Citation

Indridadottir MH, Sveinsson T, Magnusson KT, Arngrimsson SA, Johannsson E. Laeknabladid 2015; 101(10): 451-456.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Icelandic Medical Association and the Medical Society of Reykjavik)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

26444230

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Sport participation has increased during the past few decades, with accompanying rise in sport injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sport injuries, and drop-out due to them along with possible risk factors (hours of sports participation, sex, age, aerobic fitness and body composition). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional design was used and the 457 participants were 17 and 23 years old. Height, weight, body fat, lean soft tissue, bone mass, and aerobic fitness (W/kg) were measured. Participation in sports and physical training, and the prevalence of sport injuries and drop-out were estimated using questionnaires.

RESULTS: Four hundred and forty participants (96%) had at some time point participated in organized sports, but 277 (63%) were no longer practicing, more commonly (p=0.058) among girls (67.6%) than boys (58.8%). Thirty-seven (8.4%) dropped-out due to sport injuries. Of those participating in organized sports for the past 12 months, 51% required medical assistance at least once because of sport injuries. Multiple regression analysis revealed 5-fold increased risk for requiring medical assistance among those practicing more than 6 hours per week compared to those who practiced 6 hours or less (OR = 5.30, 95% CI: 3.00 to 9.42).

CONCLUSION: Youth sport injuries are a significant problem that can cause drop-out from participation in sport. More research is needed to better understand the impact of risk factors in order to promote prevention and ensure evidence-based training. Key words: Sport injury, drop-out, young adults, risk factor, prevalence. Correspondence: Erlingur Johannsson, erljo@hi.is.

Language: is