Do you know the most common injuries in water polo?
Half of all injuries in water polo can be accounted for by three body parts: the head, the knees and the shoulders.
Water polo players need to be able to move quickly, explosively and efficiently in order to avoid being pushed or hit, and to prepare for attack. You need to be in control of your shoulders, back, hips and knees – all at the same time.
Concussions and facial injuries are typical acute injuries among water polo players. These occur when the head is hit by an arm or the ball. The shoulder can also be injured when defense players try to block an attack. Muscular contusions from blows or pulled muscles also occur. Knee pain is also not uncommon. Because of the nature of the sport, many players are also susceptible to overuse injury that can cause prolonged problems in the knees, shoulders and low back.
Another important aspect of minimizing your risk of injury, is to avoid large fluctuations in your training and competition programme
Common injuries
- Concussion
- Facial injuries (teeth, eye, skin)
- Labrum tear (SLAP-lesion)
- Rotator cuff injury
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Back pain