Analysis of Joint Range of Motion, Balance and Injury among Kitesurfers: a Cross-Sectional Study
Raziye Dut1
, Gürhan Dönmez2, Mehmet Kaymakoğlu3, Mehmet Ali Talmaç4, Anıl Işık5, Bulent Bayraktar6
1Child Health and Diseases Section, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
2Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
3Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
4Orthopaedics and Traumatology Section, Şişli Etfal Hamidiye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
5Sports Medicine Unit, Acıbadem Sports Excellence, Istanbul, Turkey
6Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
Keywords: Range of motion, balance test, sports injury, kitesurfing
Abstract
Objectives: In kitesurfing, regular training programs are difficult to implement and also injury risk is high. In this study; shoulder, hip and ankle range of motion (ROM) and balance test results of kitesurfers were compared with healthy controls and the relationships between kitesurfer injuries, and ROM and balance test results were examined.
Material and Methods: For a total of 54 kitesurfers (aged 29.2±11.2 yrs) and 46 controls (aged 29.5±6.8 yrs), shoulder and hip internal (IR) and external rotations (ER), total rotation ability (IR+ER), ankle plantar flexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF), and the Y-balance test (YBT) were bilaterally measured and compared. The number, type and area of injuries of athletes after starting kitesurfing were noted.
Results: Bilateral shoulder IR-ER and right hip ER ROM were lower (p<0.001), whereas bilateral ankle PF was higher (p=0.013) in kitesurfers compared to the control group. YBT measurements were higher in all three directions in kitesurfers (p<0.001). At least one sports injury was reported in 55.6% of the kitesurfers. 50.0% of the athletes had experienced injuries requiring physical therapy and rehabilitation. 48.3% had only lower extremity, 20.7% upper extremity and 6.9% vertebral injuries, whereas 20.7% had both lower and upper extremity injuries.
Conclusions: The restriction of shoulder and hip ROM were thought to be depended on the intensive use of the shoulder, and hip stabilizers. The results of this study indicate the necessity of detecting high-risk groups by clinical and kinesiological examinations in kite surfers.
Cite this article as: Dut R, Donmez G, Kaymakoglu M, Talmac MA, Isik A, Bayraktar B. Analysis of joint range of motion, balance and Injury among kitesurfers: A cross-sectional study. Turk J Sports Med. 2020;55(2):122-30.
