Injury risk in Danish youth and senior elite handball using a new SMS text messages approach

Br J Sports Med. 2012 Jun;46(7):531-7. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091022. Epub 2012 May 3.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the injury incidence in elite handball, and if gender and previous injuries are risk factors for new injuries.

Methods: Cohort study of 517 male and female elite handball players (age groups under (u)16, u-18 and senior). Participants completed a web survey establishing injury history, demographic information and sports experience, and provided weekly reports of time-loss injuries and handball exposure for 31 weeks by short message service text messaging (SMS). Injuries were further classified by telephone interview.

Results: The weekly response rate ranged from 85% to 90% illustrating the promise of the SMS system as a tool in injury surveillance. Of 448 reported injuries, 165 injuries (37%) were overuse injuries and 283 (63%) traumatic injuries. Knee (19%) and ankle (29%) were the most common traumatic injuries. The injury incidence during match play was 23.5 (95% CI 17.8 to 30.4), 15.1 (95% CI 9.7 to 22.2), 11.1 (95% CI 7.0 to 16.6) injuries per 1000 match hours among senior, u-18 and u-16 players, respectively. U-18 male players had an overall 1.76 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.80) times higher risk of injury compared to females. Having had two or more previous injuries causing absence from handball for more than 4 weeks increased the risk of new injury in the u-16 group (IRR: 1.79 (95% CI 1.03 to 3.11)-2.23 (95% CI 1.22 to 4.10)).

Conclusion: The incidence of time-loss injuries in elite handball was higher during match play than previously reported in recreational handball. Previous injuries were a risk factor for new injuries among u-16 players. Male players had a significant higher injury rate in the u-18 group.

MeSH terms

  • Absenteeism
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ankle Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Knee Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sprains and Strains / epidemiology
  • Young Adult