Risk exposure and incidence of injuries in school physical education at different activity levels

Pupils in the age range of 14-19 years in the schools of a municipality in Sweden were observed prospectively for one year for acute injuries during school physical education (n = 2089). Pupils registered in the Injury Surveillance System for an acute injury sustained during physical education classes and treated by a physician were interviewed. The number of observed injuries was 53. The incidence rate as a ratio of injury and estimated time of activity has been calculated. Physical activity during leisure time was investigated by a mailed questionnaire to a random sample of 7% of the population in the same age range. Levels of physical activity during leisure time of the injured pupils were related to activity levels in the whole population. An increased risk of injury (7 times) was found in pupils with a low activity level, compared to those with a medium or high level, and the risk of injury in females with a sedentary life style was 10 times as high as in active females.