Preventable High School Sports Injuries: Screening for Stronger, Safer Athlete

Preventable injuries like ankle sprains and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears continue to derail high school athletes both academically and athletically. Recent evidence shows that ankle sprains alone can sideline young athletes for several weeks. One systematic review reported an average of 21–30 days of missed practice or competition following initial injury (Attenborough et al., 2022). Likewise, adolescent athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction often face prolonged absences, with return-to-sport timelines averaging 6 to 9 months, depending on surgical and rehabilitation factors (Kaeding et al., 2018). These extended recovery windows highlight the need for earlier detection and intervention before injuries occur.

Screening and targeted neuromuscular training programs have demonstrated promise in reducing both injury incidence and total time lost. A 2025 review found that poor dynamic balance scores on the Y-Balance Test (YBT) are strongly associated with future lower-extremity injuries in youth athletes (Scali et al., 2025). Another systematic review and meta-analysis showed that combining the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and YBT during preseason evaluations can help coaches and clinicians identify high-risk athletes and implement corrective exercises to decrease injury risk (Pereira et al., 2025).

By integrating simple, research-backed screening and strength programs into your preseason plan, schools can help athletes stay healthier, play longer, and perform better all season.

If you’re a coach, athletic trainer, or parent, consider adding a 20-minute movement screen (FMS or Y-Balance) before the season starts. Partner with a sports chiropractor or rehabilitation specialist to create corrective strength routines targeting balance, hip stability, and landing mechanics. Preventing just one ACL or ankle injury could mean saving your athlete months of recovery and keeping them in the game where they belong.

References

Attenborough, A. S., Greenhalgh, A., Whitehead, T., & Hiller, C. E. (2022). Characteristics of ankle sprains sustained during sport: A systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-022-00418-0

Kaeding, C. C., Pedroza, A. D., Reinke, E. K., Huston, L. J., Spindler, K. P., & the MOON Consortium. (2018). Time to return to sport after ACL reconstruction in adolescents and young adults. Knee, 25(4), 718–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2018.05.006

Scali, J., Bianchi, F., Rossi, L., & Ferraro, C. (2025). Predictive value of the Y-Balance Test for lower-extremity injury risk in youth athletes: A systematic review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1599516. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599516

Pereira, L. A., Loturco, I., Bishop, C., & Jeffreys, I. (2025). Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test as predictors of injury risk in adolescent athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports, 13(2), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13020046