Injury patterns in blind football: A cohort analysis from three Paralympic Games (London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020)

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Injury Epidemiology
• Paralympic Sports

Background:

• Athletes in blind football (Football 5-a-side) are recognized as being at high risk for injuries, including concussions.
• Previous surveillance has highlighted the need for detailed injury data in this specific Paralympic sport.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the incidence and characteristics of injuries sustained by blind football athletes during the London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
• To analyze injury data by athlete demographics, competition phase, injury onset, mechanism, affected body part, diagnosis, and time loss.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized data from the ongoing Paralympic Injury and Illness Surveillance studies.
• Injury frequencies, proportions, and incidences were calculated per 1000 athlete days.

Main Results:

• A total of 60 injuries were reported across 49 athletes over three Paralympic Games, with an overall incidence of 21.5 injuries per 1000 athlete days.
• The highest injury incidences were observed in athletes over 35 years old, during the competition period, and affecting the lower limb. Head, face, and neck injuries were the second most frequent.
• Most injuries were acute, resulting from direct contact, and did not cause time loss. No confirmed concussions were reported, though suspected cases may be underreported.

Conclusions:

• Acute head and lower limb injuries are common in blind football, particularly during active competition.
• Targeted injury prevention strategies are necessary to reduce the incidence of acute injuries.
• Enhanced concussion detection and reporting protocols are crucial for athlete protection in blind football.