Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(3): 221-224
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-300
Orthopedics and Clinical Science
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

A Longitudinal Study of Injuries to Athletes with Disabilities

M. S. Ferrara, G. R. Palutsis, S. Snouse, R. W. Davis
  • Department of Exercise Science, NovaCare Athletic Training Research and Education Laboratory, Ramsey Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
  • Work was completed at Ball State University and University of Georgia, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

This study investigated the number and type of injuries that occurred to athletes with disabilities from 1990 - 1996. The subjects were U.S. athletes who participated in the 1990 World Games and Championships, 1991 U.S. Paralympic Trials, 1992 Paralympic Games, the 1994 World Athletics Championship, and the 1996 Paralympic Games. A reportable injury was defined as an injury/illness that was evaluated by the U.S. Medical Staff during these competitions. Illnesses (29.8 %) were the most commonly reported problem followed by muscular strains (22.1 %). The most commonly injured body locations were the thorax/spine at 13.3 %, the shoulder complex at 12.8 %, the lower leg/ankle and toes at 12.0 %. The majority of these injuries were musculoskeletal to include strains at 22.1 %, sprains at 5.8 %, contusion at 5.6 %, and abrasions at 5.1 %. An area of concern was the high number of strains to the thorax and spine when compared to other body locations and injury types. Attention should be paid to the musculature of the thorax/spine, shoulder and hip/thigh to help reduce the number of the injuries in this region.

Key words:

Disability sports, sport injuries, Paralympics.

References

  • 01 Boninger M L, Robertson R N, Wolff M, Copper R. Upper limb nerve entrapment in elite wheelchair racers.  Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1996;  75 170-176
    Google Scholar
  • 02 Burnham R, May L, Nelson E, Steadward R, Reid D C. Shoulder pain in wheelchair athletes. The role of muscle imbalance.  Am J Sports Med. 1993;  21 238-242
    Google Scholar
  • 03 Burnham R, Newell E, Steadward R. Sports medicine for the physically disabled: The Canadian team experience at the 1988 Seoul Paralympic games.  Clin J Sports Med. 1991;  1 193-196
    Google Scholar
  • 04 Burnham R, Steadward R. Upper extremity peripheral nerve entrapment among wheelchair athletes: Prevalence, location and risk factors.  Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994;  75 519-524
    Google Scholar
  • 05 Curtis K, Dillon D A. Survey of wheelchair athletic injuries: Common patterns and prevention.  Paraplegia. 1985;  23 170-175
    Google Scholar
  • 06 DePauw K P, Gavron S J. Disability and sport. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1995
    Google Scholar
  • 07 Ferrara M S, Buckley W E. Athletes with disabilities injury registry.  Adapt Phys Act Q. 1996;  13 50-60
    Google Scholar
  • 08 Ferrara M S, Buckley W E, McCann B C, Limbird T J, Powell J P. The injury experience of the athlete with a disability: Prevention Implications.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 1992;  24 184-188
    Google Scholar
  • 09 Ferrara M S, Buckley W E, Messner D G, Benedict J. The injury experience and training history of the competitive skier with a disability.  Am J Sports Med. 1992;  20 55-60
    Google Scholar
  • 10 Ferrara M S, Davis R W. Injuries to elite wheelchair athletes.  Paraplegia. 1990;  28 335-341
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Greene J J, Bernhardt D. Medical coverage analysis for Wisconsin's Olympics: the Badger State Games.  Wisc Med J. 1997;  96 41-44
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Guttmann L. Textbook of sports for the disabled. Aylesburg, England; HM & M 1979
    Google Scholar
  • 13 Harmer P A. Disability sports. In: Caine DJ, Caine CG, Lindner K (eds) Epidemiology of Sports Injuries. Chamaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1996: 161-175
    Google Scholar
  • 14 Hoeberigs J H, Verstappen F TJ. Muscle soreness in wheelchair basketball players. [Abstract].  Int J Sports Med. 1984;  5 177-179
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Jackson R W, Fredrickson A. Sports for the physically disabled - the 1976 Olympiad (Toronto).  Am J Sports Med. 1979;  7 293-296
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Kegel B, Malchow D. Incidence of injury in amputees playing soccer.  Palaestra. 1994;  10 50-54
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Martin R K, Yesalis C E, Foster D, Albright J P. Sport injuries at the 1985 Junior Olympics: An epidemiological analysis.  Am J Sports Med. 1987;  15 603-608
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Reynolds J, Stirk A, Thomas A, Geary F. Paralympics - Barcelona 1992.  Br J Sports Med. 1994;  28 14-17
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Richter K J, Hyman S C, Mushett C A, Ellenburg M R, Ferrara M S. Injuries in world class cerebral palsy athletes of the 1988 South Korea Paralympics.  J Osteopathic Sport Med. 1991;  7 15-18
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Taylor D, Williams T. Sport injuries in athletes with disabilities: Wheelchair racing.  Paraplegia. 1995;  33 296-299
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Wright J E, Vogel J A, Sampson J B, Knapik J J, Patton J F, Daniels W L. Effects of travel across time zones (jet-lag) on exercise capacity and performance.  Aviat Space Environ Med. 1983;  54 132-137
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

 M. S. Ferrara

Department of Exercise Science NovaCare Athletic Training Research and Education Laboratory Ramsey Center University of Georgia

Athens, GA 30602-6554 USA

Phone: Tel:+1 (706) 542 4801

Fax: Fax:+1 (706) 542 3148

Email: E-mail:mferrara@coe.uga.edu

      >