Comparing major joint injuries, interventions and late sequelae in elite male handball players with an age-matched control group

Abstract

Introduction Handball is a contact sport which involves throwing and jumping, exposing players to serious physical stress. There is a high risk of injuries leading to possible long-term sequelae. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in elite male handball players compared with an age-matched control group.

Patients and methods Former elite handball players, who had played on the Swiss national team between 1980 and 1985, answered a questionnaire about injuries, surgical interventions and their current health status. A total of 34 athletes were compared with 58 age-matched volunteers, who only engaged in recreational sports or no sports at all.

Results The mean age of the athletes was 58.4 years (range 52–68 years) and did not differ significantly from the mean age of the control group of 58.7 years (range 53–69 years). In the control group, 70 % engaged in recreational sports. There was no statistical difference regarding the life-long incidence of shoulder injuries and surgical interventions, sequelae or persistent shoulder pain. Athletes had more interventions after elbow injuries (0.09 vs. 0, p = 0.047), but the difference with respect to chronic pain or late sequelae was not statistically significant. For knee injuries, there were no significant differences regarding the incidence of injuries or interventions, the prevalence of secondary consequences or persistent pain. Concerning the foot and ankle, there was a significantly higher incidence of injuries (0.5 vs. 0.03, p < 0.001) and interventions (0.5 vs. 0.09, p < 0.001) in athletes, but no statistical difference regarding sequelae or persistent pain. Overall quality of life had identical ratings in both groups (athletes mean 85.9 %, controls mean 85.8 %).

Discussion Top handball players did not sustain more shoulder or knee injuries than the age-matched control group. The elbow was more at risk in these top athletes, but long-term consequences appeared to be less severe. The most distinctive difference was seen in foot and ankle injuries.

Conclusions A career as an elite handball player had no adverse effect on the overall quality of life of elite handball players 25 to 30 years after retiring from professional sports.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung Handball ist ein Kontaktsport, bei dem geworfen und gesprungen wird und die Spieler ernsthaften körperlichen Belastungen ausgesetzt werden. Es besteht ein hohes Verletzungsrisiko, das zu möglichen Langzeitfolgen führen kann. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Inzidenz von Verletzungen des Bewegungsapparats bei männlichen Handballspielern im Vergleich zu einer altersentsprechenden Kontrollgruppe zu untersuchen.

Patienten und Methoden Ehemalige Elite-Handballer, die zwischen 1980 und 1985 in der Schweizer Nationalmannschaft gespielt hatten, beantworteten einen Fragebogen zu Verletzungen, chirurgischen Eingriffen und ihrem aktuellen Gesundheitszustand. Insgesamt 34 Athleten wurden mit 58 altersentsprechenden Freiwilligen verglichen, die nur im Freizeitsport oder sportlich überhaupt nicht aktiv waren.

Ergebnisse Das Durchschnittsalter der Athleten betrug 58,4 Jahre (Bereich 52–68 Jahre) und unterschied sich nicht signifikant vom Durchschnittsalter der Kontrollgruppe mit 58,7 Jahren (Bereich 53–69 Jahre). In der Kontrollgruppe nahmen 70 % am Freizeitsport teil. Es gab keinen statistischen Unterschied in Bezug auf das lebenslange Auftreten von Schulterverletzungen und chirurgische Eingriffe, Folgeschäden oder anhaltende Schulterschmerzen. Sportler hatten nach Ellbogenverletzungen mehr Eingriffe (0,09 vs. 0; p = 0,047), die Differenz zu chronischen Schmerzen oder Spätfolgen war statistisch jedoch nicht signifikant. Es wurden keine signifikanten Unterschiede in der Inzidenz von Verletzungen oder Eingriffen sowie in der Prävalenz von Sekundärfolgen oder anhaltenden Schmerzen am Knie festgestellt. In Bezug auf Fuß und Sprunggelenk war die Häufigkeit von Verletzungen (0,5 vs. 0,03; p < 0,001) und Interventionen (0,5 vs. 0,09; p < 0,001) bei Athleten signifikant höher, es gab jedoch keinen statistischen Unterschied für Spätfolgen oder anhaltende Schmerzen. Die Gesamtlebensqualität war in beiden Gruppen identisch (Sportler durchschnittlich 85,9 %, Kontrollpersonen durchschnittlich 85,8 %).

Diskussion Top-Handballer hatten nicht mehr Schulter- oder Knieverletzungen als die altersentsprechende Kontrollgruppe. Der Ellbogen war bei diesen Spitzensportlern stärker gefährdet, die langfristigen Folgen schienen jedoch weniger schwerwiegend zu sein. Der deutlichste Unterschied wurde bei Fuß- und Knöchelverletzungen festgestellt.

Schlussfolgerung Eine Karriere als Elite-Handballspieler hatte 25 bis 30 Jahre nach dem Ausscheiden aus dem Profisport keine nachteiligen Auswirkungen auf die allgemeine Lebensqualität.

Key words

team handball - ageing athlete - epidemiology - ankle - shoulder - elbow

Schlüsselwörter

Handball - alternder Sportler - Epidemiologie - Knöchel - Schulter - Ellbogen

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
20. August 2020

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