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van de Water A.T.M.1,2, Hendricks M.3, Bustin P.M.J.1
1Saxion University of Applied Sciences, School of Health, Department of Physiotherapy, Enschede, Netherlands, 2La Trobe University, School of Allied Health, Department of Rehabilitation, Sport and Nutrition, Melbourne, Australia, 3iSkate, Plantina Allround Ice Speed Skating Team, Groningen, Netherlands
Background: Ice speed skating is a physically high demanding sport, characterised by a unique posture and movement pattern. Injuries are seen across all participation levels in long and short track and marathon ice speed skaters. Traumatic injuries often severely impact training and race schedules. Also non-traumatic musculoskeletal injuries are prevalent and can interfere with planned training sessions or races. The 6-staged 'Translating Research into Injury Prevention Practice' (TRIPP) framework could help identify gaps in the current injury prevention knowledge in ice speed skating.
Purpose: This review was conducted to map and synthesise injury prevention knowledge in relation to traumatic and non-traumatic injuries, to determine the current TRIPP framework stages of injury prevention, and to highlight areas for further injury prevention research in ice speed skating.
Methods: The scoping review methodology proposed by Arksey and OMalley and enhanced by Levac et al. was used. We performed electronic searches on skating with no limitations in Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus. In addition, grey literature and related studies were searched and reference lists screened. Two independent reviewers selected articles using a priori formulated selection criteria. Relevant data were extracted from studies and collated using the TRIPP framework stages.
Results: Electronic searches identified 2013 unique studies, of which 18 studies were included after screening on title/abstract and full-text. Five relevant studies were found from secondary searches, totalling 23 studies in the current review. Methodology, quality and detail of reporting varied widely between studies. Most studies (n=18) reported to various extents on epidemiological data on types of injuries and severity (TRIPP stage 1), with study periods varying from one event to one season. Injuries such as low back, knee, groin, and ankle pain, fractures and lacerations were reported in 4-64% of skaters. Although some causes have been ascertained (falls, cuts from skates), only three studies focussed partially on aetiology or risk factors (TRIPP stage 2). Muscle tightness and more training hours were found to be associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Skaters reported bent posture and strength training as precipitating factors. Helmets and cash padding were tested as preventative measures (TRIPP stage 3) for traumatic injuries in four studies which identified points for improvement. The only prevention intervention (TRIPP stage 4) was reported in one older study on back pain, and no studies were found on implementation or community-based prevention.
Conclusion(s): There is a lack of systematic approaches towards injury prevention at all TRIPP stages across ice speed skating sports. With few high-quality reports on specific injury incidence/prevalence and aetiology/risk factors, informed steps towards prevention cannot be made. Rules and regulations on protective equipment against traumatic injuries can be implemented, but may not affect all participation levels. No evidence-base on non-traumatic musculoskeletal injuries is available for clinical decisions.
Implications: With little information available, the primary step in injury prevention research in ice speed skating is systematic and adequate documentation of injuries and related factors (TRIPP stages 1 and 2) using quantitative and qualitative methods. Further explorative studies on preventative measures (protective equipment, exercise programs) may benefit future steps in preventing ice speed skating injuries.
Funding acknowledgements: Not applicable
Topic: Sport & sports injuries
Ethics approval: Not applicable
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
