Prevalence of Sports Injuries Among School Student-Athletes and Their Effects on the Mental and Physical Health

Abstract

Background: Regular exercise is beneficial for children and teenagers in terms of physical and mental health, but it is crucial to acknowledge the potential for injuries and the lack of extensive research on the prevalence and consequences of sports-related injuries in this age group. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the occurrence of sports injuries and assess how they may affect students' mental and physical well-being. Methods: The current study was cross-sectional research conducted in Hamedan City from 1401 to 1402. The statistical population of this study consisted of students who participated in team sports. A total of 153 students, with an average age of 14.1 ± 2.8, were selected as the study population. The quality of life was assessed using the SF36 scale, while physical and mental health were evaluated using the PROMIS-2 scales. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software and the independent t-test statistical method, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: The research results have shown that 24.2% of student-athletes in Hamedan City suffer from sports injuries in at least one part of their body. The areas that most commonly affected were the feet and toes (16.2%), ankles (13.5%), and knees (10.8%). Furthermore, the findings from the research indicate that student-athletes with a previous history of sports injuries had a significantly lower average quality of life, physical health, social functioning, and pain interference compared to those who had not experienced such injuries (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Sports injuries are common among student-athletes who participate in team sports, and they can significantly affect both their physical and social well-being. Such injuries can have a detrimental impact on the daily lives and social interactions of adolescent athletes. Therefore, health professionals must be fully aware of these repercussions and make them a key focus when managing sports injuries.