Impact of Injury Knowledge on The Incidence of Sports Injuries among Student-Athletes

Abstract

Sports injuries are common and have significant physical and psychological impacts on athletes. Adequate knowledge of injury management is considered a key factor in prevention. This study aimed to analyze the influence of injury management knowledge level on injury incidence among student athletes. This observational study with a cross-sectional design involved 108 student athletes from the Physical Education Study Program, UNDIKMA, selected by purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using an injury management knowledge questionnaire (25 items, Guttman scale) and injury history. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test, t-test, and multivariable logistic regression. The results showed that 90.7% of respondents had experienced an injury (mostly mild). The average injury management knowledge score was 19.2 ± 2.8 (out of 25). Bivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between education history (p=0.048) and knowledge score (p=0.002) with injury incidence. The final logistic regression model revealed that a history of receiving injury management education (OR=3.330; 95% CI: 1.026-10.803) and a higher knowledge score (OR=0.750; 95% CI: 0.610-0.922) were significant protective factors against injury incidence. It is concluded that a higher level of injury management knowledge and education history are independently associated with a decrease in injury incidence among student athletes. Therefore, improving the quality and access to comprehensive injury management education programs is highly recommended.