More people more active, but there is a counter site. Novice athletes are at highest risk of injury in a large population-based retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether in fitness-related activities and recreational running over time, there is an increase in the number of novice sports athletes and whether these novice athletes have an increased injury rate compared with their experienced counterparts.MethodsData were collected from a large population-based retrospective cross-sectional study, ‘Injuries and Physical Activity in the Netherlands’ (IPAN). Athletes aged ≥18 years were included. We used descriptive statistics to describe the characteristics of athletes and their injuries. The number of athletes and injuries were calculated for each year and, where applicable, for each sport separately. The injury incidence rate was expressed as the number of injuries per 1000 hours of exposure. Logistic regression analyses were performed with non-extrapolated data to analyse the differences in injury risk for novice and experienced athletes included in this study, separate for fitness-related activities and running.ResultsOver the 5 years, 9209 fitness athletes reported 370 fitness-related injuries, 5426 runners reported 537 running-related injuries. Weighted data showed that, in 2010–2014, the inflow of novice fitness athletes slightly decreased, whereas the inflow of novice runners slightly increased. In each year, injury risk was higher in novice athletes compared with experienced athletes for both fitness-related activities and running. The injury incidence rates in running are much higher than in fitness-related activities.ConclusionsOver the years 2010–2014, the absolute number of novice athletes in fitness-related activities and running together increased. Although most injuries occurred in experienced athletes, injury risk was higher in novice athletes in both sports.

What makes an athlete? A scoping review: Assessing the use of the word athlete with anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation review studies. Is there a standard?

“…The remaining 15 papers did not specify participants' sex and no further information was provided to infer sex. The broad subjects of inquiry of the source papers after removal of duplicates included "prevention of injury" (96), "return to sport post injury" (61), "psychosocial factors affecting rehab" (21), biomechanics of injury (21), "risk factors for injury" (18) and incidence of injury (6).…”

“…5 This twinned with enhanced participation amongst newly active individuals participation across all sporting levels has resulted in a greater number of sports related injuries. 5,6 As the number of participants in sports increases, it is expected that greater numbers of injuries will continue to occur due to a higher proportion of novice participants. 6 Enhanced sporting related injury presentations raises interesting challenges for physicians treating these conditions, particularly given the wide range of facilities, resources and expected level of return amongst these individuals.…”

“…5,6 As the number of participants in sports increases, it is expected that greater numbers of injuries will continue to occur due to a higher proportion of novice participants. 6 Enhanced sporting related injury presentations raises interesting challenges for physicians treating these conditions, particularly given the wide range of facilities, resources and expected level of return amongst these individuals. The rehabilitation needs of sporting participants can vary based on their level of activity, expected level of return, access to rehabilitation supports and whether their sport is vital for their livelihood such as is the case with professional athletes.…”

Sport and exercise medicine: crossing borders

“…By doing so, we should pay attention to these ‘new athletes’ at risk of injuries. It is often overlooked that novice and recreational athletes are at greater risk of injury than more experienced athletes 1. Active risk prevention and identification is what prevents injury and increases safety, and as such, it must be a key component of exercise as medicine.…”

Midlife health crisis of former competitive athletes: dissecting their experiences via qualitative study

“…Former elite athletes live longer than non-athletes1 2 yet also have higher rates of musculoskeletal injury,3–8 osteoarthritis2 9 and joint replacement 2 10. Limited evidence to date presents an unclear picture of long-term implications of sports participation on cardiometabolic health, body composition, function and overall wellness in ageing former athletes 11 12.…”