Prevalence and Distribution of Injuries in West Sumatra Athletes in the 2024 North Sumatra Aceh PON Event

Injury prevention is a critical component in optimizing athletic performance and ensuring longevity in competitive sports. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and types of injuries sustained by athletes representing the West Sumatra contingent during the 2024 Aceh–North Sumatra National Sports Event (PON). Utilizing injury surveillance data recorded by the West Sumatra KONI medical team, a total of 261 injury cases were identified across multiple disciplines. Descriptive analysis revealed that the most frequent injuries were hamstring strain (19.17%), ankle injury (17.24%), and shoulder injury (13.41%). These injuries predominantly occurred in kempo, athletics, karate, and Barongsai - sports characterized by high physical contact and dynamic movements. The study employed a quantitative descriptive design, analyzing injury frequency and distribution by type and sport discipline. The findings highlight a considerable injury burden among participating athletes, suggesting inadequate preventive measures and insufficient sport-specific conditioning. This underscores the need for evidence-based injury prevention strategies and structured rehabilitation protocols tailored to the demands of each sport. Furthermore, routine medical surveillance and pre-competition screening should be institutionalized to mitigate injury risks. This study provides a foundation for stakeholders to implement targeted interventions aimed at enhancing athlete safety and performance in future national-level competitions.