Previous injury, sex and well-being are associated with injury profiles in 422 adolescent elite athletes of age 15–16 years: a 20-week longitudinal study

Background Adolescent elite athletes have a high injury risk and many risk factors for injury have been suggested. However, there is a lack of prospective studies in adolescent elite athletes of age 15–16 years.Aim The aim of the study was to prospectively explore risk factors associated with different injury prevalence profiles in adolescent elite athletes.Methods Substantial injury was monitored in adolescent elite athletes (n=422) using the validated Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire over 20 weeks. Athletes were categorised in tertiles based on injury prevalence.Results The median substantial injury prevalence for all athletes was 10% (IQR 0%–20%). Compared with the ‘no injury’ group, previous injury (p