FOOT-MOVEMENT, LOAD AND INJURY IN VOLLEYBALL

Abstract

Many human movements are very typical to one sporting activity. Such movements may be a particular way of hittiny a ball (whole body movement) or placing the foot on the ground (one segment movement). Movements are the result of acting forces and as a consequence lead to a loading of joints, tendons and other anatanical structures. Load on the other hand is recognized as a critical factor regarding the occurence of pain and injury (Nigg, Stuessi). So movement, load and injury are related to each other. In running this relation has been pursued for a number of years, in other sports, i.e. volleyball it is almost unknown. The goal of this presentation is twofold: (1) To present a structuring of the game of volleyball in order (2) to establish a relationship between foot-movement, injury and load. Applications are presented using selected examples.