Injuries in high school physical education classes
G. J. Austin, K. D. Rogers and G. Reese
Suburban high school pupils participating in physical education classes
sustained 3.6 injuries per 100 participants per year that were noted on
official school accident reports, and 5.4 injuries per 100 for which pupils
visited the school nurse. These latter injuries were minor. The official
school accident reports indicated that injuries occurred at approximately
equal rates in boys and girls; most were due to accidents that did not
involve another participant or a piece of sports equipment, and, although
usually not severe, were referred by the school nurse for further
evaluation or treatment in some cases. Sprains were the most common type of
injury and the ankle was the most commonly injured area. No particular set
of conditions was identified wherein preventive measures could be taken to
decrease the injury rate.
