Citation

Maffulli N, Das D, Caine DJ. J. Sports Traumatol. Rel. Res. 2000; 22(3): 100-122.

Affiliation

Maffulli, N., Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Univ. of Aberdeen Medical School, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Kurtis Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Over the last 30 years, competitive sport has become an established feature of western childhood, but an unwanted consequence has been the increase of sports related injuries, which may account for up to 30% of all injuries to children and adolescents. Studies on sports injuries often cannot be compared due to lack of uniformity in definitions of injuries, level of sports participation, insufficient information on the population at risk and on the exposure time to the sport, and variability in study design and data collection. Most sports injuries in children and adolescence are relatively minor, but the media report the more severe injuries, causing concerns on the safety of youth sport. Each sport causes specific injuries, and health professionals should know the specific pattern and location of injuries of a given sport. Training and competition should take into account the biological age of the participants, their physical and psychological immaturity, in addition to their chronological age. The risk of injury can be minimized by the proper selection of sport events, the use of proper equipment and safe playing conditions, and adequate supervision.