Sports injury and illness epidemiology during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games: United States Olympic Team Surveillance

Abstract

Background: To describe injury and illness incidence from the US Youth Olympic Team during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

Methods: Electronic health records of Team USA athletes registered for the YOG were reviewed for patient encounters during the 2014 YOG. Medical encounters were defined as all medical services provided by a healthcare provider including evaluation, treatment and prophylactic services. All medical conditions were categorised by IOC Injury and Illness reporting criteria.

Results: Team USA was comprised of 48 male and 46 female athletes, aged of 14-18 years, representing 20 sports. There were 346 total medical encounters among 54 of the 94 registered athletes for a rate of 3.7 medical encounters per athlete. A total of 40 injuries were recorded (14 time loss injuries, 26 non-time loss) and 20 illnesses. This equates to 43% of athletes sustaining an injury, and 21% sustaining an illness, with a frequency of 426 injuries and 213 illnesses per 1000 registered athletes. The most commonly involved body regions for time loss injuries were the knee (21%) and ankle (12%). Time loss injuries most frequently occurred in competition (71%) and the most common type of injury was a ligament sprain (43%). The most common illnesses were respiratory (35%) and dermatological conditions (30%).

Conclusions: The rates of injury, illness and medical encounters per athlete were greater than in previous reports of medical service provisions at youth Olympic-level sporting events.

Keywords: Adolescent; Epidemiology; Injury prevention.