Sports injuries in school-aged children: A Studyd of traumatologic and socioeconomic outcome

In this Danish study we attempted to identify the socioeconomic consequences of sports injuries in childre. A total of 1320 children, 650 boys and 670 girls, aged 6–17, completed questionnaires covering the period from the injury to recovery. The incidence rate was 74 per 1000 per year. The hospitalization rate was 4.1%. Due to the injury 37.2% of the children were absent from school for an average of 1.2 days (range 0–60 days), resulting in 1598 days' absence from school. Most of the children were injured during training (34.7%) or competition (22.6%). The other injuries occurred durin recreational sporting activities (32.0%) or at school (10.7%). Fifty-four percent were absent from work, on average for 2.2 days. Two hundred and nineteen children were absent from an after-school job, for an average of 8.6 days. The total loss was 1896 working days. training or games, on average 6.0 times (range 0–99), with a total loss of 7897 training sesions. Fiften percent of the percent of the parents wre absent from work, on average for 2.2 days. Two hundred aqn nineten children wer absent from an afterschool job, for an average of 8.6 days. The total low was 1896 working day. The study shows that the socioenconomic consequences of sports injuries in children are a complex consisting of different parts and that the ijuries had a substantial impact on the functional and social status of the children and their families.     

Medical treatment and costs of sports-related injuries in a total population

A prospective study of acute injuries from sports and physical exercise was carried out during 1 year in a total population of a municipality with 31,620 inhabitants. The medical treatment and the services required for the injuries have been calculated and related to the total consumption of medical care in the municipality. A total of 571 injuries (17% of all injuries) occurred in 28 different sports: 65% of the injured were males. Sports injuries accounted for 3% of all acute visits and there were altogether 1,083 outpatient visits, which yields a mean of 1.9 visits per injury. Related to the total consumption of outpatient visits to the five clinics in the municipality sports injuries also accounted for 3%. Forty-four patients were hospitalized; the proportion of inpatient care due to sports injuries was 0.7% and the mean length of stay in hospital 3.9 days. The total amount of sick leave compensated for sports injuries (3,477 days) was 1.2% of all days compensated in 1984. The overall mean cost per injury was US$ 335. Individual sports (motorcycling, downhill skiing and equine sport) were by far the most costly in the Falk?ping survey, the dearest of the team sports ranking only fifth (handball followed by soccer).     

Incidence of knee injuries and the need for further care. A one-year prospective follow-up study

All visits to physicians paid due to knee injuries in the Orivesi Region Federation of Municipalities for Public Health Work in Finland were prospectively recorded over a period of one year. The visits totalled 360, which accounted for 1.0% of all visits. The number of patients was 148, and the total incidence rate of knee injuries was 1.1% corresponding to that during one year period every hundredth inhabitant sought medical treatment from a physician because of a knee injury. Forty-eight per cent of the knee injuries were sustained in sports activities. The injuries affected mostly knee ligaments and/or menisci. Every tenth visit led to a surgical consultation for assessment of the need for surgery, equalling three patients per 1000 inhabitants annually. The study provides basic information concerning the occurrence of knee injuries and the need for further care. The results can be used as an aid in the planning of arthroscopy as well as other examination and treatment resources of knee injuries as well as in the assessment of need for such services.     

Volleyball injuries presenting in casualty: a prospective study.

During 1986, all sports injuries (n = 5222) were prospectively recorded at the two casualty departments in Arhus, Denmark. Volleyball injuries (n = 278) accounted for 5.3% of all sports injuries. An evaluation of the rehabilitation period and the consequences of the injuries was undertaken by questionnaire three years after the injury. The injury incidence was 1.9 injuries/1000 inhabitants/year. Hand, finger, and ankle sprains were the most frequent injuries. Female players had significantly more hand/finger injuries than male players, who incurred more ankle/foot injuries. Knee (6%) and ankle injuries (31%) were responsible for the longest duration of absence from sports participation. There were relatively few chronic injuries. The study suggests the need to enhance prophylactic measures with regard to blocking and overhand pass techniques, in order to reduce the number and extent of ankle and hand/finger injuries.     

