%0 Journal Article
%T Adolescents' experience with sports-related pain and injury: A systematic review of qualitative research.
%A Sheehan N
%A Summersby R
%A Bleakley C
%A Caulfield B
%A Matthews M
%A Klempel N
%A Holden S
%J Phys Ther Sport
%V 68
%N 0
%D 2024 Jul 3
%M 38843686
%F 2.92
%R 10.1016/j.ptsp.2024.05.003
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim of this review is to synthesise qualitative studies examining adolescents' experience with pain and injury arising from sports participation.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>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.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Inclusion criteria included studies related to adolescents aged 14-19yrs with sports related pain/injury, employed a qualitative design, full text publications in English.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>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.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>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.