High Injury and Mental Health Rates Among Young Female Figure Skaters in Sweden
New research reveals high rates of injuries and mental health issues among young female figure skaters in Sweden.
Key Points
- • One in three skaters has experienced serious sports injuries in the past year.
- • The study surveyed 137 young female skaters from Östra Götalands konståkningsförening.
- • Moa Jederström calls for more research on female athletes in sports medicine.
- • Figure skating has around 55,000 participants in Sweden, mostly young girls.
A recent study by Moa Jederström has shed light on the alarming prevalence of injuries and mental health issues among young figure skaters in Sweden. The research indicates that one in three young female skaters suffered serious sports injuries within the past year. This study, which is groundbreaking as it explores both physical and mental health aspects of the sport, surveyed 137 female skaters from Östra Götalands konståkningsförening.
Jederström, who has recently obtained her doctorate in medical science at Linköping University, highlighted the personal significance of figure skating in her own youth, which propelled her into investigating its health impacts. She emphasized the lack of existing research focusing on female athletes, stating, "There is a significant gap in the studies of female athletes in sports medicine." Currently, figure skating is a burgeoning sport in Sweden, boasting approximately 55,000 participants, primarily young girls. This underscores the urgent need for increased attention to the health and safety of these young athletes, as their vulnerabilities extend beyond physical injuries to encompass mental health challenges as well.