Frequency and Location of Injuries in Wheelchair Basketball Players

  • Matthew Williams

Student thesis: Master's ThesisMaster of Science by Research

Abstract

Background: Little knowledge exists detailing the frequency and location of injuries in wheelchair basketball. Equally it is uncertain if different athlete populations record different injuries and if
they present with a predisposition to injury.
Objective: The objective of this retrospective questionnaire-based study was to provide an understanding of injuries within wheelchair basketball through the assessment of injury frequency
and location. Whilst also aiming to understand factors which may predispose athletes to injury.
Method: Athlete information was obtained through two questionnaires. The initial questionnaire assessed athlete demographic factors including age, gender, classification, disability and playing standard. The second questionnaire recorded injuries sustained over the previous 12 months.
Relative risk assessments were conducted to determine if certain populations presented with an increased injury predisposition.
Results: Injury reports recorded the shoulder as the most frequently injured location (31%) followed by the wrist (17%). Frequency of injuries differed across athlete age groups, gender,
classification, disability and playing standards but the shoulder and wrist remained prominent locations. Relative risk assessment found athletes aged between 20-29 years (1.32), females (1.08),
1.0-1.5 classification (1.35), of spinal cord injury (1.27) and playing in the premier division (1.22) to have the greatest predisposition to injury.
Conclusion: The shoulder is the most frequently injured location in wheelchair basketball, and certain athlete populations across age, gender, classification, disability and playing standard
display an increased predisposition to injury. The findings from this study will help future injury studies as well as in the development and application of injury reduction.
Date of Award2019
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Coventry University

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