[Figure skating in high performance sports]

A top performance figure skater is compleled to expose his postural and locomotor system to maximum stress. To achieve the high level of performance that is expected from him, his training schedule must be most exacting. Parallel to this there is an enhanced risk of a sports accident and of damage to health conditioned by sports activities. We report on the results of a study conducted with 67 active and former top performance figure skaters in respect of joint mobility of the lower extremities, sports injuries and damage caused by sports. The type and rate of incidence of sports injuries and sports damage are described and compared with epidemiological data of the average population, the hobby figure skater, and related types of sports.