Understanding sport injury in youth sport: risk factors, psychological responses, and prevention among youth players in floorball high school contexts

Abstract in English

Injuries are common in youth sports, and floorball is no exception, with high injury rates among youth players. However, underlying risk factors are often studied in isolation despite the complex nature of injury risk. Injuries may also negatively affect athletes’ psychological well-being, but longitudinal evidence on the association between injuries and changes in mental health remains scarce across athlete populations, including youth athletes. Furthermore, although many injury prevention interventions have proven effective, adherence remains a challenge, highlighting the importance of behavioral and context-specific approaches. The overall aim of this thesis was to advance the understanding of sport injuries in youth athletes by examining combinations of risk factors, psychological responses in relation to injury over time, and injury prevention practices within Swedish elite floorball high schools.

Three studies were conducted. The first two used quantitative designs to follow youth floorball players over the course of a school year, whereas the third explored injury prevention in the school context through qualitative interviews with teachers. Findings from Study 1 suggest that youth floorball players differ in profiles combining physical and psychological factors, and that players with higher physical capacity and moderate mental health reported higher injury occurrence during the season. In Study 2, occasions of higher-than-usual injury severity (defined as impact on participation, performance, and pain) were associated with small increases in anxiety and small decreases in depression symptoms, with notable variation between individuals. Study 3 showed that teachers identified both facilitators and barriers to injury prevention in the school context, particularly related to structural conditions, coordination of training load, and communication between schools and club teams. Teachers described using need-supportive strategies and dialogue to promote engagement in preventive work.

Taken together, the findings highlight that injury risk in youth sports is multifactorial, dynamic, and varies between individuals. Effective understanding, management, and prevention of injuries require coordinated efforts between key stakeholders, including athletes, teachers, coaches, parents, and sport organizations. The school context appears to provide a valuable setting for introducing and practicing preventive behaviors. However, sustained impact depends on supporting students’ autonomy and responsibility, as well as strengthening communication within and across contexts.