Most Common Injuries Series - Part 1 : Basketball

At INFINITE HEALTH we emphasise injury prevention with all our athletes. So we have decided to share with you the injuries you’re most likely to sustain playing a certain sport and how you can best prevent them. ⠀ Todays focus – Basketball 🏀

A recent study (Zuckerman et al., 2016) examined five years worth of data on American collegiate basketball injuries.

The take home message was:

- injury rates of 7.97 (men) and 6.54 (women) per 1000 athletes. - ankle sprains were the most common injury for men and women (17.9% and 16.6%, respectively).⠀ ⠀ What can you do to reduce your likelihood of suffering an ankle sprain ?

- have adequate ankle flexibility and mobility (stretch and mobilise your ankle!) - have great ankle dynamic stability (including strength, balance and proprioception) - have the endurance to last the season (injuries are more likely when you’re tired!) - have proper knee and hip mechanics (these greatly influence the ankle!) ⠀ ⠀

Reference: Zuckerman SL, Wegner AM, Roos KG, et al. Injuries sustained in National Collegiate Athletic Association men's and women's basketball, 2009/2010–2014/2015. Br J Sports Med Published Online First: 30 June 2016. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096005

Our caring and friendly Infinite Health Physio Team in Chatswood or North Sydney would love to help you out, so reach out to us if you have any questions !