The accident-prone and overuse-prone profiles of the young athlete

Abstract

A 1 year prospective study was done to develop an accident-prone and overuse-prone profile of young athletes. A group of 185 freshman physical education students (118 males; 67 females of the same age (18.3 +/- 0.5 years) trained under the same conditions and were exposed to similar extrinsic risk factors. Using a descriptive statistical technique, an analysis of correspondence, the complex interrelation between the criterium variables (acute injuries and overuse injuries) and the predictor variables (intrinsic risk factors; physical characteristics--anthropometric data, physical fitness parameters, flexibility aspects and malalignment of the lower extremities; and psychological factors--16 personality traits) was estimated for males and females separately. Although dynamic strength seems to be an important risk factor in acute injuries, sports accidents must be seen in relation to psychological factors. However, the overuse-prone profile is mainly based on physical traits: a combination of muscle weakness, ligamentous laxity, and muscle tightness predisposes to stress injuries. In addition, these overuse effects are intensified by large body weight and length, a high explosive strength, and malalignment of the lower limbs. Nevertheless, it has to be kept in mind that psychosomatic factors play a role in how one experiences these overuse phenomena.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries

“…Health care professionals should recognize that certain anatomic factors may predispose the athlete to overuse injury, including leg-length discrepancies, genu valgus, genu varus, pelvic rotation, and generalized joint hypermobility. 9,10,[22][23][24] Evidence Category: C…”

“…They developed an overuse-injury-prone profile for both males and females, which included physical factors such as a lack of stability (eg, decreased static strength coupled with laxity), muscle tightness, malalignment, more explosive strength, and large body size (ie, height and mass), and psychological traits including degree of carefulness, dedication, vitality, and sociability (Table 3). 10 Many of these characteristics (eg, anatomical alignment, flexibility, strength, speed) can be measured during a PPE or baseline fitness test, allowing clinicians to identify athletes potentially at risk for overuse injuries and to develop preventive measures.…”

“…In another small retrospective study 77 including children and adults, more injuries were reported by hypermobile ballet dancers than by their nonhypermobile counterparts. In an attempt to describe overuse-prone profiles of young adults, Lysens et al 10 reported that males and females with weak muscles, poor flexibility, and hypermobility may be at increased risk for overuse injuries.…”

“…Although little research has identified causative factors for overuse injuries in children and adolescents, these injuries may be caused by training errors, improper technique, excessive sports training, inadequate rest, muscle weakness and imbalances, and early specialization. [6][7][8][9][10] More than half of all reported overuse injuries are speculated to be preventable, 5 but few empirical data support this statistic.…”

Risk of injury in youth sports: role of psychological factors

“…Much of the early research on psychological factors and injury in sport focused on personality factors (e.g., Lysens et al, 1989;Taerk, 1977). These early studies sought to characterize an 'injury prone' personality type.…”