Pediatric wheelchair athletics: sports injuries and prevention

Two hundred and forty-seven competitors at the 1990 Junior National Wheelchair Games (USA) were surveyed for general information, training techniques, and injury patterns. Eighty-three athletes (34%) responded to the retrospective survey. Injuries were reported by 97% of those participating in track, 22% of the field participants, and 91% of the swimming competitors. A wide variety of injuries was reported ranging from minor bruises, blisters and abrasions to more serious problems (bladder infections, hyperthermia, and soft tissue injuries). While information-reporting biases may be inherent in this type of study, these data are significant in that they are the first obtained for this specific pediatric population via a systemic scientific approach and not from merely anecdotal information.