Showing papers by "Torbjørn Soligard published in 2016"

How much is too much? (Part 2) International Olympic Committee consensus statement on load in sport and risk of illness

Abstract: Athletes participating in elite sports are exposed to high training loads and increasingly saturated competition calendars. Emerging evidence indicates that poor load management is a major risk factor for injury. The International Olympic Committee convened an expert group to review the scientific evidence for the relationship of load (defined broadly to include rapid changes in training and competition load, competition calendar congestion, psychological load and travel) and health outcomes in sport. We summarise the results linking load to risk of injury in athletes, and provide athletes, coaches and support staff with practical guidelines to manage load in sport. This consensus statement includes guidelines for (1) prescription of training and competition load, as well as for (2) monitoring of training, competition and psychological load, athlete well-being and injury. In the process, we identified research priorities.

Research priorities of international sporting federations and the IOC research centres

Abstract: Background/aim To be fully effective, the prevention of injury in sport and promotion of athlete9s health needs to be both targeted and underpinned by scientific evidence. This study aimed to identify the research priorities of International Sporting Federation (ISFs) compared to the current research focus of the International Olympic Committee Research Centres (IOC-RCs). Methods Online survey of ISF Medical Chairpersons (n=22, 69% response) and IOC-RC Directors (n=7, 78% response). Open-ended responses relating to injury/illness priorities and specific athlete targets were thematically coded. Ratings were given of the need for different research types according to the Translating Research into Injury Prevention Practice (TRIPP) Framework stages. Results are presented as the frequency of ISFs and IOC-RCs separately. Results Both ISFs and IOC-RFs prioritised research into concussion (27%, 72%, respectively), competitive overuse (23%, 43%) and youth (41%, 43%). The ISFs also ranked catastrophic injuries (14%), environmental factors (18%), elite athletes (18%) and Paralympic athletes (14%) as important. The IOC-RCs gave higher priority to preventing respiratory illness (43%), long-term health consequences of injury (43%) and recreational athletes (43%). There was a trend towards ISFs valuing TRIPP stage 5/6 research more highly and for the IOC-RCs to value TRIPP stage 1/2 research. Conclusions There are clear opportunities to better link the priorities and actions of the ISFs and IOC-RCs, to ensure more effective practice-policy-research partnerships for the benefit of all athletes. Setting a mutually-agreed research agenda will require further active engagement between researchers and broader ISF representatives.

Injury Risk in the Olympic Games

Abstract: The protection of an athlete’s health is an important task for the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Systematic injury and illness surveillance monitors trends over long periods of time. It identifies high-risk sports, including their most common and severe injuries and illnesses, and provides valuable knowledge to reduce the risk of occurrence. During the XXIX and XXX Summer and XXI Winter Games, comprehensive recording of injuries and illnesses through the medical staff of the participating National Olympic Committees and the sports medicine clinics at the different Olympic venues revealed that at least 7–11 % of all athletes incurred an injury or suffered at least from one illness occurrence during the Games. The incidence of injuries and illnesses varied substantially between sports. In the future, risk factor and video analyses of injury mechanisms in high-risk Olympic sports are essential to better direct injury prevention strategies. Monitoring the athlete’s health during the pre-Game period through periodic health exams as well as in the Olympic Games will be important to optimise health protection.