Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: Performing Tuina Massage in Rats Using a Self-Made Massager
Published on: August 25, 2023
Physiotherapy in the Polyclinic during Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: A Detailed Analysis of Care Provided for 808
Marie-Elaine Grant1,2, Kathrin Steffen3, Debbie Palmer4,5
1Institute of Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Ireland.
Objectives:
The study provided a comprehensive analysis exploring the association between athletes' injury characteristics and the choice of physiotherapy treatments applied at the Polyclinic Tokyo 2020.
Methods:
Data from all physiotherapy treatments offered in the Polyclinic Olympic Village in Tokyo between 13 July and 10 August were recorded electronically. The physiotherapy team consisted of approximately 150 Japanese physiotherapists. Physiotherapy modalities analyzed were cryotherapy, electrotherapy, exercise therapy, laser therapy, manual therapy, shockwave therapy, taping, and ultrasound therapy. Logistic regression assessed the association between athletes' injury characteristics and the physiotherapy treatment the Polyclinic Physiotherapy Services offered at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games using odds ratio.
Results:
This study analyzed 808 athletes who received physiotherapy, of which 66.6% (n = 1023) were for lower limb chronic injuries affecting muscles and tendons (72.8%, n = 1209) and were the most prevalent ones treated. Chronic injuries accounted for 56.7% (n = 942). Manual therapy was associated with trunk injuries (odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.4-2.3) and chronic injuries (1.5, 1.2-1.9). Ultrasound therapy was associated with injuries of the upper limbs (3.6, 1.9-6.7) and lower limbs (3.0, 1.7-5.2). Taping was associated with bone/joint/ligament injuries (2.1, 1.4-3.0). Shockwave was associated with muscle/tendon injuries (2.0, 1.2-3.4). Cryotherapy was related to acute injuries (1.8, 1.1-3.0) and lower limbs (3.6, 1.4-9.4). Laser was associated with bone/joint/ligament injuries (14.4, 4.5-45.8).
Conclusions:
Chronic injuries affecting lower limb muscles and tendons were the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries treated at the Tokyo 2020 Polyclinic. Overall, Japanese physiotherapists used manual therapy, taping, exercise, and ultrasound therapy to treat athlete injuries.
