The Relative Contribution of Cognitive and Physical Components in Volleyball Injuries Prediction

Background: Researchers have always sought to investigate the factors affecting sports injuries in order to identify ways of preventing and controlling such factors. These studies have more emphasis on physical aspects, while the cognitive and psychological components may also be effective. Objectives: The present study was conducted to answer the question whether or not injury can be predicted in volleyball athletes through physical and cognitive components. Methods: For this purpose, 50 volleyball players with the age range of 18 to 25 years old participated in the study. The subjects were evaluated using Barratt impulsiveness scale, Functional movement screen and continuous performance test (for sustained attention). Then, the injuries occurrence were recorded. Furthermore, logistic regression test was run to predict injury in athletes and the bi-serial correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between the factors. Results: The findings showed that there was a significant negative correlation between functional movement screen scores and injuries occurrence. There was also a significant positive correlation between omission and commission errors and injury occurrence, meaning that alongside the increase in the omission and commission errors, the injury occurrence increased; however, there was no significant relationship between the scores of Barratt impulsiveness scale and the injury occurrence. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that mental and cognitive components, along with the physical factor, play a significant role in injury occurrence in volleyball players, so it is better to consider it in prevention and rehabilitation programs.