Injury type and incidence among elite level curlers during world championship competition

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.