Sport, sex and age increase risk of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days

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Date
2018Author
Derman, Wayne
Schwellnus, Martin P.
Jordaan, Esme
Runciman, Phoebe
Blauwet, Cheri
Webborn, Nick
Lexell, Jan
Van de Vliet, Peter
Tuakli-Wosornu, Yetsa
Kissick, James
Stomphorst, Jaap
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OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiology of illness at the
Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.
METHODS A total of 3657 athletes from 78 countries,
representing 83.5% of all athletes at the Games,
were monitored on the web-based injury and illness
surveillance system (WEB-IISS) over 51 198 athlete days
during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Illness
data were obtained daily from teams with their own
medical support through the WEB-IISS electronic data
capturing systems.
RESULTSThe total number of illnesses was 511, with an
illness incidence rate (IR) of 10.0 per 1000 athlete days
(12.4%). The highest IRs were reported for wheelchair
fencing (14.9), para swimming (12.6) and wheelchair
basketball (12.5) (p<0.05). Female athletes and older
athletes (35–75 years) were also at higher risk of illness
(both p<0.01). Illnesses in the respiratory, skin and
subcutaneous and digestive systems were the most
common (IRs of 3.3, 1.8 and 1.3, respectively).
CONCLUSION (1) The rate of illness was lower than
that reported for the London 2012 Summer Paralympic
Games; (2) the sports with the highest risk were
wheelchair fencing, para swimming and wheelchair
basketball; (3) female and older athletes (35–75 years)
were at increased risk of illness; and (4) the respiratory
system, skin and subcutaneous system and digestive
system were most affected by illness. These results allow
for comparison at future Games.