A demographic study of acute injuries in basketball players

Abstract

Studies that analyse the epidemiology of acute injuries in basketball players in European countries are limited.

The purpose is to present an overview of the incidence of injuries and injury patterns in Flanders and to correlate them to possible intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.

All acute injuries that occurred in Flanders during 2009-2013, collected by the insurance, were analysed. The incidence and parameters such as date of birth, date of occurrence of the injury, gender and diagnosis were evaluated.

Injury incidence varied from 7.40% up to 8.45%. Females and players at age 16-17, 14-15 and older than 30 are at higher risk. The ankle/foot region is most frequently injured. There is a higher risk of injury after season-and Christmas break.

Age, gender and chronometry are risk factors to get injured. Sprains are the most frequent, while the ankle/foot region is the most susceptible to injury. Studies that analyse the epidemiology of acute injuries in basketball players in European countries are limited.

Female players and players at age 16-17, 14-15 and older than 30 are at higher risk to basketball injuries. The ankle/foot region is most frequently injured followed by lower arm and hand.
There is a higher risk of injury after season-and Christmas break.