Prevalence and Pattern of Physical Activity-Related Injuries in Saudi Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study | ||
| Journal of Medical and Life Science | ||
| Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 20 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jmals.2025.460260 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Sami Abdulrahman Abdullah Alshehri* ; Asma Alonazi | ||
| Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in adolescent health but carries inherent risks of injury. Data on PA-related injuries among Saudi adolescents are limited. Objective: The study examines the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of PA-related injuries among Saudi youth aged 12–18 years in sports club activity, leisure time physical activity, and school physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study involving 402 Saudi youth employed a web-based survey sent through social media. Cluster sampling aimed at youths with musculoskeletal injury from organized sport, leisure, or school. Exclusion was made among participants with musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. Demographic and injury characteristics were computed using SPSS software with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression for association evaluation between injury prevalence and risk factors. Results: Among 402 participants, 87.3% were male, and 37.8% and 35.3% resided in the west and south regions, respectively. Age groups comprised 43.8% in 12–14 years and 39.1% in 16–18 years, with 48% normal BMI. Overall, 54.2% reported a history of sports participation, of whom 40.0% played weekly and 34.1% played twice per week. Injury incidence of PA was 37%, and there was no significant correlation between injury and age (p=0.96), gender (p=0.74), BMI (p=0.87), location (p=0.77), or sport type (p=0.41). However, previous instruction significantly reduced the rate of injury (p=0.001). Foot injuries were most common (48.9% in sports training, 36.7% in recreation sports), with arm and ankle injuries also frequent, and marked disparities in injury type between venues (p<0.001). Conclusion: PA-related injury is common among Saudi adolescents without heterogeneity by age, gender, BMI, location, or type of sport. Pre-exercise instruction markedly decreases risk, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs for adolescent health. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Physical Activity; Injury; Saudi Adolescents; Prevalence; Sport; Leisure Time | ||
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