Risk factors for acute and overuse sport injuries in Swedish children 11 to 15 years old: What about resistance training with weights?

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2016 Mar;26(3):317-23. doi: 10.1111/sms.12432. Epub 2015 Feb 28.

Abstract

To determine the 1-year self-reported incidence of overuse and traumatic sport injuries and risk factors for injuries in children participating in a summer sports camp representing seven different sports. 4363 children, 11 to 15 years old participating in a summer camp in seven different sports answered a questionnaire. Injury in this cross-sectional study was defined as a sport-related trauma or overload leading to pain and dysfunction preventing the person from participation in training or competition for at least 1 week. A number of risk factors for injury were investigated such as sex, age, number of hours spent on training in general, and on resistance training with weights. Nearly half [49%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 48-51%] of the participants had been injured as a result of participation in a sport during the preceding year, significantly more boys than girls (53%, 95% CI 50-55% vs 46%, 95% CI 43-48%; P < 0.001). Three factors contributed to increased incidence of sport injuries: age, sex, and resistance training with weights. Time spent on resistance training with weights was significantly associated with sport injuries in a logistic regression analysis. In children age 11 to 15 years, the risk of having a sport-related injury increased with age and occurred more often in boys than in girls. Weight training was the only modifiable risk factor that contributed to a significant increase in the incidence of sport injuries.

Keywords: Sport injuries; adolescents; children; overuse injury; resistance training; sex; traumatic injury; weight training.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors*
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Resistance Training / adverse effects*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors*
  • Sports
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sweden