Connecticut State Special Olympics: observations and recommendations

The Connecticut State Special Olympics provides an opportunity for thousands of developmentally challenged children and adults to participate in athletic events. This paper retrospectively reviews the demographics and documentation of medical problems in 1994, 1995, and 1996 Summer Games. The 1994 and 1995 summer games took place at the Coast Guard Academy and Connecticut College in New London. The 1996 summer games occurred at Fairfield and Sacred Heart Universities in Fairfield. The mean age of the participants ranged from 30 to 32 years of age. Minor trauma made up the largest percentage of encounters. Most of these injuries were sprains or strains to the lower extremities. The more serious injuries included dislocations and fractures. The incidence of seizure remained stable over these years. A comparison of the 1994, 1995, and 1996 games revealed a nearly 600 fold increase in heat-related dehydration in Fairfield as compared to the 1994 and 1995 games in New London. The highest incidence of sunburn occurred in 1995 despite the availability of sunblock. A concerted effort to reduce sunburn in the 1996 games in Fairfield resulted in a marked decrease of sunburn despite the higher temperatures, but an increase in chemical irritation to the eyes. Recommendations are presented to decrease the incidence of medical problems.