Sports-related injuries and illnesses amongst adolescent athletes in an urban sports medicine practice setting: a one-year prospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Approximately 23 million sports-related injuries occur annually among African adolescents, with limited epidemiological data on sports-related illnesses across the continent.

Objectives

This study highlights the prevalence, nature, and severity of sports injuries and illnesses in adolescent athletes presenting to a South African sports medicine practice.

Methods

A 12-month prospective longitudinal observational study examined adolescent athletes (aged 10-19) presenting to a South African sports medicine practice. At each visit, athletes and their parents/guardians signed consent forms. Data included demographics, sports type, performance level, injuries and illness details and severity according to the 2020 International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus st

SUBMITTER: van Loggerenberg C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12520735 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature