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Hunt S.1, Roach K.2, Fiebert I.2, Cahalin L.2
1Miller School of Medicine University of Miami, Physical Therapy, Coral Gables, United States, 2University of Miami, Physical Therapy, Coral Gables, United States
Background: Evidence for injury prevention in Olympic class sailing is absent beyond expert opinion, count data, or anecdotal report. Low back pain (LBP) is potentially common among Olympic class sailors based upon limited data. Olympic class sailing has no injury surveillance system or analytic epidemiologic studies to base interventions or preventive strategies upon. Event organizers were reluctant to have any study that might distract the athletes in competition. The researchers utilized a modified cohort design to generate risk factor analysis for low back pain in competing sailors with minimal interference in the sporting event. A single data collection modification to the traditional cohort design was used with a brief recall period for athletes to report disease status at study inception. Risk factors were identified via this type of study and immediate clinical recommendations were gained.
Purpose: Design a robust study to analyze risk factors while minimally disrupting the competition preparation and routine of sailors at a large multiday event, with minimal cost, and able to be delivered by a clinician-researcher onsite.
Methods: A cohort design was utilized to capture cases of low back pain that impaired sailing function using a survey in competition. Exposure status to sailing-specific activities was determined by competition factors. Disease status was determined via use of a brief recall period of less than one week in a single data collection. Pre-test, post-test, and loss to follow-up issues that might interfere with competition or limit study participation among competing athletes was eliminated.
Results: 247 Subjects were collected via 3 data collections using single immediate post-event surveys. 31 Incident LBP cases occurred during the study time frame, allowing for risk factor analysis. Risk factors of sailing-specific hiking, sailing-related unloading time, younger age, and previous case of LBP were identified. New study directions in training program design, unloading activities, and age were identified.
Conclusion(s): Large numbers of athletes are clustered together for the purpose of competition. Many sport-specific or sport-related exposures are in place at the beginning of competition. Study execution in competition can be delivered with minimal interference in the competition with this disease status determination modification. The researchers found both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors with this model. Athletes at risk should be informed of their increased risk of LBP and should be studied further.
Implications: The cohort design with modifications to limit interference in competition was executable within an international sailing event. A large number of athletes participating in a major sailing competition provided injured and uninjured subjects concurrently for comparison. Upon completion of this study recommendations can be made that are of immediate utility to the athlete for preventing possible injury or pain from impacting performance.
Funding acknowledgements: No funding source.
Topic: Research methodology & knowledge translation
Ethics approval: University of Miami Human Research Subjects Office IRB approved this study (MODCR00000366 1/18/2015)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
