Golf‐Related Injuries in Adolescent Golfers: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This review finds limited research on injuries in adolescent golfers, with most studies mixing data with adults and focusing on non-golf-related injuries.

Contribution

The paper identifies a lack of specific injury data for adolescents and calls for targeted research on their unique risks.

Findings

Most studies combine adolescent and adult injury data, obscuring specific risks for young golfers.

Few studies focus on injuries directly caused by playing golf in adolescents.

No studies link training volume to injury risk in this age group.

Abstract

This scoping review aims to systematically explore the existing literature on golf‐related injuries in adolescent golfers aged 10–19 years, focusing on injury prevalence, management strategies, and the relationship between training volume and injury risk.

A scoping review methodology was employed, adhering to PRISMA extension guidelines. A comprehensive search across multiple databases was conducted to identify relevant studies on injuries sustained by adolescent golfers.

A systematic search was performed across nine databases, including CINAHL, COCHRANE, and PUBMED, utilizing keywords related to adolescence, injury, and golf. Articles were included if they reported on golf‐related injuries among participants aged 10–19 years. After screening, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Findings reveal a significant gap in the literature regarding injury profiles of adolescent golfers, with most studies conflating data with adult populations. The majority of studies addressing golf‐related injuries in adolescents focus on injuries not directly associated with the act of playing golf. Specific epidemiological data and tailored injury management strategies remain sparse. Additionally, no literature currently correlates training volume with injury risk in this demographic.

This review highlights the need for targeted research on the unique injury risks faced by adolescent golfers. Existing studies predominantly address injuries related to external factors rather than those arising from playing golf itself. Future investigations should prioritize delineating injury profiles of adolescent golfers to inform effective injury management and prevention strategies, ultimately enhancing safety and performance in this growing demographic.

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