Information about project titled 'The association between physical fitness level and number and severity of injury and illness in youth elite athletes'
The association between physical fitness level and number and severity of injury and illness in youth elite athletes
| Details about the project - category | Details about the project - value |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Published |
| Project manager: | Christine Holm Moseid |
| Supervisor(s): | Roald Bahr, Grethe Myklebust |
| Coworker(s): | Jonathan Brun Bar-Yaacov, Åse-Helene Kristiansen, Marit Slåstuen, Morten Wang Fagerland |
Description
Background: Little is known regarding physical fitness in youth elite athletes and their potential risk of injury or illness. When transitioning from an ordinary high school to a sport academy high school, their training- and competition might double. Is there a connection between physical fitness when starting to attend a sport academy high school, and risk of injury or illness?
Aim: Our aim was to investigate if there was an association between the level of physical fitness and risk of incurring injury or illness in youth elite athletes, after entering a specialized Sport Academy High School programme.
Methods: The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire on health problems was used to self-report injuries and illnesses weekly. Primary exposures were level of physical fitness evaluated at baseline by a set of seven different fitness tests (Ironman Jr).
Implications: At present, there is not much evidence regarding injury and illness risk and the level of physical fitness when entering a specialized Sport Academy High School program. There are some concerns regarding overscheduling among youth elite athletes entering such programs. In the current report, we want to elaborate on this relationship. Hopefully this study will give us data about how to take better care of youth elite athletes and their overall health, and how to proceed about training- and competition-load when entering sport-specialized high school programs.