Epidemiology and traumatology of injuries in track athletes

During one year 4398 injured athletes were treated at the casualty wards of Aarhus, Denmark; 156 were practicing track and field disciplines. In the same period 54 track athletes of a Danish sport club were followed in order to register any lesion incurred during sports activity. Thirty-one athletes (57%) had 35 injuries, giving an injury incidence of 1.8 per 1000 hours of practice. At follow-up after 1 year, 13% of all athletes still had complaints, and none of them had returned to former sports activity. Jumpers had overuse symptoms correlated to take-off, and sprains or fractures related to downstrokes. Runners had a higher risk of overuse injuries than jumpers, especially involving the Achilles tendon and the plantar aponeurosis. Young athletes had a higher injury incidence per time than older participants; and women had higher injury risk than men.     

Handball injuries. An epidemiologic and socioeconomic study.

A total of 570 injuries in handball players were prospectively registered in a well-defined geographic area of 124,321 inhabitants. The incidence of handball injuries was 46 per 10,000 inhabitants per year. The incidence in women (61 per 10,000 per year) was double that of men (31 per 10,000 per year). Sixty-two percent of the injuries were ligament sprains and tears and 12% were fractures. A total of 7% of the patients were hospitalized and the total loss of income because of sick leave was $3870. Sixty-eight percent of the injured handball players were absent from handball more than 1 week. Surprisingly, 8% of the minor injuries resulted in a sick leave of more than 6 days.     

The public health impact of injury during sport and active recreation

Injuries can be an adverse outcome of participation in sport and recreational activities. The aim of this study was to determine the public health impact of injury during sports and active recreation injury in a select population in Australia. A random household telephone survey was conducted quarterly over a 12-month period in a well-defined geographic region, the Latrobe Valley, Australia. Information was collected on participation in sport and active recreation and associated injuries over the previous 2 weeks for all household members aged over 4 years. Injury rates were calculated per 10,000 population and per 1000 sports participants. Data were collected on 1084 persons from 417 households. Overall, 648 people reported participating in at least one sport or active recreation and 34 (5.2%, 95% CI: 4.8, 5.6%) of these sustained an injury during this activity. Overall, 51.4% of injured cases had a significant impact: 26.5% sought treatment, 34.4% had their activities of daily living adversely affected and 36.0% had their performance/participation limited. Cricket (51 injuries/10,000 population), horse riding (29/10,000 population) and basketball (25/10,000 population) had the highest injury rates. After adjusting for participation, cricket (242 injuries/1000 participants), horse riding (122/1000 participants) and soccer (107/1000 participants) had the highest injury rates. Cricket and soccer were the sports most associated with ‘significant’ injuries. Injury prevention efforts should be aimed at team ball sports (especially cricket, soccer and netball) because of their comparatively high rate of both overall and ‘significant’ injury.     

Incidence rate of injuries during sport activity and physical exercise in a rural Swedish municipality: incidence rates in 17 sports

A prospective study of acute injuries from sports and physical exercise was carried out during 1 year in a total population of a municipality with 31,620 inhabitants. Data on exposure were collected: the number of participants in each sport, the hours of participation, and number of weeks in the season per year. The number of injuries was used as numerator and the exposure data as denominator in a formula modified from Chambers for the calculation of population at risk in sports. A total of 571 injuries occurred in 28 different sports: 65% of the injured were males. The majority of the injuries were from soccer: 50% of the males and 27% of the females. Incidence rates in 17 sports are presented. The ranking order differs, when calculating not only the number, but also the exposure. Ice hockey and handball were then found to have the highest risk followed by soccer. Team and contact sports on the whole had the highest rates in both genders. As a group, intercompany players had the highest rate, especially in soccer. The lowest rates were found in individual sports such as downhill skiing, horseback riding, racket sports, and running. Gymnastics, except in school physical education, had no injuries at all. Sprains and strains were diagnosed in nearly half of the cases and the foot and ankle were the most frequent sites. Preventive measures are proposed.     

Soccer injuries among youth

This study reports the quantitative and qualitative aspects of sports injuries in a 5-day youth soccer tournament with 12,907 players. A total of 132 injuries that resulted in at least one days' absence from soccer playing were of special interest. The overall injury rate was 3.6 for boys and 4.4 injuries per 1000 hours of play for girls. Statistically significantly higher injury rates between players in puberty and differences in type and location of injuries between boys and girls were found. In 77% of the cases, the injury happened while the injured player was in physical contact with another player, 59% had ball contact and 7% had no contact with any person or ball at all. Five months later a questionnaire was send out to the serious injured players. Of 85 injured players, 10 were absent from school or work on average 11.5 days. Five had surgery. Injury prophylaxis in soccer tournaments is proposed.     

