University of Gloucestershire has joined forces with the British Basketball Federation to launch a new initiative to improve how injuries and illnesses are understood and managed across Great Britain’s national teams.
The injury surveillance study, led by the University’s Dr Craig Barden, represents one of the most comprehensive investigations into injuries and illnesses within international senior and pathway basketball teams worldwide.
By prioritising player availability and injury prevention, the programme aims to ensure the British Basketball Federation – the governing body for basketball in Great Britain – remains a leader of best practice in international competition, while safeguarding the health and longevity of its athletes.
The study 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; and optimising 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.
Dr Barden, Senior Lecturer in Sports Therapy within the University’s School of Education and Science, said: “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 maximise the performance of national teams by improving player availability and readiness.”
In 2023, the University announced a collaboration with Basketball England to conduct the first research of its kind investigating injuries sustained by players, with the aim of making the sport safer.
