THE ROLE OF PREVENTIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY IN ANKLE AND KNEE SPRAINS IN VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE

Abstract

Introduction: Volleyball is a sport characterized by repetitive movements such as jumping, landing, and rapid changes of direction, which significantly increase the risk of injuries, especially ankle and knee sprains. In this context, preventive physiotherapy has been widely used as a strategy to reduce injuries and improve athletic performance. Objective: To analyze the role of physiotherapy in the prevention of ankle and knee sprains in volleyball athletes. Method: This is an integrative literature review with a qualitative approach, conducted through searches in the SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases, between March and April 2026, using descriptors related to preventive physiotherapy, volleyball, and injury prevention, combined with Boolean operators. Initially, 485 studies were identified, of which, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles remained for final analysis. Results: The findings showed that strategies such as proprioceptive training, muscle strengthening, neuromuscular training, and functional assessment are effective in preventing sprains, promoting improved joint stability, postural control, and athletic performance. Conclusion: It is concluded that preventive physiotherapy plays a fundamental role in reducing the incidence of injuries in volleyball athletes, and the implementation of continuous and individualized programs is essential for better outcomes.