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Abstract

Injuries in wheelchair basketball: the importance of prevention and rehabilitation
to promote the spread of this sport as a health tool

published in March - April 2024 - in Il Fisioterapista - issue n.2
Francesco Quarta, Giacomo Farì

Wheelchair basketball is a Paralympic sport that has been included in the Paralympic Games since 1960. Today, it is played in over one hundred countries by approximately thirty thousand athletes. The rules are like those of traditional basketball, with specific adaptations for wheelchairs and a classification system based on the athletes’ functional abilities. This sport offers numerous physiological, mental, and social benefits, enhancing the independence and inclusion of people with disabilities. However, it also carries a high risk of injuries, both traumatic and overuse, particularly to the shoulders and hands due to falls and intense movements.
Injury prevention is crucial and requires targeted training programs and a multidisciplinary approach. Preventive and rehabilitative strategies, such as improving propulsion techniques and using advanced technologies, can reduce the incidence of injuries and improve the quality of life for athletes.