risk of sustaining a bowling injury (risk ratio 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 2.85). A further risk for bowling injury is bowling second in a match-that is, batting first (risk ratio 1.62, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.50). A risk factor for injury in fielding is colliding with the boundary fence. CONCLUSIONS: Further study is required to determine ways to minimise the risk of injury in fast bowlers. Cricket grounds should mark a boundary line on the playing field to prevent players colliding with fences in the field.     

Incidence of injury in junior and senior rugby league players

Rugby league is an international collision sport played at junior, amateur, semi-professional and professional levels. Due to the high numbers of physical collisions and tackles, musculoskeletal injuries are common. A large percentage of injuries result in long-term employment and study limitations, medical costs and loss of income. Review articles addressing the applied physiology of rugby league and common rugby league injuries have been published. However, both of these review articles have focused on the professional rugby league player. This review addresses the extent of the injury problem in rugby league in all levels of competition (i.e. junior, amateur, semi-professional and professional). The incidence of rugby league injuries typically increases as the playing level is increased. The majority of studies have shown that the head and neck is the most common site of match injuries in senior rugby league players, while knee injuries are the most common site of injury in junior rugby league players. Muscular injuries are the most common type of injury sustained by senior rugby league players, while junior rugby league players more commonly sustain fractures. Injuries are most commonly sustained in tackles, by the tackled player. Thigh and calf strains are the most common injuries sustained during rugby league training, while overexertion is the most common cause of training injuries. Player fatigue may influence the incidence of injury, with most sub-elite (amateur and semi-professional) rugby league injuries occurring in the second half of matches or the latter stages of training sessions. The majority of training injuries occur in the early stages of the season, while match injuries occur in the latter stages of the season, suggesting that changes in training and playing intensity may influence the incidence of injury in rugby league. Injury prevention studies are required to reduce the incidence, severity and cost of rugby league injuries. These injury prevention strategies could include coaching on defensive skills, correct tackling technique, correct falling technique and methods to minimise the absorption of impact forces in tackles. Game-specific attacking and defensive drills practised before and during fatigue may also encourage players to make appropriate decisions under fatigued conditions and apply learnt skills during the pressure of competitive matches. Further studies investigating risk factors for injury in junior and senior rugby league players, injuries sustained by specific playing positions and the influence of injuries on playing performance are warranted.     

Injuries in women's professional soccer

Objective: The injury data from the first two seasons of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) were analysed to determine the injury incidence, anatomic location of injuries, and relation of player position.

Methods: Injury data on 202 players from eight teams during the first two seasons of the WUSA were prospectively collected and analysed.

Results: A total of 173 injuries occurred in 110 players with an overall injury incidence rate of 1.93 injuries per 1000 player hours. The incidence of injury during practice and games was 1.17 and 12.63 per 1000 player hours, respectively. Of the injuries 82% were acute and 16% were chronic. Most of the injuries (60%) were located in the lower extremities. Strains (30.7%), sprains (19.1%), contusions (16.2%), and fractures (11.6%) were the most common diagnoses and the knee (31.8%) and head (10.9%) were the most common sites of injury. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries accounted for 4.6% of all injuries and the incidence of ACL tears was 0.09 per 1000 player hours (practice 0.04, game 0.90). Midfielders suffered the most injuries (p<0.007).

Conclusion: We conclude that the injury incidence in the WUSA is lower than the 6.2 injuries per 1000 player hours found in the corresponding male professional league (Major League Soccer); however, knee injuries predominate even in these elite female athletes.

