Abstract
The purpose of this project was to describe the nature, type, and frequency of athletic injuries incurred by the elite wheelchair athlete. Nineteen athletes participated in a 1-year injury recall study at an elite wheelchair training camp. An injury was defined as anything the athlete expressed concern about and (a) caused a loss of participation due to an injury or illness or (b) an injury in which a fracture, dislocation, or subluxation occurred and the athlete was able to continue participation. There were 10 male and 9 female subjects who reported their injuries from 1 June 1987 to 31 May 1988. Fifty injuries were reported, strains and muscular injuries accounted for almost half of the injuries. Physicians were the primary care provider for 37% of the injuries, followed by physical therapists and athletic trainers at 26% and 15% respectively. Slightly over 57% of the injuries were classified as minor, missing 7 days or less of participation and 32% were classified as major, missing 22 days or more of participation. The upper extremity was the most frequently injured, followed by the lower extremity, head and spine, and illnesses. Conventional treatments of ice, heat, modalities, and medications, were the most common methods of treating these injuries. Flexibility and strength training programmes should be implemented throughout the competitive season. Careful consideration of the training programme and workout intensity should also be evaluated.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Backx F J, Erich W B, Kemper A B, Verbeek A L 1989 Sports injuries in school-aged children. American Journal of Sports Medicine 17: 234–240.
Bloomquist L E 1986 Injuries to athletes with physical disabilities: Prevention implications. The Physician and Sportsmedicine 14: 97–105.
Buckley W E, Powell J P 1982 NAIRS an epidemiological overview of the severity of injury in college football 1975-1980 seasons. Athletic Training 17: 279–282.
Clarke K S, Buckley W E 1980 Women's injuries in collegiate sports. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 8: 187–191.
Curtis K A, Dillon D A 1985 Survey of wheelchair athletic injuries: Common patterns and prevention. Paraplegia 23: 170–175.
Koplan J P, Powell K E, Sikes R K, Shirley R W, Campbell C C 1982 An epidemiologic study of the benefits and risks of running. Journal of the American Medical Association 248: 3118–3121.
Madorsky J G, Curtis K A 1984 Wheelchair sports medicine. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 12: 128–132.
Magnus B C 1988 Medical care for wheelchair athletes. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly 5: 90–95.
McAuley E, Hudash G, Shields K, et al. 1987 Injuries in women's gymnastics. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 15: 558–565.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ferrara, M., Davis, R. Injuries to elite wheelchair athletes. Spinal Cord 28, 335–341 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1990.44
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1990.44
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Constraints influencing sports wheelchair propulsion performance and injury risk
Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation, Therapy & Technology (2013)