Sport Injuries and Preventive Measures in Handball / Rankininkų patiriamos traumos ir naudojamos prevencinės priemonės

Abstract

The aim of the study is to define the opinion of handball coaches, team players and physiotherapists on the most common injuries and their causes in handball. Research object: sport injuries and their risk factors. Research methods: analysis of literature, questionnaire “Injury prevention in handball”, quantitative data analysis chi-square (χ2) p < 0.005. The study used an international questionnaire on “Injury Prevention in the Handball” (www.safetysport.eu). The questionnaire was translated into Lithuanian, a pilot study was carried out and a questionnaire adjusted. The questionnaire is for handball coaches, athletes and physiotherapists. A total of 348 questionnaires were sent to team players, 112 of them answered (men/women). 38 handball coaches were asked to fill out their questionnaire, 21 coaches answered and 7 physiotherapists. Respondents (athletes and coaches) are playing in the highest and student leagues. Injuries in handball are associated with poor physical preparation, and it‘s noted that the lower limb injuries mainly related to non-contact situations. The head, hands, knees, ankle injuries identified as the most common injuries in handball. Incidence rate of injuries by men 50% and women 60% among handball players, but mostly there were affected lower limbs. By playing positions, the wing players affected ankle, knee and hand injuries, which is caused by jumping, landing or contact situation. Most injuries affect knees and ankle of the backcourt players, which happens in jumping, deceptive movements, running, and contact situations. The pivot players get head and knees injuries when they rotating or in contact situations with other players, as goalkeepers get lower limbs injuries after jumping, landing movements. The study of various sports athletes has shown that taller athletes are more likely to be injured than shorter athletes. Physical fatigue may be associated with decreased neuromuscular and sensory control, which may result in lower limb injury. The analysis of literature and questionnaire data of handball coaches and athletes experience showed that the most sensitive part of the body for injury in handball are lower limbs. Mostly affected parts are knees, ankles, fingers. Respondents indicated the most important causes of injuries are inappropriate warm-up, contact situations, poor physical condition, previous and accidental injuries. Keywords: injury, preventative measures, handball. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15823/sm.2017.29