Citation

Nagano Y, Hori M, Shimizu Y, Takahashi S, Tsuda K, Miki H, Uchiyama E. Br. J. Sports Med. 2014; 48(7): 643.

Affiliation

Department of Health and Sports, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.221

PMID

24620262

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Female basketball players are at a higher risk for injuries such as those of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Therefore, preventing such injuries is essential for their health and the competition. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an injury prevention training program on the incidence of injuries in female basketball players. DESIGN: Prospective intervention study. SETTING: Top-level basketball league in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1127 players from 12 top-league teams during 7 seasons. INTERVENTIONS: From the middle of the second (2007-2008) season, a 3-step injury prevention program was initiated. The program focused on strength, balance, jump-landing techniques, and basketball skills. Subjects were instructed to perform exercises in a neutral position and to avoid lumbar lordosis, rear axial weight bearing, hip adduction, and knee valgus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: All injuries, including ACL injury and ankle sprain, occurring during the 7 seasons that caused a player to miss a current session and/or miss a subsequent session were recorded. Injury incidences were calculated in terms of per 1000 player hours (PH). Compliance with the program was also reported. RESULTS: During 7 seasons, 8,73,084 PH and 973 injuries were reported. The injury incidence was 1.11/1000 PH, which did not significantly change after the intervention. In each season, ankle or knee injuries were most frequent. 34 non-contact ACL injuries occurred, an incidence of 0.039/1000 PH. During 5 seasons after the intervention, the incidence of non-contact ACL injuries in the team conducting the prevention program was 0.032, while the team without the program had an incidence of 0.046. A total of 235 ankle sprains occurred, an incidence of 0.269/1000 PH. After the intervention, the incidence decreased to 0.19 in the 2011-2012 season. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the injury prevention program may decrease the frequency of non-contact ACL injuries and ankle sprains.

Language: en