Factors related to the incidence and severity of injuries in team handball

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and severity of injury in Greek team handball and to correlate the endogenous factors, the type of exercise, and the environment of team handball with the injuries of players at different levels. The study sample consisted of 216 male team handball players. Each player individually completed a questionnaire related to the injuries they had sustained during the previous 24 months. The results showed a high incidence and severity of injuries (42.6%) and (64.2%) respectively. The incidence of injuries had a correlation with the competitive level, previous injuries, and the localisation of an injury. The severity of an injury had a correlation with hospitalisation. The time of an injury, (that is, during training or at a match) also had a correlation with the competitive level of the players. Previous injuries showed a correlation with the recurrence of these injuries. In conclusion, it can be ascertained that team handball can be grouped with sports with a high risk factor for injury. The incidence, the severity, the localisation, the need for hospitalisation, the time and the recurrence of injuries, the competitive level of the players, previous injuries, and the level of competition are all related factors.