title: Injury and illness definitions and data collection procedures for use in epidemiological studies in Athletics (track and field): consensus statement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Movement towards sport safety in Athletics through the introduction of preventive strategies requires consensus on definitions and methods for reporting epidemiological data in the various populations of athletes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To define health-related incidents (injuries and illnesses) that should be recorded in epidemiological studies in Athletics, and the criteria for recording their nature, cause and severity, as well as standards for data collection and analysis procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 1-day meeting of 14 experts from eight countries representing a range of Athletics stakeholders and sport science researchers was facilitated. Definitions of injuries and illnesses, study design and data collection for epidemiological studies in Athletics were discussed during the meeting. Two members of the group produced a draft statement after this meeting, and distributed to the group members for their input. A revision was prepared, and the procedure was repeated to finalise the consensus statement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Definitions of injuries and illnesses and categories for recording of their nature, cause and severity were provided. Essential baseline information was listed. Guidelines on the recording of exposure data during competition and training and the calculation of prevalence and incidences were given. Finally, methodological guidance for consistent recording and reporting on injury and illness in athletics was described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This consensus statement provides definitions and methodological guidance for epidemiological studies in Athletics. Consistent use of the definitions and methodological guidance would lead to more reliable and comparable evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Health sciences, Linköping University, , Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Timpka
authors.forename: Juan-Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacobsson
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Junge
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Branco
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clarsen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: Margo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mountjoy
authors.forename: Sverker
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Babette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pluim
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Renström
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rønsen
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Edouard
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: Athletics; Epidemiology; Injury Prevention; Sporting injuries