Abstract
BackgroundA limited number of studies on the epidemiology of injuries and fitness profiles of netball players in South Africa have been conducted, but no research on the potential morphological and skill-related fitness predictors of injuries could be located.ObjectivesWe investigated whether morphological or skill-related factors measured in the pre-season could predict injuries sustained in-season.MethodIn our cohort study, 77 under-18 (U18), U19, U21 and senior elite netball players underwent pre-season testing including anthropometry, balance, flexibility, explosive power, upper and lower body strength, core strength, speed and agility testing. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, elite-level experience and injury history. Injuries in pre-season, training and matches were recorded during the subsequent 2017–2018 season using an injury profile sheet.ResultsAmongst the 77 players who underwent pre-season fitness tests, 33 players (42.9%) had at least one injury. Regarding player morphology, a significant association of body mass and body fat percentage with injury risk was found in a simple logistic regression. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, only fat percentage (p = 0.0508) remained a significant predictor of injury at the 10% significance level, with higher fat percentage being associated with lower injury risk.ConclusionHeavier players and players with a higher fat percentage had a decreased injury risk.Clinical implicationsAs a result of the apparent protective effect of heavier weight of players, referees should more strictly enforce the no-contact rule in netball. Further research on functional movement screening as a tool for potential prediction of injury in netball is recommended.
Highlights
Netball is a popular sport among women, in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations
A cohort study was conducted in which all participants underwent a fitness test battery pre-season and completed an injury report questionnaire when injured over the course of two seasons
The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that both mass, body mass index (BMI) and fat percentage were significantly associated with injury, with the injury risk decreasing with increasing weight
Summary
Netball is a popular sport among women, in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. Many games are played on cement surfaces, which puts greater physiological stress on the player, the musculoskeletal system and the lower limb joints and increases the risk of injury (Langeveld, Coetzee & Holtzhausen 2012). These demands result in a high incidence of injury, mostly to the lower leg and to the knee and ankle (Attenborough et al 2017; Ellapen et al 2015; Pillay & Frantz 2012; Reid et al 2015; Thomas et al 2017). A limited number of studies on the epidemiology of injuries and fitness profiles of netball players in South Africa have been conducted, but no research on the potential morphological and skill-related fitness predictors of injuries could be located
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