Injury surveillance at a national multi-sport event

The 1994 Australian Universities Games represents a multi-sport event which featured 5106 participants competing in nineteen sports. Injury surveillance was conducted by means of the injury Surveillance Form, which recorded time, mechanism, site, type and severity of injury, as well as initial treatment and referral patterns. Over six days of competition, 1177 presentations with injury were recorded, sustained by 994 athletes or 19.5% of all participating athletes. Tae kwon do and hockey were the sports with the greatest incidence of injury. Haematomas, muscle strains and ligament sprains were the most common injuries, with contact and overuse the most common mechanisms of injury. Mild injuries dominated and severe injuries were uncommon. 75% of injuries were initially assessed and treated by a nurse, first aid officer or sports trainer; 15% by a physiotherapist and 10% by a doctor. The authors' recommendation is that such a team of medical staff should be an integral part of any large sporting event, whether participants are professionals or amateurs. Additionally, they need to be supported by facilities and services such as central clinics, a nearby x-ray centre, a nearby hospital and an ambulance/first aid transport network.