Causes of dropouts in decathlon. A pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Knowing the frequency and causes of dropouts in combined events seems relevant and helpful to develop strategies of injury prevention and to better define/understand the necessary qualities for decathletes.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the causes of dropouts and the frequency of injury in decathlon.


METHODS
This pilot prospective study focused on 3 high-level decathlon competitions.


METHODS
Data concerning athlete's participation (number of participating athletes listed on the start list, number of athletes in the final ranking), and the causes of dropouts were collected prospectively during the 3 high-level decathlon competitions.


RESULTS
38% of decathletes did not complete these competitions. The causes of dropout were: injury (36%), loss of motivation (36%), tiredness (9%), and indeterminate (18%). 50% of injuries were acute hamstring injuries during explosive events on the first day (100-m and long jump).


CONCLUSIONS
Musculoskeletal injury prevention and motivational aspects seem important to complete an entire decathlon and to aim at best performance. More detailed prospective studies are needed to determine the exact medical causes of dropouts in combined events.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Faculty of Medicine, Jean Monnet University, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France. Pascal.Edouard42@gmail.com
Pascal
P
Edouard
Jacques
J
Pruvost
Jean-Louis
JL
Edouard
Jean-Benoît
JB
Morin
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries* / Q000523:psychology