Adolescents’ experience with sports-related pain and injury: A systematic review of qualitative research
N J Sheehan, Ryan Summersby, Chris Bleakley, Brian Caulfield, Mark A. Matthews, Natalie Klempel, Sinéad Holden
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to synthesise qualitative studies examining adolescents' experience with pain and injury arising from sports participation. METHODS: This review was registered on Open Science Framework prior to data extraction. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and SPORTDiscus was conducted. Studies were appraised using the CASP (critical appraisal skills programme) checklist. Data was synthesised using a meta aggregation. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria included studies related to adolescents aged 14-19yrs with sports related pain/injury, employed a qualitative design, full text publications in English. RESULTS: Sixteen studies of 216 participants were included. Studies investigated severe knee injuries, concussion, or other musculoskeletal injuries. Synthesised findings show that, regardless of injury type, adolescents experience a mix of positive (motivation to rehab and return to sport, optimism) and negative emotions (fear of re-injury, isolation, depressive responses) throughout recovery. Common coping strategies were to ignore symptoms, modify activity levels, or seek support. CONCLUSION: Sports-related pain and injury has a multifaceted effect on the adolescent athlete. There is a pervasive fear of re-injury and social isolation, but the desire to return to sports is facilitated through motivation and support. Peer motivation effects the willingness of the adolescent to persist with rehabilitation.