Comparison of Physical Activity Related Injuries among Secondary School and College Students in Hong Kong

Being physically active can reduce diseases and benefit health. However, increased physical activity might also elevate risks for physical activity-related injuries (PARIs). Adolescents and youths are relatively active and may be vulnerable to PARIs. Comparing to well-documented evidence in athletes, little is known about PARI occurrences in general populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate and compare the incidence rates and risk characteristics of PARIs between secondary school and college students in Hong Kong. PARI occurrences and the detail of the latest episode in the past 12 months, as well as PA habits, and socio-demographic variables were self-reported. There were 3,332 students participating into the study, 1916 (57.5%) were from secondary schools and 1866 (56.1%) were female. Compared to college students, those in secondary schools spent more time on both moderate and vigorous physical activity and had a higher incidence rate (32.1% vs. 15.2%) and frequency of PARIs in the past 12 months. Analyses on the latest PARI occurrences revealed that the majority of the injuries were non-contact and lower extremities were the mostly injured body parts in both secondary school and college students. Whilst the mostly involved activities and the most common injury types differed between the two study populations. Compared to those in secondary schools, more injured college participants paid visits to A&E departments and lost more days on physical activity after the latest injuries. We concluded that secondary school students were more vulnerable to PARI occurrences, whilst PARIs in college students were more serious.