GB Basketball Launches Major Injury Surveillance Programme
GB Basketball Launches Major Injury Surveillance Programme
The British Basketball Federation (BBF) is pleased to announce the launch of an injury surveillance programme—an initiative set to reshape how injuries and illnesses are understood and managed across Great Britain’s national teams. As part of the Federation’s commitment to developing the ‘GB Way,’ this study represents one of the most comprehensive investigations into injuries and illnesses within international senior and pathway basketball teams worldwide.
This prospective study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Gloucestershire, will systematically monitor injuries and illnesses occurring during games and training sessions across male and female under-18, under-20, and senior squads. Key objectives include:
- Identifying injury trends across age groups.
- Developing targeted interventions to mitigate injuries.
- Optimizing player availability for international training and competition.
The Federation will conduct internal reviews and produce annual reports, with long-term data published every four years to identify overarching trends. This approach aligns with the success of similar initiatives, such as the NCAA’s highly regarded injury surveillance program.
The surveillance programme is an international collaboration led by Dr. Craig Barden (University of Gloucestershire). Barden commented: “This project represents a vital step forward for the GB Basketball programme. By systematically tracking and analysing injury data across Great Britain’s national teams, we can identify key trends and implement evidence-based strategies to enhance player welfare. The long-term insights from this study will hopefully maximize the performance of national teams by improving player availability and readiness.”
This initiative reflects BBF’s commitment to setting new standards for athlete welfare and performance optimization. By prioritizing player availability and injury prevention, the programme aims to ensure Great Britain Basketball remains a leader of best practice in international competition, while safeguarding the health and longevity of its athletes.