Abstract
We aimed to examine whether the 9+ screening test score could predict injuries in elite floorball players. Eighty-four elite floorball players participated in the study. At baseline, two physiotherapists assessed the participants using the 9+ screening test. The test score reflects strength, stability, mobility, and functional movement pattern with an emphasis on the lower body and core. Injuries that occurred the following season (2013/2014) were recorded by medical staff, coaches, and/or self-reported by the players. Overall, there was no relationship between the 9+ screening test score and injury risk (OR=0.96 per SD lower test score, P=.84). We, therefore, conclude that the 9+ screening test is not suited for overall injury risk prediction in elite floorball players. Whether the test may be used to predict risk of certain injury types more strongly related to inadequate mobility and strength (eg, muscle ruptures or strains) warrants further investigation.
Highlights
Floorball was founded and developed in Sweden, and Sweden remains the nation with the largest number of players,[1] followed by Finland.[2]
The purpose of this study was to examine whether injuries in elite floorball players, occurring during the following season, could be predicted by 9+ screening test scores
There were no statistical differences in physical characteristics when comparing players with and without prospective injuries (P > .05 for age, sex, height, and weight)
Summary
Floorball was founded and developed in Sweden, and Sweden remains the nation with the largest number of players (about 116 000 licensed players),[1] followed by Finland (about 65 000 licensed players).[2] Floorball is a fast-paced sport with many quick turns; it, places a large amount of strain on players’ muscles and joints, and contusions are common due to accidental body contact during play.[3] Injury rates have been reported at 21 per 1000 game hours in top level international tournaments[3] and 27 per 1000 game hours in junior leagues,[4] whereas there is less risk associated with pre-season activities and training.[4,5,6,7] Several studies report a female predominance in total injury rate,[4,5,8,9] seemingly due to an overrepresentation of knee and ankle injuries.[4,5,6,10] Both acute and overuse injuries are prevalent and constitute, for example, muscle strains, ankle sprains, contusions and eye injuries.[3,4,5,9,10,11,12] As may be expected, floorball players sustain more injuries than age-matched controls,[10] and rank number 13 in acute injury incidence among 35 popular sports in Sweden.[8] The financial cost of these injuries are sometimes significant,[13] but prevention is primarily warranted to avoid suffering, decline in individual and team performance, and involuntary absence from play
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