The epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in ringball players in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Background: Ringball is closely examined and compared to basketball and netball due to the fact that ringball is derived from those two sports (Gubby and Wellard, 2015), although the biomechanics differ from one another. This may expose players to different factors that can cause various injuries. Identifying the risk factors such as age, weight, height, warming up or not warming up before practice or competitive games etc. (Sinclair et al., 2014: 31-36; Murphy et al., 2003: 15; Russell, 2015), may help us understand, identify, prevent and manage injuries sustained during play. There are similarities of the injuries sustained between basketball and netball, however, the most common and least common injuries may be different. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to profile musculoskeletal injuries of ringball players in KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives of this study were: to determine the period prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in ringball players; to profile different types of musculoskeletal injuries in terms of location and severity; to determine the mechanisms and selected risk factors (e.g. age, height, protective gear, warming up etc.) of the injuries; and to determine the manner in which participants manage their musculoskeletal injuries sustained. Method: The research design was a quantitative paradigm, cross-sectional descriptive survey, using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 110 male and female ringball players in KwaZulu-Natal. Data from the questionnaire was statistically analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package (version 25) with a p-value of  0.05 indicating statistical significance. The data was described using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and means and standard deviations for continuous variables. In order to assess associations between risk factors and injury, a Pearson’s chi square test was performed for categorical risk factors, and t-tests were performed for continuous variables. Results: A target population of 110 was calculated from a total of 152 players. The target population included male and female ringball players who were 16 years and older. Of the 110 questionnaires administered, 76 ringball players completed the research questionnaire. This resulted in a response rate of 69.1%. The prevalence of at least one injury, after at least one season played, in ringball players was 80.3% (n= 61). The most commonly reported location of injuries was foot/ankle injury at 35.5% (n= 33), followed by knee injury at 29% (n= 27) and wrist injury at 8.6% (n= 8). The most common mechanism of injury that was reported was landing 15.3% (n= 9), jumping 8.5% (n= 5), goal shooting 6.8% (n= 4), defending 6.8% (n= 4), collision 6.8% (n= 4), and other mechanisms 6.8% (n= 4). The participants reported that the most common healthcare professional utilised in general was self-treatment followed by no treatment. Only after the participants’ first injury, was there an indication of use of healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and general practitioners. Furthermore, significant association between injury and not warming up before training (p-value of 0.013) and competitive matches (p-value of 0.044) was found. Discussion: This study revealed that ringball shares many similarities to basketball and netball (for example: the most common location of injury was the foot/ankle and knee). Mckay et al., (1996), reported minor differences between their study. and this one.Mckay et al., (1996) reported that the hand was the second most commonly injured area, whereas this study reported that the knee was the second most commonly injured area. This study reported that the foot/ankle, knee and wrist were most commonly injured. The results showed that there was a lack of primary healthcare professionals at competitive matches and training sessions. Primary healthcare professionals are needed at the relevant matches and training sessions so that the players can receive adequate treatment and management/treatment protocols since most of the ringball players reported that they received no treatment or applied self-treatment. This study also highlights the fact that coaches and players should pay special attention to warming up before any competitive match and training session since not doing so before training and competitive matches was a significant finding that was associated with injury. Conclusion: Over the last decade, ringball has emerged as a popular sport played across South Africa as well as internationally. The combination of the sport’s uniqueness and similarities to other sport provides an interest platform for new research, particularly in terms of injuires, as highlighted in this study.