ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the pattern of injuries and illnesses among Korean athletes during the Almaty Winter Universiade 2017. METHODS: All medical staffs of Korean team recorded the daily occurrence of injuries and illnesses sustained during the Almaty Winter Universiade Games by using a standardized online form via kociss.com. The design of this study was a prospective study. RESULTS: In total, 98 athletes (68 men and 30 women) in 11 sports events from Korean Sport Olympic Committee participated in this study. Korean medical staffs reported 40 injuries (40.8%) and 26 illnesses (26.5%), equaling incidences of 6.3 injuries and 4.1 illnesses per 100 athletes. Men suffered more injury and illness than women (44.1% vs. 33.3%). The rate of Injury and illness in training was higher than the competition (13.3 vs. 2.0 athlete exposures). The risk of an athlete being injured was the highest in freestyle skiing, followed by snowboard and speed skating. Overall, the main common type and location of injury was the joint or ligaments sprain (13.3%) and knee (7.1%). The rate of main illness was 17.3% of the respiratory system with the main symptom of pain and the main cause of environment (22.4%). CONCLUSION: Injuries and illnesses occurred 40.8% and 26.5% during this winter game, and were higher during training than a competition. Based on the epidemiologic data of this study, it could provide the source for the injury prevention and improving the performance of the athlete and further develop scientific injury and illness surveillance systems.