A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF SPORTS RELATED INJURIES AMONG ATHLETES

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to evaluate hospitalized sports related injuries. Methods: Data were analyzed as part of the iCREATE database project, using patients' medical records with sports-related injury and received care at the ED within the Institute of Emergency Medicine and Municipal Children Hospital V. Ignatenco from Chisinau municipality, Republic of Moldova. Data were collected over a period of 12 months by four trained resident doctors. There were analyzed individual demographics data; mechanism, nature, place, and activity of injury; injury types, body regions affected and discharge state. Data were uploaded using the existing electronic data collection tool - Red Cap and analyzed trough Microsoft Excel, Epi Info 7. The ethics committee's approval has been obtained. Results: Most of the medical care addresses were registered in the day of the injury (49.3%). During the first three days there have been registered 85.5% of people, which shows a large number of late medical care addresses. The majority of injuries (90.1%) occurred in the sports area and only 6.2% of the injuries occurred in school or in the educational area. Regarding the mechanism of injury, the most were produced by fall (81.1%). Regarding the type of injury, sprains or dislocations (40.4%) are on the first place, followed by contusions and bruises (18.8%). With the regard to the location of the injury, the most common is the ankle (21.1%), followed by the knee (15.2%), head (7.2%), carp and the sole of the foot (by 6.7% each). Conclusion: Most of those who addressed after medical assistance as a result of sports activities were men, aged 18-24 years. The majority of sports injuries occurred in the sports area. Therefore, a higher attention should be taken in order to ensure adequate conditions of those who practice systematic physical activities. Identifying the causes and circumstances of sports injuries among athletes will allow the development of evidence-based prevention measures and increase their effectiveness, which will ultimately lead to lower rates of sports injuries and their complications. Key words: exercise, sports related injuries, risk factors, prevention