Citations

Background: Previous research has reported higher rates of both injury and illness among Paralympic athletes compared with Olympic athletes during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, but no studies have directly compared injury and illness incidence between Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing in a Summer Games. Purpose: To compare injury and illness rates between Olympic and Paralympic Team USA athletes competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: All injuries and illnesses that occurred among the Team USA athletes competing in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic or Paralympic Games were documented. A total of 701 Team USA athletes (53.6% female) competed in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, across 34 different sports. For the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games, a total of 245 athletes (51.6% female) competed across 20 sports. Incidence rates (IRs) per 1000 athlete-days were calculated according to sex, sport, anatomic location, and illness type. IR ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare IRs between male and female athletes and between Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Results: Overall, there were no differences in injury incidence (IRR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.84-1.68) or illness incidence (IRR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.41-1.15) between Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Male Paralympic athletes were less likely to sustain an illness compared with female Paralympic athletes (IRR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.11-0.90). Conclusion: There were no differences in injury or illness rates between Olympic and Paralympic Team USA athletes competing at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games, contrary to previous comparisons among winter sport athletes. These results challenge the prevailing notion that Summer Paralympic athletes are at greater injury and illness risk, suggesting that factors beyond Olympic or Paralympic Games participation influence health concerns.

Objective To report epidemiological data regarding injury and illness among the Team USA staff during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Methods A retrospective review of all Team USA staff (total staff, N=1703 (62.5% female); total staff days (SD)=34 489) medical encounters during the Tokyo 2020 Games and Beijing 2022 Games was conducted. Details related to injury and illness were evaluated. Incidence with 95% CI per 1000 staff days were calculated. Results A total of 32 illnesses (incidence [95% CI] 0.9 [0.6, 1.2]) and 23 injuries (incidence 0.7 [0.4, 0.9]) were sustained by the Team USA delegation staff members during the Tokyo 2020 Games and Beijing 2022 Games. Female staff reported more illnesses (illnesses proportion (IP) 2.9%; incidence 1.4 [0.8, 2.0]), while male staff incurred more injuries (IP 1.8%; incidence 0.9 [0.5, 1.3]). When stratified by physiological system, dermatological and infectious were the most common systems involved with illness (IP 0.5%; incidence 0.2 [0.1, 0.4]). Injuries to the upper limb were most common (IP 0.3%; incidence 0.3 [0.1, 0.5]). Conclusion Injury and illness rates among the Team USA staff during the Tokyo 2020 Games and Beijing 2022 Games were low, but notable. Knowledge of injury and illness risks contributes to staffing decisions and prevention strategies for staff supporting athletes during competition.

Objective To describe the incidence of injuries and illnesses among paediatric Team USA athletes competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. Methods An electronic medical record system documented all injuries and illnesses that occurred while competing in the four Games periods. Incidence (IR) with 95% CI per 1000 athlete days were calculated for both injuries and illnesses. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated to compare injury and illness rates based on age (paediatric vs non-paediatric) sex, Games period and sport type. Results Two hundred paediatric athletes (age range, 15–21 years) competed across the four Games periods, representing 16.1% of all Team USA athletes. The overall injury IR (95% CI) was 13.4 (9.8 to 18.1), and the overall illness IR was 5.5 (3.3 to 8.7). There were no differences in incidence between paediatric and non-paediatric athletes for either injury (IRR (95% CI): 0.9 (0.6 to 1.2)) or illness (IRR (95% CI): 0.9 (0.5 to 1.5)). Female paediatric athletes were more likely to sustain an injury compared with male paediatric athletes (IRR (95% CI): 2.4 (1.1 to 5.3)). The most common mechanism of injury was gradual onset (IR, 4.3 (2.3 to 7.2)), and injuries most commonly occurred during practices (IR, 7.0 (4.5 to 10.5)). Conclusion Paediatric athletes account for a substantial proportion of Team USA athletes. It is essential that paediatric sports medicine experts are included in the medical team given that paediatric Team USA athletes are just as likely as their adult teammates to sustain an injury or illness.

Physical exercise is an indispensable element in the multidisciplinary treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The present study examined if men diagnosed with FMS engaged in any type of physical activity or exercise, the perceived effects from exercise, and who specifically recommended exercise. A qualitative cross-cultural study was performed in fibromyalgia clinical units in Spain and the United States. A total of 17 participants, 10 men from Spain and 7 men from the US, were included. In Spain, a focus group was completed in two parts, one month apart in 2018. In the US, five individual interviews and one joint interview with two men were completed in 2018. Three central themes appeared in the qualitative data: (1) Understanding what constitutes physical activity or exercise, (2) Facilitating or discouraging the performance of physical exercise, and (3) Effects of physical activity or exercise on psychological and social symptoms. The actual practice of exercise by patients with FMS is often perceived as leading to pain and fatigue, rather than a treatment facilitator. Physical activity and exercise can provide benefits, including relaxation, socialization, and increased muscle tone. However, minor opioids limit physical activity as they cause addiction, drowsiness, and decrease physical activity in Spanish men. Recommendations in a clinical setting should incorporate exercise as well as physical activity via daily life activities.