Injury incidence in qualification runs versus final runs in FIS World Cup snowboard cross and ski cross.

摘要

BACKGROUND: In the International Ski Federation (FIS), World Cup (WC) snowboard cross (SBX) and ski cross (SX), the injury incidence in individual qualification runs versus final runs in heats of four athletes is unknown. Objective To investigate the injury incidence in individual qualification runs versus final runs of SBX and SX. METHODS: Injuries were recorded by the FIS injury surveillance system (FIS ISS) through retrospective athlete interviews at the end of each season during four WC seasons (2006-2010). A total of 713 athletes (345 SBX and 368 SX) were interviewed. Time-loss injuries occurring during SBX and SX competitions were included. Injury incidence was expressed as the relative injury rate (per 1000 runs). RESULTS: For SBX, the injury incidence per 1000 runs in finals was 12.1 vs. 6.1 in qualifications (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.5). The injury incidence was 12.9 in finals and 4.4 in qualifications (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-6.2) for SBX males and 10.5 vs. 9.3 (RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.5-2.8) for females. For SX, the injury incidence in finals was 12.4 and 9.2 in qualifications (RR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8-2.3). The injury incidence for SX males was 13.6 in finals vs. 8.8 in qualifications (RR 1.5, 95% CI 0.8-3.1) and10.8 vs. 9.8 (RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.5-2.6) for females. CONCLUSION: The injury incidence was significantly higher in final runs compared with qualification runs in SBX for males. For SBX females and in SX, no significant differences were found.