The perception that children and adolescents have of injury and illness may be influenced by their depiction in sport-related films.

The objective of a recent study published in Clinical Pediatrics was to determine the depiction of injury and illness in a selected number of running-related films.

Here, 31 running-related films were analyzed – which depicted a total of 77 injuries/illnesses. It was found that the most common injuries/illnesses depicted were categorized as exertional heat exhaustion/stroke in 26%; non-heat related lower leg muscle cramps in 12%; ankle sprain in 9%; knee ligamentous/meniscus injury in 6%; non-heat related exercise-associated collapse in 6%; and blister of the toe/foot in another 6%. Overall, 48/67 (64%) of the injuries/illnesses were considered severe emergencies – injury/illness requiring prompt intervention and immediate discontinuation of sport participation. The disposition of 46% of severe emergencies was the immediate continuation of training or competition.

Therefore, pediatric health care providers, coaching staff and parents should stress upon the importance of injury/illness recognition/disclosure and realistic expectations for rehabilitation to pediatric runners.

Source: Clinical Pediatrics. 2019 Jun;58(7):721-730. doi: 10.1177/0009922819834281.