Avaliação de fatores predisponentes para lesões de joelhos em atletas de futevôlei

Abstract

Created in the 1960s, footvolley is an originally Brazilian sport that has been gaining increasing attention. This sport primarily relies on the lower limbs for its technical gestures, including kicks, jumps, passes, and movements on an irregular ground surface. These actions require significant muscle activation, leading to a greater impact on the knee joint, which has been demonstrated to be the most vulnerable area for injuries in athletes. To investigate the relationship between footvolley and knee injuries, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 50 athletes. The participants were divided into two groups: one consisted of practitioners without any history of knee injuries, and the other consisted of practitioners who had previously experienced knee injuries lasting over 6 months. Each group consisted of 25 members.Isometric manual dynamometry was performed to assess the strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles (I/Q ratio), and the Y balance test (YBT) was conducted to evaluate the dynamic stability of the lower limbs. The objective of these tests was to determine the presence of imbalances in the I/Q ratio, bilateral symmetry, and dynamic stability of the lower limbs and their potential as predisposing factors for knee injuries in footvolley athletes. The results of the functional tests did not show any significant differences between the two groups. However, isolated values below the normal range were observed in variables related to bilateral symmetry in the strength test and dynamic balance in the YBT. Both groups exhibited deficits in strength and dynamic stability, indicating a higher susceptibility to knee joint injuries during footvolley practice. These findings emphasize the need for further research on footvolley and its impact on athletes.