INJURIES
IN SPORTSSPORTS
INJURIES IN CHILDHOOD. A
PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN GREECE
Spagakos
Georgios1,
Kontopoulou Eirini2
1
Orthopaedic Surgeon, 2Filoktitis Rehabilitation
Center, Athens, Greece
Purpose. In this study, we
present data on the occurrence of sports injuries among children in
Greece. The study indicates the importance of injury surveillance in
describing the epidemiology of sports injuries and provides an estimate
of the magnitude of sport injuries that take place annually in Greece.
Materials
and methods. Data from the European Home and Leisure Accident
Surveillance System (EHLASS) were collected from the participating
hospitals during a 2year period (2002-2003).
Results. Almost
one-third of all injuries incurred in Greece among children are
sports-related injuries. Football, probably because of its popularity,
accounts for most of sports injuries. In football, boys account for
more than 90% of injuries, while in basketball, they account about 65%.
In volleyball and particularly gymnastics, the opposite pattern holds
with girls being frequently overrepresented. The most common injuries
are sprains and strains, fractures represent more than 14% of sport
injuries. The significant increase of sports injuries is associated
with a parallel rapid growth of organized and unorganized sports
activities for children in Greece in recent years.
Αpproximately 4% of the total sports injuries require
hospitalization.
Conclusions.
Sports activities reduce cardiovascular, morbidity and mortality,
increase fitness and improve quality of life. Sports injuries represent
the most important and the most direct adverse consequence of sports
activities. The frequency and severity of sports injuries is a function
of the popularity of each type of sport activity.
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