Incidence and factors related to ankle sprains in athletes of futsal national teams

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Like soccer, the most popular sport on the planet, futsal also is regulated by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Although futsal is increasingly popular worldwide, few authors have studied futsal injuries. Objective: To analize the incidence and factors related one of the most common sports injury - the ankle sprain - in world elite fustsal athletes. Methods: 65 male athletes from six national futsal teams (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Italy, Croatia and Czech Republic) answer a questionnaire included information about their personal data, history of ankle sprains during their careers, and more in-depth data on ankle sprains in their careers, 63.27 per cent in both ankles, total of 75,38 per cent of the athlets had suffered ankle sprains in their careers, 63,27 per cent in both ankles, 24,49 per cent in the dominant ankle only, and 12,24 per cent in the nondominant ankle only. Among the 2006 injuries, 81,25 per cent were characterized as inversion injuries and 18,75 per cent as eversion injuries; 50 per cent were recurrences, and 37,5 per cent of the athletes still had clinical synmptoms (as pain or instability) at the time of data colection. Conclusions: Ankle sprains occur frequently in futsal athletes and can result in peristent symptoms. We hope the present results help physiotherapists to design rehabilitation and prevention symptoms. We hope the present results help physiotherapists to design rehabilitation and prevention efficient programs, thus reducing players's time out of sporting activities and improving their performance.