Physical Activity and Injury Prevention in Adolescents

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Welcome to the Wiki

Introduction

Regular health benefits of participation in physical activity are well studied (Collard et al 2009). However, physical inactivity remains one of the largest worldwide threats and is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality (NICE 2012). Since 1980, the prevalence of obesity worldwide has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents (McCormick et al 2007). In 2012, more than a third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese (CDC 2015). Physiotherapists are faced with an ever-growing challenge in efforts to promote physical activity in order for people to live a healthy life.

Physical activity has its drawbacks as well, there are risks of injuries and accidents of participants. Children and adolescents are the largest participants in physical activity and they are at a particular risk for these injuries, because of a high level of exposure, improper technique, poor proprioception, muscle weaknesses, apparatuses not adjusted to their size, absence of fear and understanding of risks (Collard et al 2009; Habelt et al 2011). Physical activity is the leading cause of injury and hospital room visits in adolescents (Brussoni et al 2015). Most injuries or accidents resulting from physical activity are non life threatening however they often result in pain, disability, school absence, absence from physical activity, and sometimes in dysfunction in the short and long term (Collard et al 2009). Injuries to joints can accelerate the development of osteoarthritis. Therefore, prevention of physical activity related injuries are essential. Emery (2005) showed in a review that injury prevention strategies in children could reduce the risk of physical activity related injuries.

Physiotherapists have an extremely important role in the prevention of injuries and accidents as a result of physical activity in adolescents so they can continue to enjoy the physical, social and emotional benefits of activities without compromising their safety. Therefore the aim of this Wiki is critically evaluate the role of the physiotherapist in the prevention of injury and accident as a result of physical activity in adolescents age 12-18.

Relevant Definitions

Prevention, injury, accident, adolescents and physical activity

Important Information

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this resource, the learner will be able:

1. To critically evaluate prevention and prevention strategies of injury and accidents in adolescents age 12-18 participating in physical activity in the context of physiotherapy practice.
2. To be able to critically evaluate the level of effectiveness of preventative equipment and education in prevention of injuries and accidents in adolescents age 12-18.
3. To be able to justify a prehabilitation programme and promote each component in the prevention of injuries and accidents in adolescents age 12-18.
4. To be able to critically reflect upon the challenges and be able to make recommendations that can be implemented to prevent injuries and accidents in adolescents age 12-18 during physical activity.

Intended Audience

The following resource is designed for students and recently qualified physiotherapists, looking to enhance their continual professional development, in regards to the prevention of injuries and accidents in adolescents age 12-18. This resource however is not to be exclusive to these groups as other individuals interested in this topic area may be able to extract relevant information as well.

References

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