The Prevalence of Injuries and Traumas in Elite Goalball Players

Abstract

Background: The last decade has seen the dynamic development of Paralympic sport, including the development of training facilities and training methods that allow for the achievement of results at the highest level in this group. This may be associated with an increased risk of injury and traumas. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and locations of injuries and the types of trauma suffered by goalball players. Methods: The study covered 43 players (24 women and 19 men) of the Goalball European Championship. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Results: The injuries were reported by 44%. Most often they concerned the upper limbs (92%). Positive correlations were found between age and prevalence of pelvis and knee joint injuries, whereas negative correlations occurred between competitive experience and the prevalence and location of injuries in the area of the upper limb. The highest percentage of trauma was found for epidermal abrasions, contusions, and dislocations. A negative correlation was observed between age and the prevalence of epidermal abrasions, whereas a positive correlation occurred between age and the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. The competitive experience was negatively correlated with the prevalence of abrasions and contusions and positively correlated with the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. A statistically significant correlation was found between body mass (BM) and the prevalence of injuries. In 23% of cases, training was interrupted for more than one month, whereas in 43%, the break was below one month. Conclusions: Playing position in goalball does not affect the prevalence of injuries and traumas, while body mass has a moderate effect on the prevalence of these events. The age of the subjects and their sports experience impact significantly on the prevalence and types of injuries.

Injuries and Illnesses Observed in Athletes from Beginner to Elite Levels at the 18th National Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities in Japan

“…Internal symptoms and the above-mentioned minor traumas occurred in most disciplines. Previous reports regarding elite athletes, 16 ) as well as able-bodied athletes, 17 ) described similar findings in that the majority of injuries were minor traumas and injuries not involving time lost from sport. This similarity suggests that clinicians and caregivers supporting athletes with disabilities who range from beginner to sub-elite levels can refer to the preventive strategies for Paralympians and able-bodied athletes as long as special attention is paid to the specific nature of the athlete’s disability.…”

“…Internal symptoms and the above-mentioned minor traumas occurred in most disciplines. Previous reports regarding elite athletes, 16) as well as able-bodied athletes, 17) described similar findings in that the majority of injuries were minor Data are presented as number of participants with each symptom. traumas and injuries not involving time lost from sport.…”

Evolution of the Profile of a Polish Paralympian from Heidelberg to Tokyo Paralympic Games: A Study Protocol for a Prospective Longitudinal Study

“…Therefore, it is di cult to compare the results obtained for other national Paralympic teams. Nevertheless, individual sociodemographic characteristics are in the area of interest of researchers primarily as independent variables that often determine athletic performance and prevalence of sports injuries or are used to identify disease risks among Paralympic athletes [4][5][6][7][8]. The sociodemographic characteristics that have been often analyzed in publications are used only to characterize the respondents in a given sport and refer to speci c Paralympic Games or a Paralympic preparation period without taking into account temporal changes.…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Depicted Muscle Injuries in Athletes Participating in the Rio De Janeiro 2016 Summer Paralympic Games

“…Injury surveillance reports from London 2012 Summer Paralympic Games, Pyeongchang 2018 and Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games have also been published [7][8][9], although there was no detailed analysis specifically related to muscle injuries. Similarly, themed injury surveillance studies in Paralympic related sports have also been published [10][11][12], although these studies were not related to any specific Paralympic Games. Despite multiple publications reporting injuries in Paralympic athletes, to the best of our knowledge, a descriptive analysis of MRI-depicted muscle injuries at Paralympic Games has never been reported.…”