| Description |
It has recently been reported that depression rates in individuals aged 12 to 17 have grown from 8.7% to 12.7%. This increase is the most rapid out of any age group. Anxiety rates among this group are equally unnerving; one in every three adolescents will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder by the time they reach adulthood.1 The rise of psychological disorders is not only alarming and life altering for adolescents but could also be putting them at risk for physical injury if they participate in sports. Nearly 40% of students enrolled in high school are also on the roster for athletic teams and the increased stress of athletic participation could be contributing to their injury rates. Every year, there are more than one million injuries as a result of high school sport participation. Several studies have identified a connection between psychological factors and increased injury risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the connection between depression and anxiety characteristics and injury rates in an adolescent population. Participants were 34 athletes (30 male and 4 female) ranging in age from 13- 18 years old on the rosters for volleyball, girls soccer, and football at one high school. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to identify markers for depression and anxiety. Injury information was tracked throughout the fall sports season. Statistical results showed that there was not a correlation between depression and/or anxiety and injury frequency, which does not agree with other literature. Further studies are needed to fill the gap in research for this population. |
