Injury pattern according to player position in Japanese youth handball: A cross-sectional study among 2377 players

Abstract

ObjectiveAlthough the incidence and pattern of injuries in youth handball have widely been investigated, it is unclear whether the characteristics of injuries differ on the basis of player position. This study aimed at revealing the player position-based injury profile in Japanese youth handball players. DesignCross-sectional. SettingInjury questionnaire. ParticipantsOverall, 2377 participants who played in the 2018 and 2019 Japanese National High School Handball Championships were included. Main outcome measuresPrevalence, body region, type, severity, and mechanism of injuries were collected through a questionnaire. ResultsThe overall prevalence of injury within the previous year was 46.7%, and the proportion of back players (52.8%) who sustained at least one injury was higher than that of players in other positions (p < 0.001). Differences in player positions were found among overuse injuries by body region, with a higher proportion of the lower leg and knee in wings and backs, respectively (p = 0.047). Among traumatic injuries, a higher proportion of ligamentous rupture in backs and fracture in lines were seen (p = 0.011). ConclusionThere were significant differences in the prevalence and patterns of injuries between player positions. Therefore, injury prevention programmes should consider the characteristics of player positions.