The Investigation of Sports Injuries in Iranian Handball Premier League

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism and incidence of sports injuries in male handball players of the Iran premier league. Materials and Methods: The study data were collected by an injury report form filled out based on the video analysis. A total of 46 out of 90 videos of matches were analyzed. The statistical population of this study consisted 120 players of ten teams. Concerning this point that data were non-parametric, the Chi-squared test (P<0.05) was used to analyze the gathered data.Results: Mean±SD height, weight, and age of the handball players were 184.3±6.5 cm, 85.2±8.5 kg, 23.4±4.2 years, respectively. A total of 105 injuries were recorded; this rate is equal to 164.5 injuries per 1000 h of competition. Most injuries occurred in lower extremities (39.2%), especially in the knee (21%), (χ2=26.92, P=0.001). The injury rate among back players (54.1%) was higher compared to other players (χ2=26.95, P=0.001). The difference in the type of contact that resulted in injury was statistically significant (χ2=60.40, P=0.001). The main mechanisms of injury in different playing positions were blocking (23.8%), being blocked (21%), and face hitting with hand (18.1%) (χ2=1.05, P=0.001). The rate of injury in the dominant side (70.4%) was significantly higher than the non-dominant side (29.6%), (χ2=8.96, P=0.003).Conclusion: Among handball players of the Iranian premier league, most of the injuries occurred in the knee and ankle regions. Back players suffered more injuries in comparison with other players. Also, blocking was the dominant mechanism of injury.