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385 Self-reported preventive strategies in overhead athletes
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  1. Thatia Regina Bonfim,
  2. Marina Oliveira Maciel Dias,
  3. Paloma Ferreira Russo
  1. Physical Therapy Department – PUC Minas, Poços de Caldas, Brazil

Abstract

Background Overhead athletes often perform shoulder movements with high velocity and extreme range of motion, thus making them higher risk of shoulder injury. Preventive strategies are frequently used to decrease injuries. However, prior to implementing a preventive program could be effective identify the athletes’ beliefs and opinions about injury prevention to increase the engagement.

Objective To describe the perceptions on preventive strategies among overhead recreational athletes.

Design Cross sectional study.

Setting An online semi-structured survey on a group of recreational overhead athletes.

Participants Fifty-one recreational overhead athletes (male=34; female=17; 31.16±10.82 years; mean sport experience=14.3years) took part in the online survey. Of those participants, 13 were from basketball (25.5%), 11 from handball (21.6%), 16 from tennis (31.4%), and 11 from volleyball (21.6%).

Assessment of Risk Factors An online semi-structured survey was applied, with the following categories: (1) history of injuries, (2) self-reported preventive strategies. Descriptive statistics and qualitative research methods were used to perform a thematic analysis.

Main Outcome Measurements Self-reported injury prevalence; beliefs on preventive strategies; Categories resulting from the thematic analysis, with (1) self-reported preventive strategies, (2) professional support to preventive strategies.

Results Overall, 42 athletes (82.4%) had experienced a sport-injury in the past. For 48 athletes (94.1%) is possible to prevent injuries and the self-reported preventive strategies were: ‘muscle strengthening’ (n=19), ‘muscle stretching’ (n=10), ‘neuromuscular preventive exercises’ (n=7), ‘warm-up exercises’ (n=6), ‘adjustment of movements’ (n=5), ‘higher cardiovascular resistance’ (n=5), ‘use of protective equipment’ (n=3), ‘nutrition management’ (n=2), and ‘rest’ (n=2). Besides, forty athletes self-reported the physiotherapist like the professional to support preventive strategies (n=40), followed by physical educator (n=19), personal trainer (n=16), and coach (n=4).

Conclusions In conclusion, the self-report preventive strategies from overhead athletes are in partial agreement with scientific evidence. This study identified athlete beliefs that could be incorporate in future preventive programs.

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