A.I. BURNASYAN FMBC CLINICAL BULLETIN

ISSN 2782-6430 (print)

State Research Center −Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical
Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency

The journal is published in Russian.
Format – A4.
The periodicity of the journal is 4 times a year.

Issue №3, 2026

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A.I. Burnasyan  FMBC clinical bulletin. 2026 № 3

G.G. Arutyunov1, A.I. Kryntsilov1, I.N. Karlitsky1, M.P. Semenova1, A.K. Sarkisov1, N.V. Rylova1,2

Prevalence and Modifiable Risk Factors of Shoulder Joint Injuries in Volleyball: a Systematic Review

1National Center for Sports Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency” Moscow, Russiа

2International Office, State Research Center – Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russiа

Contact person: Rylova Natal’ya Victorovna: rilovanv@mail.ru

 

Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence and modifiable risk factors of shoulder injuries in volleyball players through a systematic analysis of scientific publications from 2015 to 2025.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Epistemonicos databases using a search strategy based on the PICOS framework. Included were original studies published between January 2015 and December 2025: retrospective, prospective cohort, and cross-sectional studies describing the epidemiology, biomechanical adaptations, and modifiable risk factors of shoulder injuries in volleyball, as well as potential preventive approaches. Study selection was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) adapted for observational studies, ROBINS-I, and the GRADE approach.

Results: The final analysis included 25 studies (17 cross-sectional, 5 prospective cohort, 2 epidemiological, and 1 RCT). The findings confirm a high proportion of shoulder injuries in the overall structure of upper limb injuries among volleyball players, ranging from 8% to 28.9% in various study samples. The seasonal prevalence of overuse shoulder injuries reaches 39 – 67%, depending on the data collection methodology, with up to 27 – 33% of athletes experiencing a significant reduction in training volume or failing to report pain to their coach (the “hidden morbidity” phenomenon). The main modifiable risk factors are biomechanical adaptations: pathological internal rotation deficit (GIRD > 20° for professionals), rotator cuff muscle strength imbalance (ER/IR ratio < 66%), scapular dyskinesis, and impairments in proprioception and dynamic stability. Key non-modifiable factors include female sex (for overuse injuries), male sex aged 20–39 years (for acute injuries/dislocations), and the playing position of spikers and blockers.

Conclusions: The obtained data confirm the high prevalence of shoulder injuries in volleyball players and highlight key biomechanical and muscular risk factors, the modification of which can potentially reduce injury rates. The results of this review emphasize the need for implementing regular screening, accounting for “hidden” complaints, monitoring training load (e.g., ACWR), and conducting further high-quality prospective research to develop and optimize evidence-based prevention programs

Keywords: volleyball, shoulder injury, risk factors, biomechanical adaptation, impact kinematics, scapulardyskinesis, proprioception

For citation: Arutyunov GG, Kryntsilov AI, Karlitsky IN, Semenova MP, Sarkisov AK, Rylova NыV. Prevalence and Modifiable Risk Factors of Shoulder Joint Injuries in Volleyball: a Systematic Review. A.I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center Clinical Bulletin. 2026.3:05-13. (In Russian) DOI: 10.33266/2782-6430-2026-3-05-13

 

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Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financing. The study had no sponsorship. 
Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.
Article received: 24.03.2026. Accepted for publication: 14.04.20226

© 2026 Scientific journal - "Clinical Bulletin of the FMBС im. A.I. Burnasyan"
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