Injuries in World Cup telemark skiing: a 5-year cohort study

Masteroppgave - Norges idrettshøgskole, 2014Background: The existing knowledge on injuries in World Cup (WC) telemark skiing is limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the injury incidence and injury pattern among WC telemark skiers during the competitive season. Methods: Retrospective interviews with all WC athletes were conducted at the end of five winter seasons from 2008 - 2013. All acute injuries occurring in the competitive season that required attention by medical personnel were registered. If an athlete was not present, interviews with his/her coach or medical personnel were performed. Exposure was calculated by using official results listed on the International Ski Federation (FIS) webpages. Results: A total of 149 acute injuries were registered among 565 WC telemark skiers. The absolute injury incidence was 26.4 (95% CI 22.1 to 30.6) injuries per 100 athletes per season. The absolute injury incidence was higher for females vs. males (RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.08). We registered 69 injuries during the FIS WC competitions, corresponding to a relative injury incidence of 8.2 (95% CI 6.3 to 10.1) per 1000 runs. The most frequently injured body part was the knee (21%) followed by hand-finger-thumb (20%), ankle (13%) and shoulder/clavicle (13%). The absolute risk of knee and shoulder/clavicle injuries was higher for females vs. males (knee injuries RR 2.72, 95% CI 1.35 to 5. 51, shoulder/clavicle injuries RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.14). No differences in the injury incidence between disciplines were detected. Conclusion: The absolute risk of injury was higher for female than male telemark skiers. The most commonly injured body part was the knee. The absolute risk of knee and shoulder/clavicle injuries was higher for female than for male athletes.Seksjon for idrettsmedisinske fag / Department of Sports Medicin