Safety of a preadolescent basketball program

Am J Dis Child. 1991 Sep;145(9):1023-5. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1991.02160090075026.

Abstract

A preadolescent youth basketball program was prospectively studied to determine injury rates and the kinds of injuries sustained. The overall injury rate was 7.6% (39 injuries among the 510 children aged 5 to 12 years). Girls had a higher injury rate than boys (P less than .02). Only 12 children (2.4%) suffered significant injuries as defined by the inability to play for at least one session. Most injuries were contusions (35.9%), followed by strains or sprains (28.2%), epistaxis (12.8%), lacerations (5.1%), and one finger fracture (2.6%), the most significant injury. Games were more likely to produce injuries than practice sessions; most injuries occurred in the second half of game play. This study documents a low injury rate in an organized preadolescent basketball program.

MeSH terms

  • Basketball / injuries*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Contusions / epidemiology
  • Contusions / etiology
  • Facial Injuries / epidemiology
  • Facial Injuries / etiology
  • Female
  • Finger Injuries / epidemiology
  • Finger Injuries / etiology
  • Humans
  • Leg Injuries / epidemiology
  • Leg Injuries / etiology
  • Male
  • Safety
  • Sprains and Strains / epidemiology
  • Sprains and Strains / etiology
  • Virginia / epidemiology