Related Experiment Videos
Injuries during physical activity in school children.
Gunilla Sundblad1, Tönu Saartok, Lars-Magnus Engström
1Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Sports Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. gunilla.sundblad@telia.com
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|September 27, 2005
Summary
Student-reported physical activity injuries in Sweden revealed that 16% of participants sustained injuries. Physical education teachers and coaches often provide primary care, highlighting the need for sports medicine first aid education.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric sports medicine
- Public health
- Injury epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood injuries during physical activities are a significant public health concern.
- Understanding injury patterns and contributing factors is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of self-reported injuries among students during physical activities.
- To identify factors associated with these injuries and the primary care provided.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide, multidisciplinary study involving 1975 students from grades 3, 6, and 9 in Sweden.
- Retrospective collection of self-reported injuries and associated factors over a 3-month period.
- Analysis of data from randomly selected classes across diverse geographical and socio-economic areas.
Main Results:
- 16% of students (n=299) reported 306 injuries.
- Girls experienced more injuries than boys during physical education.
- Ninth graders reported more injuries during organized sports compared to physical education and leisure activities.
- Most injuries were minor, with 70% recovering within a week.
- 50% of injured students had a prior injury to the same body part.
- Physical education teachers and coaches frequently provided primary care for injuries.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity injuries are common among school-aged children in Sweden.
- Specific demographic and activity-related factors influence injury risk.
- The role of physical education teachers and coaches in primary injury care underscores the necessity for enhanced sports medicine first aid training.