Illness and injury among Norwegian Para athletes over five consecutive Paralympic Summer and Winter Games cycles: prevailing high illness burden on the road from 2012 to 2020

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the illness and injury pattern of Norwegian Para athletes over five consecutive Paralympic Summer and Winter Games cycles and to identify which health problems should be targeted in risk management plans with respect to impairment types.MethodsWe monitored athletes from 12 to 18 months prior to each Game using a weekly online questionnaire (Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center-H2 (OSTRC-H2)). We asked them to report all health problems they had experienced in the preceding 7 days, irrespective of their consequences on their sports participation or performance and whether they had sought medical attention.ResultsBetween 2011 and 2020, 94 candidate athletes were included in this monitoring programme and prepared to represent Norway; of these, 66 (71%) were finally selected for multiple Paralympic Games. The overall response rate to the weekly questionnaires was 87%. At any given time during the five observation cycles, 37% of the athletes (95% CI 36% to 38%) reported having at least one health problem. Athletes with neurological impairments (n=51) lost 10 days per year due to respiratory problems (95% CI 9 to 11) compared with 9 days (8-10) among those with musculoskeletal impairments (n=37). Gastrointestinal problems caused a time loss of on average 4 days per year in athletes with neurological impairments versus 1 day in athletes with musculoskeletal impairments (mean difference 2.7 days, 2.1–3.3). Musculoskeletal injuries generated a high burden for both athlete groups, in particular, to the elbow, shoulder and lumbosacral regions.ConclusionAt any given time, nearly two out of five elite Norwegian Para athletes reported at least one health problem. Respiratory tract and other infections; gastrointestinal problems, injuries to the shoulder, elbow and lumbosacral regions represented the greatest health burden. Our findings can help guide the allocation of clinical resources, which should include a broad network of medical specialists, together with dieticians and physiotherapists, to meet the health challenges in Para athletes.

Orchard Sports Injury and Illness Classification System (OSIICS) version 14 and Italian translation

“…The need for specific sports injury coding systems (such as OSIICS and SMDCS) remains, as our ‘common’ sports injury diagnoses such as hamstring strain are not easily found in ICD codes 1 2 5. It has been important to add more illness codes as we continue to recognise the importance of tracking athlete illness as well as injury 6…”

Monitoring mental distress in Para athletes in preparation, during and after the Beijing Paralympic Games 2022: A 22 week prospective mixed-method study

“…Monitoring injuries and illnesses is an established procedure in many elite sports settings ( 17 ). However, few athlete health monitoring systems have included mental health ( 18 ), despite it could be hypothesized that both injuries, illnesses, a high training load and a demanding life of being an elite athlete could be associated.…”

“…Another concern is that more injuries and illnesses have been reported during the recent Paralympic Games compared to the Olympic Games ( 16 , 19 ). Additionally, Para athletes have a pre-existing impairment that may negatively affect both physical and mental health ( 18 , 20 ).…”

The feasibility of a randomized controlled crossover trial to assess the effect of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on the health of elite wheelchair athletes

“…Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are highly prevalent and represent a health burden among Para athletes (1,2). Typical GI problems include bloating, nausea, and related limited nutritional intake, which can hinder optimal performance among able-bodied athletes and even more among Para athletes (3,4).…”

“…1 Items: general interest in the study subject, communication of study information and procedures, time required, intake of supplements, assessment, contact with the study team ✓ = reached, 🗴 = not reached…”