Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Injuries among Adolescent Recreational Netballers in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Netball injuries remain an area of concern for professional and recreational South African players. This study profiled the prevalence of acute musculoskeletal injuries among female adolescent non-elite recreational netball players in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 413 high school players who participated in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Netball School league. Players completed a self-reporting questionnaire for demographic information, acute musculoskeletal injuries and training history, mechanism of injury, types and nature of symptom, and severity of pain during the previous 12 months. Results: Two hundred and fifty-eight (62.0%) players sustained acute musculoskeletal injuries, with the knee (31%) and ankle (23.7%) injuries being the most prevalent. The mechanisms producing the musculoskeletal injuries were poor landing (37.8%), being pushed by an opponent (22.7%), colliding with a team mate (20.8%) and rapid rotational movement (18.5%). The injured netballers have played netball for longer period of years than uninjured players (p<0.05). Conclusion: Netballers have a high prevalence of acute musculoskeletal injuries, which are predominant in the knee and ankle.