Is there an injury epidemic in girls’ sports?

Abstract

Injuries to prominent sportswomen have raised questions about whether there is an injury epidemic for female athletes. Our aim was to synthesise the data on overall injury incidence among female athletes and present the evidence for specific injuries for which female athletes appear to be at greater risk than male athletes. We also reviewed the severity of female injuries, the hypothesised risk factors and injury prevention studies. In general, women have a lower rate of injury than men. Women are at greater risk for specific injuries such as non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries, but these injuries are relatively rare. Further, women tend to have higher rates of surgery for the same injuries than men. Nevertheless, injury rates likely can be reduced by research efforts to identify modifiable risk factors using rigorous epidemiological methods and the investigation of effective prevention programmes.

Injury patterns in Swedish elite athletics: annual incidence, injury types and risk factors

“…We also found similar injury patterns in adults and youths. Girls were most likely to avoid injuries, which is in accordance with the findings of a recent review 27. Most injuries were reported to occur during athletics training.…”

Changes in Self-Reported Knee Function and Health-Related Quality of Life After Knee Injury in Female Athletes

“…2 It is well recognized that female athletes participating in sports and fitness activities demonstrate a 4 to 6 times higher incidence of knee injuries than male athletes. [3][4][5] Much of the research to date has focused on the incidence, treatment options, and prevention strategies for these injuries. [6][7][8][9][10] Studies on outcomes after knee injury have often used a retrospective approach and have focused primarily on the effects of interventions such as surgical techniques on adult subjects.…”

Sport Injuries in Elite Paralympic Swimmers With Visual Impairment

“…Indeed, the pattern of injuries between men and women seems to shows few differences compared with the same sport among ablebodied athletes. 20 Knowles 21 suggested that female athletes have a lower overall rate of injury when compared with male athletes without disability. Further authors should be encouraged to evaluate the risk of injury by sex in larger Paralympic sport cohorts.…”