Abstract
A time-loss injury definition continues to be the most widely used injury definition
despite evidence that it fails to accurately capture overuse injuries. An overuse
injury questionnaire, using an “all complaints” definition has been created to address
the limitation of a time-loss definition. The main aim of this work was to determine
the effect that injury definition and registration methodology has on the collection
of knee injuries among elite level volleyball players. To reach this goal, seventy-two
volleyball players were prospectively followed over 32-weeks. Time-loss injuries were
captured using an individual injury report form (IIRF). Study participants completed
an overuse injury questionnaire (mOIQ) via a weekly short message service (SMS). The
IIRF captured 15 time-loss knee injuries in 72 study participants (20%). Based on
the mOIQ, 84.7% of participants reported having a knee problem and 66.7% sustained
a substantial knee problem. All IIRF knee injuries captured were also registered by
the mOIQ. Agreement on the specific diagnosis occurred for 66.7% of injuries resulting
in a moderate Kappa score of 0.51. In conclusion, an overuse injury questionnaire
provided a greater understanding of the magnitude and burden of knee injuries in this
population.
Key word
injury definition - overuse injuries - injury epidemiology
