Finger injuries in a developing sport: cachibol (Newcomb Ball)

Background: Cachibol (also known as Newcomb ball) is a team ball game with characteristics similar to volleyball. Cachibol is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among middle-age women, and is now the fastest growing female sport in our country. Despite its growing popularity, there is a lack of information about the epidemiology of injuries incurred from this activity. The purpose of this study is to describe the incidence and pattern of finger injuries among female cachibol players competing in a 3-day tournament. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey and an observational cohort study of 612 amateur female cachibol players participating in a 3-day national tournament; 355 players completed questionnaires (58 % response rate). All injuries sustained during the tournament were reported. Results: Fingers were the most commonly injured part of the body; 148 of 355 respondents reported sustaining a finger injury. During the tournament, 26 players reported a total of 27 injuries, 15 to the fingers. Most finger injuries resulted from a direct hit by the ball. Finger injuries, though considered “mild,” have long-term implications; over 50 % of injured players reported long-term discomfort. Conclusions: Finger injuries are more prevalent in cachibol than volleyball due to the unique characteristics of the game. Cachibol-related injuries are a growing cause for concern due to the growing number of cachibol players. This study may be useful in developing effective treatment protocols and injury prevention programs for cachibol players.