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Illness Among Paralympic Athletes: Epidemiology, Risk Markers, and Preventative Strategies
Dina Christina Janse Van Rensburg1, Martin Schwellnus2, Wayne Derman3
1Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI), University of Pretoria, Sports Campus, Burnett Street, Hatfield, Pretoria 0020, South Africa.
Abstract:
Paralympic athletes have unique preexisting medical conditions that predispose them to increased risk of illness, but data are limited to studies conducted during the last 3 Paralympic Games. This article reviews the epidemiology of illness (risk, patterns, and predictors) in Paralympic athletes and provides practical guidelines for illness prevention. The incidence rate of illness (per 1000 athlete-days) in Paralympic athletes is high in Summer (10.0-13.2) and Winter (18.7) Paralympic Games. The authors propose general and specific guidelines on preventative strategies regarding illness in these athletes.
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