Implications of physical fitness level on sport injury

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to verify associations between the physical fitness level and Sports Injuries (SI). One hundred-sixty-two athletes who played in the official teams of Sorocaba City, state of São Paulo, were investigated. Physical fitness and SI was configured as an independent and dependent variables, respectively. Contingency analyses were performed, using SI as an effect and either percent of body fat, muscular endurance (upper limb and abdominal), flexibility and sports modality characteristic (individual or team) as the exposure. The Odds Ratio (OR) and their respective Confidence Intervals (IC) were calculated. The results revealed lack of association between SI and sex. The following OR values for SI were observed in athletes who showed percent of body fat above the mean (2.24); low flexibility (2.36); reduced upper limb muscular endurance (2.35) and played team modalities (4.23). It can be concluded that, regardless of sex, athletes were at a higher risk for SI if they had higher body fat, less flexibility, lower upper limb muscular endurance and participated team sports. Therefore, it is suggested that physical fitness must be considered as a strategy for SI prevention.