title: The perception of injury risk and safety in triathlon competition:  an exploratory focus group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore stakeholder perceptions of triathlon competition safety and injury risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative focus group study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Triathlon stakeholders from Melbourne, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Competition organizers, coaches, and competitors of various skill levels, age, gender, and experience (n = 18).
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups were conducted, recorded, and transcribed for analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Key themes were identified using content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The perceived risk of serious injury was highest for cycling. Running was most commonly linked to minor injuries. Physical and environmental factors, including course turning points, funneling of competitors into narrow sections, and the weather, were perceived as contributing to injury. Experience, skill level, feelings of vulnerability, personal awareness, club culture, and gender issues were perceived as the competitor-related factors potentially contributing to injury. The cycling mount/dismount area, cycling, and swim legs were the race sections perceived as the riskiest for competitors. Competition organizers were considered to generally have the competitors' best interest as a priority. Triathlons were acknowledged as risky activities and individual competitors accepted this risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has highlighted the main risks and concerns perceived by triathlon competitors, coaches, and competition organizers, which will help identify potential, context-relevant intervention strategies to reduce injury risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Alfred Center, Melbourne, Australia. cameron.gosling@monash.edu
authors.forename: Cameron McR
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gosling
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: Belinda J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Gabbe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries* / Q000523:psychology; D012449:Safety; D013550:Swimming / Q000293:injuries* / Q000523:psychology; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult