|
Abstract
|
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to examine sport and recreational (S&R) activity participation and injury rates (IR) in high school students (ages 14-19).
METHODS: High school students (N = 24 schools, n = 2,029; 958 male, 1,048 female, 23 identified 'other' or missing; ages 14-19) in Alberta completed a web-based survey during class (October 2018-March 2019). Students identified their top three sports for participation in the past year. Primary outcome measures included IR for (a) any S&R-related injury, (b) most serious S&R-related injury resulting in medical attention, and (c) most serious injury resulting in restriction from S&R for at least one day.
RESULTS: In total, 1763/2029 (86.89%) respondents [861/958 (89.87%) male, 886/1048 (84.54%) female, 16/23 (69.57%) identifying as 'other' or missing] participated in an S&R activity in the past year. Top sports for male participation were basketball (33.08%; 95% CI 27.67-39.00), ice hockey (20.46%; 95% CI 14.87-27.47), and soccer (19.42%; 95% CI 15.67-23.80). Top sports for female participation were dance (22.52%; 95% CI 17.98-27.82), basketball (18.32%; 95% CI 14.32-23.14), and badminton (17.84%; 95% CI 13.35-23.43). Of the 1,971 students completing the S&R injury question, 889 reported at least one injury during the past year [(IR = 45.10 injuries/100 students/year (95% CI 39.72-50.61)]. The medical attention IR was 29.09 injuries/100 students/year (95% CI 24.49-34.17) and time loss IR was 36.00 injuries/100 students/year (95% CI 30.47-41.93).
CONCLUSIONS: High school student S&R IRs are high with 29% of adolescents reporting at least one medical attention injury within the past year. Injury prevention strategies targeting youth are necessary. Practical Application: Participation in S&R activities has multiple physical, psychological, and health benefits for adolescents, but some S&R activities also have greater risks of injury. This study informs the next sports to target for implementation of optimal prospective surveillance and injury prevention strategies among high school aged students.
Language: en |