Abstract

ALVES, Carla et al. Lesões no recinto escolar em adolescentes do norte de Portugal. Rev. Port. Ortop. Traum. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.3, pp.333-339. ISSN 1646-2122.

Introduction: The potential for injuries in organized sports like physical education classes (PEC) as well as school intervals is high. They are a large source of inflow to the orthopedic emergency department. Purpose: To characterize sports injuries in Portuguese students from the 7th till 12th grade in school (PEC and school recess) and compare them to other published studies. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was filled by 623 students from four schools of North of Portugal, inquiring about injuries in PEC and in intervals during one academic year (2010/2011). Results: The mean age was 15.1 years and 57.5% were female. There was a higher incidence of injuries in PEC (18.8%) compared to the intervals (7.7%), with statistical significance. Lower limbs were the most affected (ankle during PEC and knee in recess). The most prevalent types of injury during the classes were strains (46.6%), sprains (37.3%) and dislocations (9.3%) and in the intervals were strains (45.8%), sprains (27.0%) and lacerations (18.8%). Lesions occurred predominantly during gymnastics, football and basketball in PEC’s and in the intervals occurred with football practice and running. The students considered physical contact, conditions of playing surface and lack of skill for the sport as the main causes of injury. More than half required treatment, preferably in hospital, but only a small percentage missed school (21,4% in PEC’s and 28,9% in recess). Conclusions: In our study there was a higher incidence of injuries in physical education classes rather than recesses, most of them localized in lower limb, mainly strains and sprains, which is consistent with other series. The main reasons given for the injuries were physical contact, poor conditions of the playground and lack of ability for the sport, which are potentially preventable. Teaching basic rules of safety and security of injury, enhance supervision, maintain school playground in good condition, adapt sports equipments to this age and a correct evaluation of motor skills to sport practice are some of the prevention strategies applicable.

Keywords : Sports injuries; school grounds.

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