The influence of plantar vault shape on ankle sprain epidemiology in volleyball: preliminary results

Objective. Ankle sprain is the most common volleyball injury. The aim of this research is to examine the relation between plantar vault shape and the epidemiology of ankle sprain in volleyball players. Materials and methods. 150 volleyball players (men and women), have been randomly enrolled from division athletes playing in Italy. Anthropometric data (body weight, stature, body mass index) have been collected. To obtain data about ankle sprain, training and competitive activities, a questionnaire has been completed by the athletes. Using a polarized light plantoscope a podoscopic exam has been performed on all the players. Digital images will be record in a database. Data will be analysed using Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 13 for Windows statistical software. Results. 49% of volleyball players reported at least one ankle sprain injury; 48% of people with standard plantar vault suffered from ankle sprain injuries, while 80% of players with pes cavus, reported sprain injuries. Conclusions. Players with cavus plantar vault show almost a double risk of ankle sprain injury with respect to players with standard plantar vault. References Briner W, Kacmar L: “Common injuries in volleyball: Mechanisms of injury, prevention and rehabilitation. Sports Med, 24, 65-71, 1997. Echarri JJ, Forriol F: The development in footprint morphology in 1851 in Congolese children from urban and rural areas, and the relationship between this and wearing shoes. J Pediatr Orthop B, 12, 141-6, 2003. Verni E, Cucca G, Ensini A, Blasi A, Romagnoli M, Giannini S: I traumi di inversione della tibio/tarsica nello sportivo- Incidenza del morfotipo sulle recidive. Med Sport, 55, 29-37 2002