Nutrinews

This study aimed to discover risk factors, common
forms of injury, equipment use, and the player’s
perception on current injury prevention programs.
From the results of the questionnaire, the reports were
as follows: 98% of the participants reported shoulder
pain in the past month, 56% reported groin pain in the
past month, 24% reported a bone fracture, 4% reported
suffering from hypothermia at one point during the
activity.Only 2% of the participants reported no
injuries since playing water polo.
Other researchers have similar findings that
frequent areas of injuries in water polo matches include
the shoulder, hip, eye, knee, teeth, and had a high risk
of hypothermia. In response to the protective measure
observed during the occurrence of injury, 52% of
participants reported they wear protective gear, 38% of
participants reported to only wear partial equipment,
and 10% of participants reported to never wear
protective gear. In response to current preventative
programs, 13% of participants reported that the safety
management were effective, 62% said they were
satisfactory, and 9% reported the preventative
measures needs improvement. One area of
improvement being the quality of protective
equipment, which may be a reason why 10% of
participants do not wear their gear. However, the
correlation between injury and inadequate equipment
is minor considering 253 participants continue to wear
their gear and only 49 participants do not.
Overall, aquatic sports lack an abundance of
protection only needing a cap, mouthguard, and
goggles. Compared to field sports that require a helmet,
knee and shoulder pads, hand covers, and proper
shoes. Therefore, with more areas unprotected the
frequency of injury increases in those respective places.
De Castro-Maqueda and Amar-Cantos suggested that
the Ministry of Sports should engage in research to
identify areas of equipment advancement in water
polo. Thus, reducing injuries and side effects to the
players.3 Similarly, prevention strategies for injuries
related to recreational windsurfing have not been safely
or adequately managed.4 As such, Chun-Cheung Woo
developed a narrative review to identify any current
prevention programs.
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