Injuries in Icelandic male team handball players: season 2007-2008

Þrátt fyrir ríka hefð fyrir handknattleik hér á landi, og mikinn almennan áhuga, þá hafa engar rannsóknir verið birtar á tíðni og eðli meiðsla í handknattleik á Íslandi. Markmið rannsóknarinnar var að kortleggja tíðni og eðli meiðsla í handknattleik karla á Íslandi. Rannsóknin var framskyggn og þátttakendur voru 109 leikmenn frá sex félögum í tveimur efstu deildum karla. Notuð voru stöðluð skráningarblöð til að skrá meiðsli sem upp komu. Leikmenn sem meiddust skráðu meiðslin með hjálp sjúkraþjálfara, þjálfara og forráðamanna liðanna. Niðurstöður rannsóknarinnar munu sýna tíðni og alvarleika meiðsla, sem og þær leikaðstæður þegar meiðsli eiga sér stað í handknattleik karla á Íslandi. Helstu niðurstöður rannsóknarinnar voru þær að alls voru skráð 86 meiðsli, 53 (61,6%) vegna slysa og 33 (38,4%) vegna álags. Tíðni meiðsla var 15,0 meiðsli á hverjar 1000 klst í keppni og meiðsli á hverjar 1000 klst á æfingum. Hæst var hlutfall meiðsla í hnjám eða 24,4% af heildarfjölda meiðsla, þá á mjóbaki/spjaldhrygg/mjaðmagrind eða 17,2% og því næst ökklum og á fótum/tám 11,6% hvort. Hlutfall bráðra meiðsla var hæst í hnjám (26,4%) og hæst var hlutfall álagsmeiðsla á mjóbaki/spjaldhrygg/mjaðmagrind (33,3%). Algengustu áverkarnir urðu á liðböndum og sinum. Útileikmenn urðu hlutfallslega fyrir flestum meiðslum, en markverðir fæstum.Icelandic team handball has a rich tradition and interest among Icelandic nation. Dispite that fact no researches have been published wich discuss the incidence and nature of injuries in team handball in Iceland. The main goal in this research was to examine and document the incidence and nature of injuries in Icelandic male team handball. The research was prospective and there were 109 players from 6 teams in premier and second division who participated. Injured players documented their status under supervision from their team physiotherapists, trainers and team delegates on a special form. This study will show the incidence and severity of injuries, as well as playing situations when injuries occur in Icelandic male team handball. The main results were that 86 injuries were recorded, 53 (61,6%) by accident, and 33 (38,4%) because of overuse. The incidence- of injuries was 15.0 injuries/1000 hrs during games and 2.2 injuries/1000 hrs during training. The knee injury had the highest rate (24.4%), followed by low back/sacrum/pelvic region (17.2%), ankle (11.6%) and foot/toe (11.6%). Injuries by accident were most common in knees (26.4%), but overuse injuries were most common low back/sacrum/pelvic region (33.3%). The most common types of injuries were on ligaments and tendons. Back players were injured most commonly, but goalkeepers least.Icelandic team handball has a rich tradition and interest among Icelandic nation. Dispite that fact no researches have been published wich discuss the incidence and nature of injuries in team handball in Iceland. The main goal in this research was to examine and document the incidence and nature of injuries in Icelandic male team handball. The research was prospective and there were 109 players from 6 teams in premier and second division who participated. Injured players documented their status under supervision from their team physiotherapists, trainers and team delegates on a special form. This study will show the incidence and severity of injuries, as well as playing situations when injuries occur in Icelandic male team handball. The main results were that 86 injuries were recorded, 53 (61,6%) by accident, and 33 (38,4%) because of overuse. The incidence- of injuries was 15.0 injuries/1000 hrs during games and 2.2 injuries/1000 hrs during training. The knee injury had the highest rate (24.4%), followed by low back/sacrum/pelvic region (17.2%), ankle (11.6%) and foot/toe (11.6%). Injuries by accident were most common in knees (26.4%), but overuse injuries were most common low back/sacrum/pelvic region (33.3%). The most common types of injuries were on ligaments and tendons. Back players were injured most commonly, but goalkeepers least