Lower extremity injuries in young floorball players : A prospective study on overuse injuries

Background: Overuse injuries in sports seem to be 1.5 to 2.5 times more common than traumatic injuries in the lower extremity (LE) in children and adolescents. Floorball is the most popular indoor sport in Sweden and is associated with many potential risks of injuries. However, to our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the appearance of injury in young floorball players. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of overuse injuries in LE in floorball players aged 15 or younger, with respect to frequency, location, and consequence of injury. Method: Fifty-seven players, from 9 different teams, participated (mean age 11±2 years). A modified version of Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire was submitted every fourth week during five months in order to record overuse injuries in LE. An online survey software was used to send out the questionnaires. Results: A of 42 overuse injuries in 42% (24/57) of the cohort were found. The average monthly prevalence for all players, in any anatomical area, was 28% (95% confidence total interval 18%-38%). The most common location of injuries was the knee (43%), followed by the foot (40%). Conclusion: The present study shows, in accordance with other recent studies on children and adolescents that overuse injuries seem to be a common problem for young floorball players. Knee and foot appear to be the most common location for overuse injuries in this population. Prospective analyses of different mechanisms for overuse injury in youth athletes and the relation to growth-related overuse disorders is desirable