Mechanisms of basketball injuries reported to the HQ Air Force Safety Center a 10-year descriptive study, 1993-2002.

BACKGROUND

Basketball is the most popular sport among the U.S. Air Force (USAF) active duty population and causes a large number of lost-workday injuries. The purpose of this study is to describe how basketball injuries occur to allow development of effective countermeasures.

METHODS

This study used data derived from safety reports obtained from the USAF Ground Safety Automated System. Basketball injuries for the years 1993-2002 that resulted in at least one lost workday were included in the study conducted in 2003. Narrative data from 32,818 safety reports were systematically reviewed and coded in order to categorize and summarize mechanisms associated with these injuries.

RESULTS

A total of 2204 mishap reports involving active duty USAF members playing basketball were documented by the study. This study identified seven mechanisms causing basketball injury. Two similar causes involving jumping (landing awkwardly and landing on someone's foot) accounted for 43% of basketball injuries followed by collisions with other players (10%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that mechanisms of basketball-related injury can be identified using the detailed information found in USAF safety reports. Knowledge of leading hazards or mechanisms for basketball injuries can be used to prioritize and develop prevention strategies.