Incidence and burden of injury at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games held during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study of 66 045 athlete days. (13th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Derman, Wayne; Runciman, Phoebe; Eken, Maaike; Boer, Pieter-Henk; Blauwet, Cheri; Bogdos, Manos; Idrisova, Guzel; Jordaan, Esme; Kissick, James; LeVan, Philipe; Lexell, Jan; Mohammadi, Fariba; Patricio, Marcelo; Schwellnus, Martin; Webborn, Nick; Willick, Stuart E; Yagishita, Kazuyoshi
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 57:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2022-12-13
• Subjects: Athletes -- Covid-19 -- Disabled Persons; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, including injuries sustained in the new sports of badminton and taekwondo. Methods: Injury data were obtained daily via the established web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS; 81 countries, 3836 athletes) and local organising committee medical facilities (81 countries, 567 athletes). Univariate unadjusted incidences (injuries per 1000 athlete days with 95% CIs), injury proportion (IP, %) and injury burden (days lost per 1000 athlete days) are reported. Results: A total of 4403 athletes (1853 women, 2550 men) from 162 countries were monitored prospectively during the 3-day pre-competition and 12-day competition periods (66 045 athlete days). 386 injuries were reported in 352 athletes (IP=8.0%) with an incidence of 5.8 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 5.3 to 6.5). Football 5-a-side (17.2), taekwondo (16.0), judo (11.6) and badminton (9.6) had the highest incidence. There was a higher incidence of injuries in the pre-competition period than in the competition period (7.5 vs 5.4; p=0.0053). Acute (sudden onset) injuries and injuries to the shoulder (0.7) and hand/fingers (0.6) were most common. Injury burden was 10.9 (8.6–13.8), with 35% of injuries resulting in time loss from training and competition. Conclusion: Compared with previous Paralympic Games, there was a reduction in injury incidence but higher injury burden at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The new sports of taekwondo and badminton had a high injury incidence, with the highest injury burden in taekwondo, compared with other sports. These findings provide epidemiological data to inform injury prevention measures for high-risk sports.