PREVALENCE OF INJURIES IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTVOLLEY ATHLETES

Footvolley is a sport that have been gaining popularity, however, the literature on injuries in this modality is very scarce. Thus, this study aimed to describe the most common locations and types of injuries in professional footvolley athletes and compare the prevalence between male (M) and female (F).

Observational, cross-sectional study, including the highest-ranked professional athletes in Brazil in the year 2023. The interviews took place during the national professional footvolley championship stages and included questions about sample characteristics, training history and routine, and injuries suffered throughout their career.

A total of 56 athletes, 36 F (26±5 years; 9±4 years of practice), and 20 F (28±6 years; 7±3 years of practice). Of this total, 95% reported some injury caused by playing footvolley, with knee injuries being the most prevalent (M/F=48%; M=44%; F=55%), and muscle pain (myalgia) being the most prevalent type (M/F=38%; M=39%; F=35%; p>0.05). M presented significant differences about M regarding the site of the injury (foot: M=6%; F=25%; p=0.035) and type of injury (intense nonspecific pain: M=28%; F=5%; p=0.040).

Elite footvolley athletes in Brazil presented a high prevalence of injuries, with the most common injuries being in the knees. Level of Evidence IV; Case Series.