Downhill skiing injuries and their cost at a Finnish skiing area

During the 1987–1990 ski seasons. 325 consecutive patients sustained downhill skiing injuries at a skiing area in central Finland. The calculated injury rate was 0.94 per 1000 skier-days (0.9%) and 0.56 per 1000 skiers (0.06%). Forty-one percent of the injuries were located in the lower limbs and 37% in the upper limbs. Sprain was the most common type of injury (34%), followed by fractures (22%) and contusions (17%). Only 7% of the patients needed surgery. The estimated mean cost of medical treatment and sick leave was FIM 5500 (USD 1400) per patient.     

Injuries in team sport tournaments during the 2004 Olympic Games

BACKGROUND: Several authors have analyzed the incidence of injuries in a given sport, but only a few have examined the exposure-related incidence of injuries in different types of sports using the same methodology. PURPOSE: Analysis of the incidence, circumstances, and characteristics of injuries in different team sports during the 2004 Olympic Games. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: During the 2004 Olympic Games, injuries in 14 team sport tournaments (men's and women's soccer, men's and women's handball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's field hockey, baseball, softball, men's and women's water polo, and men's and women's volleyball) were analyzed. After each match, the physician of the participating teams or the official medical representative of the sport completed a standardized injury report form. The mean response rate was 93%. RESULTS: A total of 377 injuries were reported from 456 matches, an incidence of 0.8 injuries per match (95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.91) or 54 injuries per 1000 player matches (95% confidence interval, 49-60). Half of all injuries affected the lower extremity; 24% involved the head or neck. The most prevalent diagnoses were head contusion and ankle sprain. On average, 78% of injuries were caused by contact with another player. However, a significantly higher percentage of noncontact (57%) versus contact injuries (37%) was expected to prevent the player from participating in his or her sport. Significantly more injuries in male players (46%) versus female players (35%) were expected to result in absence from match or training. The incidence, diagnosis, and causes of injuries differed substantially between the team sports. CONCLUSION: The risk of injury in different team sports can be compared using standardized methodology. Even if the incidence and characteristics of injuries are not identical in all sports, prevention of injury and promotion of fair play are relevant topics for almost all team sports.     

Injuries in mountain biking

Despite still growing attraction mountain biking as a matter of sports traumatology still lacks relevant data based on large cross-sectional surveys. To obtain an overview of risk factors, types, and main body sites of injuries occurring in mountain biking we assessed the results of a questionnaire answered by 3873 athletes. A total of 8133 single lesions were reported by 3474 athletes, 36% of whom regularly participated in competitions. The incidence of injuries in mountain biking is comparable to that in other outdoor sports, the majority of injuries being minor. Mountain biking athletes were found to have an overall injury risk rate of 0.6% per year and 1 injury per 1000 h of biking. The main risk factors included slippery road surface, cyclist's poor judgement of the situation, and excessive speed, representing personal factors that could be altered by preventive measures. Of all injuries 14% were due to collision with some part of the bike, especially the pedals and the handlebar. While 75% of the injuries were minor, such as skin wounds and simple contusions, 10% were so severe that hospitalization was required. A breakdown of the injuries according to body site and frequency of occurrence is presented.     

Acute sports injuries requiring hospital care.

The present investigation reports 138 consecutive patients injured in sports, who needed treatment as in-patients in a one year period. More injuries were sustained in soccer than in other sports. The lower extremity was the site of most injuries, fractures and dislocations being the most common type of injury. At follow-up 50% of the patients complained of discomfort. The average stay in hospital after a sports injury requiring hospital care was 6 days. In 52% of the patients the duration of sports incapacity was at least six months and in seven per cent the sports incapacity after the sustained injury was permanent.     

A pooled data analysis of injury incidence in rugby league football

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to summarise the injury rates in professional rugby league football. METHODS: Previously published studies were identified from database searches of the literature from Medline, Sports Discus and Web of Science. A total of 18 articles, which reported the prospective injury data collection for at least one playing season in professional rugby league worldwide, were included. The definition of injury adopted required an injured player to miss the subsequent game through injury. Ten studies satisfied the injury definition criteria for inclusion. A review of articles and extraction of relevant data were carried out independently by two authors. RESULTS: A total of 517 injuries were reported during 12819 hours of exposure (753 games), which resulted in an overall injury rate of 40.3 injuries per 1000 hours [95% confidence interval (CI) 36.9 to 43.8]. Most injuries were to the lower half of the body (20.7 per 1000 hours, 95% CI 17.7 to 24), with the trunk receiving the least (6.7 per 1000 hours, 95% CI 5 to 8.6). CONCLUSIONS: Injury rates in professional rugby league are higher than in some other contact sports, probably because of the large number of physical collisions that take place. This pooled data analysis provides more accurate estimates of injury incidence in the game of professional rugby league football.     

