Analysis of sex-specific injury patterns and risk factors in young high-level athletes.
This study analyzed sex-specific injury patterns and risk factors in young athletes (n=256) from 12 sport disciplines practicing at the national or the international level in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. Injury occurrence as a result of sport practice was analyzed retrospectively over the year 2006 using a standardized self-administered questionnaire. Overall incidence was not different between girls and boys (1.20 and 1.21 injuries/1000 athlete-hours, respectively), but in the context of team sport competition girls tended to be at a greater risk (rate ratio 2.05, P=0.053). Girls had a higher proportion of injuries in the ankle/foot region compared with boys (34.8% vs 16.8%). No sex-related differences were found regarding injury severity. Multivariate logistic regression (controlling for age and practice volume) revealed that girls' team sports were associated with a greater injury risk compared with individual sports [odds ratio (OR) of 4.76], while in boys this was observed for racket sports (OR=3.31). Furthermore, physical or emotional stress tended to be a specific risk factor in girls. There was a tendency for injury outside sports to be coupled to a higher injury risk in girls and boys. Consideration of sex-specific injury patterns and risk factors could be of importance for effective injury prevention.
Frisch
A
A
Centre d'Etudes en Santé, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé, Luxembourg.
Seil
R
R
Urhausen
A
A
Croisier
J L
JL
Lair
M L
ML
Theisen
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008189:Luxembourg / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000145:classification; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices