This is an archive copy of a document originally located at  http://www.sport.vic.gov.au/web/srv/srvsite.nsf/pages/research_injury_volleyball?OpenDocument all copyright remains with creator.

See other sports injury prevention fact sheets.

Over the past 30 years volleyball has developed from a recreational activity into a highly competitive and skilled sport. Although the game brings many health benefits, injuries can and do occur. Most injuries can be prevented.

How many volleyball players?

• The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates that in 1999-2000 approximately 150,000 Australians aged 18 years and older (including 46,000 Victorians) participated in organised and unorganised volleyball.
• Volleyball ranked 22nd in the table of most-played sports and physical activities by adults in Victoria.

• It is difficult to get a complete picture of the number of players injured in volleyball each year in Victoria because data are not comprehensive. It is probable that 200-300 volleyball players present to Victorian hospital emergency departments with injuries each year. Many more would present to GPs or other medical and first aid personnel for treatment.
• In general, males are more likely to be injured than females but there is some evidence that more females than males are injured in the younger and oldest age groups of school and club-level players.

• Research studies uniformly report that sprains and strains (predominantly ankle sprains) account for approximately two-thirds or more volleyball injuries across all age groups and levels of play.
• The ankle, hand/finger, knee and shoulder are the most common sites of volleyball injuries.
• Net play is more hazardous than back row play, mainly because of injuries associated with landing from a jump.
• The actions of blocking and attacking (hit/spike) are most associated with injury. Blocking injuries are mostly to the finger and ankle, spiking injuries to the shoulder, knee and ankle.

• Players should seek pre-participation evaluation by a health professional to identify health conditions (eg asthma cardiovascular conditions and coronary disease) that may impact on participation and potential musculo-skeletal problems that may contribute to injury.
• Players should undertake 4-6 weeks pre-season training guided by a simple fitness test. Poor performance in a pre-season 20m shuttle run appears to be a good predictor of subsequent sports injury.
• Coaches should vary training routines and be aware of the injury risks associated with overtraining. Research shows that the risk of overuse injuries increases as the number of training sessions per week increases. For example, 40% of high level players who train more than 4 times a week develop jumper's knee (patellar tendinitis).
• Coaches should consider the inclusion of ankle disc training in the training regime of all players and plyometric (jump) training especially for adolescent female players to reduce the risk of ankle and knee ligament injuries. These programs should only be implemented by coaches with appropriate training and should be carefully monitored and evaluated.
• Players should warm-up and cool-down before and after every game and training session. Current research indicates that the inclusion of stretching in warm-up does not reduce the risk of injury.

• Coaches should drill players in techniques that reduce foot conflict under the net, the major mechanism of ankle injury. Examples: players should take a quick and long last step when reacing a 'tight' set rather than trying to outjump the ball, specialist blockers should be trained in correct take-off technique and to limit side-to-side movement.
• All players should be trained to land from a jump on the balls of their feet with their knees bent throughout the landing phase.

• Wooden or synthetic elastic surfaces are recommended for volleyball. Concrete or other hard surfaces are not suitable. The surface should be dry and defect free.
• The playing area should be safe and suitable including sufficient area around the margin of the court, padded posts and referee stand, good lighting and no post guidewires.
• Players should wear knee pads.
• All front line players, especially specialist blockers, should consider prophylactic (preventive) ankle bracing or, less preferably, taping.
• Players with unstable ankles should wear ankle braces.

• Children should play modified games e.g. Volleystars and mini volleyball.
• All novice players should participate in a skills development program before progressing to the full game.

• Clubs should ensure that there are qualified first aid personnel at training, matches and events. The best way to deal with muscle, tendon or ligament injury is to follow the RICER-NO HARM principles: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and Referral - NO HEAT, ALCOHOL, RUNNING and MASSAGE in the first 48-72 hours after injury.
• Players should be fully rehabilitated before return to play.
• Players who have suffered moderate to severe ankle sprain or finger injuries should wear a brace until symptoms resolve (for 6-12 months).

This fact sheet was sponsored by Sport and Recreation Victoria, the Department of Human Services and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation through the Smartplay Program. Funding for the research project was provided by Sport and Recreation Victoria. Prepared by Monash University Accident Research Centre, May 2001.

REFERENCE

Cassell Erin. Spiking injury out of volleyball: a review of injury countermeasures. Report No. 181 Monash University Accident Research Centre. February 2001.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Smartplay Program Manager
Sports Medicine Australia - Victorian Branch
Level 1, 120 Jolimont Road
Jolimont Victoria 3002
Telephone: 03 9654 7733
Email: smartplay@vic.sma.org.au

Sport and Recreation Victoria
Telephone: 03 9666 4267
Website: http://www.sport.vic.gov.au

Monash University Accident Research Centre
PO Box 70A
Monash University Vic 3800
Telephone: 03 9905 1808
Email: muarc.enquire@general.monash.edu.au
Website: http://www.general.monash.edu.au/muarc