KNEE AND SHOULDER INJURY RISK ASSESSMENT IN SCHOOL LEVEL FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS: A CROSS – SECTIONAL STUDY

Objectives: One of the common reasons for talent not being converted in the big stage is career ending injuries. The best way out is preventing these injuries which is the easiest and most effective solution. Hence, this study was done to evaluate the injury risk among school level basketball players. Materials and Methods: Total of 107 school level female basketball players were assessed for 1. Functional Movement Screen (FMS) – To assess risk of injury and functional ability. 2. VO2 max by questionnaire – to assess the maximum endurance level of the athlete. 3. Jump alignment on landing by HD slow motion video analysis to assess risk of knee injury. 4. Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD) & Total Range Of Motion Deficit (TROMD) by Goniometer to assess risk of shoulder injury. Results: In our study even though the FMS scores were good for majority of the players, the risk of shoulder injury was high TROMD (50.46%) compared to GIRD (11.21%). Jump alignment results showed that majority of players landed in internal rotation (62.61%). VO2 max assessment revealed superior results for all athletes. Majority of athletes had a good (79.43%) FMS score. Conclusion: To prevent performance declining or career ending injury to talented athletes, early intervention at school level is the essential. So we recommend structured stretching exercise programme including sleepers stretches for shoulders and hip abductors and external rotators strengthening along with proper landing drills for athletes from school level itself.