The Relationship among Functional and Anatomical Injuries of Upper Extremity in Elite Volleyball Players

Through careful examination and identification of types of injuries in any sport field, helpful influential recommendations can be provided for athletes and coaches to correct defective and harmful techniques, and to observe suitable scientific principles of exercise and treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among functional and anatomical injuries of upper extremity in elite volleyball players with an emphasis on classification, type, degree and potential of functional injuries of upper extremity. 107 volleyball super league players (47 women and 60 men) participated in this study. The questionnaire of personal characteristics, classified and domestic DASH (disability of arm, hand, shoulder) questionnaire and an upper extremity injuries recognition questionnaire were applied. The independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Injuries were classified into four groups (A: activity limitation, I: impairment, P: participation restriction, AP: activity limitation and participation restriction). The degree of functional injuries of A, I, P, PA in volleyball players was %17.8, %24.8, %19.7, %47.7 respectively while the potential for incidence of functional injuries of A, I, P, PA in volleyball players respectively was reported %29.9, %20.5, %26.9, %36.6. There was no significant difference in A, I, P, PA between men and women (P>0.05) while the increased incidence of joint injuries resulted in the increased incidence of A, I, P, PA in male players (P≤0.05). Also, there was no significant relationship between tendon injuries and A, I, P, PA (P>0.05). The increased incidence of bone injuries resulted in the increased incidence of A, I, P, PA (P0.05). It can be concluded that the most functional injury and the potential for the incidence of functional injuries was AP injury. The increased incidence of joint injuries resulted in increased incidence of A, I, P, AP in men while the increased incidence of bone injuries resulted in increased incidence of A, AP.