Gender-specific differences in school sports injuries.
OBJECTIVE
About 5 % of the pupils suffer from an injury in school sports every year. In addition to the kind of injury, the localization and the type of sport, the corresponding reasons for the injuries should be investigated to provide insights for physical education.


METHODS
In a prospective study 213 accident cases with 234 injuries during physical education classes were examined. At primary presentation in our clinic, an empirical questionnaire was used to document the grade of class, the exact time point of the injury, the question of guilt, out-of-school sports activity as well as the mechanisms of injuries and the type of sport. Clinicians who worked in our out-patient clinic completed the questionnaire after physical examination documenting diagnosis, therapy and the duration of restriction of sports practice. All patients were followed until returning to physical education at school. The data were statistically analyzed using the chi (2)-test to examine gender-specific differences.


RESULTS
Gender-specific differences were seen in the type (p = 0.018) and mechanisms (p = 0.028) of injuries. The most common injuries were sprains (female pupils 36.8 % male pupils 24.5 %], contusions (female pupils 27.4 % male pupils 27.9 %) and fractures (female pupils 14.7 % male pupils 18.6 %). Frequent mechanisms of injuries were errors in basic motion training like running, jumping and catching (female pupils 35.8 % male pupils 28.8 %). No gender-specific differences could be shown for the localization of injuries or for the type of sport. The upper extremity with 55 % was more frequently involved than the lower extremity with 37 %. Playing soccer (21.2 %) and basketball (19.8 %) were the most frequent reasons for sports injuries. The highest prevalence of school sports injuries occurred at the onset of and during puberty.


CONCLUSIONS
For the girls it is necessary to improve the basic motor skills, while the boys need to learn considerate behavior and how to read the game. Basic skill levels in ball games must be improved before practice in competition form is initiated.
Kelm
J
J
Orthopädische Universitätsklinik, Homburg/Saar, Germany. jk66421@hotmail.com
Ahlhelm
F
F
Anagnostakos
K
K
Pitsch
W
W
Schmitt
E
E
Regitz
Th
T
Pape
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009132:Muscles / Q000293:injuries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires