Injury patterns in footvolley players: an epidemiological survey

Background: Footvolley, a fusion of football and volleyball, has gained considerable popularity worldwide. The dynamic nature of the sport exposes players to various risks of injury. This study investigates the prevalence of injuries among footvolley athletes. It examines practitioner profiles and associated injuries and identifies the anatomical regions most commonly affected. Material and methods: The study sample comprised footvolley players from Brazil, encompassing individuals of both genders aged 18 and above, with no restrictions on practice duration, to provide a comprehensive overview of player profiles within the sport. Data was collected using a customised form created in Google Forms (R), which was disseminated via email, WhatsApp (R), and social media platforms and distributed in training centres and to individual practitioners. The study population predominantly consisted of male participants, with an average age of 30. Results: 182 injuries were reported, resulting in an overall injury incidence rate of 1.43 per 1000 h of exposure. Notably, 52.3 % of practitioners experienced some form of injury related to footvolley practice. The anatomical segments most commonly affected were the knees, lumbar spine, neck, and ankles. Furthermore, the recurrence rate for all injuries was 21.5 %. Several factors were associated with a higher prevalence of injuries, including older age, increased experience and practice in footvolley, participation in competitions, and not engaging in simultaneous training in another modality. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the injury landscape in footvolley and underscores the importance of implementing targeted injury prevention strategies and promoting athlete well-being in this dynamic sport.