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Abstract
Sport‑related injuries affect nearly one‑third of U.S. adolescent athletes each year. While most prevention strategies focus on training, rules, or equipment, lifestyle factors such as diet may also influence injury risk. Because inadequate protein intake can impair muscle repair and recovery, this study examined whether protein intake was related to injury frequency among high‑school athletes. A sample of 270 athletes from six schools completed dietary and injury surveys near the end of the 2009 spring season. Although overall energy and protein intakes were lower than recommended for adolescents, a notable finding emerged: females with lower protein intake per kilogram of body weight had significantly higher injury rates than those with higher intake. Among males, lower protein intake was specifically associated with shin‑splint injuries. These results suggest a potential link between low protein intake and injury risk in adolescent athletes, warranting further research with larger samples and validated dietary assessment tools.