Fatigue fuels knee injuries in young athletes

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Journalist

Thursday, July 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) – When a teenager athlete is tired, their risk of suffering from a common knee injury increases, a new study suggests. [19659004] The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the femur to the tibia at the knee. When the ACL is too tight or torn, it can cause swelling, instability and pain. This can also result in high treatment costs as this may require surgery or physical therapy.

The new study included 85 athletes, averaging about 15 years old, who participated in athletics, basketball, volleyball and soccer. evaluations, "44.7 percent showed an increased risk of injury after high intensity aerobic activity," said study author Dr. Mohsin Fidai, of the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. Fidai added in a press release from the American Society of Orthopedics for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).

Fourteen of 22 athletes over the age of 20 were injured. the percentage of fatigue showed an increased risk of ACL injury. The study also revealed that female athletes and those over the age of 15 were more likely to have increased risk.

"Although ACL injury prevention programs are widely used, the decline in injuries has not followed. "We hope this study will help advocate injury prevention training programs to incorporate fatigue resistance and awareness training for coaches, coaches, and physical education teachers."

The study was scheduled for the annual meeting of the AOSSM in San Diego. Research presented at meetings is generally considered preliminary until it is published in a peer-reviewed journal.