Injury Risk Management Plan for Volleyball Athletes

• DOI: 10.1007/s40279-014-0203-9
• Publication Date: 2014-05-22T01:26:33Z
• Authors: Lachlan P. James; Vincent G. Kelly; Emma M. Beckman
• Keywords: Ankle Sprain; Patella Tendinopathy; Male; Physical Education and Training; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury; Cumulative Trauma Disorders; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Patella; Risk Assessment; Volleyball; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Risk Factors; Tendon Injuries; Sprains and Strains; Humans; Female; Ankle Injury; Ankle Injuries; Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Shoulder Injuries

Volleyball is an increasingly popular team sport. As with any competitive sport, there is an inherent risk of injury that must be recognized and collaboratively managed. This article provides a practical approach to the management of volleyball injuries within a team or organization. A brief review of the epidemiological data is presented which establishes (i) ankle sprain, (ii) shoulder overuse injury, (iii) patella tendinopathy, and (iv) anterior cruciate ligament injury as the primary injuries to address amongst these athletes. The interaction of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for these injuries are used to classify athletes into high-, medium- and low-risk groups. Targeted training interventions are suggested, based upon the risk level of the athlete, to minimize the occurrence of these injuries. Practical methods for integrating these activities into a training plan are also discussed.