Compelling overuse injury incidence in youth multisport athletes

The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 2010

Physical activity is very important in the physical and emotional well-being of children and young adults. Participation in sports has increased in the past 15 to 20 years in the youth population, with benefi ts of self-esteem, confi dence, team play, fi tness, agility, and strength. Th e starting age of sports participation has also decreased during recent years, and it is common for children to specialize in training in their respective sport at a very young age. A well-designed exercise program enhances the immediate physical, psychomotor, and intellectual attainments of a child. 1 Long-term health benefi ts depend on continuation of the physical activity, thus enhancing a child's well-being and favoring his or her balanced development. 1 Concern over possible growth inhibition eff ects of competitive sports is a source of scientifi c debate, 2 but there is no defi nitive evidence to indicate that training either positively or negatively aff ects growth and maturation in young athletes. Injuries during sport appear to be unavoidable, and up to 30% to 40% of all accidents in children and adolescents occur during sports. 3 Nevertheless, the rate of injury is lower in children than in mature adolescents. 4 Prevention measures have been implemented; however, when considering the large number of participants, health care professionals are oft en confronted by acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries in young athletes. 5,6 Furthermore, some young athletes participate in athletic activities for Ͼ 18 hours per week. 7 Moreover, some are involved in multiple sports with aggressive over-scheduling of competitive events. Th is may have negative psychological eff ects with associated body image distortions and low caloric intake. When considering these points, it is not surprising that an increasing number of overuse sports injuries are being reported. Injuries can counter the benefi cial eff ects of sports participation at a young age if a child or adolescent is unable to continue to participate because of the residual eff ects of injury. 10,12 Th e incidence of injury diff ers depending on many factors, such as level of competition, type of sport, and standard of surveillance systems. To date, few studies have evaluated the long-term health outcomes of youth sports injury. Th is article assesses the long-term outcome of sports injuries in young athletes, and provides suggestions on how to prevent such injuries.

Orthopedic Reviews, 2011

In spite of the wide range of injuries in adolescents during sports activities, there are only a few studies investigating the type and frequency of sport injuries in puberty. However, this information may help to prevent, diagnose and treat sports injuries among teens. 4468 injuries in adolescent patients were treated over a ten year period of time: 66,97% were boys and 32.88% girls. The most frequent sports injuries were football (31.13%) followed by handball (8.89%) and sports during school (8.77%). The lower extremity was involved in 68.71% of the cases. Knee problems were seen in 29.79% of the patients; 2.57% spine and 1.99% head injuries. Injuries consisted primarily of distortions (35.34%) and ligament tears (18.76%); 9,00% of all injuries were fractures. We found more skin wounds (6:1) and fractures (7:2) in male patients compared to females. The risk of ligament tears was highest during skiing.

Balneo and PRM Research Journal, 2023

Injuries are an inherent risk associated with sports participation, impacting the health and performance of athletes across various disciplines. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the incidence and prevalence of injuries in selected sports, shedding light on the magnitude and patterns of injuries observed within each sport. To conduct this review, an extensive search was performed across electronic databases and relevant sports medicine literature. The findings reveal significant variability in injury rates and patterns among different sports. Sports such as football, handball, and volleyball, exhibit higher overall injury rates, with musculoskeletal injuries being most prevalent. Conversely, sports such as running, and cycling tend to demonstrate lower injury rates, with a focus on overuse injuries. Common injury types observed across sports include sprains, strains, fractures, contusions, and concussions, while body regions such as the lower extremities, head and neck, and upper limbs are frequently affected. Various factors contribute to the occurrence of injuries in sports, including player age, gender, skill level, training intensity, equipment usage, playing surface, and rule modifications. Contact and collision sports carry a higher risk of traumatic injuries compared to non-contact and individual sports. Understanding the incidence and prevalence of injuries in different sports is crucial for the development and implementation of injury prevention strategies. This review highlights the need for tailored approaches that address sport-specific risk factors, focusing on athlete education, proper training techniques, equipment modifications, rule changes, and enhanced medical support.

PM&R, 2011

Objective: To evaluate lifetime prevalence and risk factors for overuse injuries in high school athletes currently participating in long-distance running and provide recommendations for injury prevention strategies. Design: Retrospective study design. Setting: Twenty-eight high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants: A total of 442 female and 306 male athletes, ages 13-18 years, who are on cross-country and track and field teams. Methods: Online survey with questions that detailed previous injuries sustained and risk factors for injury. Main Outcome Measurements: Previous overuse injuries and association of risk factors to injury (including training variables, dietary patterns, and, in girls, menstrual irregularities). Results: Previous injuries were reported by 68% of female subjects and 59% of male subjects. More injury types were seen in girls (1.2 Ϯ 1.1 versus 1.0 Ϯ 1.0, P Ͻ .01). Both genders had similar participation in running (2.5 Ϯ 2.2 versus 2.3 Ϯ 2.1 years), and previous injury prevalence followed a similar pattern: tibial stress injury (girls, 41%; boys, 34%), ankle sprain (girls, 32%; boys, 28%), patellofemoral pain (girls, 21%; boys, 16%), Achilles tendonitis (girls, 9%; boys, 6%), iliotibial band syndrome (girls, 7%; boys, 5%), and plantar fasciitis (girls, 5%; boys, 3%). Higher weekly mileage was associated with previous injuries in boys, (17.1 Ϯ 11.9 versus 14.1 Ϯ 11.5, P Ͻ .05) but not in girls (14.4 Ϯ 10.2 versus 12.6 Ϯ 11.8, not significant). A strong association between higher mileage and faster performances was seen in both groups. No association between previous injury and current dietary patterns (including disordered eating and calcium intake) or menstrual irregularities was seen. Conclusions: The majority of athletes currently participating in high school crosscountry and track and field have a history of sustaining an overuse injury, with girls having a higher prevalence of injury. A modest mileage reduction may represent a modifiable risk factor for injury reduction. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of incorporating a comprehensive strength training program on the prospective development of overuse injury and performance in this population.

