Factors contributing to sports injuries among senior high athletes in competition in Akuapem Municipality

Abstract

Sports injuries among student athletes in high schools has become prevalent in most developing countries. The study explores the risk factors influencing sports injuries and identifies those who sustained injuries in high schools‟ competitions in the Akuapem Municipality. Drawing on literature from sports injuries, 610 student athletes were used to understand how they sustained various injuries during schools‟ sports and games. Using cross-sectional survey, the study reveals how wounds, knee injury, muscle cramps and thigh injury are common injuries often sustained in their sports and games in the municipality competition. Physiological factor was the most contributive resulting from the number of games played by student athletes which significantly influenced sprain, strain, dislocation and nose bleeding injuries among them. Results recorded low correlation accounting for 9% occurrence of sports injuries in the Akuapem Municipality. Further research is recommended in other districts to have a general approach to remedy some of these sports injuries noticed in their sport competitions.