In short: Those who are injured can’t perform. That’s why orthopedist and team physician Dr. Björn Andreß attaches great value to primary prevention when taking care of the National League basketball players who are part of the Koblenz EPG Guardians. He believes that it’s an integral part of the training program so that professional athletes can consistently deliver peak performance. Medical aids can also help with the prevention of injuries. None of the “Guardians” plays a match without an ankle support. Compression products and foot orthoses are also always part of their kit. In our interview, Dr. Björn Andreß clearly highlights the benefits of well-designed prevention: it paves the way for a successful and healthy athletic career.
Prevention/Occupational Safety·Sports injuries·Supports
Ready for the squad – strong during the season
Primary prevention in competitive sports
From Bauerfeind Life on 13.01.2025

Prevention is part of the training program, says Dr. med. Björn Andreß about his work as team physician. At Mittelrhein Joint Center (GZMR), the orthopedist looks after the National League basketball players who are part of the Koblenz EPG Guardians. During the medical check-up of the players, he tells us what the medical history as well as performance diagnostics indicate, and how supports, compression stockings, and foot orthoses help athletes not only stay fit but also able to play in the long term.

When up-and-coming players for the Guardians visit you for their check-up, much like today, what’s on the agenda?
Dr. Andreß: We examine the young athletes, check their current performance status, and provide information. From an orthopedic perspective, we look at the spine, all joints, and overall mobility. We examine limitations, check the muscles, and take a look at imbalances. The players undergo a series of functional tests so we can check where there may be lateral asymmetries and deficits in speed or coordination that might play a role in injuries occurring. When it comes to internal medicine, two colleagues join the process: Dr. Jan-Eric Goronzy and Dr. Felix Post.

They check the heart and lung function, and we take a comprehensive medical history together. We ask about previous injuries, past conditions, even eye or tooth problems – anything that may become relevant from a medical point of view and could indicate that they might miss out on extended parts of the season. We tell them about anti-doping requirements and that players have to consult with us as well as register drugs, even nutritional supplements, before taking them.

So a lot of prevention is part of this sports medicine support…
Dr. Andreß: Of course, our main task is the treatment of injuries and conditions that occur during training or a match, but prevention plays a key role. As does mental support. We work in close cooperation with the coaching staff, physical therapists, as well as sports scientists, and help develop measures that should be included in training. We always see the players at specific times before the season, during the off-season, at the end of the season, and whenever required. We check on their current condition and create a personalized program to prevent injuries as well as to improve performance.
Paul Baitzel from the future squad is currently sitting behind you on the ergometer. What do you pay attention to in young players like him?
Dr. Andreß: Paul is 16 years old and still growing. During spiroergometry, we measure his physical performance using ECG and respiratory gases. That’s why he’s wearing a blue respiratory mask. With increasing wattage, we can see when he moves from the aerobic range to the anaerobic range. This helps us assess how fit he is so we can plan his training for his first professional season. His cardiovascular system and skeleton are not yet fully developed. So we have to be particularly careful with damage caused by excessive strain. As opposed to adult athletes, he needs to train in the aerobic range to work on his basic endurance.

Why is basic endurance important?
Dr. Andreß: It’s the foundation for effective primary prevention. Short sprints do dominate in basketball but the better the basic endurance of the players, the better they’ll be able to compensate for the intensive strain of indoor sports and recover more effectively during match breaks. This drastically lowers the risk of injuries like sprains and conditions typical for this age group, such as patellar tip syndrome.
“Basic endurance is the foundation for effective primary prevention.”
Dr. Björn Andreß
Has primary prevention become more significant overall?
Dr. Andreß: Yes, this aspect has really come to the fore in the last few years and become established as an integral part of the training program. On account of the specifications published by the Employer’s Liability Insurance Association VBG alone and because of the economic aspect of professional athletes having to sit out for extended periods. There is a series of scientific studies relating to primary prevention: depending on the research situation, an injury risk reduced by up to 50 percent can be substantiated. Cruciate ligament injuries for example can be prevented very effectively. At GZMR, we also support current research projects and cooperate with Cologne Sports College. At the moment, a study is being conducted with athletes that we take care of. It examines how stability deficits measured during the landing phase of a jump can be positively influenced by specifically designed training.
What role do medical aids play in injury prevention?
Dr. Andreß: We made it mandatory for all Guardians players that they need to wear ankle supports during training and matches. Based on evidence, this significantly reduces the frequency and severity of ligament injuries, which is a major problem in basketball. That’s why all players in the NBA[1] have to use braces. First of all, the proprioceptive effect of the compression improves coordination. And then there’s the mechanical effect: in the event of a player twisting their ankle, the strain on the ligaments is usually lower, and a potential injury is generally less severe. The club provides the players with individual medical products.
[1] National Basketball Association, the North American professional basketball league

And what do players think about that?
Dr. Andreß: Initially, some were worried that their movement would be restricted but modern supports usually convince them quickly that this is not true. Players are fully mobile when wearing them, the materials are breathable, and there’s no foreign body sensation. Another thing the club promotes and we recommend is compression stockings for circulation. On long bus journeys to away matches for example. Now everyone wears compression pantyhose at their own request to stimulate blood return and muscle regeneration. The players are also given different types of foot orthoses. Some are foot orthoses adapted to their general outdoor shoes that provide support and soft cushioning. Others are carbon foot orthoses for their sneakers that support the midfoot and can improve jumping power.
“Depending on the research situation, an injury risk reduced by up to 50 percent can be substantiated with primary prevention.”
Dr. Björn Andreß
How effective are check-up, personalized training, and medical products together?
Dr. Andreß: Effective enough for all Guardians to currently be in primary prevention. Nobody is in secondary prevention. There haven’t been any serious injuries during the ongoing preparation, and everyone is ready to play. That means we can focus on performance improvement rather than complicated rehabilitation with sensitive expectation management. As an orthopedist, I can clearly see the benefits prevention offers – for both competitive sports and amateur sports.
Pictures: Stefan Durstewitz