877 MEP009 – A prospective study of injury incidences and mechanisms in elite olympic luge over one competitive season

AbstractBackground There is a considerable research deficit in the reporting of injuries, illnesses and relevant risk factors in the sport of luge.Objective To analyze the type, frequency, and burden of injuries and illnesses that occurred in elite luge athletes during a full competitive season.Design Prospective cohort study.Setting Members of luge national teams from five different countries were interviewed weekly over a period of 46 weeks using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H) regarding acute injuries, overuse injuries, and illnesses. Patients (or Participants) A total of 40 elite lugers were included, all of whom participated in international competitions.Risk Factor Assessment The survey was carried out over 46 weeks and included a preparation phase during the summertime and a competition phase during the winter months. Both phases were compared in terms of injuries and diseases. Furthermore, athletes were specifically questioned which situations, were most prone to injury and which preventive measures could be taken to counteract them.Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures of the study were the reported health problems as defined in the IOC consensus statement. A clear distinction was made between acute injuries, overuse injuries, and pre-existing injuries. Results Ninety-five percent of all athletes reported at least one health problem during the observation period. Illnesses were the most commonly reported health problem at 41.9%, followed by acute injury at 31.8%. Strains and contusions were the most common injury types. Overuse injuries accounted for 24.0%. For acute injuries, the hand, foot, and head were the most commonly affected anatomical regions. For overuse injuries, the shoulder and lumbar spine were most frequently affected. Conclusion This study shows that diseases are the greatest health burden for elite luge athletes. Injuries seem to mainly affect the upper extremity and the spine.