The Effects of Injury Experience in Lower Extremities on Joint Range of Motion, Muscle Extensibility, and Dynamic Stability in Elite Volleyball Players

PURPOSE This study investigates the impact of injury experience on ankle dorsiflexion, quadriceps extensibility, and dynamic stability in elite adolescent and adult volleyball players. METHODS A total of 485 players (adolescents=337, adults=115) reported lower extremities injuries, with measurements taken for ankle dorsiflexion and quadriceps extensibility using the weight- bearing lunge test and Ely’s test, respectively. The Y-balance test was used for dynamic stability. Measurements were conducted on the injured leg of players with knee and/or ankle injuries and the dominant leg of healthy players. Four groups were classified based on injury experience, and comparisons were made between both legs. Additionally, the variables of adolescent players were compared to those of adults. RESULTS Adolescent players with knee injuries exhibited a larger difference in ankle dorsiflexion between both legs, while adult players with ankle injuries demonstrated an asymmetry of ankle dorsiflexion. Regardless of age, players with knee or ankle injuries displayed lower dynamic stability compared to healthy players. Notably, adults with knee injuries showed a larger difference in dynamic stability between both legs. CONCLUSIONS To prevent and rehabilitate volleyball-related injuries, comprehensive injury risk factors, including age, should be managed in the injury prevention strategies.