CHARACTERISTICS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES ACCORDING TO THE PROFESSIONAL BEACH VOLLEYBALL ATHLETES

Abstract

Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries are chronic pain syndromes that can occur in beach volleyball (VP) and can be linked to repetitive exercises, the application of force or work that is very demanding to the joints. Objective: To analyze the perception of professional beach volleyball (BV) athletes concerning the characteristics of musculoskeletal injuries already suffered. Methods: We searched 30 BV athletes from the Maringaense Association of Beach Volleyball (AMVP), being 15 male and 15 female, from 17 to 32 years old. Questionnaires were applied on the perceptions of athletes about the characteristics of injuries in training and in competitions. Results: The results showed that 40% of athletes had experienced an injury during training, with 75% of the injuries being acute and 25% being chronic. The most injured spots during the training were the spine and ankle, both with 33.3%. During competitions, 50% of the athletes were injured, with lesions on the shoulders in 46.67% of the cases and ankles in 26.69% of the cases. The consequences of those injuries such as quitting the competition and poor performances were reported by 26.68% of the athletes. Conclusion: It was found that, according to the BV athletes, most professionals have already been injured during training and competitions, being column, shoulder and ankle the regions found to be more affected, and that could result in low performance and/or quitting competitions.