Epidemiology of Sports Injury in Pediatric Athletes

Background: The participation of children and adolescents in sports has significantly increased over the past decades. This trend is associated with earlier involvement and more intense specialization in various sports. As a result, injuries that were once primarily seen in adult athletes are now increasingly common among young athletes. Most sports-related musculoskeletal injuries in this demographic arise from repetitive overuse, leading to acute injuries. Epidemiological studies, including national surveys, have been effective in documenting these injury patterns and understanding their causes, which include growth and development-related factors. Methods: This study compiles data from various national studies and surveillance systems from ۲۰۱۰ to ۲۰۲۴ to provide an overview of the epidemiology of sports injuries in child athletes. These studies use the age of entry into athletics as a primary criterion for determining injuries, allowing for a clearer understanding of the incidence rates across different sports and contexts. Results: The findings indicate that approximately ۴۰% of adolescent athletes experience injuries annually, with soccer showing the highest injury rate at ۷.۲۱ per ۱,۰۰۰ hours of play. Common injuries include muscle strains in the lower back (۱۲.۲۴%), ankle sprains (۱۱.۹۸%), and bone fractures (۳۱.۳۱%). Injuries predominantly affect the lower extremities, particularly the ankles (۳۶.۱۲%) and knees (۱۹.۳۲%). Notably, ۵۹.۲۸% of injuries occur during practice sessions rather than competitions. The data suggest a related trend where previous injuries significantly increase the likelihood of future injuries, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention strategies. Furthermore, while the overall injury rate has shown a decrease over time in certain activities, the severity and prevalence of overuse injuries appear to be on the rise. Conclusion: The epidemiology of sports injuries among child athletes highlights significant trends that require focused attention on prevention strategies tailored to the unique needs of young athletes. The high prevalence of injuries during training sessions suggests that training environments may need reassessment to minimize risks. Additionally, understanding the distribution and determinants of these injuries is essential for developing effective injury prevention programs that can enhance safety and performance among young athletes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Epidemiology ، pediatric sports injuries ، athlete-exposure ، overuse injuries ، injury prevention strategies