Acute and Chronic Musculoskeletal Injury in Para Sport: A Critical Review

Seated Para athletes sustain upper extremity injuries more commonly, whereas ambulant Para athletes frequently sustain lower extremity injuries. The upper extremity is the most commonly injured area in all Para athletes, unlike ablebodied athletes for whom lower extremity injuries predominate. Minor soft tissue injuries are the most common injuries among Para athletes, similar to injury patterns observed among able-bodied athletes. Football 5-a-side, powerlifting, Goalball, Wheelchair fencing, and Wheelchair rugby are the highest risk summer sports; ice hockey, alpine skiing, and snowboarding are the highest-risk winter Paralympic sports. Compared with elite Para athletes, recreational and youth Para athletes remain understudied in the literatur