Lukas Ernstbrunner1, Armin Runer2, Paul Siegert3, Matthäus Ernstbrunner4, Johannes Becker3, Thomas Freude3, Herbert Resch3, Philipp Moroder5. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland; Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Electronic address: lukas.ernstbrunner@alumni.pmu.ac.at. 2. Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, Christoph-Probst-Platz, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. 3. Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. 4. Medical University of Vienna, Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria. 5. Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Campus Virchow, Charité -Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Information about injuries and its differences in Cliff Diving (CD) and Splash Diving (SD) are unknown. It was the aim to analyse (1) injury rates, patterns and causes; (2) differences (in injuries) between both disciplines; and to (3) identify targets for future injury prevention interventions. METHODS: From April to November 2013, 81 cliff and 51 splash divers were prospectively surveyed with an encrypted, monthly e-mail-based questionnaire. RESULTS: During a total of 7857h diving with an average diving height of 13 (±7)m, an overall injury rate of 7.9 injuries/1000h of sport exposure was reported. Cliff divers most commonly suffered from injuries of the foot and ankle (18%; n=24) and neck and cervical spine (14%; n=19). In SD, the lower limb (52%; n=43) and lower back (23%; n=19) were most frequently involved. In 79% (n=49) of the cases, the injury happened while entering the water. Cliff divers were in 52% (n=15) of the injuries in a feet-first and in 14% (n=4) in a head-first position. Splash divers were in 45% (n=9) of the injuries in a back- or buttocks-first position. Most of the injuries were bruises (47%; n=104) and muscle strains (13%; n=28). The injury risk during practice was significantly higher than in competition (11.3 vs. 4.5 injuries/1000h; OR 2.5; p=0.001). The injury risk of experts (15.4/1000h exposure) was significantly higher than in professionals (6.3/1000h exposure; OR 2.4; 95% CI, 3.3-1.9; p<0.001), although the average diving height was significantly higher in professionals (19m±8 vs. 12m±6; p<0.001). Significantly more professionals performed dryland training compared to experts (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Most of the injuries are related to the water entry. The entry position plays a key role in injury patterns with pursuant differences comparing CD with SD. Although most of the injuries involved soft-tissue only, severe injuries have been reported. Targets for future injury prevention strategies include protection for the increased impaction at entry; adaption of the diving conditions in practice to those in competition; dryland training courses; and instruction of non-professional divers to teach appropriate diving techniques.
INTRODUCTION: Information about injuries and its differences in Cliff Diving (CD) and Splash Diving (SD) are unknown. It was the aim to analyse (1) injury rates, patterns and causes; (2) differences (in injuries) between both disciplines; and to (3) identify targets for future injury prevention interventions. METHODS: From April to November 2013, 81 cliff and 51 splash divers were prospectively surveyed with an encrypted, monthly e-mail-based questionnaire. RESULTS: During a total of 7857h diving with an average diving height of 13 (±7)m, an overall injury rate of 7.9 injuries/1000h of sport exposure was reported. Cliff divers most commonly suffered from injuries of the foot and ankle (18%; n=24) and neck and cervical spine (14%; n=19). In SD, the lower limb (52%; n=43) and lower back (23%; n=19) were most frequently involved. In 79% (n=49) of the cases, the injury happened while entering the water. Cliff divers were in 52% (n=15) of the injuries in a feet-first and in 14% (n=4) in a head-first position. Splash divers were in 45% (n=9) of the injuries in a back- or buttocks-first position. Most of the injuries were bruises (47%; n=104) and muscle strains (13%; n=28). The injury risk during practice was significantly higher than in competition (11.3 vs. 4.5 injuries/1000h; OR 2.5; p=0.001). The injury risk of experts (15.4/1000h exposure) was significantly higher than in professionals (6.3/1000h exposure; OR 2.4; 95% CI, 3.3-1.9; p<0.001), although the average diving height was significantly higher in professionals (19m±8 vs. 12m±6; p<0.001). Significantly more professionals performed dryland training compared to experts (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Most of the injuries are related to the water entry. The entry position plays a key role in injury patterns with pursuant differences comparing CD with SD. Although most of the injuries involved soft-tissue only, severe injuries have been reported. Targets for future injury prevention strategies include protection for the increased impaction at entry; adaption of the diving conditions in practice to those in competition; dryland training courses; and instruction of non-professional divers to teach appropriate diving techniques.
Authors: Taina Mueller; Gerhard Ruedl; Matthaeus Ernstbrunner; Fabian Plachel; Stefan Fröhlich; Thomas Hoffelner; Herbert Resch; Lukas Ernstbrunner Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2019-09-12