Lower Limb Injury History in Elite Athletes:Relationship with Kinesiophobia andEffect on Physical Performance

Abstract

Objective: Considering the psychosocial factors of performance, the injury history will affect the physical performance parameters. Kinesiophobia is one of these factors. Although injuries are effective with motivation factors in athletes, the focus of research is on physical factors. Accordingly the main objective of the study was to investigate the presence of kinesiophobia in elite athletes with and without a history of lower limb injury. The secondary aim was to determine the relationship between physical performance and, kinesiophobia in elite athletes. Material and Methods: The presence of a history of lower extremity injury was questioned in athletes and the time was recorded. The fear of movement was evaluated using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-17). Performance evaluations of athletes were carried out under the titles of flexibility, balance, anaerobic and aerobic tests. Obtained data were analyzed by appropriate statistical methods. Results: Kinesiophobia level was different between athletes with and without a history of lower limb injuries (95%CI: 35.06 [33.41 to 36.71], p: 0.016). The athletes with lower limb injury history have higher kinesiophobia than athletes without lower limb injury history (p<0.05). There was a correlation between the kinesiophobia and, the history of lower limb injury of the athletes (r:0.350, p:0.015). No correlation was found in any subtitle of the physical performance tests and the history of lower limb injury (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to our study results the athletes with lower limb injury history have higher kinesiophobia than athletes without lower limb injury history. Kinesiophobia was related with lower limb injury history and not related with physical performance.