Profile of physical activity-related musculoskeletal injuries: a propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity offers numerous health benefits but also carries the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, posing a significant health concern across all athletic levels. Understanding specific injury patterns and risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and management of injuries.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to identify and compare musculoskeletal injury patterns among hospitalized participants with physical activity-related musculoskeletal injuries, including those related to non-sports activities and sports-related injuries.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 8413 participants from an orthopedic trauma center (2013-2023). Cases were categorized as sports-related (n = 1152) or non-sports-related (n = 6968). Propensity score matching was utilized to control for age, sex, and comorbidities. Injury types, locations (International Classification of Diseases-10 codes), participant demographics, hospital stay durations, and surgery rates were analyzed using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests.

RESULTS

Participants sustaining sports-related injuries were younger (mean age: 34 vs. 45 years; P < 0.001), predominantly male (65 % vs. 57 %, P < 0.001), and had a significantly lower prevalence of hypertension (11 % vs. 21 %), diabetes (4 % vs. 9 %), and osteoporosis (2 % vs. 6 %; all P < 0.05). They also experienced shorter hospital stays (median: 2 vs. 4 days; P < 0.001), with no significant difference in surgery rates compared to the non-sports-related group (P > 0.05). Sports-related activities significantly increased the relative risk (RR) for lower leg injuries (S80-S89; RR = 1.47; 95 % CI, 1.32-1.63) and dislocations or joint sprains (S33, S43, S53, S63, S73, S83, S93; RR = 1.92; 95 % CI, 1.68-2.19), but reduced the risk of wrist and hand injuries (S60-S69; RR = 0.42; 95 % CI, 0.33-0.54) and open wounds (RR = 0.06; 95 % CI, 0.02-0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant differences in injury patterns and associated risks underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies, especially for younger, physically active populations, to mitigate injury risk and related long-term health impacts.