Sport, sex and age increase risk of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days

Abstract

Objective To describe the epidemiology of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Methods A total of 3657 athletes from 78 countries, representing 83.5% of all athletes at the Games, were monitored on the web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS) over 51 198 athlete days during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Illness data were obtained daily from teams with their own medical support through the WEB-IISS electronic data capturing systems. results The total number of illnesses was 511, with an illness incidence rate (IR) of 10.0 per 1000 athlete days (12.4%). The highest IRs were reported for wheelchair fencing (14.9), para swimming (12.6) and wheelchair basketball (12.5) (p<0.05). Female athletes and older athletes (35-75 years) were also at higher risk of illness (both p<0.01). Illnesses in the respiratory, skin and subcutaneous and digestive systems were the most common (IRs of 3.3, 1.8 and 1.3, respectively). Conclusion (1) The rate of illness was lower than that reported for the London 2012 Summer Paralympic Games; (2) the sports with the highest risk were wheelchair fencing, para swimming and wheelchair basketball; (3) female and older athletes (35-75 years) were at increased risk of illness; and (4) the respiratory system, skin and subcutaneous system and digestive system were most affected by illness. These results allow for comparison at future Games.

Prevalence of Sports‐Related Injuries and Illnesses in Paralympic Athletes

“…The respiratory system was the most affected by illness, which is in agreement with results from both the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games . Previous studies have indicated that especially athletes with SCI are more susceptible to infections . However, in the present study, athletes with SCI did not have significantly more illnesses when compared to other impairment groups.…”

“…Female athletes had significantly more existing illnesses, both in the present study and in the study from the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Thus, a focus on this athlete group with regard to illness prevention is recommended …”

“…In the present study, 14% of the athletes reported an illness, which is similar to the results from the latest Summer and Winter Paralympic games . Female athletes had significantly more existing illnesses, both in the present study and in the study from the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.…”

“…The reported injuries were categorized in a matrix for classification of musculoskeletal diagnoses into body location, injury type, and diagnosis from the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems (ICD‐10) . Injuries were independently classified by the project's two sports physiotherapists (KF and JJ) and any disagreements were resolved by the two authors, and illnesses were independently classified by the project's physician (JL) and one physiotherapist (KF) . Each athlete could report several SRIIPS, but only the first reported SRIIPS were used in the analyzes.…”

“…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.…”