*Article* **Risk Factors for Non-Contact Lower-Limb Injury: A Retrospective Survey in Pediatric-Age Athletes**

**Yanfei Guan 1, Shannon S. D. Bredin 1, Jack Taunton 2, Qinxian Jiang 3, Nana Wu 1, Yongfeng Li <sup>4</sup> and Darren E. R. Warburton 1,5,\***


**Abstract:** Background: Risk factors for non-contact lower-limb injury in pediatric-age athletes and the effects of lateral dominance in sport (laterally vs. non-laterally dominant sports) on injury have not been investigated. Purpose: To identify risk factors for non-contact lower-limb injury in pediatric-age athletes. Methods: Parents and/or legal guardians of 2269 athletes aged between 6–17 years were recruited. Each participant completed an online questionnaire that contained 10 questions about the athlete's training and non-contact lower-limb injury in the preceding 12 months. Results: The multivariate logistic regression model determined that lateral dominance in sport (adjusted OR (laterally vs. non-laterally dominant sports), 1.38; 95% CI, 1.10–1.75; *p* = 0.006), leg preference (adjusted OR (right vs. left-leg preference), 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53–0.95; *p* = 0.023), increased age (adjusted OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.16–1.26; *p* = 0.000), training intensity (adjusted OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.43–2.19; *p* = 0.000), and training frequency (adjusted OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.25–1.48; *p* = 0.000) were significantly associated with non-contact lower-limb injury in pediatric-age athletes. Length of training (*p* = 0.396) and sex (*p* = 0.310) were not associated with a non-contact lower-limb injury. Conclusions: Specializing in laterally dominant sports, left-leg preference, increase in age, training intensity, and training frequency indicated an increased risk of non-contact lower-limb injury in pediatric-age athletes. Future research should take into account exposure time and previous injury.

**Keywords:** injury risk; pediatric sport; lateral dominance; injury prediction
