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

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

This study analyzed a sample of 31 running-related films – with a total of 77 injuries/illnesses depicted.

The most common injuries/illnesses depicted were categorized as exertional heat exhaustion/stroke (26%), lower leg muscle cramps/not heat related (12%), ankle sprain (9%), knee ligamentous/meniscus injury (6%), exercise-associated collapse/not heat related (6%) and blister of the toe/foot (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/competition.

It was suggested that pediatric health care providers, coaching staff and parents should emphasize 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.