The characteristics of Indonesian para-cycling athletes’ injuries

Abstract

Introduction: Amputee cyclists with different types of disabilities compete in same category in the Paralympics Games, and para-cycling has the highest risk of injury. This is because the areas used for training are velodromes and highways. The nature of these injuries is closely related to the recovery rate, absence from training, and even the end of a career. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of sports injuries sustained by para-cycling athletes when joining the Indonesia National team. Material and methods: The sample was a group of 19 athletes (16 males and three females) with a mean age of 30 ± 5.02. A questionnaire consisting of 25 questions was used to obtain data, which was adapted from Nowak’s questionnaire. Data analysis was represented in the form of numbers and percentages, and Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the relationship between variables. Results: The results showed injuries are most common in the lower limbs (57%) by falling (73%). The effects of the athletes’ falls are bruises (42%), twists or sprains (17%), and fractures (17%). Conclusions: Para-cycling athletes experience the lower extremity injuries. An athletes’ fall affects the lower extremities leading to contusion or bruises (on the knee and lower leg, when falling during training), twist or sprain (in the ankle, occurs during a training session), and fracture (caused by a fall during a training session).