     

No effect of a video-based awareness program on the rate of soccer injuries

BACKGROUND: The injury rate in soccer is high, and effective injury prevention methods are needed. PURPOSE: To test the effect of a video-based awareness program on the incidence of acute injuries in soccer. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized control trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Participants were elite male soccer players from the top 2 divisions in Iceland. Fifteen of 20 teams completed the study: 7 intervention teams (127 players) and 8 control teams (144 players) chosen by random. Just before the start of the 2000 soccer season, the intervention teams were visited with an intervention program. The program included a 15-minute presentation with information on the injury risk of playing elite soccer, typical injuries, and their mechanisms. Then the players worked together in pairs and analyzed video sequences to develop preventive strategies. The 12 video sequences were selected from the previous Icelandic soccer season, representing 3 typical injury mechanisms that accounted for more than half of all incidents recorded. During the season, team physical therapists prospectively recorded all acute injuries, and coaches recorded training exposure on a special form. Injury incidence was compared between groups and between the 1999 and 2000 seasons for teams that participated in both seasons. RESULTS: No difference was observed in injury incidence between the intervention (6.6 +/- 0.7 injuries per 1000 player hours) and control groups (6.6 +/- 0.7 injuries per 1000 player hours). Furthermore, there was no difference in injury location or type. CONCLUSION: The video-based injury awareness program showed no effect on injury rate.     

Epidemiology of physical activity‐related injuries in Chinese university students

Knowledge gaps of the physical activity‐related injury (PARI) problem among general undergraduates exist. We conducted a study in four universities, where 1421 students graded 1‐3 were interviewed face‐to‐face during April and May after their completion of the baseline survey in March and April 2017, aiming to describe the incidence and characteristics of PARI. PARI experience and physical activity (PA) participation in the past 12 months were collected. Injury incidence density (IID) and risk, and injury characteristics were evaluated for the overall sample and by gender. Pearson chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests and independent‐sample t tests were used to test between‐group differences. We found that 486 PARIs were reported totally by 289 participants , with an overall IID of 0.57 per 1000 hours of exposure (males: 1.07, females: 0.45) and an injury risk of 0.34 injuries/student/y (males: 0.52; females: 0.28) . Higher IIDs were found in roller skating, football, and basketball. The majority of injuries occurred outdoors and involved the lower extremities, with sprain and strain being the primary injury types. Moreover, most injuries were new, acute, and happened in non‐contact situations. Of all injuries, 52.1% required medical attention and 64.6% resulted in inactivity of one or more days. Some significant differences were observed between males and females. Our study indicates that PARI is a public health concern among Chinese university students, which can provide direction for targeted prophylactic interventions to underpin the sex‐specific injury mechanism to reduce PARI.     

Community level australian football: a profile of injuries

Identification of injuries and their risk factors is required in order to develop risk controls within the context of sports injury prevention. The Australian Football Injury Prevention Project (AFIPP) was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the effects of protective equipment on injury rates in Australian Rules Football. The aim of this paper is to describe the general injury profile of community level Australian Football players over one season, as recorded during this RCT. Players were recruited from the largest community football league in Victoria, Australia, during the 2001 playing season. A total of 301 players participated (64% response rate) and all injuries occurring during training and games were recorded. The overall injury incidence rate was 12.1/1000 player hours. Bruises/soft tissue injuries made up more than a quarter of all injuries (28%) and the leg (lower leg, ankle, thigh/hamstring and knee) was the most commonly injured body region. Most injuries occurred at the beginning of the season (April-May, 53% of injuries), during competition (77%) and through body contact (49.9%). Midfielders (OR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.13, 10.14) and players aged at least 25 years (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.06, 4.34) were significantly more likely to experience an injury than other playing positions and younger players. Although the injury rate in this study was lower than that in previous studies, the results are consistent with the finding that injuries tend to occur earlier in the season and more commonly during competition. Injury prevention efforts should be particularly targeted at midfielders and older players.     

