Author(s): Bernardo, Joana ; Martins, Rosa ; Morgado, Camila ; Carmo, Henrique ; Aguiar, Luís ; Santos, Teresa ; Carvalho, Nélia ; Loureiro, Ricardo
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/14202
Origin: IC-online
Subject(s): Musculoskeletal injuries; Nursing; Prevention; Adolescents; Sport
Musculoskeletal injuries are a growing concern among adolescent athletes, with significant physical and psychological consequences. This integrative literature review aimed to analyze the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries in adolescents engaged in sports and to explore the role of nursing interventions in their prevention. A systematic search was conducted across four databases and one gray literature source, including studies published between 2014 and 2024. Three descriptive studies were included, with evidence levels ranging from 3 to 4, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute classification. The main findings highlight that risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries include excessive training loads, inadequate sports technique, lack of professional supervision, improper use of equipment, and failure to recognize early signs of discomfort. Preventive nursing interventions were shown to be effective, particularly those focused on health education, proprioceptive training, and continuous monitoring. Multidisciplinary collaboration between nurses, coaches, and other health professionals emerged as a key strategy in creating safe sporting environments. Despite limitations such as the scarcity of studies on nursing-specific interventions in diverse sports contexts, this review supports the potential of structured, evidence-based nursing actions to reduce musculoskeletal injuries incidence, promote safer sports practices, and enhance adolescent athletes’ health outcomes.
