This document outlines an injury risk assessment and return to play protocol for a women's basketball team. It discusses assessing 5 predictors of non-contact injury - previous injury history, body composition, movement quality/asymmetry, neuromuscular control, and aerobic capacity. Athletes are categorized as high, moderate, or low risk based on their performance in these areas. It also discusses monitoring an athlete's readiness to return through screening, training tracking, and managing acute and chronic workload ratios to minimize reinjury risk.

1. 4 R’s
Behind
Building Athletes,
Preparing Champions
Molly Binetti, M.Ed, SCCC
University of Louisville

5. R1: RECRUITING
R2: RISK
R3: READINESS
R4: RETURN TO PERFORMANCE

7. R1

8. R1

9. R1

10. R1

11. R1

13. R1
5 Predictors of
Non-Contact Injury

14. Predictor of
Injury
Screen/
Assessment
Minimum
Standard
Previous Injury Medical History --
Movement Quality/
Asymmetry
1. Functional Movement
Screen
2. Closed-Chain Ankle
Dorsiflexion
FMS: No pain, No
Asymmetries
Ankle Dorsiflexion:
> 30 Degrees R+L
Neuromuscular Control Y-Balance
4Total Composite Score
>93%
4Anterior Reach Asymmetry
< 4cm
Body Composition 7-Site Skinfold
Guards: 13-16%
Posts: 13-18%
Fitness Level Beep Test
< Level 9
VO2max: 43 ml/kg/min

15. LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL- RISK PROFILE
**Based on Minimum Standards for Top 5 Predictors of Non-Contact Injury
ATHLETE Previous Injury Body Composition Movement Quality
Neuromuscular
Control
Aerobic Capacity Risk Status
(within last 12 months) >18% Body Fat FMS (Total Score <15) Y-Balance (>4cm asymmetry) BEEP Test (<Level 11/12) Composite Status
✔ ✔ - ✔ HIGH
- - - - LOW
- - ✔ - LOW
- ✔ ✔ ✔ HIGH
✔ - ✔ ✔ HIGH
- - - ✔ LOW
- - - ✔ LOW
- - - - LOW
- - - - LOW
- - ✔ - MODERATE
✔ - - - MODERATE
HIGH RISK 3+ risk factors
MODERATE RISK 2+
LOW RISK <1

16. Category Test
Minimum
Standard
Body Composition 7-Site Skinfold
Guards: 13-16%
Posts: 13-18%
Movement Quality/
Asymmetry
1. Functional Movement
Screen
2. Closed-Chain Ankle
Dorsiflexion
FMS: No pain, No
Asymmetries
Ankle Dorsiflexion:
> 30 Degrees R+L
Upper Body Strength Bench Press 80% BW
Lower Body Strength TBDL 150% BW
Fitness Level Beep Test
Guards: 12.1 (54VO2max)
Posts: 11.1 (50VO2max)

18. R2

20. READINESS
Screening/
Testing
Training Tracking
R3

21. R3

22. LONG-TERM READINESS
R3

23. SHORT-TERM READINESS
R3

24. SHORT-TERM READINESS

25. R3

26. POWER TRACKING
R3

27. Metabolic Stress (Internal Load)
Volume + Intensity = Training Load
Intensity = Minutes > 90% HRmax
Guards: > 20 min.
Posts: > 12 min.
R3

28. Mechanical Stress (External Load)
Volume = Player Load
Intensity = PL/min
Efficiency = IMA/PL
Jumps
R3

31. R4

32. LATE-STAGE REHABILITATION

33. R4

34. LATE-STAGE REHABILITATION
R4

35. R4
RETURN TO PRACTICE

36. A:C LOAD MONITORING
R4

39. References
1. Banister EW, Calvert TW, Savage MV, et al.A systems model of training for athletic performance.
Aust J Sports Med 1975;7:57–61.
2. Blanch P, Gabbett TJ. Has the athlete trained enough to return to play safely? The acute:chronic
workload ratio permits clinicians to quantify a player’s risk of subsequent injury. Br J Sports Med
Published Online First: 23 Dec 2015.
3. Hootman JM, Dick R, and Agel J. Epidemiology of collegiate injuries for 15 sports: Summary and
recommendations for injury prevention initiatives. J Athl Train 42: 311–319, 2007.
4. Plisky PJ Rauh MJ Kaminski TW Underwood FB. Star Excursion Balance Testas a predictor of
lower extremity injury in high school basketball players. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006; 36(12):
911-919.
5. Ransdell, L and Murray,T. Functional Movement Screening: An Important Tool for Female
Athletes. Strength & Conditioning Journal 38(2): 40-48, 2016.