AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThese findings may contribute to the development of targeted injury prevention strategies by emphasizing the importance of landing control, neuromuscular training, and spatial awareness in volleyball players.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Aims: Although volleyball is a widely played sport worldwide, players are at risk for lower extremity injuries, particularly ankle injuries. Repetitive jumping and landing, as well as sudden changes of direction, predispose players to lateral ankle sprains. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of lateral ankle injuries in volleyball players using systematic video analysis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on YouTube, Facebook, and X platforms in March 2026 using the keywords "volleyball ankle injury", "volleyball ankle sprain", "volleyball landing injury", and "volleyball ankle inversion injury". Seventy six injury videos meeting the inclusion criteria were evaluated independently and in a blinded manner by three orthopedic surgeons. Injuries were classified according to activity type, contact mechanism, foot position, and landing type. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated using the Fleiss kappa coefficient. Results: The majority of injuries occurred during landing after a block (47.4%) and a spike (44.7%), while injuries during a serve or positioning or running were observed more rarely (3.9%, 3.9%). An indirect contact mechanism was observed in 52 cases (68.4%), and a non-contact mechanism in 24 cases (31.6%). In the biomechanical evaluation, hindfoot varus was detected in 70 cases (92.1%), and single-leg landing was observed in 54 cases (71%). Inter-observer agreement was found to be at an excellent level (κ=0.91). Conclusion: Lateral ankle injuries in volleyball players are particularly concentrated in the landing phase after a block and a spike. Hindfoot varus and single-leg landing are significant biomechanical factors that increase the risk of injury. Indirect contact mechanisms play a determining role in injuries, associated with players landing on the foot of an opponent or a teammate. These findings may contribute to the development of targeted injury prevention strategies by emphasizing the importance of landing control, neuromuscular training, and spatial awareness in volleyball players.