A Survey of Injuries Prevalence in Varsity Volleyball Players

The primary objectives of the study was to qualitify the injuries of varsity volleyball players and to determine the nature, location, causes, outcome of injuries and the possible risk factors involved. Information on injuries was collected through a questionnaire from members of twelve Indian varsity teams participating in all India Inter Varsity tournament held in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad Maharashtra in December 2007. The age range of the players was 18 to 25 years. 58% of players were in the age range of 22 to 25 years. The volleyball players were asked to recall injuries over the preceding one year period. A total of 121 out of 144 volleyball players sustained injuries. One hundred seventy eight injuries were recorded of which 36% injuries were of recurrent nature. Lower limb injuries were found to be predominant; the ankle and knee being the most commonly injured anatomical location. Most injuries involved soft tissue and related to the muscle and tendon. Most common circumstances giving rise to injuries were spiking (33.70%), blocking (24.15%), diving (17.41%) and setting (11.23%). It was further observed that volleyball players directly involved in attack or defense were found to be more susceptible to injury. Muscle injuries were observed to be the most common type. Spiking is the most common cause of injuries. The results of the research provide a useful insight into the nature, incidence and sites of injuries in varsity level volleyball players.