Sports injury and illness incidence in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Summer Games: A prospective study of 11274 athletes from 207 countries

Abstract

Objective To describe the pattern of injuries and illnesses sustained during the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, hosted by Rio de Janeiro from 5 to 21 August 2016. Methods We recorded the daily incidence of athlete injuries and illnesses (1) through the reporting of all National Olympic Committee (NOC) medical teams and (2) in the polyclinic and medical venues by the Rio 2016 medical staff. results In total, 11 274 athletes (5089 women, 45%; 6185 men, 55%) from 207 NOCs participated in the study. NOC and Rio 2016 medical staff reported 1101 injuries and 651 illnesses, equalling 9.8 injuries and 5.4 illnesses per 100 athletes over the 17-day period. Altogether, 8% of the athletes incurred at least one injury and 5% at least one illness. The injury incidence was highest in BMX cycling (38% of the athletes injured), boxing (30%), mountain bike cycling (24%), taekwondo (24%), water polo (19%) and rugby (19%), and lowest in canoe slalom, rowing, shooting, archery, swimming, golf and table tennis (0%-3%). Of the 1101 injuries recorded, 40% and 20% were estimated to lead to ≥1 and >7 days of absence from sport, respectively. Women suffered 40% more illnesses than men. Illness was generally less common than injury, with the highest incidence recorded in diving (12%), open-water marathon (12%), sailing (12%), canoe slalom (11%), equestrian (11%) and synchronised swimming (10%). Illnesses were also less severe; 18% were expected to result in time loss. Of the illnesses, 47% affected the respiratory system and 21% the gastrointestinal system. The anticipated problem of infections in the Rio Olympic Games did not materialise, as the proportion of athletes with infectious diseases mirrored that of recent Olympic Games (3%). Conclusion Overall, 8% of the athletes incurred at least one injury during the Olympic Games, and 5% an illness, which is slightly lower than in the Olympic Summer Games of 2008 and 2012.

Imaging-detected acute muscle injuries in athletes participating in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympic Games

“…A total of 11 274 athletes (5089 women (45%), 6185 men (55%)) from 207 Olympic teams participated in the IOC’s surveillance study 17. NOC and Rio de Janeiro 2016 medical staff reported 1101 injuries.…”

“…All National Olympic Committee (NOC) medical teams reported the daily occurrence (or non-occurrence) of injuries on a standardised medical report form 17. We also retrieved the same information on all athletes treated for injuries in the polyclinic and all other medical venues by the Organising Committee of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 medical staff.…”

Analysis of water polo injuries during 8904 player matches at FINA World Championships and Olympic games to make the sport safer

“…Water polo has higher rates of contact injuries than the other aquatic disciplines of swimming, diving, synchro and open-water swimming 13–15. During the 2016 Rio OG, water polo had the highest injury rates of all team sports 19. Water polo has a ‘machismo’ sport culture, and thus risk reduction interventions targeting contact injuries should address a cultural change with the water polo stakeholders.…”

“…The present study analysed all water polo injuries reported during four Summer OG (2004,16 2008,17 2012,18 201619 and four FINA WCh (2009,13 2013,14 2015,15 2017). The study design, study implementation, injury definition, data collection and analysis procedures were similar at all tournaments, and have previously been described in detail 13–19…”

Match-related risk factors for injury in male professional football

“…Injuries are common in professional football, not only in comparison with other professions but also in comparison with other sports. During the summer Olympics in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, football was among the sports with the highest injury rate [21][22][23]. An injury that results in a player being unable to take a full part in future football training or match play *Definitions according to a consensus statement about epidemiological research in football [24].…”