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@article{207421,
        author = {TOUFIK GAZI and Dr. Bharti Shankar Kale and Dr. Hira Chatterjee},
        title = {A Comparative Study on the Occurrence and Patterns of Sports Injuries Among Athletes Between Sub-Junior and Junior Group},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {3},
        pages = {629-634},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=207421},
        abstract = {Sports injuries represent a major impediment in the field of Sports Science and Physical Education, particularly among developing and adolescent athletes. Due to physiological variations, skeletal maturation stages, and differences in competitive intensity, the incidence, severity, and post-injury management behaviours vary significantly across age brackets. The primary objective of this empirical research was to evaluate whether statistically significant differences exist in the occurrence, patterns, severity classifications, and medical behaviours regarding sports injuries between competitive sub-junior (Under-14) and junior (Under-17) athletes. 
A total of N=300 competitive athletes (n=150 in Under-14 comprising 65 females and 85 males; n=150 in Under-17 comprising 85 females and 65 males) were selected as samples using purposive sampling techniques. Fourteen specific injury-related parameters were evaluated. Descriptive statistics alongside non-parametric testing via the Mann-Whitney U Test were employed for comparative data analysis at the p<0.05 level of significance. 
The results revealed that out of 14 parameters, 6 parameters (such as injury duration, affected body part, and primary causes) showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05), indicating shared environmental exposure risks on the field. However, the remaining 8 parameters (including injury category, severity classification, doctor consultation frequency, medication use, and medication side effects) demonstrated highly statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The findings conclude that while extrinsic injury risk exposure is comparable, junior athletes exhibit significantly higher injury severity, coupled with greater professional medical awareness and treatment-seeking behaviours compared to sub-junior counterparts. These insights provide vital empirical foundations for developing age-specific injury management and rehabilitation protocols in youth sports academies.},
        keywords = {Sports Injury, Sub-Junior Athlete, Junior Athlete, Mann-Whitney U Test, Physical Education, Adolescent Health.},
        month = {August},
        }