The prevalence and risk factors of injuries in amateur outdoor and indoor volleyball players in a KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of amateur outdoor and indoor volleyball players in a KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region. Methods: The location of the study was the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region, which includes two of its districts, viz, Tongaat (Indoor) and Kwa Dukuza (Outdoor). A total of 115 out of a possible 160 volleyball players participated in this study which comprised of 68 outdoor and 47 indoor players. The answering of the questionnaires was done on separate days for both the districts. On the allocated days, they were given a letter of information (Appendix B) to read and the questionnaires (Appendix C) to answer. Participation in the study was voluntary and consent was given by filling in the questionnaire. The researcher was present on this day to supervise and to collect the completed questionnaires immediately after the session was completed. Results: Out of a total of 115 participants, 79 (68.7%) of the participants sustained an injury due to volleyball. According to results found in this study, the knee, ankle and shoulder were the most frequently injured sites. 79 Participants reported to have sustained an injury, 67 participants reported to have a present injury and 60 participants reported a worst injury. The knee was found to be the most injured site in both the outdoor and indoor participants, followed by the ankle. The results in this study show that the use of protective gear can help minimise injury rates. 6 Conclusion: The prevalence and risk factors of amateur outdoor and indoor volleyball players in a KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region has been discussed in this study. With regards of number of injuries, the results have shown that there is no significant difference between outdoor and indoor volleyball players. In terms of the site of injuries, the lower limb was affected the most in comparison to the rest of the body. Results in this study have shown that outdoor players sustained more knee injuries whilst indoor players showed a high number of ankle injuries.