Sports-related injuries and illnesses amongst adolescent athletes in an urban sports medicine practice setting: a one-year prospective study

Abstract

Background: Approximately 23 million sports-related injuries occur annually among African adolescents, with limited epidemiological data on sports-related illnesses across the continent.

Objectives: This study highlights the prevalence, nature, and severity of sports injuries and illnesses in adolescent athletes presenting to a South African sports medicine practice.

Methods: A 12-month prospective longitudinal observational study examined adolescent athletes (aged 10-19) presenting to a South African sports medicine practice. At each visit, athletes and their parents/guardians signed consent forms. Data included demographics, sports type, performance level, injuries and illness details and severity according to the 2020 International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus statement. The primary outcomes included the number (n) and prevalence (%) of injuries and illnesses for each category.

Results: A total of 373 consultations were recorded (202 injuries; 171 illnesses), 61% included male athletes. Team sports athletes accounted for the majority of injuries (64%), while individual sports athletes experienced a higher proportion of illnesses (65%). Lower limb injuries were most common (61%), with joint and muscle sprains (22%) comprising the predominant pathology type. A significant association was found between sex, age, type of sport, and mode of injury onset (p≤0.05). The respiratory system accounted for 54% of all reported illnesses, with infection being the leading cause (97%). For illnesses, significant associations were observed between the type of sport and the affected organ system and aetiology, as well as between sex and aetiology and mode of onset (p≤0.05). Most injuries and illnesses resulted in 1-7 days of time loss.

Conclusion: Male athletes experienced a higher incidence of medical encounters. Injuries were more prevalent in team sports participants, while illnesses were more common in individual athletes. Lower limb injuries, particularly joint and muscle sprains and respiratory infections, cause short-term time loss. This highlights the need for sport-specific injury and illness prevention in adolescent athletes.