Factors Associated with Sports Injuries in Korean Youth Track and Field Athletes during Training and Competition.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to analyze the risk factors for injuries at different sites and tissues during competition and training, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted injury prevention and rehabilitation programs for young athletes.

METHODS

Overall, 257 Korean youth track and field athletes in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools registered in the 2022 Korean Athletic Association were included in this study. The Pearson correlation coefficient and Contingency coefficient were used to analyze the correlation between injured site, injured tissue, training time per day, and training days per week during competition and training.

RESULTS

The lower extremity was the site with the highest injury rate (30.7% in competition vs 43.6% in training), and the ankle and knee had the highest risk of lower extremity injury. Muscles and tendons were the tissues with the highest injury rates (29.6% in competition vs 32.3% in training), and myositis was the main type of muscle and tendon injury. The incidence of injuries to body parts and tissues was higher during training than during competition (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The probability and risk factors of sports injuries are different. Athletes with rich experience need correct sports techniques and reasonable exercise loads to avoid sports injuries. Contact and non-contact injuries are also a cause of sports injuries. Therefore, coaches and athletes need to fully understand the background of the injury and provide a scientific basis for the prevention of youth sports injuries.