SWAY AS PREDICTOR OF INJURIES IN CHILDREN

IntroductionPoor postural control measured as sway performance is an intrinsic risk of injury and re-injury among adults. This has not been investigated in children.ObjectiveTo investigate the associations between balance, measured as sway performance, and the risk of both acute and overuse injuries in a population of children. Hypothesis: Excessive sway increases the risk of injury.DesignThe current study is part of The Childhood Health, Activity and Motor Performance School Study-Denmark (CHAMPS Study-DK II), a natural experiment with a prospective, quasi-experimental study design. The follow-up period between baseline measures of sway and registration of injuries was 1 year and 3 months.Setting10 public schools participated in the study, in the municipality of Svendborg.Participants1096 participants, 48.7% male, aged 8–14, mean age 11.2.Risk factor assessmentThe independent variable in the current study is balance measured as sway. Sway was measured on a force platform as centre of pressure path length excursion during four tests: Eyes open: Bilateral stance (test 1), unilateral stance on dominant (test 2) and non-dominant leg (test 3). Eyes closed: Bilateral stance (test 4).Main outcome measurementsPrimary outcome was overuse and traumatic injuries, with special emphasis on ankle and knee sprains. Complaints were registered by SMS-track on a weekly basis, and after a telephone interview, clinicians examined and diagnosed the children with complaints. Injuries were diagnosed using ICD-10.ResultsInjuries: 2276, traumatic injuries: 714, ankle sprains: 164, knee sprains: 42. Preliminary multivariate analysis taking into account competing risk showed significant odds ratios (OR) at test 1; A) 1.003 per cm increase of sway; B) overall traumatic injury OR=3.0, ankle sprain OR=5.5 for sway longer than 400 cm/minute.ConclusionChildren with an excessive sway has an increased risk of traumatic injuries, this warrants further research into treating reduced balance in children.