Citation

van der Does H, Brink M, Lemmink K. Br. J. Sports Med. 2014; 48(7): 586.

Affiliation

Center for Human Movement Sciences, UMCG, Groningen, Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.71

PMID

24620112

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In team sports lower extremity injuries account for over 50% of all injuries, indicating the importance of early detection of athletes at risk. OBJECTIVE: Investigating the predictive value of ankle stability and landing technique at baseline for ankle and knee injury occurrence during the consecutive season in indoor team sport athletes. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: (Sub-)elite level basketball, korfball or volleyball athletes. PARTICIPANTS: Out of 58 athletes 42 athletes (age: 22.2±3.9 yr, height: 184.5±11.8 cm, mass: 79.0±15.2 kg) met the inclusion criteria; being ≥18 years, performed baseline measurement and completion of season. RISK FACTOR ASSESSMENT: Athletes performed the Single-Leg Jump-Landing (SLJL) test and the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) Jump at baseline. SLJL test resulted in a dynamic stability index (DSI) in medial-lateral (ml), anterior-posterior (ap) and vertical (v) direction for frontal, diagonal and lateral jump direction. High DSI indicates poor stability. The LESS determines an athlete's landing technique; high score represents poor landing technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Ankle and knee injuries were registered according to the FIFA registration system. RESULTS: 9 ankle injuries and 7 knee injuries were reported. Athletes that reported an ankle injury scored a significant (P≤.05) higher DSI compared to non-injured athletes in diagonal ap (0.072±0.01 vs 0.066±0.01), diagonal v (0.350±0.06 vs 0.305±0.05) and lateral ap (0.057±0.01 vs 0.047±0.01) direction. Athletes that reported a knee injury scored a non-significant higher LESS score (7.46±1.38) compared to non-injured athletes (6.20±2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Athletes who sustained an ankle injury during the season showed higher DSI at baseline. Athletes with a knee injury showed tendency toward poorer landing technique. Both tests seem feasible to screen athletes at baseline giving insight in high-risk athletes. Prevention programs could be implemented preventing these athletes from sustaining an injury.

Language: en