Does a major knee injury definitely sideline an elite soccer player?

Injuries occurring in three Swedish elite soccer teams were analyzed during 1 year. A total of 49 of 64 players (75%) sustained 85 injuries. The incidence of injury during games was 13 injuries per 1000 hours, while the incidence during training was 3 injuries per 1000 hours. Twenty percent of the injuries required hospital facilities. The majority of the traumatic injuries (93%) were to the lower extremities, with one third of the total injuries occurring in the knee. Overuse injuries accounted for 35% of all injuries and occurred mainly during preseason training and at the end of each season. Conversely, the majority of traumatic injuries occurred during games, equally distributed between the first and second halves with a predominance toward the end of each half. The position of the player within the team did not influence injury rate. The referee considered 28% of the traumatic injuries to be caused by violation of existing rules. Thirty-four percent of the injuries were major, causing more than 1 month of absence from training and/or games. Eleven knee injuries required surgical intervention revealing seven ruptured ACLs, of which three were chronic. At followup, 9 to 18.5 months after injury, 4 of 12 players with major knee injuries had returned to play at the elite level. The others had either been transferred to lower divisions or were still in rehabilitation.     

Beach handball is safer than indoor team handball: injury rates during the 2017 European Beach Handball Championships

Purpose

Beach handball is a relatively new type of sports, which was derived from team handball. Medical issues such as frequency and severity of injury are yet unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the injury pattern and injury rates of this new type of sports.

Methods

This study investigated the injury incidence of 30 national teams (10 senior and 20 u-17 teams, 16 men’s and 14 women’s teams) participating in the 2017 European Beach Handball Championships. Reports on injuries sustained during the senior and u-17 youth tournaments were provided by the medical staff of each team. Injury incidence was differentiated between age and sex, and between the five field positions (goalkeeper, wing, central defender, pivot, and specialist).

Results

During the tournaments, 87 injuries were recorded yielding an overall injury incidence of 286.1 per 1000 match hours. Time-loss due to injury was 49.3 per 1000 match hours. Senior players had a higher overall injury incidence with 395.3 injuries than u-17 players with 205.7 injuries per 1000 h match hours (p?<?0.01). Comparison of the injury incidence between the two sexes showed 330.23 injuries per 1000 h handball exposure for male players and 234.9 injuries for female players (n.s.). The most frequent injury type was sprains (21 injuries, 24.1%) followed by contusions (19 injuries, 21.8%) and skin abrasions with (15 injuries, 17.2%). Central defenders and specialists had the highest injury incidence. Thighs, ankles, as well as foot and toes (altogether 12 injuries, all 13.8%) were the three most frequently injured anatomic sites.

Conclusions

Beach handball seems to have a lower incidence of time-loss injuries than that reported for indoor team handball. This study is an important basis for developing injury prevention strategies in this sports that should focus on thighs, ankles, feet and toes. Further research into this new type of sports is essential to identify risk factors and to develop adequate injury prevention measures.

Level of evidence

II.

     

Injury incidence and prevalence among elite weight and power lifters

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and prevalence of injuries among elite weight lifters and power lifters, with a special focus on shoulder injuries and possible injury-provoking exercises. In 1995, a questionnaire was administered to 110 male and female elite lifters to evaluate injuries and training characteristics. A follow-up of the athletes from 1995 was conducted in 2000, and a new 2000 elite group was also queried. In 1995 and again in 2000, the athletes sustained, on average, 2.6 injuries per 1000 hours of activity. Most common in 1995 were low back injuries, with an injury rate of 0.43 per 1000 hours, and shoulder injuries, with a rate of 0.42 per 1000 hours. Shoulder injuries dominated in 2000, with an injury rate of 0.51 per 1000 hours of activity. There was a difference in injury pattern between weight lifters, who mostly sustained low back and knee injuries, and power lifters, in whom shoulder injuries were most common. No correlation was found between shoulder injuries and any specific exercise. Although the total injury rate was the same during the two periods of study, the rate of shoulder injuries had increased.     

