Sport, sex and age increase risk of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games : a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days
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Date
Authors
Derman, Wayne
Schwellnus, Martin Peter
Jordaan, Esme
Runciman, Phoebe
Blauwet, Cheri
Webborn, Nick
Lexell, Jan
Van de Vliet, Peter
Tuakli-Wosornu, Yetsa
Kissick, James
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
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.
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Keywords
Disability, Illness, Disabled person, Sport, Sexual behavior, Age, Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games, Paralympic, Impairment, International sporting events, Athletes
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Derman, W., Schwellnus, M.P., Jordaan, E. et al. 2018, 'Sport, sex and age increase risk of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games : a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days', British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 17-23.