A STUDY OF SPORTS INJURIES AND BEHAVIOR OF HANDBALL PLAYERS SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE AFTER THE INJURY II : COMPARISON OF SEQUELA OCCURENCE BETWEEN JAPANESE AND KOREAN TEAMS

Abstract

A study was conducted to clarify the occurrence of injuries among Japanese and Korean handball players, their present condition, and the response to prescribed treatments. It was also ascertained whether players, after receiving proper treatment, were less susceptible to injury sequelae. A questionnaire was delivered to Japanese and Korean company handball players totaling 244 women (8 Japanese teams, 136 women ; 7 Korean teams, 108 women), during the period from December 1996 through March 1997.
The rate of injuries and the treatment situation during and after the period when the injury was sustained, and the occurrence of sequelae in the lower limbs after the player had joined the team, were examined, and a comparison between the two countries was made. The return rate was 88.9%.
1. The emergency treatment rate after injury was similar in the twe countries. However, Japanese players usually used taping and cooling, whereas Korea players used heat treatment. 2. Both Japanese and Korean players' injuries were diagnosed at hospital, although Koreans also went to bonesetters. 3. Japanese players resumed playing upon receiving their doctors' consent, whereas some Korean players were forced to resume playing before fully recovering ; there was a significant difference between the two countries. 4. Many players in both countries, resumed playing even though they felt pain in daily life. 5. Players who had undergone cooling treatment immediately after the injury, and who resumed activities upon their doctors' consent, and only after the pain had disappeared during daily life, had a lower incidence of sequelae.