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Abstract
This study sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of the incidence of sports injuries among athletes participating in the Olympic Winter Games and to investigate contributing factors. We gathered injury data from athletes participating in the recent four Olympic Winter Games, incorporating details on the sports event, sex, injury location, and type. Through a meta-analysis, we calculated the injury incidence rates for each sport and examined the influence of sex and the type of sport on these incidence rates. Out of 11,197 registered athletes, we documented 1,304 sports injuries. The sports events with the highest injury rates were free-style skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing, bobsleigh, and ice hockey, with the most frequent injury locations being the knees, thoracic/lumbar/back regions, and the wrist/liand/fingers. Contusions, hematomas, and bruises were the most prevalent injuries, followed by strains (including muscle rupture, tearing, or tendon rupture) and sprains (covering dislocations, subluxations, and ligament ruptures). In the Olympic Winter Games, events such as freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing, bobsleigh, and ice hockey pose a particularly high risk. Predominant injury sites include the knee, spine/back, and wrist and hand, with injuries ranging from contusions and hematomas to strains and sprains. For effective injury prevention, it is crucial to emphasize proper medical resource allocation, specialized training for medical personnel, and meticulous venue maintenance.
Key words: Olympic winter games, sports injury, athlete, epidemiology.
Introduction
Regular exercise is widely recognized for its considerable health benefits, which include a reduced risk of premature death (Ekelund et al., 2019), decreased incidence of cardiovascular diseases (Fiuza-Luces et al., 2018), enhanced physical functionality, improved fitness levels (Dibben et al., 2018), bolstered immunity (Simpson et al., 2021), and augmented mental health (Fossati et al., 2021). These advantageous effects persist in elite athletes despite their increased athletic exertion and participation in high-intensity competitions. Current evidence suggests that these athletes may demonstrate a lifespan extending beyond the average expectancy, accompanied by a reduced susceptibility to disease and hospitalization (Clarke et al., 2015; Teramoto and Bungum, 2010; Zwiers et al., 2012). However, a paradox presents itself in the form of heightened risk of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal ailments attributable to intense sporting activities (Bell et al., 2018).
The Olympic Winter Games, a quadrennial event, predominantly encompass a plethora of winter sports...