Clinical Pediatrics, 2010

Purpose. To evaluate relationships between seasonal patterns of athletic participation and overuse injuries in high school athletes. Methods. Self-reported survey of sports played and injuries sustained during the preceding 12 months administered anonymously to 9th-12th graders in school. Results. Females suffered more overuse injuries than males. Overuse injuries increased slightly with age and with seasons of sports played per calendar year. Students who played sports all year long had 42% increased risk of overuse injury compared to those who played fewer than 4 seasons. Conclusions. Reducing the number of sport seasons played by high school athletes could decrease their rate of overuse injuries, with the greatest gains potentially achieved by taking at least one season off from sports entirely each calendar year.

In spite of the wide range of injuries in adolescents during sports activities, there are only a few studies investigating the type and frequency of sport injuries in puberty. However, this information may help to prevent, diagnose and treat sports injuries among teens. 4468 injuries in adolescent patients were treated over a ten year period of time: 66,97% were boys and 32.88% girls. The most frequent sports injuries were football (31.13%) followed by handball (8.89%) and sports during school (8.77%). The lower extremity was involved in 68.71% of the cases. Knee problems were seen in 29.79% of the patients; 2.57% spine and 1.99% head injuries. Injuries consisted primarily of distortions (35.34%) and ligament tears (18.76%); 9,00% of all injuries were fractures. We found more skin wounds (6:1) and fractures (7:2) in male patients compared to females. The risk of ligament tears was highest during skiing.

British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010

Injuries can counter the benefi cial effects of sports participation at a young age if a child or adolescent is unable to continue to participate because of residual effects of injury. Independent of activity level, injuries represent a considerable problem for the athlete and can result in an increased potential for future disability and inactivity. Injuries are also referred to as one of the major reasons for athletes to drop out of sports. Systematic injury registrations at the youth and adolescent level have been performed in recreational sports to gain knowledge on injury risk, as well as on the most common and most severe sport specifi c injuries. However, information on injury risk of the young athlete competing in high level sports seems less available or unknown. This paper reviews the current knowledge on injury risk of the youth and adolescent elite athlete participating in sports presented in the Youth Olympic Games 2010. Apart from football, little is known on injury epidemiology among young elite athletes. Systematic injury surveillance of this highly competitive population is needed to monitor injuries, identify high risk sports, and ensure new knowledge on injury trends, which can form the basis for further research on injury risk factors, mechanisms, and in the fi nal step, on injury prevention.

Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 2017

Background: Physical activity (PA) is beneficial, enhancing healthy development. However, one-third of school-age children practicing sports regularly suffer from an injury. These injuries are associated with sex, chronological age, and PA level. Purpose: To identify the importance of age, PA level, and maturity as predictors of injury in Portuguese youth. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Information about injury and PA level was assessed via 2 questionnaires (LESADO RAPIL II) from 647 subjects aged 10 to 17 years. Maturity offset according to Mirwald (time before or after peak height velocity) and Tanner-Whitehouse III bone age estimates were used to evaluate maturation. Binary logistic regression and gamma regression were used to determine significant predictors of injury and injury rate. Results: Injury occurrence was higher for both sexes in recreational, school, and federated athletes (athletes engaged in sports that are regu...

Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 2018

The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of the sports injuries in 15-17-year-old male athlete students participating on school teams (volleyball, basketball, football and handball) and their level of knowledge about these injuries. The sample of the research consists of 233 athlete students (n=89 footballers, n=37 volleyball players, n=46 basketball players and n=61 handball players) in 15-17 age group participating on school teams of thirteen different high schools in Kütahya. The questionnaire form developed was used to determine the injuries in athlete students that participated in the study. The data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. According to the statistical analysis, it was found that the athlete students who got injured most were of footballers with %45.2 (n=47) and those who got injured least were volleyball players with %10.6 (n=11). It was seen that injuries occurred mostly during competitions (n=82). The majority of the athlete students reported that they had very little (n=117) and average (n=107) information on sports injuries. The results showed that injuries occurred more in football and handball players and mostly during competitions. Protective measures need to be taken in the sports, especially in football, handball and basketball, where tackles are frequently experienced during competitions. Also, it was seen that athlete students had very limited knowledge about sports injuries.

2016