Injury Patterns in Physical Education Students: A Somatic Mapping Study

This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to map the somatic distribution of injuries among first-year students in the Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities program (2019-2020) at the National Institute of Youth, Physical Education, and Sport, in order to understand the nature and location of traumas within their practical training. Data were collected from 96 first-year students via a self-administered questionnaire, which gathered information on demographics including age, Body Mass Index, and gender, as well as prior sports history, practice volume, sport specialty, and the frequency, type, and location of any injuries. Results indicated that the most frequent injuries were sprains (27.3%), dislocations (27.3%), and strains (24.2%). These traumas were predominantly located in the lower limbs, specifically affecting the knees (42.4%) and ankles (27.3%), with football and judo identified as the disciplines presenting the highest frequency of injuries. The study confirms a notable prevalence of injuries, particularly to the lower limbs, among these students. Consequently, it is imperative to strengthen preventive measures, and future research should investigate the specific causes of these injuries to optimize prevention strategies.