Influence of Maturation on Sports Injuries Profile in Portuguese Youth

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial, enhancing healthy development. However, it is estimated that one third of school-age children practicing sport regularly suffer from a serious injury. Maturation can make young athletes more vulnerable to sports injuries and increased knowledge about injury with specific PA exposure data is important to an overall risk management strategy. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of maturation on sports injury profiles in Portuguese youths. Distance to peak height velocity (PHV) was a significant predictor of injury patterns in children and adolescents of both sexes.