Victorian survey links injury barriers to unequal social sport participation

Injury or pain affected roughly one in five physically inactive women taking part in social sport programs across Victoria, Australia, according to a peer-reviewed survey from La Trobe University. The study included more than 1,330 women and found that those from households earning less than $100,000 had more than three times the odds of being injury-affected compared with women from households earning above $200,000. Physically inactive women who lacked confidence in their ability to participate regularly in physical activity were also significantly more likely to report being affected, showing that injury-related barriers were not experienced equally across the study population.

Published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, the research examined physically inactive women who had participated in social sport programs across the Australian state of Victoria. In the study, social sport referred to semi-organised, entry-level, non-competitive sport undertaken during leisure time. The results describe the prevalence and correlates of injury or pain within this population, rather than establishing that social sport caused the reported problems. The survey also did not show that injury would prevent generally active people from exercising or that programs themselves produced any health benefit.

Among participants affected by injury or pain, the knee was the most commonly reported site, accounting for 39% of cases, followed by the lower back at 30% and the ankle at 25%. The findings indicate that these participation barriers involved several body regions rather than one isolated type of complaint. Kiera Staley, a research fellow at La Trobe’s Centre for Sport and Social Impact, said the results highlight why injury should be considered as both a health concern and a participation issue for physically inactive women taking part in social sport. The study connected reported injury or pain with factors that could make regular physical activity more difficult, including household income and confidence in participating.

Many participants adapted rather than simply abandoning sport or physical activity after being affected. More than half changed the type of sport or physical activity they undertook, 39% reduced the amount in which they participated, and 34% modified activities within their sport or physical activity. These self-reported adjustments show different ways respondents continued to engage despite injury or pain. However, because the research was a survey rather than an intervention trial, it did not test whether any particular modification reduced subsequent injury, improved physical activity or generated better health outcomes.

The survey’s population and design limit the conclusions that can be drawn. Its more than 1,330 participants were physically inactive women who had taken part in social sport programs in Victoria, so the results are most directly relevant to similar participants and settings. The study measured associations rather than causal relationships: it could not determine that lower household income or low participation confidence caused injury, nor that injury caused reduced confidence. The findings nevertheless identify a substantial participation barrier: approximately one in five participants reported injury or pain, and the likelihood of being affected differed by household income and physical activity confidence. The authors said this pattern supports considering accessible, adaptable and supportive opportunities that can help inactive women participate safely, modify activities and build confidence in regular physical activity. The release was supported by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

Subject of Research: Injury and participation barriers among physically inactive women in Victorian social sport programs

Article Title: Injury adds extra hurdles for inactive women in social sport

Article References: Injury adds extra hurdles for inactive women in social sport. Original publication (Bibliographic details unavailable.)

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Keywords: social sport, physical inactivity, women's health, sports injuries, participation barriers, household income, physical activity confidence, Victoria, public health, Injury, adds, extra