Health problems in national team cross-country skiers over a competitive season: a 17-week prospective cohort study

Abstract

ObjectiveFew long-term prospective studies have investigated health problems in elite competitive cross-country (XC) skiers. Hence, our objective was to compare the prevalence of health problems in national team XC skiers over a competitive season.MethodsForty national team XC skiers participated in this prospective, observational study. Two groups were characterised according to performance level: senior (n=18, ~26 years old, 9 women) and development (n=22, ~21 years old, 9 women). The skiers reported all and substantial injuries and illnesses weekly for 17 consecutive weeks throughout the 2019/2020 competitive season using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems.ResultsThe average weekly prevalence of all and substantial health problems was 19% (95% CI: 16% to 22%) and 12% (95% CI: 9% to 15%), respectively, and was similar between senior and development level skiers (p>0.05). The injury prevalence was higher in senior versus development level skiers (12%, 95% CI: 9% to 15% vs 5%, 95% CI: 3% to 7%; p<0.001), while illnesses were less common (8%, 95% CI: 3% to 13% vs 13%, 95% CI: 9% to 17%, respectively; p=0.031). Illnesses accounted for 72% of all problems. The prevalence of all health problems was higher in female than in male skiers (23%, 95% CI: 19% to 27% vs 15%, 95% CI: 11% to 19%; p<0.003).ConclusionsHealth problems, especially illnesses, were relatively common, with approximately one in five skiers (19%) reporting at least one problem in any given week. Both performance level and sex influenced the prevalence of different types of health problems.

Winter Sports Injuries in Elite Female Athletes: A Narrative Review

“…We observed that delayed maturity status, shorter size and leg length are factors associated with increased injury risk in alpine skiers [9]. Conversely, higher age is a feature related to overuse injuries in cross-country skiing [22]. Additionally, we found that the jump agility test could be used as a predictor of injuries in youth ski racers, as proper timing of muscle actions and inter-and intra-muscular coordination of the relevant muscles is essential in injury prevention strategies.…”

“…Another 17-week prospective cohort study in a population of cross-country skiers showed a 9% of average weekly prevalence of injuries in females. Concerning age, athletes in development were less likely to suffer substantial and overuse injuries than senior athletes in general, and regarding sex differences, females were more likely to incur substantial health problems [22]. Reports from the last two Olympic Winter Games, 2018 and 2022, described an injury incidence ranging from 2 to 6 per 100 athletes [18], with five female injuries occurring in this sport [5].…”