Sports can have negative health consequences, including pain and injuries. In this ongoing project, we study how common it is for athletes to experience pain during or related to sports activities and how we can support coaches and athletes with strategies to reduce negative health effects. We have conducted two qualitative interview studies to explore coaches’ and athletes’ perceptions and experiences of pain in sports, the use of painkillers, and strategies for managing pain. We have also conducted a prospective cohort study to map the prevalence of pain and the use of painkillers among athletes.
Sports-related pain
In this project, we investigate the prevalence of sports-related pain in adolescents and young adults, how pain affects the athlete, and what support coaches and athletes need to manage pain in sports.