High injury incidence in TeamGym competition: a prospective cohort study

TeamGym is a relative new form of gymnastics originating from Scandinavia. Little is known regarding injury incidence and injury types. The aim of this study was to examine the injury pattern and incidence in Norwegian TeamGym competition. The study is a prospective cohort, with one 10-month season [17 competitions, n=8418 athlete-exposures (A-Es), a total of 1134 h of exposure]. Injury pattern, incidence and exposure during competition were collected using an injury registration form. During the competitions, 115 injuries were reported including 49 (43%) acute injuries, 58 (50%) exacerbations and eight (7%) re-injuries. The injury incidence was 50.3/1000 h or 6.8/1000 A-Es. Ankle injuries accounted for 25.6/1000 h. A total number of 30 time-loss injuries were found, giving 27 injuries per 1000 h. The high proportion of exacerbations shows that the gymnasts competed even if they had not recovered fully from previous overuse or acute injuries. A higher injury rate was observed in competition than during the pre-competition apparatus warm-up. Eighty-four per cent of the injuries occurred in the landing phase of the gymnastic skill. No sex differences were observed. The injury rate in Norwegian TeamGym competition is high, in particular for ankle injuries.     

Snow sports injuries in Scotland: a case-control study

OBJECTIVES: To examine the incidence and patterns of snow sports injuries at the three largest commercial ski areas in Scotland and to identify factors associated with injury risk. METHODS: A prospective case-control study of all injured people at Cairngorm, Glenshee, and Nevis Range ski areas during the 1999-2000 winter season. Personal details, snow sports related variables, diagnosis, and treatment were recorded. Control data were collected at random from uninjured people at all three areas. Random counts were performed to analyse the composition of the on slope population. RESULTS: A total of 732 injuries were recorded in 674 people. Control data were collected from 336 people. The injury rate for the study was 3.7 injuries per 1000 skier days. Alpine skiers comprised 67% of the on slope population, snowboarders 26%, skiboarders 4%, and telemark skiers 2%. Lower limb injuries and sprains were the commonest injuries in alpine skiers and skiboarders. Snowboarders sustained more injuries to the upper limb and axial areas. Skiboarders and snowboarders had a higher incidence of fractures. After adjustment for other variables, three factors were all independently associated with injury: snowboarding (odds ratio (OR) 4.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65 to 10.08), alpine skiing (OR 3.82, CI 1.6 to 9.13), and age <16 years (OR 1.9, CI 1.14 to 3.17). More than five days of experience in the current season and at least one week of experience in total had a protective effect against injury. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a change in the composition of the alpine population at Scottish ski areas, the overall rate and pattern of injury are similar to those reported previously in comparable studies. Several factors are associated with an increased risk of injury and should be targeted in future injury prevention campaigns.     

Trends in time‐loss injuries during the 2011‐2016 South African Rugby Youth Weeks

Youth rugby is a popular sport in South Africa (SA ) with a high injury incidence. The annual SA Rugby Youth Week tournaments attract the top age‐group players in the country providing a sample of players for reliable injury surveillance. The aim of the study was to analyze the changes in time‐loss injury rates at the SA Rugby Youth Week tournaments between 2011 and 2016, differences between age‐groups, and to investigate associated injury risk factors. All confirmed time‐loss injuries at the 4 age‐group tournaments (under‐13, under‐16, and 2 under‐18) from 2011 to 2016 were recorded. Injury incidence densities (IID ) for years, tournaments, and injury risk factors were calculated and Poisson regression analyses were performed to determine differences. Time‐loss injuries (n = 494) were reported over 24 240 exposure hours, with an overall IID of 20.4 (18.6‐22.2) injuries per 1000 player hours. The year 2013 had a significantly lower IID compared to 2011. Injury risk decreased with increasing age; under‐13 and under‐16 had significantly higher IID compared to under‐18 Craven Week. Tackling was the phase of play at highest risk, with an IID of 7.4 (6.3‐8.5) injuries per 1000 player hours. Central/peripheral nervous system (CNS /PNS ) and, therefore, the head/neck were the most commonly occurring injuries/location injured. In conclusion, within the SA Rugby tournament structure, the older players had a decreased rate of injury. The tackle event was still the phase of play with the highest injury incidence regardless of age. This increase in incidence is largely due to an increase in CNS /PNS injuries.