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Int J Sports Med 2022; 43(05): 473-481
DOI: 10.1055/a-1641-0068
Clinical Sciences

Epidemiology of Injuries in Olympic Sports

Christophe Lambert 
1   University of Witten / Herdecke, Cologne Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany
,
Ramona Ritzmann
2   University of Freiburg, Department of Sport and Sport Science, Freiburg, Germany
,
Ralph Akoto
3   Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopaedics and Sports Traumatology, BG Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
,
Maxime Lambert
1   University of Witten / Herdecke, Cologne Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany
,
Thomas Pfeiffer
1   University of Witten / Herdecke, Cologne Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany
,
Bernd Wolfarth
4   Department of Sport Medicine Humboldt University and Charité University School of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
,
Daniel Lachmann
5   University of Cologne, Vice-rectorate for Teaching and Social Science Services Studies Central Evaluation of Studies and Teaching, Koln, Germany
,
Sven Shafizadeh
6   Sana Dreifaltigkeits-Krankenhaus Koln-Braunsfeld GmbH, Department of Trauma Surgery and Sports Traumatology, Koln, Germany
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Abstract

Injuries effect the performance of athletes. Severity of injuries is determined by time loss and sporting performance reduction. To treat injuries adequately, it is necessary to get an overview of varied injuries types in different sports disciplines. In a retrospective study 7.809 athletes from Germany, Switzerland and Austria competing in competitive or recreational levels of sports were included. Injury prevalence was highest in team sports (75%), followed by combat (64%), racquet (54%) and track and field (51%). Knee (28%) and shoulder (14%) were the most at risk joints. Time loss in sporting activity after injury was longest in the region of knee (26 weeks). Of all reported injuries, 48% were accompanied by a reduced level of performance. The highest injury prevalence occurred in the year 2016 (45%). More injuries occurred during training (58%) compared to competition (42%). Across Olympic disciplines, a large number of injuries occurred during training sessions. Injury frequency increased as the Olympic games drew closer. Knee and shoulder injuries were the most severe injuries with respect to time loss and reduction sporting performance.

Key words

orthopedics - sports medicine - athlete - elite - knee - shoulder - foot - hand - leg - arm - rehabilitation - prevention


Publication History

Received: 28 December 2020

Accepted: 08 August 2021

Article published online:
19 October 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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