Key result
The injury rate of competitive athletes did not significantly change after the COVID-19 lockdown compared to the period before the lockdown (mean 0.49 vs 0.65 injuries, p=0.096).
Why the study?
COVID-19 lockdown may have had collateral effects on athletes with potential increases in injury risks upon return to sports, motivating an analysis of post-lockdown injury rates.
Does the return to sports after COVID-19 lockdown increase injury rates in competitive athletes?
Cross-Sectional (n=94)
Does the return to sports after COVID-19 lockdown increase injury rates in competitive athletes?
Absolute Event Rate: 0.49% vs 0.65%
p-value: p=0.096
The COVID-19 lockdown did not significantly increase injury rates among Spanish competitive athletes upon their return to sports.
No evidence of elevated post-lockdown injury risk in this cohort; leaves open generalizability and causality pending prospective studies.
The COVID-19 lockdown may have had collateral effects on the conditions of athletes, with possible increases in injury risks upon the return to sports. Due to the existence of multiple factors of injury risks based on the lockdown and the return to sports, the aim of this study was to analyze the injury rates after the lockdown in competitive athletes. A non-experimental quantitative design based on a survey was carried out, and 94 athletes (42 males and 52 females; 23.57 ± 6.20 years) participated. Statistical analyses were carried out using non-parametric tests. Injury rates did not increase significantly after the lockdown, and there were no statistical differences between performance levels, types of sports, the design of a specific training program by sports professionals during the lockdown, the moment of injury, and the mechanism of injury. It is important to develop injury prevention protocols to prepare athletes after such a long period of detraining.
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Prieto-Fresco et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Sports injuries (n=94). COVID-19 pandemic lockdown vs. Before the lockdown was evaluated on Total number of injuries (Injury Rate) (p=0.096). The injury rate of competitive athletes did not significantly change after the COVID-19 lockdown compared to the period before the lockdown (mean 0.49 vs 0.65 injuries, p=0.096).
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