EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INJURIES AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN 2022 AEROBIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPD CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETES

Inês Gonçalves; Aldina  Sofia Silva; Dimas Pinto; Joana Rodrigues-Carvalho; Joana Costa

doi:10.52165/sgj.16.3.515-524

Authors

Inês Gonçalves Research Center in Development and Innovation, Portugal
Aldina Sofia Silva Research Center in Development and Innovation, Portugal
Dimas Pinto Research Center in Development and Innovation, Portugal
Joana Rodrigues-Carvalho Research Center in Development and Innovation, Portugal
Joana Costa Research Center in Development and Innovation, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52165/sgj.16.3.515-524

Keywords:

Traumatology, Competition, sport, elite

Abstract

Exercise is described as a preventive and therapeutic strategy against various diseases. However, competitive sports practice is associated with an increased risk of injuries, particularly with specialization and more intense training at younger ages. Given the importance of surveillance and epidemiological studies to protect athletes’ health, our study aimed to describe the prevalence of injuries among athletes at the 2022 Aerobic Gymnastics World Championship (WCH) and to understand the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors that may contribute to these injuries. Athletes participating in WCH 2022 were invited to complete a retrospective injury questionnaire covering the past 12 months of their training schedule. Descriptive statistic data were used to analyze all variables in the study. Seventy-three percent of athletes reported sustaining injuries, with an average of 1.6 ± 1.5 injuries occurring one to three times in the past year. The most common injuries were muscle injuries, joint sprains, stress fractures, and contusions, with the lower limbs being the most affected, followed by the upper body and trunk. Regarding injury risk factors, a significant number of athletes reported experiencing psychological stress (p=0.043) and concerns about individual protection equipment (p=0.042). Given that the type of injury and affected body region seem to be related to sports-specific movements, the impact absorption of the floor and footwear should be studied further. Additionally, injury prevention measures should include coping strategies to manage stress effectively.

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