BIOMECHANICAL ASPECTS OF INJURIES AMONG DIVERS

Research objective: to analyze literature regarding the mechanisms of injury development in divers, based on the biomechanical characteristics of the dive execution.

Research methods and organization. To obtain research findings on this topic, the PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, and Google Scholar databases were analyzed. Information searches were conducted using the keywords "diving injuries," "diving biomechanics," "diving phases," and "springboard/platform" for the period from 1984 to the present.

Research results and discussion. There is an increased risk of upper and lower extremity injuries during the take-off phase. The water entry phase carries the highest risk of injury due to the high, repetitive loads placed on various segments of the diver's body. Performing platform dives from a handstand position contributes to upper extremity injuries. Lower extremity injuries typically occur during dry-land training or the take-off phase of the dive. Spinal injuries - most frequently affecting the cervical and lumbar regions - are also common. To minimize injury risk, it is essential to develop strength, flexibility, and coordination, and to strictly adhere to the biomechanical principles of diving; understanding and applying these principles enables athletes to optimize movement mechanics, reduce impact loads on the musculoskeletal system, and improve performance efficiency.

Conclusion. Reducing the risk of injury is possible through targeted work on jump biomechanics, which includes refining the take-off technique to optimize force transfer, mastering water entry to minimize impact forces, developing general and sport-specific flexibility, strengthening core musculature, and utilizing modern biomechanical analysis methods to identify and correct an athlete's individual characteristics.

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