Pediatric wheelchair athletics: sports injuries and prevention.
Two hundred and forty-seven competitors at the 1990 Junior National Wheelchair Games (USA) were surveyed for general information, training techniques, and injury patterns. Eighty-three athletes (34%) responded to the retrospective survey. Injuries were reported by 97% of those participating in track, 22% of the field participants, and 91% of the swimming competitors. A wide variety of injuries was reported ranging from minor bruises, blisters and abrasions to more serious problems (bladder infections, hyperthermia, and soft tissue injuries). While information-reporting biases may be inherent in this type of study, these data are significant in that they are the first obtained for this specific pediatric population via a systemic scientific approach and not from merely anecdotal information.
Wilson
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PE
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
Washington
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D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications; D013550:Swimming / Q000293:injuries; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries; D014910:Wheelchairs