The nature and circumstances of tackle injuries in rugby union

This study describes the nature and circumstances of injury occurring in rugby union tackles (33% of 569 injury events) using data from the Rugby Injury and Performance Project (RIPP) and provides supplementary information on the nature of tackles involving injury from analysis of videotape of tackle injury events. The most common tackle injuries in the RIPP data were sprains/strains (41%) followed by haematomas/bruising (26%). The most frequently injured body sites were the head/neck/face (22%) and the knee (17%). The ball carrier and tackler were injured in tackles in similar proportions in both RIPP and New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) video tackle incidents. Both players were most often in motion in the tackle at the time of injury with approximately 70% of injuries occurring when the injured player was running or diving/falling to the ground. Tackle injury was most often caused by impact with another player rather than impact with the ground. The use of protective padding may reduce the risk of impact injury. The majority of tackle injuries were associated with stopping tackles to the trunk which were from the front (63%), rather than from the side or behind. Thus consideration should be given to coaching strategies or to rule changes which reduce the likelihood or prohibit front-on tackles.     

A one season prospective cohort study of volleyball injuries

Objective: To estimate the overall incidence of acute and overuse volleyball injuries, and to describe factors associated with ankle sprains.

Methods: 486 players from the second and third Dutch national volleyball divisions participated in the study and were followed prospectively during a whole season. Three measurements were made during the season (baseline, follow up 1, and follow up 2), where all players completed a questionnaire on demographic variables (only at baseline), sports participation, use of preventive measures, and previous injuries. Volleyball exposure during training and matches was recorded for each individual player by the coach on a weekly exposure form. In case of injury the coach provided the injured player with an injury registration form, which had to be completed within one week after the onset of injury.

Results: 100 injuries were reported, resulting in an overall injury incidence of 2.6 injuries/1000 hours. The incidence of acute injuries was 2.0/1000 hours. Ankle sprains (n = 41) accounted for most of the acute injuries, and 31 (75%) of all players with an ankle sprain reported a previous ankle sprain. Twenty five overuse injuries were reported. The overall incidence of overuse injuries was 0.6/1000 hours; the back and the shoulder were the most common sites.

Conclusions: Ankle sprain is the most common injury in volleyball, accounting for 41% of all volleyball related injuries. Previous injury seems to be an important risk factor for an ankle sprain. Injury prevention programmes should focus on ankle sprains and concentrate on players with previous ankle sprains.

     

Beach handball is safer than indoor team handball: injury rates during the 2017 European Beach Handball Championships

Purpose

Beach handball is a relatively new type of sports, which was derived from team handball. Medical issues such as frequency and severity of injury are yet unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the injury pattern and injury rates of this new type of sports.

Methods

This study investigated the injury incidence of 30 national teams (10 senior and 20 u-17 teams, 16 men’s and 14 women’s teams) participating in the 2017 European Beach Handball Championships. Reports on injuries sustained during the senior and u-17 youth tournaments were provided by the medical staff of each team. Injury incidence was differentiated between age and sex, and between the five field positions (goalkeeper, wing, central defender, pivot, and specialist).

Results

During the tournaments, 87 injuries were recorded yielding an overall injury incidence of 286.1 per 1000 match hours. Time-loss due to injury was 49.3 per 1000 match hours. Senior players had a higher overall injury incidence with 395.3 injuries than u-17 players with 205.7 injuries per 1000 h match hours (p?<?0.01). Comparison of the injury incidence between the two sexes showed 330.23 injuries per 1000 h handball exposure for male players and 234.9 injuries for female players (n.s.). The most frequent injury type was sprains (21 injuries, 24.1%) followed by contusions (19 injuries, 21.8%) and skin abrasions with (15 injuries, 17.2%). Central defenders and specialists had the highest injury incidence. Thighs, ankles, as well as foot and toes (altogether 12 injuries, all 13.8%) were the three most frequently injured anatomic sites.

Conclusions

Beach handball seems to have a lower incidence of time-loss injuries than that reported for indoor team handball. This study is an important basis for developing injury prevention strategies in this sports that should focus on thighs, ankles, feet and toes. Further research into this new type of sports is essential to identify risk factors and to develop adequate injury prevention measures.

Level of evidence

II.