Injury Type and Incidence Among Elite Level Curlers During World Championship Competition
Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 21 (2):
159-163 (2013)Abstract
Our objective was to investigate the incidence of musculoskeletal
injuries sustained by elite level curling athletes during international
competition. This study was conducted during the
2008 World Men’s Curling Championships. All registered athletes
and the tournament medical team were given report forms
for documenting injuries that occurred during the tournament.
Report form information included demographics, area injured,
types of injuries sustained, and curling-specific aggravating conditions.
During the competition five injuries were reported, resulting
in an injury rate of .07 injuries per game. Only one reported
injury resulted in missed competition (.014 injuries per game). All
reported injuries involved increased pain during curling-specific
activities. At the elite international competitive level, injury incidence
in curling was found to be low. Future exploration over the course of a season may be beneficial to identify risk factors and to assist with formulating training strategies to decrease injury risk.