Abstract
Background
Lower-limb, ankle, and foot injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal problems in university sport, causing significant time loss, impaired performance, and increased healthcare costs. International surveillance highlights high rates of ankle sprains and overuse injuries, yet South African university data, particularly studies integrating a podiatric perspective, remain scarce. This study aimed to establish the incidence, patterns, and risk factors of lower-limb, ankle, and foot injuries among student-athletes at a South African University and to emphasise the role of podiatry in injury prevention and management.
Methods
A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted among 103 University of Johannesburg (UJ) student-athletes participating in nine sporting codes, including basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, rugby, and soccer. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire aligned with the STROBE–SIIS sports-injury surveillance framework. Variables captured included demographics, training load, injury history, injury type and severity, and the setting of occurrence (training or competition). Descriptive statistics summarised injury frequency, location, and type, while chi-square tests and logistic regression explored associations between injuries and demographic or sport-related variables.
Results
Overall, 74.8 % (n = 77) of participants reported at least one lower-limb, ankle, or foot injury during the current or previous competitive season. The ankle was the most frequently injured site (52%), followed by the knee (18%), hip/groin (8%), and foot (7%). Ligament sprains predominated, particularly lateral ankle sprains, and more than half of the injured athletes experienced time-loss exceeding four weeks. Significant associations were observed between injury incidence and sporting code (p < 0.05), with court and field sports, netball, basketball, soccer, and hockey showing the highest rates. Previous injury history and higher weekly training hours were strong predictors of new injuries, underscoring the multifactorial nature of risk.