Journal of athletic training
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Researchers investigating collision and contact sport participation during high school have found mixed results. Understanding the association between current contact and collision sport participation and quality-of-life outcomes can enhance our knowledge about the risks and benefits of sport participation. ⋯ Collision and contact sport athletes reported fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms in the week preceding evaluation than did no- or limited-contact sport athletes, but they had more extensive orthopaedic injury histories. Potential benefits and risks are associated with collision and contact sport participation. These data reinforce the need to examine the assumption that youth collision and contact sports are associated with negative quality of life.