A prospective study of injury incidence among elite and local division volleyball players in Greece

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to record prospectively the injury incidence rate among elite and local division players in Greece and compare them in terms of their injury profile. A total of 649 Greek male and female volleyball players participating in the Greek Volleyball championships involving first division and local division, were observed on monthly basis for the 2005-06 period. The injury incidence rate, severity, diagnosis and the anatomical location of the injuries, which occurred during practice and competition in all the championship period, were recorded prospectively. Data were statistically analysed using X² analysis of SPSS statistical package. In terms of professional volleyball exposure time, elite athletes reported fewer injuries than the local division players. Although, ankle sprain was the most frequent injury for both groups, nevertheless chronic injuries were less for elite compared to local division players. Moreover, the most important injury factors aside from ‘step on others foot’ were for elite players ‘fatigue’ while for the local division players were ‘incorrect sprawls’ and ‘wrong technique’. Most injuries occurred during training and competitive season in middle heaters and universals. In conclusion, elite players reported fewer injuries compared to local division players and their injury profile was different.