HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PARTICIPATION IS AT an all-time high, with almost 1 million adolescent girls participating in inter-scholastic basketball and soccer competition each year. Youth participation in sports enhances communication and leadership skills, improves self-esteem, and reduces the likelihood of getting pregnant, smoking, using drugs, or engaging in suicidal behavior. However, the risk of sports-related muscu-loskeletal injury may mitigate these benefits. Each year, an estimated 1 in 3 female high school athletes sustains a soccer- or basketball-related injury. In addition to the economic impact of injury, these athletes may have long-term sequelae such as joint osteoarthritis, cessation of physical activity, higher rates of chronic medical conditions, and worse self-reported quality of life. This sports-related injury epidemic represents a significant public health issue in our growing young athletes.
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