Youth sports injuries and their immediate management: a review

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the risk of injury to young people participating in non-elite sport, and to establish whether the immediate 'on-field' medical care they receive is adequate.

Methods: A literature search of electronic databases was initially undertaken, in addition to searches of governmental bodies' websites; papers obtained were then cross-referenced and appropriate articles ordered through interlibrary loans.

Results: A total of 24 relevant papers were identified for review.

Conclusions: The lack of standardised injury definitions and surveillance methods confounds the development of injury prevention strategies for young athletes. Future studies should be designed to measure injury exposure, so injury rates can be calculated which will make analysis and comparisons easier and more meaningful. Further studies investigating the extent of coaches', teachers' and therapists' first-aid knowledge and qualifications, and also the quality of the training they receive would also help to determine whether young athletes are receiving adequate 'on-field' care.