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Abstract
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INTRODUCTION: Olympic class sailing injuries are a minimally researched topic. Our study includes 15 y of data from medical coverage of the Miami venue during the Sailing World Cup. The objective was to examine the nature of Olympic class sailing injuries and illnesses during competition.
METHODS: The records of the medical clinic encounters of a World Cup Sailing regatta were reviewed. Summary statistics and nominal categorized data regarding demographics, onset, mechanism, nature of condition, and referral were collected.
RESULTS: There were 740 clinic encounters, ranging from 20 to 70 annually. Five hundred fifty-five (75%) were musculoskeletal in nature, and 184 (25%) were related to medical concerns. Twelve athletes were referred to the emergency department (ED), averaging <1 per year. However, 6 (50%) of the ED referrals came from NACRA 17, 49er, and 49er F-X classes, representing a 16% ED referral rate by fleet per year. In contrast, the remainder of the classes had a 0.04% ED referral rate. The lumbar spine, cervical spine, and foot/ankle were the most common body regions treated. Laser Radial sailors had 71(10%) visits, the most per class. Coaches and staff represented 59 (8%) visits.
CONCLUSIONS: Olympic class sailing venue medical coverage should be equipped to treat a variety of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses among athletes as well as coaches and staff. Overall, rates of ED or other off-site referrals are low but higher for 49er, 49er F-X, and North American Catamaran Racing Association (NACRA)-17 classes.
Language: en |