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FIS: Two studies completed from first season survey | Autumn 2007

Following the launch in January 2006 of the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) ‘Injury Surveillance System’ (ISS), the research teams from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) responsible for collating data for the project interviewed 886 World Cup athletes in the 2006/7 season, demonstrating huge support for this valuable initiative. The detailed results of the research, showing injury patterns in each FIS discipline, have been assessed resulting in the completion of two studies which were presented in full at the FIS meeting in September.

The first study relates to a continuous injury recording by the medical personnel from six selected World Cup teams who were asked to report all injuries to their athletes during the season. The second study is based on interviews with World Cup athletes from selected teams in all disciplines held towards the end of the season.

A comparison between the TD reports and data obtained from teams and athletes shows that only between 1/4 and 1/3 of the injuries in World Cup events (including World Championships and official training) were recorded through FIS ISS. However, the TD reports were accurate when they were completed.

The preliminary data from this first year of registration show that the injury risk in Alpine Skiing, Freestyle and Snowboard was high, with as many as 20% of all athletes reporting an injury in World Cup events. All of these injuries led to an absence from training or racing, and about 25% of these injuries were severe, causing an absence for more than a month. By contrast, the injury risk in Nordic events (Cross-Country, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined) is low with mainly mild injuries with minimal absence affecting about 10% of the athletes.

FIS ISS, which is actively supported by DJO, is planned to be a continuous ongoing reporting system. By intensifying the information programme for the TD’s, the research team hopes to receive more injury forms next season. The race doctors and teams will also be more actively involved in the registration. More data will be published in the next FIS Newsflash - click here to register.
 

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