Citation

Runge Larsen L, Kristensen PL, Junge T, Fuglkjær Møller S, Juul-Kristensen B, Wedderkopp N. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2016; 48(6): 1136-1143.

Affiliation

1University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Regional Health Services Research, Odense, Denmark; 2Research and Development, Center for Human Movement and Learning, University College Lillebaelt, Odense, Denmark; 3University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Odense, Denmark; 4Sports Medicine Clinic, Orthopaedic Dep. Hospital of Lillebaelt, Vejle, Denmark; 5Bergen University College, Institute of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Radiography, Department of Health Sciences, Bergen, Norway; 6Department of Physiotherapy, University College Lillebaelt, Odense, Denmark; 7Health Sciences Research Centre, University College Lillebaelt, Odense, Denmark; 8Department of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1249/MSS.0000000000000877

PMID

26765628

Abstract

PURPOSE: Physical activity related injuries in children constitute a costly public health matter. The influence of motor performance on injury risk is unclear. The purpose was to examine if motor performance was a risk factor of traumatic and overuse lower extremity injuries in a normal population of children.

METHODS: This study included 1244 participants from 8 to 14-years-old at baseline, all participating in "the Childhood Health, Activity and Motor Performance School Study Denmark". The follow-up period was up to 15 months. The motor performance tests were static balance, single leg hop for distance, core stability tests, vertical jump, shuttle run, and a cardiorespiratory fitness test. Lower extremity injuries were registered by clinicians by weekly questionnaires and classified according to the ICD-10 system.

RESULTS: Poor balance increased risk for traumatic injury in the foot region (IRR=1.09-1.15), and good performance in single leg hop for distance protected against traumatic knee injuries (IRR=0.66-0.68). Good performance in core stability tests and vertical jump increased the risk for traumatic injuries in the foot region (IRR=1.12-1.16). Poor balance increased the risk for overuse injuries in the foot region (IRR=1.65), as did good performance in core stability tests and shuttle run, especially for knee injuries (IRR=1.07-1.18).

CONCLUSIONS: Poor balance (sway) performance was a consistent predictor of traumatic injuries, in particular for traumatic ankle injuries. Good motor performance (core stability, vertical jump, shuttle run) was positively associated with traumatic and overuse injuries, and negatively (single leg hop) associated with traumatic injuries, indicating different influence on injury risk. Previous injury was a confounder affecting the effect size and the significance. More studies are needed to consolidate the findings, to clarify the influence of different performance tests on different types of injuries and to examine the influence of behaviour in relation to injury risk.

Language: en