Profile of physical activity-related musculoskeletal injuries: a propensity score-matched study - 18/09/25
, Rafał Kamiński 2 Highlights |
• | Physical activity improves health but increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries |
• | Sports-related injuries occur more often in younger and healthier male participants |
• | Sports activities raise risk for lower leg injuries and joint sprains |
• | Sports activities lower risk for wrist, hand injuries, and open wounds |
• | Targeted prevention strategies are needed for active younger populations |
ABSTRACT |
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 8,413 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.
El texto completo de este artículo está disponible en PDF.Keywords : musculoskeletal injuries, sports-related injuries, non-sports-related injuries, injury patterns, risk factors
Abbreviations : AMMS, CI, ICD-10, PSM, SD, STROBE, RR, WHO
Esquema
Bienvenido a EM-consulte, la referencia de los profesionales de la salud.
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