Analysis of sex‐specific injury patterns and risk factors in young high‐level athletes |
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Authors: | A. Frisch R. Seil A. Urhausen J. L. Croisier M. L. Lair D. Theisen |
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Affiliation: | 1. Centre d'Etudes en Santé, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé, Luxembourg,;2. Centre de l'Appareil Locomoteur, de Médecine du Sport et de Prévention du Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg,;3. Département des Sciences de la Motricité, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium |
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Abstract: | This study analyzed sex‐specific injury patterns and risk factors in young athletes (n=256) from 12 sport disciplines practicing at the national or the international level in the Grand‐Duchy of Luxembourg. Injury occurrence as a result of sport practice was analyzed retrospectively over the year 2006 using a standardized self‐administered questionnaire. Overall incidence was not different between girls and boys (1.20 and 1.21 injuries/1000 athlete‐hours, respectively), but in the context of team sport competition girls tended to be at a greater risk (rate ratio 2.05, P=0.053). Girls had a higher proportion of injuries in the ankle/foot region compared with boys (34.8% vs 16.8%). No sex‐related differences were found regarding injury severity. Multivariate logistic regression (controlling for age and practice volume) revealed that girls' team sports were associated with a greater injury risk compared with individual sports [odds ratio (OR) of 4.76], while in boys this was observed for racket sports (OR=3.31). Furthermore, physical or emotional stress tended to be a specific risk factor in girls. There was a tendency for injury outside sports to be coupled to a higher injury risk in girls and boys. Consideration of sex‐specific injury patterns and risk factors could be of importance for effective injury prevention. |
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Keywords: | injury incidence sex odds ratio logistic regression injury prevention |
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