ABSTRACT
Sport participation involves a considerable risk of injury for both recreational and elite athletes. Risk factors are commonly divided into extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors. Extrinsic risk factors include factors as weather, field conditions, rules, and equipment. In order to understand the role of stress and recovery in relation to injuries, several theoretical models have been developed. The load-injury relationship has become a popular topic in sport science. Based on the theoretical models it is assumed that not only physical parameters in terms of load and recovery, but psychosocial stress and recovery increase injury risk. Future research should focus at first on the development of theoretical models that include training load, and psychosocial stress and recovery factors, and describe the underlying mechanism for both traumatic and overuse injuries. Careful and systematic monitoring of the recovery-stress balance has the potential to reduce injury risk. Injuries frequently occur in team sports and can have serious physical, psychosocial, and financial consequences.
