Can motor proficiency testing predict sports injuries and sports-induced bleeds in people with haemophilia?

INTRODUCTION

Predicting the risk of sports injuries and sports-induced bleeds (SIBs) in people with haemophilia (PWH) may support clinical counselling.

AIM: To assess the association between motor proficiency testing and sports injuries and SIBs and to identify a specific set of tests for predicting injury risk in PWH.

METHODS

In a single centre, prospective study male PWH aged 6-49 playing sports ≥1x/week were tested for running speed and agility, balance, strength and endurance. Test results below -2Z were considered poor. Sports injuries and SIBs were collected for 12 months while 7 days of physical activity (PA) for each season was registered with accelerometers. Injury risk was analysed according to test results and type of physical activity (%time walking, cycling, running). Predictive values for sports injuries and SIBs were determined.

RESULTS

Data from 125 PWH (mean [± SD] age: 25 [± 12], 90% haemophilia A; 48% severe, 95% on prophylaxis, median factor level: 2.5 [IQR 0-15]IU/dl) were included. Few participants (n = 19, 15%) had poor scores. Eighty-seven sports injuries and 26 SIBs were reported. Poor scoring participants reported 11/87 sports injuries and 5/26 SIBs. The current tests were poor predictors of sports injuries (Range PPV: 0%-40%), or SIBs (PPV: 0%-20%). PA type was not associated with season (activity seasonal p values > .20) and type of PA was not associated with sports injuries or SIBs (Spearman's rho < .15).

CONCLUSION

These motor proficiency- and endurance tests were unable to predict sports injuries or SIBs in PWH, potentially due to few PWH with poor results and low numbers of sports injuries and SIBs.