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The Underlying Mechanisms of Sports Injuries in Paralympic Goalball: A Mixed-Method Study
Malek Rebai1, Rin Tan, Yves Vanlandewijck
1From the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (MR, RT, YV); Department of Physiology, Nutrition and Biomechanics, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), Stockholm, Sweden (YV); Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa (WD); IOC Research Center, Stellenbosch, South Africa (WD); Centre for Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine (SESAME), University of Brighton, Eastbourne, United Kingdom (NW); and Rehabilitation Medicine Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (KF).
Objective:
Data from the Paralympic Games indicate a fluctuating injury incidence in the Paralympic sport goalball, but the mechanisms behind have not been explored. The aims of this study are to (1) quantitatively analyze goalball injuries reported in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, (2) qualitatively explain the differences between both games, and (3) qualitatively assess general injury mechanisms and prevention opportunities of injuries in Goalball.
Design:
This is a mixed-method study. Injury incidence rates were analyzed from data collected during the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. Then, semistructured interviews of games participants qualitatively explored injury mechanisms and prevention opportunities.
Results:
A reduction of injuries occurred from 2012 (incidence rate, 19.5; 95% confidence interval, 12.5-26.5) to 2016 (incidence rate: 5.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-9.5). In both games, acute traumatic injuries were most common. Female athletes reported higher rate of injuries compared with males ( P = 0.05). Qualitative data revealed that causes of injuries were collisions, overuse, and poor physical conditioning. The differences between the two games were explained by equipment, environment, and preparations.
Conclusions:
The result from this study indicates that injuries in goalball are multifactorial. Ultimately, the mixed-method data from this study can help the sports context develop prevention measures.
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