Leemans L1, De Becker W2, Peeters N2, Michel S2, Meganck L2, Eggermont M1, Putman K2, Vaes P2, Eechaute C2
1Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium, 2Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Jette, Belgium
Background: The injury incidence of non-contact ankle sprain injuries and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are very common injuries in basketball and cause a high socio-economic cost. Results of meta-analyses demonstrate that a preventive program including balance training and/or plyometric exercises significantly reduces the risk of these injuries and is therefore highly recommended. At present, it is unknown whether Belgian amateur basketball teams truly implement a preventive exercise program.
Purpose: To investigate whether male and female Belgian basketball teams implement preventive
exercises before and during the season.
Methods: During one season (female: season 2016-2017; male: season 2017-2018), the use of a
preventive program before and during the competition period was recorded using an online
questionnaire (www.letselpreventie.be). Additionally, this questionnaire assessed the
frequency and kind of preventive exercises in order to determine the effectiveness of the
preventive program. Further on, the incidence of all non-contact lateral ankle sprains and
ACL injuries sustained during the season was registered.
Results: 164 basketball teams participated to this study. 1208 athletes and 128 coaches completed
the online survey concerning the use of a preventive program during the preparation period,
while 862 athletes and 98 coaches completed the online survey concerning the use of a
preventive program during the competition period.
74% to 85% of the athletes and 68% of the coaches didn't implement preventive exercises at
all, neither during the preparation period nor during the competition period.
Only 2% (females) to 8% (males) implement preventive exercises in an efficient way. During
one season, 102 non-contact ankle sprains (73% recurrent injury) and 20 non-contact ACL
injuries (30% recurrent injury) were registered. There were no significant differences in
injury incidence when comparing players using prevention to no prevention (p > 0.05).
Conclusion(s): Most non-elite basketball teams do not implement an exercise program for preventing non- contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries and ankle sprains despite the high number of
recurrent injuries.
Implications: The lack of implementing preventive exercises in non-elite basketball substantially increases the annual socioeconomic cost. The basketball federation and basketball teams must become aware of the importance of implementing a preventive exercise program.
Keywords: Non-contact ankle sprains, ACL injuries, preventive exercise program
Funding acknowledgements: There was no funding.
Purpose: To investigate whether male and female Belgian basketball teams implement preventive
exercises before and during the season.
Methods: During one season (female: season 2016-2017; male: season 2017-2018), the use of a
preventive program before and during the competition period was recorded using an online
questionnaire (www.letselpreventie.be). Additionally, this questionnaire assessed the
frequency and kind of preventive exercises in order to determine the effectiveness of the
preventive program. Further on, the incidence of all non-contact lateral ankle sprains and
ACL injuries sustained during the season was registered.
Results: 164 basketball teams participated to this study. 1208 athletes and 128 coaches completed
the online survey concerning the use of a preventive program during the preparation period,
while 862 athletes and 98 coaches completed the online survey concerning the use of a
preventive program during the competition period.
74% to 85% of the athletes and 68% of the coaches didn't implement preventive exercises at
all, neither during the preparation period nor during the competition period.
Only 2% (females) to 8% (males) implement preventive exercises in an efficient way. During
one season, 102 non-contact ankle sprains (73% recurrent injury) and 20 non-contact ACL
injuries (30% recurrent injury) were registered. There were no significant differences in
injury incidence when comparing players using prevention to no prevention (p > 0.05).
Conclusion(s): Most non-elite basketball teams do not implement an exercise program for preventing non- contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries and ankle sprains despite the high number of
recurrent injuries.
Implications: The lack of implementing preventive exercises in non-elite basketball substantially increases the annual socioeconomic cost. The basketball federation and basketball teams must become aware of the importance of implementing a preventive exercise program.
Keywords: Non-contact ankle sprains, ACL injuries, preventive exercise program
Funding acknowledgements: There was no funding.
Topic: Musculoskeletal: lower limb; Sport & sports injuries
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Commissie Medische Ethiek UZ Brussel
Ethics committee: Commissie Medische Ethiek UZ Brussel
Ethics number: B.U.N. 143201732799
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
