Sports injuries during one academic year in 6799 Irish school children

Abstract

Details of the sports injuries occurring in 6799 children between the ages of 10 and 18 were recorded during the course of one academic year (September to June). One hundred sixteen injuries were noted: 29 sprains, 20 fractures, 18 strains, 14 contusions, 10 wounds, 7 dislocations, and 18 other injuries. On average these injuries resulted in 0.47 days of hospitalization, 18 days of incapacity, and 28 days before full recovery. The activities at which the injuries occurred were: football, 24; athletics, 15; rugby and gymnastics, 11 each; hockey, 10; basketball, 9; hurling and soccer, 8 each; indoor soccer, 5; camogie, 4; swimming, 3; tennis, 1; and others, 7. The rugby and indoor soccer injuries tended to be of above average seriousness. Eighty- eight injuries occurred in males and 28 in females. Males over 14 were three and half times as likely to be injured as younger boys. In girls the incidence of injury dropped after the age of 15. In both sexes the likelihood of injury increased with the physical standing of the individual. In outstanding males over the age of 15 the incidence of injury was one in six. The factors which contributed most frequently to injury were recklessness on the part of the injured party and foul or illegal play by another player. Lack of fitness and defects in sports gear, playing area, and equipment were other common causes.