Abstract

228 players of a possible 240 participants at the 1988 Australian netball championships completed injury questionnaires and were assessed for injury status. Approximately 92 of those who were part of the injury surveys were also given a podiatric assessment. Pearson X**2 and unpaired t-tests were used to assess relationships between injury status in 2 groups (history of injury, and injuries sustained during the championships) and perceived landing patterns during play and podiatric variables. A significant association was found between history of lower limb and back injuries and level of competition. Open age netballers reported more injuries than the younger players. During each championship, a similar number of players (23) were injured irrespective of playing level. 71 of these players sustained a grade 1 injury, 15.4 a grade 2 injury and 13.5 presented with severe grade 3 injuries. 2 players were diagnosed with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and a further 3 players sustained a fracture during the championships. Most of the injuries were ligamentous (40.5) with some overuse tendinitis (11.5) problems. The injury history profiles of the elite players surveyed showed that ankle and knee injuries were the most common lower limb injuries with incidences of 58 and 22 respectively. More than 25 of the players had overuse injuries (24 retropatellar pain, 38 shin soreness) and 33 complained of back problems. 18 significant relationships were found between injuries sustained and podiatric measures. Verf.-Ref. (gekuerzt)