High incidence of injury at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days

Abstract

Objective. To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games. Methods. A total of 547 athletes from 45 countries were monitored daily for 12 days during the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Daily injury data were obtained from teams with their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes) and teams without their own medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) through electronic data capturing systems. \ud Results. There were 174 total injuries reported, with an injury incidence rate (IR) of 26.5 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 22.7% to 30.8%). There was a significantly higher IR recorded in alpine skiing/snowboarding (IR of 41.1 (95% CI 33.7% to 49.6%) p=0.0001) compared to cross-country skiing/biathlon, ice sledge hockey or wheelchair curling. Injuries in the shoulder region were the highest single-joint IR (IR of 6.4 (95% CI 4.6% to 8.6%)), although total upper and lower body IR were similar (IR 8.5 vs 8.4 (95% CI 6.4% to 11.1%)). Furthermore, the IR of acute injuries was significantly higher than other types of injury onset (IR of 17.8 (95% CI 14.7% to 21.4%)). \ud Conclusions. In a Winter Paralympic Games setting, athletes report higher injury incidence than do Olympic athletes or athletes in a Summer Paralympic Games setting. The highest incidence of injury was reported in the alpine skiing/snowboarding sporting category. There was a similar incidence of injury in the upper and lower limbs. The joint with the greatest rate of injury reported was the shoulder joint. Our data can inform injury prevention programmes and policy considerations regarding athlete safety in future Winter Paralympic Games

A Descriptive Study of Self‐Reported Injury in Non‐elite Adaptive Athletes

“…This is the first study to evaluate demographics, injury characteristics, and type of medical care in the non‐elite adaptive athlete population because most of the current literature focuses on the elite athlete population (ie, Paralympians). It is important to note that the injury profile of the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games and the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games found that the overall injury rate of elite adaptive athletes (multiple sports) was 10.0‐26.5 injuries per 1000 athlete‐days . In comparison, the overall injury rate of elite able‐bodied athletes was 5.7‐7.8 injuries per 1000 athlete‐days in the data published from the most recent Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympic Games and Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games .…”

“…Prior research has indicated that injury rates in Paralympic sports are high, with a possible trend toward more injuries compared with sports for able‐bodied athletes . Most of the current literature has focused on tracking injury epidemiology in elite athletes at the Paralympic Games . Derman et al showed that winter Paralympic athletes report higher injury incidence rates compared with Olympic athletes at similar competitions.…”

“…Most of the current literature has focused on tracking injury epidemiology in elite athletes at the Paralympic Games . Derman et al showed that winter Paralympic athletes report higher injury incidence rates compared with Olympic athletes at similar competitions. With the increasing popularity and competitiveness of adaptive sports, more individuals with impairment are participating at a younger age.…”

Prevalence of Sports‐Related Injuries and Illnesses in Paralympic Athletes

“…This, in turn, can add further concerns to Paralympic athletes' unique preexisting medical conditions . Data from the latest Summer and Winter Paralympic Games (2012‐2016) show that the incidence proportion of both injuries and illnesses are higher compared to the Olympic Games . Thus, there is a need to improve our knowledge of sports‐related injuries and illnesses in Paralympic sport (SRIIPS) in order to develop preventive measures.…”

Mitigating risk of injury in alpine skiing in the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games: the time is now!

“…The sport of Para alpine skiing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games has been under the spotlight as having the highest injury incidence rate (IR) compared with other sports on the programme,1 and also compared with alpine skiing at any previous Paralympic Winter Games 2 3. A secondary analysis of the Paralympic Injury and Illness Survey for the Sochi Games has allowed for a more detailed reporting of injury mechanism.…”