The basics of competitive diving and its injuries.

This article reviews the history of competitive springboard and platform diving, the basic rules of competition, and the epidemiology and pathomechanics of diving injuries, with reference to the specific parts of the dive. Injuries are more commonly associated with the entry phase of the dive, and are more frequently associated with back and reverse dives, and with platform rather than springboard diving. The most frequently injured areas are the wrist, shoulder, and lumbar spine. It is crucial that treating medical professionals understand the physical demands of the sport and the pathogenesis of injury to affect successful treatment and prevention strategies, and to determine safe return to participation after injury.